 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
Common Sense Media says
Rude bad-girl buddy comedy is full of sexual humor.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 is chock full of sexual humor and situations, including implied masturbation and simulated sex (no nudity). It's all tongue-in-cheek, but it's also likely that parents will want to steer their teens away from watching the comically amoral main character as she steals, cheats, and lies -- even if she occasionally redeems herself and seems to have some good sense deep down. Aside from the sexual humor, expect plenty of drinking (including one scene in which an adult gets a kid drunk in order to hear his secrets), and some language ("bitch," "screw," etc.).
What's the story?
June (Dreama Walker) is a naive small-town girl who moves to New York City to take a big corporate job, only to find that her new company has been shut down on her very first day. Looking for a roommate to share expenses until things get better, she stumbles upon Chloe (Krysten Ritter), a con artist and the titular "b----" in DON'T TRUST THE B---- IN APARTMENT 23. Somehow the two girls become friends, and with the help of Chloe's "straight gay BFF" James Van Der Beek (played by himself, with Dawson's Creek jokes intact), the two navigate life, love, and a whole lot of sex in the big city.
Is it any good?
It's clear that there's some talent both behind and in front of the camera here. Some of the show's throwaway jokes are blink-and-you-miss-it clever in a way that recalls 30 Rock. But this is no 30 Rock, which is sweet at its core despite being occasionally mean. There's no sweetness in Apartment 23. There are, however, some decent gags and great actors. Despite her character being written as a heartless slut, Ritter is actually appealing as Chloe, and though Van Der Beek's turn seems like a rip-off of Neil Patrick Harris' work in Harold & Kumar, he's still charming and naturally funny enough to make it work.
All in all, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 has good-enough bones, and mature viewers who appreciate cynical comedy might find something appealing in the odd-couple pairing featured here.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about why Chloe's cruelty is presented as amusing. Do you find what she does funny? Why or why not? Do you notice any stereotypes about women or the relationship between women presented in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23? Does it do anything to challenge stereotypes?
Can you appreciate James Van Der Beek's character here without having been a Dawson's Creek fan? What do you think about celebs portraying themselves -- does it work?
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Adult
April 13, 2012
AGE
oh my god
well i am a 22 year old guy who was watching modern family wednesday one of our family favorites and then i seen an add for this show as well and thought i would i give a shot and all in all i really liked it thought it was cute and very funny but most ceartenly not for most kids here is a more clear desription of content well in the very beging of the show there is a wild sex sceen and it did have some language and oh yea how could i forget about this there is also i sceen in wich cloey procedes to come down stairs naked for breakfeast so yea NOT FOR YOUNG KIDS i know i put this show had positive role models well jane God love her heart all cloey does to her and puts her threw and she forgives her and i think that is a positive role model of a friend if you ask me
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Parent
April 7, 2012
AGE
ok i will try it
it looks ok i will try it
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Parent
April 20, 2012
AGE
Another Filthy Show from ABC
Another perverted “comedy” by ABC that enjoys calling women “B!tches”. Sex on a cake, masturbation, nudity and profanity. Really, this show has no value for anyone and is not even worth mentioning. What should be talked about is the fact that the producers and broadcasters of this filth take no responsibility for their product even when it is intentionally offensive. Where is the common sense in that?
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Adult
May 5, 2012
AGE
-----funny-----
funny
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Parent
April 12, 2012
AGE
Beware
Not for kids under 15 unless you plan to talk about all the situations that arise during this show. Way to much sexual humor.
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Teen, 15 years old
August 20, 2012
AGE
Hilarious show but very mature content
So i'm a 15 year old kid and this show is hilarious. I love it. But there is no way i'd ever watch it with my parents!! When I watch shows by myself I don't care if there is sexual content because i'm old enough (almost a Junior) to understand it but it would still be totally awkward to watch with my parents.
Things you should know is that there is lots of sex talk. Chloe has sex with June's boyfriend on June's birthday cake (even though she DID do it to show June that he was a cheater so it did sort of help in a weird way). There is talk about masturbation and innuendos and the next door neighbor is a little perverted. Chloe shouldn't be taken as a great role model. She is a strong independent woman in the city, but she spends most of that time drinking and having casual sex (there's a whole episode on casual sex). June is a good role model even though she can be 'turned bad' for a while because of Chloe but deep down there is some heart to their friendship. Some language. Drinking is seen a lot. Even one episode was revolved around Chloe secretly filming her and June making homemade Jam and made it into a weird fetish video (I guess there is such thing as that). So I'd say for Teens, it's okay. They understand most of it anyways but i'd advise not to watch with your parents because even though you are totally mature about those kinds of things your parents will still treat you like you're 10 years old. I should know. I watched The Hangover sitting between my parents when I was 12.....AWKWARD. Even though i've seen it with my much older (28) sister and I was perfectly fine with it. So Teens and Up for this show!
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Teen, 14 years old
January 11, 2013
AGE
Keep in mind what you are actually watching....
This show is funny. For people who have that sexual kind of humour. I'm not saying it appropriate for all audiences in fact I dont think many kids under 14 should watch it unless they are extremely mature or their parents are happy with them watching heavy drinking, suggestions of 'screwing' each other and a couple of very bad role models. This isn't a programme where the characters play happy apartment buddies; there is drinking and swearing and partial nudity. Chloe is found 'shagging' June's fiancee on top of her birthday cake and that is how the story begins. At the start of the season, one of the main characters, Chloe, tries to manipulate, blackmail and bully her new roommate (June) into leaving the apartment but fails due to June's determination and positive attitude.
Really, it all comes down to the type of parent you are and the maturity level of your child/ren. The shows prominent themes are sex and drinking/partying. So do not bag on this just because you watched it and were shocked, it is rated M for mature audiences and the title gives quite enough insight as to not be so appalled by the themes and happenings within the series.
Overall it is a quite good show, with a lot of jokes and one liners.
Watch with an open mind and certainly watch it before your kids to get a better idea of how much you want them to see.
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| Topics: | friendship |
| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Dreama Walker, James Van Der Beek, Krysten Ritter |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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