 | 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. |
Drop Dead Diva
- Lifetime Television
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
Beauty vs. brains dramedy is fun, despite some stereotyping.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this dramedy is a little too mature for tweens and some young teens, but older teens should be able to handle most of the issues it raises, from death and grief to divorce, loss, and body image. There's a bit of sexist stereotyping of women, as well as a good bit of flirting and social drinking among adults. Also expect some salty language ("bitch," "bulls--t"), references to violence, and mentions of name brands like Lane Bryant, Hermes, Porsche, and Apple.
What's the story?
After a fatal car accident, the spirit of aspiring model Deb Dobson (Brooke D’Orsay) ends up trapped inside the body of recently deceased plus-sized attorney Jane Bingum (Brooke Elliott). Now shallow Deb must rely on workaholic Jane’s brains instead of her (former) looks to get by. With the help of Jane’s assistant Teri (Margaret Cho) and best friend Stacy (April Bowlby) -- not to mention guardian angel Fred (Ben Feldmen) -- Deb begins to use her second chance to become a better person. But it isn’t easy, especially when her former boyfriend Grayson Kent (Jackson Hurst) starts working at Jane’s law firm, attracting the attention of catty co-worker Kim Kaswell (Kate Levering).
Is it any good?
DROP DEAD DIVA relies too much on stereotypical characterizations of women -- the dumb blonde, the homely intellectual, the vampy temptress, etc. -- to be wholly fresh and original. While the show ultimately sends the message that being superficial or relying solely on looks isn’t a good thing, it also makes conflicting points about the role that being physically attractive plays in a successful woman’s life.
Still, Deb/Jane’s journey of self-awareness creates lots of funny and poignant moments while the two women negotiate their extreme personalities. Meanwhile, the various legal cases that Jane's firm handles add to the drama. It’s a little bit much for tweens (and even some young teens), but older kids and adults who can look past the easy-out characterizations could find the series both smart and entertaining.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about whether women should ever have to choose between being beautiful or being smart. Is this really a choice that women are forced to make today? Do you think the show dispels or reinforces stereotypes about women?
Families can also discuss how the show addresses body image. Does it make you consider the issue any differently? Why or why not?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
November 19, 2011
AGE
Drop Dead Diva!
This is like Futurama, not appropriate for kids under 11 or 10. But I was watching a few episodes and it wasn't bad at all. Seasons 1 and 3 are the ones with the better episodes than Season 2. Most Tweens like me already know that language but don't use it. Characters die in a few episodes. But I love this show. I watch it when I study for a test or when I come back from school with my older brother, My baby brother, my 2 brothers who are 12 and 13, and my older sister. Big family eh. Funny Show I love it.
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Kid, 9 years old
September 29, 2010
AGE
Highlights
The show is very cute. Each episode is very interesting. Jane is very pretty even though she is overweight.
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Adult
August 5, 2011
AGE
Season 3 :(
Season 1 and 2 are age appropriate for kids but season 3 has too much sexual content. I would watch episode 1 of season 3 and then skip to episode 4,episodes 2 and 3 are not appropriate.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 29, 2009
AGE
Good for all ages
5 year olds would probably not understand it but when ur like my age you'll probably understand.the show is teaching u to not judge people.So it' good.
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Teen, 13 years old
June 10, 2011
AGE
Don't be prejudice
This show has a few bad words and a little inappropriate talk but not to the point were it will influence kids. It is an interesting show that teaches kids how to not be prejudice. I would recommend it for 12 and older. I would not let anyone under 12 watch it in case they are influenced a lot by what they watch. I think that once kids turn 12 they start becoming who they are as a person and this show shows them that it is okay to be who they want to be and its okay.
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Kid, 11 years old
September 28, 2009
AGE
Funny
I've watched the whole series so far and found the gunshot scene disturbing, but that's just me. Really sad but funny at the same time. Kids under 10 won't understand...
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Kid, 11 years old
April 16, 2012
AGE
sweet!!!
first of all i LOVE watching this with my parents. to tell you the truth, in DDD you don't really notice any other bad stuff except all the drinking, which there is a LOT of-but still! nobody actually gets drunk and kills anybody. they have these little cocktail parties and go to these weird bars. And sometimes there is a sexual part in it but usually it's in benefit of the case. the good stuff is overflowing! I would say it makes me want to be a lawyer but I hate arguing. it still does,though. :) I don't know much about what makes a good role model, but, um, yeah. it's a great show. it's kind of like school, basically. ; )
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Kid, 12 years old
May 23, 2012
AGE
Good Role Models
The show does have some violence in it but it is so minor and all that happens is a girl gets covered by oranges and some cases that Jane has involve murder but they only talk about it. It does have some sexual content like showing people in bed together and people kiss but it is definitely not anything graphic. Over all I think its a good show.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 10, 2012
AGE
Amazing for 11 & up
This is a very cute and funny show about a model named Deb who dies in a car accident and then is returned to Earth in a smart, lawyer's body. She needs to face the challenges of her new body, her new life, and her new job. While working on tough cases, she deals with relationships and life. I think this is a show with a smart, positive role model and is good for 11 & up.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Lifetime Television |
| Cast: | Brooke D'Orsay, Brooke Elliott, Margaret Cho |
| Genre: | Drama |
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