Everwood

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Engaging but controversial show for teens.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show addresses mature themes. Past plotlines have dealt with illness (cancer, depression, stress-related incontinence), parent-child clashes, homosexuality, unwanted pregnancy, peer pressure, and teen sex. Family and friendship relationships are examined closely through these hot-button issues.

  • One multiracial couple is featured; otherwise the characters are white. Two feuding doctors slowly come to appreciate each other. Teens from different walks of life form unlikely friendships.
  • In several episodes, a teenage boy experiencing the adverse effects of brain surgery has violent outbursts.
  • Only some kissing onscreen; much discussion of sexual issues, including unwanted teen pregnancy, young kids having sex, and a married women discovering her husband is gay.
  • Occasionally characters say mild curse words on the level of "dam." The Brown kids have said "d--k" and "s--t" in anger.
  • Not applicable.
  • Drinking among high school students has been shown but not advocated; episodes have addressed the pros and cons of antidepressants.

What's the story?

Dr. Andy Brown (Treat Williams), his teenage son Ephram (Gregory Smith), and preteen daughter Delia (Vivien Cardone) are just learning how to be a family. Andy was formerly an inattentive father, mostly absent from his children's lives until their mother's death. Now he's trying to get to know them. Ephram is a gifted pianist and somewhat of an outcast in the small mountain town the Browns have moved to. He was miserable at first, but a close friendship with Amy Abbot (Emily VanCamp), the daughter of the town's only other doctor, plus breakthroughs in his strained relationship with his own dad, keep him sticking around. Meanwhile, as Delia starts to grow out of her tomboy years, she poses greater and greater challenges to her inexperienced father.


Is it any good?

 

Like long-running WB family drama 7th Heaven, EVERWOOD tries hard to involve adults and kids alike and tackles some heavy subjects. Both series recognize that today's kids aren't spared from tragedy and difficult decisions. But Everwood has proven to be the richer series, with characters who aren't so perfect, and actors who can give them dimension. Each character is flawed -- and all strive to become better people, sometimes failing. Viewers will appreciate that the series depicts sibling relationships in an especially positive light.

Little kids won't find much of interest in Everwood, nor is the show meant for them. Situations are teen- and adult-oriented and deliberately controversial. The young characters have some problems, but overall they're wholesome, smart, caring role models. Coping with death continues to be a major theme of the show. Families who have lost loved ones may benefit from talking about how characters on the show work through painful emotions.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about the serious and sometimes controversial topics addressed on the show. Ephram and Andy's relationship has never been harmonious. How might they work together to improve their father/son bond? Amy and Rose have had trouble in their relationship. How might a disease as serious as cancer affect a patient's interactions with family members? Another rich topic is coping with loss. How do the show's characters handle losing their loved ones? Is it realistic?


This review of Everwood was written by
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Awesome show
One of the great hour shows that are on now a days and you don't have to hide this one from you parents.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Best show on TV-Parents should watch with their teens

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
WONDERFUL
Loved It. Great story line. Characters have great lines and their lifes are so exciting and interesting! So NOT boring!

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Good program for most people
If this is the type of show you like, then great. But I honestly don't know about letting younger teens watch it alone. It isn't nearly as bad as other shows out there but some episiodes talk about sex, or kids wanting to have sex, or high school kids dating older women. I think about any teen, around 15 or 16 and older can watch it on their own, I think any kids younger then that shouldn't always watch it alone and I personaly recommend that parents go to the shows website *thewb* and click on the show, 'Everwood' and see what that next show will be talking about and decide if it is ok for their kid to watch it alone, if at least one of the parents should watch that episode with them, or if the kid should not watch that episode at all. I am 19 and watch the show but there are a few that I've seen that talk about sex, or using pot to ease someone's pain who is sick where the only doctor against it comes around at the end, and a few shows that I've known would talk about stuff like that and I don't even watch those and I feel if i had younger teens, under the age of 16 (A lot of teens that age and younger do watch this show, my girlfriend's sister does and shes 14) I would have to watch some of the shows with them and explain why some of the stuff they are doing isn't right during the tv breaks, even if my kid gets annoyed by it. And some I think I wouldn't let my younger teenagers watch, I'd take them out to dinner or something just so they won't see it. But, I'm only 19 and don't have kids, but that's how I believe I would do it.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
upfront and honest
This isn't a pleasent show. However, in the real world, delicate and "hard to face" realism is open and refreshingly addressed in a transparent fashion. It is a show made to stimulate issues that need to be faced at the appropriate time.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Teen years and problem solving
This show was cancelled but will rerun from beginning starting in October on ABC Family. Only season 1 is available on DVD at current time. The show was cancelled too soon witht he merger of UPN and WB networks. A great miscalculation and unfortunate for everyone that like smart dramas with wit, humor and thought provoking situations. If you haven't checked it out...do so!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Boring
More boring television that really doesn't alienate my mind from the stress of life.

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Teen, 13 years old
September 9, 2010
 
I love this SHow
.
What other families should know:

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This review of Everwood was written by
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:WB
Cast:Gregory Smith, Scott Wolf, Treat Williams
Genre:Drama

This review of Everwood was written by
 

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