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The IT Crowd

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Richard Ayoade, Chris O'Dowd, Katherine Parkinson, Where to watch: IFC, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Geeks rule in silly British sitcom about corporate culture.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The show is based on a stereotypical portrayal of computer experts as socially inept geeks who understand machines but not people. Some of the top executives at the fictional company are also quite sexist, and sexual harassment seems to be common at the office.

  • Violence:

    Some occasional cartoony violence; for example, in one episode, the boss wears special pants that shock him when he starts to get aroused to combat his sexual harassment.

  • Sex:

    No nudity or sex, but plenty of sexual references. Many of the plotlines revolve around dating, romance, and sex.

  • Language:

    "S--t" occasionally.

  • Consumerism:

    Some references to well-known pop culture touchstones, such as the video game Guitar Hero.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some references to drinking and controlled substances like the date-rape drug Rohypnol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The IT Crowd

Parents need to know that this British sitcom trades heavily on stereotypes, focusing on the tech department of a generic corporation. The top executives are womanizing lechers, the tech workers are socially inept geeks, and the comedy comes from watching these two incompatible tribes try to communicate. There's some drinking and language and plenty of sexual references, so it's probably not appropriate for kids and tweens -- and it may give older teens a distorted view of the corporate world.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about stereotypes. Why do so many TV shows and films portray people who work with computers as having poor social skills? Do you think that's accurate? Do you think it’s acceptable to make fun of “geeks”? Why or why not? Do you think the British geek cliches are any different from the standard-issue techies seen on U.S. shows?
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