 | 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. |
Jane by Design
- ABC Family
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
Unlikely teen drama centers on positive female role model.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this teen-friendly drama has some worthwhile things to say about individuality, work ethic, and chasing dreams. Jane breaks plenty of rules on her way to achieving her goals, but that doesn't cancel out the good things she does, including shouldering her family's financial burden and putting her nose to the grindstone to succeed at an unlikely opportunity. Adults don't always behave admirably, as back-biting and ulterior motives are common in the fashion house, but their actions provide a backdrop against which Jane's more principled motivations shine. Expect some allusions to sexual encounters and frequent make-out sessions, as well as some mild language ("damn," "ass," and the like), and nastiness from a social diva who targets Jane with her cruelty. That said, the well-meaning characters are the ones who stand out, and their actions have positive messages for teens.
What's the story?
Despite her aspirations to popularity, Jane Quimby (Erica Dasher) lives on the fringe of high school society and takes her share of knocks from the "in" crowd, so when she sees an ad for an internship at a prestigious design company, she looks at it as a ticket away from obscurity and toward a brighter future that embraces her unique fashion sense. But a misunderstanding lands her a position as an executive assistant to the firm's top designer, Gray Chandler Murray (Andie MacDowell), and a hefty paycheck, which will help keep her family's tricky finances. The position puts Jane in the middle of a nasty power struggle between Gray and India Jourdain (India De Beaufort), the junior designer who's vying for her job, and forces her to live a double life while she impersonates an adult at work and keeps up with the demands of high school during the day. Things get even more complicated by newfound attention from both her handsome colleague, Jeremy (Rowly Dennis), and her longtime school crush, Nick (Matthew Atkinson).
Is it any good?
JANE BY DESIGN embraces a number of qualities inherent to teen life, including blossoming self-identity and the desire to be accepted by your peers. While the show's premise is a bit of a stretch, the underlying concept of throwing caution to the wind and following your dreams is anything but, and it's a sentiment to which many coming-of-age viewers will relate. As for the show's presentation of teen life, there's a lot of truth to Jane's trying experiences with her peers, and the content brings relevant issues like bullying and popularity to the forefront. It also turns the tables on some stereotypes by casting multi-dimensional characters who often exceed viewers' preconceived notions of them. Either way, there's plenty of food for thought about a variety of social relationships.
Content-wise, the series is on par with what its intended teen audience is ready for. Sex is the most obvious issue, but physical contact stops at heavy making out (kissing, rolling around on a bed, and implications of sex, but nothing is shown), and there are some likable relationships that develop over the course of the show. And as peer models go, teens could do a lot worse than Jane, who's motivated by career and personal goals to take on daunting challenges and discovers a lot about her own strength along the way.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about relationships. Which relationships within your peer group are difficult for you? What makes them so? How do you handle complicated friendships?
Teens: Do you think Jane by Design paints an accurate picture of teen life? Have you ever experienced bullying? What happened? How did you resolve the situation? Is it possible to see the situation from the other person's standpoint?
What are your career goals? How are you working toward them now? Have you ever had a job or other position that's helped prepare you for this aspect of your future? What excites you most about being an adult?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Possible Age-Inappropriate Relationships
Familes should be concerned about the age-inappropriate come-ons from adult designer "Jeremy" to (secretly) teen-age "Jane".
While it’s the opposite of the movie Never Been Kissed (adult is attracted to another adult that he believes to be a student), the “attraction” between Jane and Jeremy (adult hits on minor he believes to be an adult) is quite unsettling. Since Jane is styled to look “her age” (high school), this is pretty disturbing.
I'm concerned that this show will join many others that seem to be endorsing this this sort of relationship dynamic.
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AGE
Tacky...but ads run on children's network?
Show had plenty of sexual gags but ads appear on Disney Channel. Sigh, didn't we learn about marketing adult material to kids with Being Human? Girls show not suitable for under 13.
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AGE
A really fun show--for now.
The first episode of Jane by Design was enjoyable, and I can't wait to watch next week! It seems like a slightly more mature version of True Jackson VP from nickelodeon--meaning that Jane initially takes the job to support her and her brother (who can't find work) some unfriendly co-workers and fellow students. However, it's refreshing that Jane's best friend on the show is a guy but there's none of that will-they-won't-they-date stuff going on. Also, the drama on the show is minimal, compared to other teen programs like "Pretty Little Liars" and "Secret Life." (Which I choose not to watch because of content.) Bottom line, it's good now and has lots of potential to be a really great show, but if it goes the same over-dramatized route as many programs before it have, I'll probably stop watching.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 7, 2012
AGE
Jane by Design, good good good, one bad issue.....
Great show!!!!! However there are some parts but taught in a learning manner, children need to know this is the world, and parents blocking them from that well how do you expect them to be? Anyways, jane shows that you can make it to the top no matter what! There is some sexual content that maybe they shouldnt of showed, so if there under 11 make sure they understand "the talk". There is champagne but its a celebration and only the adults drink. But otherwise get out there and hit "record"!
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Kid, 12 years old
February 11, 2012
AGE
2.5 STAR RATING, OK SHOW
It's an OK show and it's kinda boring. However, it's more interesting than Switched at Birth SOMETIMES. There are some sexually inappropriate things there, but it's not horrible. Overall, it's a tolerable show, and you must only watch if you are 13 and up.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 4, 2012
AGE
Any bets on when this show will get cancelled?
Dumb.
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AGE
Not ABC Family's best
I thought this show looked kind of interesting from the previews, but I was extremely disappointed. The pacing of the show is awkward. The situation is a little too unrealistic even for TV, and the acting wasn't very good. Personally, it just wasn't my thing. I love other ABC Family shows like Pretty Little Liars, and The Lying Game, but this one just didn't do it for me.
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Kid, 6 years old
May 11, 2012
AGE
I loved this! It was funny, creative, and upbeat. Fashion is the main theme
I loved this! It was funny, creative, quirky and upbeat. The main character is a resourceful strong girl who looks for herself in fashion and at herself as fashion. She is not so popular in school, but works really hard for good grades. At her job, she is helpful, polite and honest. These are all positive things to work for and watch. Trying to hide her high-school life of obscurity from the people at her job, and trying to hide her high-profile job from her brother (her legal guardian), isn't particularly honest, but so be it. She works incredibly hard to keep the great and promising job she has, and still manages to contend for highest grade average at school. I love this show.
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AGE
ok..................
Started off awesome and went downhill. it's just ok now. Nothing great. Pretty Little Liars is a million times better.
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| Topics: | great girl role models, high school |
| TV rating: | NR |
| Network: | ABC Family |
| Cast: | Andie MacDowell, Erica Dasher, Matthew Atkinson |
| Genre: | Drama |
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