 | 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. |
Joan of Arcadia
Common Sense Media says
God talks to a surly teen.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this show features a surly teenager, a geeky younger brother, an angry older brother: All very familiar teen types and interactions. But Joan hears the voice of God coming from a "hottie" guy, a black cafeteria worker, etc. and it leads her -- against her desire -- to do something that ends up helping her brother. The grisly murder setups and the way God is portrayed may be upsetting or confusing for younger viewers.
What's the story?
In JOAN OF ARCADIA, a high school teen finds herself talking to God in everyday situations such as the halls of her high school. In so doing many questions of God and faith come up between her and her friends. Her geeky science-loving younger brother believes in God and says that science proves it's so; there's also a sassy sister and a brother in a wheelchair who is angry at losing his mobility due to a car accident. Joan's parents are played by Joe Mantegna and Mary Steenburgen.
Is it any good?
This show brings up the big questions -- who is God? What is our obligation to others? How do we know God's will? And it does all this in a surprisingly unpreachy and non-partisan way. But it might offend some who have concrete ideas of who God is and how God talks to us or irritate those who don't believe in God at all. These audiences probably should not watch.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what kids think of portraying God this way. Do you think it's important to try to help others? What do you think about fate, purpose and interconnection?
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AGE
JOAN OF ARCADIA
The show JOAN OF ARCADIA is my mom and my favorite tv show now. Every friday we sit down together and watch. I really love the theme of her seeing god and all. A great show.
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AGE
Utterly sexist show
This is the most sexist show on TV. Every male character on the show is depicted as defective in some way, and most of every show consists of vignettes in which some female character disciplines or corrects a male character, sometimes with gentle persuasion, sometimes with power discipline, and occasionally with utter humiliation. Example: when the father, in his police job, tells a rape victim "I understand how you feel" she bristles "No, you don't. No man does. No man is ALLOWED to say that!" Does she have a monopoly on suffering due to violence? What about a man who is raped, or left in a wheelchair by a mugging. Does he suffer less than she? The choice of wording "allowed to say that" instead of "can say that" or "knows enough to say that" says a lot about the attitude of the (female) producer of the show.
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AGE
Love it...
Love JoA. It's obvious. Just absolutely love it. CBS was insane to cancel it. It brings a new perspective to the meaning of God.
~~JoAFreak
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AGE
A Gotta See Show
If you are anybody you will watch this show! First of all, she talks to god which automatically makes a good story line. Great sense of humor, and wonderful. Joan (Amber Tamblyn) is not only pretty, but is a great actress. All her effort really paid off. John Ritters son who in this show became paralyzed from the waist down is witty. The father is a police man is very addicting to watch. The show has a very slight C.S.I. theme in it! Absolutley GREAT!
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AGE
Excellent!
Television is being redeemed! We love this show. It deals with social situations for teenagers, older youth, parents, and whole families. It shows how the smallest deed by a normal teeneger can cause a ripple effect of positive changes in many people's lives. Problems are lovingly dealth with and worked through. Joan is an example of a teenager who uses her brain, and her heart, to make decisions. Wonderful experience!
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | CBS |
| Cast: | Amber Tamblyn, Jason Ritter, Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen |
| Genre: | Drama |
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