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Judging Amy (Syndicated, TNT)

common sense media says

Law & Order meets The Waltons.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of the cases that family court judge Amy Gray presides over might upset young or sensitive viewers -- particularly those that deal with sexual abuse, neglect, and battles between foster and birth parents. But overall, this is a much more family-friendly hour than most other legal-centric dramas on TV.

Positive messages: The show offers lots of positive messages: Always do the right thing, respect others, don't make assumptions, and always put family first. Amy's job as a family court judge means that she deals with cases of abuse and neglect, but she does her best to deal with these problems fairly and to the benefit of all concerned.
Violence: Child abuse and neglect is discussed, but rarely shown.
Sex: Some dating and sexual relationships between adults, but drama is the focus, not titillation.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Judging Amy

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why the law sometimes has to intervene in a family's personal life. What defines neglect? Why do some parents put their kids in harm's way? What is the role of a foster family?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In JUDGING AMY, Amy Brenneman stars as Amy Gray, a divorced single mother to Lauren (Karle Warren) who leaves her job in New York City to become a family court judge in Hartford, Connecticut. She and her child live with Amy's outspoken mother, Maxine (Tyne Daley), who presides over the family as Amy reconnects with her brothers Vincent (Dan Futterman), and Peter (Marcus Giamatti), and sister-in-law Gillian (Jessica Tuck). Amy also finds herself managing the personalities of her co-workers, including her court services officer, Bruce (Richard T. Jones), and court clerk-turned-lawyer, Donna Kozlowski (Jillian Armenante). Judging Amy, which is based on the life story of Brenneman's real-life mother, a judge who was one of the first women to graduate from Harvard, explores both Amy and Maxine's personal relationships and Amy's career cases, which almost always involves making difficult decisions regarding kids' welfare.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

In an era of bawdy, sensationalistic reality shows, Judging Amy gives viewers an hour of solid family drama. Parents will feel good letting older tweens and teens tune in to a show that has positive messages about respect and doing good, and viewers of all ages will likely be fascinated by the machinations of the family court. Some of Amy's cases, however, might be upsetting for sensitive or younger viewers, particularly those that involve neglect or abuse.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Syndicated
Cast: Amy Brenneman, Dan Futterman, Tyne Daly
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: Syndicated
This review was written by Lucy Maher
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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