| 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. |
Parents need to know that this show's quick-witted humor often includes innuendoes about sex, alcohol, and drugs, which are handled with an implied "wink, wink" philosophy that makes them seem harmless. The show rarely tackles controversial subjects -- instead mining the characters' workplace relationships for storylines -- but its crass humor and mature content should keep it off kids' watch list. Even when it does touch on something more serious (eating disorders, emotional problems, etc.), it's all played for humor.
Created by Steve Levitan, who masterminded the award-winning Frasier, JUST SHOOT ME is a sitcom set in the editorial department of a fictitious fashion magazine called Blush. Veteran actor George Segal plays Blush editor in chief Jack Gallo, whom many on the show liken to Playboy top dog Hugh Hefner. Jack's rarely caught doing any real work for the magazine, though despite his gender and middle age, he fancies himself an expert on what his young female readers want to hear. His fiery daughter, Maya (Laura San Giacomo), is a serious journalist who's determined to change the magazine's fluffy content but whose efforts are often rebuffed by her dad and by her co-workers -- overly sensitive photographer Elliot DiMauro (Enrico Colantoni of Veronica Mars) and stereotypical ex-model Nina Van Horn (Wendie Malick). Spade rounds out the Blush crew as Jack's brown-nosing assistant, Dennis Finch, who never misses a chance to needle his peers and his boss (behind his back, that is).
The series pokes fun at the fashion industry and high-society life, but it's the show's sharp-tongued wit and quick sarcasm -- both of which play to Saturday Night Live alum David Spade's strengths -- that make it one worth watching.
Teens and adults will enjoy 30 minutes of fun and laughs with the Just Shoot Me gang, but the show's willingness to make light of alcohol and drug use and intermittent sexual innuendoes should rule it out for kids. One disappointing side effect of the show's humor is that Maya -- the only character to exhibit strong morals and overall good judgment -- is often the brunt of workplace jokes and comes across as weak and simple-minded.
Families can talk about the workplace. How do people relate to each other on the job? How do they resolve issues or differences that come up? Parents can also talk about how the fashion world influences self-image. How does it make you feel to see models in commercials and magazines? Do you wish you looked like them? Do you think they're happy with the way they look?
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Syndicated |
| Cast: | David Spade, George Segal, Laura San Giacomo |
| Genre: | Comedy |