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Less Than Perfect

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Sarah Rue, Sherri Shepherd, Andrea Parker, Andy Dick, Where to watch: ABC, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Less than perfect for kids, but OK for teens.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Central characters run the gamut in terms of race, sex, and temperament. And while office villains repeatedly fudge their morality to get ahead, their characters rarely "win."
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    All "violence" is done in the name of comedy. For example, one character hits another in the head with a lunch tray to gain access to softserve ice cream.

  • Sex:

    Several one-liners carry a degree of sexual innuendo. One character owns a pair of boxer shorts that clearly depict the rear view of Michelangelo's "David." Another has slept her way to the top of the newsroom power structure, going so far as to marry an anchorman. One episode shows characters having a post-coital conversation.

  • Language:

    Minor swear words are peppered throughout, including "hell," "damn," "crap," and "jackass."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Occasional alcohol consumption. In one episode, the heroine does a tequila shot to deal with stress. Another character sips – then guzzles – champagne in the control room during a newscast.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Less Than Perfect

Parents need to know that, while the material in this unremarkable-but-OK comedy occasionally hints at sexual themes, characters keep it clean for the most part. They do use low-level curse words like "damn," "hell" and "jackass." Good-hearted heroine Claude provides a positive example of a young woman who is able to advance in the workplace by using her smarts, not her sex appeal.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it's really like to work with other people, especially in a business setting, and the often-unpleasant realities of office politics. What are some effective strategies for dealing with difficult people at work -- or at school? How can you work toward your goals without sacrificing personal integrity? Do men and women face the same kinds of challenges in the workplace? What are the pitfalls of engaging in a romantic relationship with someone you work with? Does financial success always bring happiness?
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