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Life with Derek (Disney Channel)

common sense media says

Modern day Brady Bunch from the teen perspective.

parents & educators say
See all 54 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know boys talk about the female anatomy. Both girls and boys develop and talk about crushes on each other. This is normal adolescent behavior but you may want to consider if your tween is ready for this kind of thing before they tune in.

Positive messages: Older siblings take care of the younger ones.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Teen girls wear skimpy clothes and boys discuss the female anatomy.
Language: Questionable dialogue including phrases such as "booty cam."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Life with Derek

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the challenges of the blended family. How common is this type of family and do the members of this one act in a realistic way? Parents and kids could also talk about birth order and how that affects family relationships.

What's the story?

What's the story?

A newly married couple moves in together with children from previous marriage. Sound familiar? This time around the show focuses on the power struggle of the two oldest siblings, Casey (Ashley Leggat) and Derek (Michael Seater). Both 15 years old, these teens are accustomed to being the top dogs in their households and controlling their younger sibs. But who's the alpha between the two of them? Each episode plays on this struggle whether it's in the home, school, or community.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Sibling issues are bound to touch a nerve with tween and teen viewers who experience sibling wars in their own households. Casey is smart, idealistic, and a budding feminist who demands to be treated equally. Derek gets under her skin with his posters of girls in bathing suits on his bedroom walls, love of video games like "Babe Raider," and sugary sweet patronizing manner with girls.

LIFE WITH DEREK is a show that kids will relate to and find funny. But be prepared for them observing teen behavior including talk about attractions to the anatomy of the opposite sex and girls wearing skimpy outfits to impress boys. Bottom line: This is mostly fine, but you may want to preview before you share with your kids under age 10.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Disney Channel
Cast: Ashley Leggat, Daniel Magder, Jordan Todosey, Michael Seater
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Disney Channel
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

BlueSunday
teen, 15 years old
8
 
Realistic and Funny Family Show
This was a very fun family friendly show (and its in Canada!) Casey can be a bit controlling, but the point is she's trying to overcome that, especially when she has to be stuck in the same Household as Derek! They're all funny together, especially Edwin, Lizzy and Marty. The romance gets a tad annoying with the make-up break-ups (the parents get irritated with it too) but still, its realistic and comical. And the acting is actually good! Their problems aren't rediculous either, real and genuine and the characters can relate to a person (It NEEDs to come back on for the sake of all that's good!)
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yll
 
Brady Bunch Gets Real
It deals with issues in a step-family from as realistic a perspective as a Disney sitcom can. Those issues mostly center around life with a step-sibling and sibling rivalry issues, as well with adjusting to a new family and school. The protagonist, an uptight teenage over-achiever usually ends up learning something within the course of an episode.
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DominikaRudzka
parent of 3 and 13 year old
 
Great Show
My 10 and 6 love this show their not scared of anything .
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I love animals
kid, 12 years old
10
 
Watch out
This show is great. But it is really sexy. Not good for younger kids, but at the end it always ends up setting a great example. There was an episode that derek liked to play a game called baberator. Its about a game and the character in the game had huge breasts and in the game she said "you want bra power, I will give you bra power". Then there was an episode about this girl at there school and derek started hitting on her. and at the end of the episode they where making out on the couch. That same episode they where talking about how big her breasts where. And nora wanter to borrow one of Caseys bras.
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RainforestGal
teen, 15 years old
5
 
Well. . its okay, there's just too much lovey dovey junk in there, other wise its cool.
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fran.santosrdz ...
kid, 10 years old
5
 
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Mariodude23
teen, 16 years old
5
 
Two stars?
First, let me address commonsense's two stars. This show is better than anything else on the Disney channel and you give it two stars? This show has many more laughs, much more talent, and better direction (and concept) than Hannah Montana and Sonny with a Chance and all of that other crap on the channel, and you give them all 3 stars. Yet this well made show comes along and you give it two stars? It doesn't have any consumerism in it, has better morals, and is better for kids yet you give it two stars? Whatever, this show is better than anything else on the channel, and is very enjoyable. I won't go into detail because I'd just be re-iterating what I said above.
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tjstar
teen, 14 years old
8
 
Best Show on Family Channel
This show shows that that's really what goes in our lives. I mean, all brothers and sisters fight, but in the show, Casey moves into Derek's family so she didn't even grow up with Derek. There is nothing wrong with this show at all. So I can see why Casey and Derek always fight because they didn't even grow up with each other and they have their differences. But all brothers and sisters fight. It is a show that can relate to all of us. (Well, most of us or some of us!) BEST SHOW ON FAMILY CHANNEL! P.S. Why did CommonSense put a kitten as the picture for Life with Derek? It's kinda creepy!
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chocolatelover_4
kid, 12 years old
9
 
ages 11+
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arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
7
 
i love this show.its amazing.theres nothing really that bad in it.
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GummiBearGirl
kid, 13 years old
8
 
Great Tween Show!
I've been watching this show since I saw it at age 7, and still watch it again and again on youtube. It's originalIt's a great show, but there was a lot about dating, and even an episode about a sexist game called Babe Raider (The girls are fighting it in the episode.) In another episode Casey thought Derek was selling drugs.
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PomPom2000
kid, 11 years old
2
 
One of my Fav shows on disney channel
It is my favorite show on disney channel along with good luck charlie. It is by far the funniest and most realistic. Must Watch!
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doggielover19
kid, 12 years old
12
 
alright,but iffy
okay...but there is a H*** in an episode,and the talk about sexual content and drugs, and mom gets pregnet..alright for 12+
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Miley Cyrus ...
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Quite iffy.
Too many iffy stuff for little children. Can't blame disney as it's not the original series.
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starstuddedmov ...
teen, 13 years old
10
 
Awesome show, but...TV-G?
I think this show is good, but I think it really kind of pushes the G rating as far as sex, I think it would be better off as PG.
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bribri.123
teen, 14 years old
9
 
This show is interesting to watch, but it doesn't show what a 16-year-old is supposed to act like.
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shmulik98
teen, 13 years old
9
 
Awsome!
I like it! It's awsome!
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Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
4
 
I like it
I like it!
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oyuky m
teen, 16 years old
 
I LOVE THIS SHOW!
there is nothing wrong with this show its really interesting and realistic! In case parents don't know THIS IS REALLY HOW LIFE IS! Disney finally has a show that tweens and teens can actually relate to. Of course I don't think it should be rated "G" (or even on Disney Channel) but its a great show. And there is nothing wrong with the whole DerekxCasey relationship because they are teenagers who who aren't related and they didn't even grow up together!One of my very favorite shows of all time!
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sgmatton
parent of 11 year old
14
 
Life with Derek TV-G "I don't think so!"
Ok,so way to much attitude, bad examples "BOOTY CAM" i don't know why thats still on TV Horrible Horrible HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines