 | 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. |
The Lying Game
- ABC Family
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
Scintillating mystery thriller is OK for sturdy teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this thriller based on the book series by Sara Shepard dabbles in plenty of high school drama like romance, deception, popularity contests, and cattiness, but the fact that the story's protagonist keeps her distance from the bad behavior usually casts it in a negative light. Language is unpredictable ("hell" and "ass," mostly), and sexiness runs high among the teens, although physical contact usually tops out at kissing. If your teens can handle the show's suspense, then this tantalizing mystery will keep them on the edge of their seat.
What's the story?
THE LYING GAME centers on Emma (Alexandra Chando), a well-meaning teen who's been bounced around the foster system her whole life and is overjoyed to discover that she has a long-lost twin sister, Sutton (Chando again). Despite having an idyllic life with her wealthy adoptive family, Sutton's angry with her parents for what she sees as their deception over the details of her adoption, and she sets out to locate the girls' birth mother. At her sister's urging, Emma agrees to swap identities for a few days while Sutton tracks a lead, but when she doesn't turn up at their arranged meeting place, Emma's stuck keeping up the charade. She's unsure how long she can fool Sutton's parents and friends, and she fears that doing so will keep her from discovering the truth about her biological family.
Is it any good?
Dramatic and suspenseful, The Lying Game is based on a series of novels of by Sara Shepard, who also penned the best-selling books that inspired another ABC Family teen drama, Pretty Little Liars. Once again, Shepard's multi-dimensional characters translate well to the small screen, enticing viewers with their scintillating secrets and unpredictable motives. If you look a little deeper, you'll even find a few examples of warm relationships, like those of Sutton's parents and the one that her sister, Laurel (Allie Gonino), strives to have with Sutton's stand-in, Emma.
Because the show is geared toward teens, you can expect the requisite romance, betrayal, and cattiness of a "normal" TV teen's life. But the content feels a little exaggerated (and thus its silliness is exposed), since down-to-earth Emma usually observes, rather than partakes in, the unbecoming behavior. And the good news is that the content is fairly mild for the teen set, with minimal violence and marginal language ("hell" and "ass," mostly), and only kissing and some physical contact within relationships. That said, the chilling suspense and pending sense of danger require a certain sturdiness from viewers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about relationships. Are there any admirable relationships in this show? What qualities make them so? What qualities are important in your friends? How do you tell the difference between honest relationships and superficial ones?
Teens: What defines a family? How important is biology in family bonds? If you were adopted, would you want to find your biological parents? Why or why not?
Have you ever faced a difficult decision that involved deceiving someone you cared about? What factors affected your choice? Were you happy with the result? Is dishonesty ever OK?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
A nice surprise-
I watched this show and was pleased by how simple it was- no one's pregnant, no one's sexually confused, no one was doing drugs, or any of the other things that seem to be on every other show made for teenagers. Based on the first episode, I think it is appropriate for all tweens and teenagers.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 17, 2011
AGE
OK!
There wasn't anything wrong with this show.. I deffinatley want to see the next (: !!
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AGE
Watch with your child!
I've watched both episodes of this new series with my 11 yr. old daughter. We're enjoying the twist and turns. We talk about the fact that it's 'fiction' and that normal people don't act this way and just enjoy the story line.
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AGE
Just started to watch it...
and it's ok. Pretty interesting, wanna know what happens next!
Update: Amazing, addicting, loooove it!
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AGE
Guilty pleasure for the squeamish
This series is much milder than the books. Plus it glosses over the fact that in the book, Sutton has been murdered. I wish ABC Family would stick to the actual plots, yeesh! I would recommend this over Pretty Little Liars at this point for squeamish parents. It's a good, guilty pleasure.
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AGE
Just Fine
I don't really know what to think of this show because it's nothing like the book... I was really surprised that Sutton is still alive, EVERYONE knows where Thayer is, That Madeline's dad is actually friends with Sutton's dad, that Ethan's last name is "Whitehorse", that Ethan and Sutton were together, and that Thayer and Sutton did some "things" together.
Overall its a pretty good show it would be way better if they kept it more like the book but whatever.
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AGE
Review for The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
I think that this show is the best! I tried watching it, and it's just so full of suspense and mystery. Of course, there are a few things that are inappropriate, but it is only implied and never shown. This show would be good for sturdy 12-year-olds and teens. Anyone 12 and over is appropriate.
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AGE
Amazing and suspensful
This is my FAVORITE show right now and I HIGHLY recommend it to teens. I actually like the show more than the book. The twists and suspense are crazy and it leaves me at a cliff hanger and at the edge of my seat!!! There is not too much sexual content, nothing your teens can't handle.
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AGE
Great for mature teenagers
Good show. Some inappropriate stuff, but nothing that bad. You can watch it with your parents without feeling awkward. It's suspenseful, interesting, and fun. I'd recommend it.
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| TV rating: | NR |
| Network: | ABC Family |
| Cast: | Alexandra Chando, Helen Slater |
| Genre: | Drama |
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