 | 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 Middleman
- ABC Family
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Comic book-based action series is quirky and fun.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this tongue-in-cheek adventure show is based on a series of graphic novels. It takes pains to bring that comic-book atmosphere to the screen, so expect lots of over-the-top situations, plenty of strange characters, action sequences played for laughs instead of thrills, frequent pop culture references, and a hero whose main strength seems to be his ability to accept the unbelievable without batting an eye. Aside from the cartoony violence (which includes weapon use) and a bit of innuendo (there's some speculation about the sexuality of one character's boyfriend), there's not much for parents to worry about here -- unless being required to suspend your disbelief much more than usual is an issue.
What's the story?
As an office temp, Wendy Watson (Natalie Morales) has many useful skills. She's a speedy typist and great with a multi-line phone system. But perhaps her best talent is simply that she's good under pressure, able to fend off a gloppy, multi-tentacled creature when someone's DNA experiment at her latest job assignment goes very, very bad. Wendy's ability to keep her head when faced with the unbelievable and amazing (from talking animals to surly robots) catches the attention of THE MIDDLEMAN (Matt Keeslar), a mysterious hero who recruits her to become his sidekick. Their mission: to quickly and quietly resolve situations that the regular cops can't handle and usually refuse to believe.
Is it any good?
This action show intentionally skirts the line between quirky and silly, setting up one crazy situation after another. If it feels a lot like a comic book, that's no coincidence -- executive producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach created the Middleman character in a series of popular graphic novels. On the spectrum of action heroes, this show falls much closer to the wacky tone of Men in Black (also based on a comic book) than the thrills of Superman; it goes more for laughs than excitement.
The Middleman seems self-consciously aware of its position in the pop-culture pantheon; the character is deliberately trying to be a very different kind of hero, and the show often quotes well-known lines from well-known films likeThe Godfather and Independence Day. These references go by quickly, as if the writers are challenging the viewers to spot them. The people who can are probably the ones who will enjoy this show the most.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about comic book heroes. The Middleman isn't your average super hero -- do you think that makes his character less interesting than heroes who fall closer to the Superman/Spider-man/Batman model? Do you think there's room for more than one kind of hero in comic books or on screen? Why are so many comics made into movies or TV shows? There are many kinds of comics -- do some work better than others on the screen? Why?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Quirky but our whole family likes it
Our 7, 9 & 11 year olds all loved this show. It has quirky plots and characters that the kids really enjoyed.
The Middleman is a model "goody two shoes" complete with old fashioned morals & sayings like "Golly gee whiz." His young modern sidekick questions his old fashioned moral way of dealing with things, but finds out he's often right.
The humor is like the old Bugs Bunny cartoons -- younger kids get the physical humor and basic jokes. Older kids and adults catch more of the quick one liners. The violence isn't the focus of the show and it's done like a parody of Men in Black and other action films.
If you're looking for a safe, non-Disneyish show for kids to move on to, this is one of them. Also if your older kids were interested in the show Pushing Daisies, but not quite ready for that content, this is a good alternative.
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AGE
Whoa....
Middleman refrences everything from Planet of the Apes to james bond. The show it's self is insanley original and funny! Some slight swearing, but still an awsome show!
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AGE
This is a great show!
I watched this show and I love it! It's so worth watching!
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Kid, 12 years old
May 10, 2010
AGE
WARNING/UNWARNING RECOMENDATIONS
13 and under (red) 14-15 (yellow) 16 and up (green) 10 (suggested)
WARNING: it contains language
UNWARNING: for good role models.
Was this review useful?
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AGE
WARNING/UNWARNING RECOMENDATIONS
13 and under (red) 14-15 (yellow) 16 and up (green) 10 (suggested)
WARNING: it contains language
UNWARNING: for good role models.
Was this review useful?
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Kid, 11 years old
May 10, 2010
AGE
WARNING/UNWARNING RECOMENDATIONS
13 and under (red) 14-15 (yellow) 16 and up (green) 10 (suggested)
WARNING: it contains language
UNWARNING: for good role models.
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AGE
Kids under 11 should NOT watch this show
I have a hard time thinking of an age group for which this show would be appropriate. Adults are above the cheesy outfits and content, and there's too many sexual references for me to justify subjecting my 8 and 9-year-olds to it.
In the first episode alone, there was the unnecessary use of the words 'homosexual' and 'lesbian' (there's no need for that in a TV show for kids. There was also a "strip club" featured in it (not ACTUAL stripping was going on in the show, but the dancer was highly suggestive, if not raunchy).
In my role as a parent, I have to be the one suggesting shows for my kids to watch, and nothing in this first episode makes me want to affirm this show to my kids. There is nothing "family" about this show except fot the name of the TV station (i.e. ABC Family). Sorry.
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AGE
Not quite sure
I'm not exactly sure but like in the poilet they were doing a lot of bleeps so i don't know but it was a funny show.I never see it on tv anymore so that basicly sucks
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | ABC Family |
| Cast: | Mary Pat Gleason, Matt Keeslar, Natalie Morales |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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