 | 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. |
My Wife and Kids
- ABC, Nickelodeon
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Family dynamic creates few laughs for the family.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sitcom is based in contemporary upper-class suburbia and focuses on a "traditional" father in a non-traditional world. The parents are always making jokes about their sex life, and the father and son joke about owning porn. Some families will find the show funny, while others may find it offensive. Episodes often deal with heavy issues like teen pregnancy, drug use, and body image. The effect, however, is that of a show that doesn't take itself seriously.
What's the story?
Though it's a madcap comedy, MY WIFE AND KIDS' comic formula centers on one family's dynamic. Mom Janet (Tisha Campbell) is the breadwinner and sets the rules, dad Michael (Damon Wayans) is the caregiver and the loose screw, son Michael Jr. (George Gore II) is a dolt, elder daughter Claire (played by both Jazz Raycole and Jennifer Freeman) is a clumsy beauty, and youngest daughter Kady (Parker McKenna Posey) is smart and sassy. The family members constantly gang up on each other before sharing advice and love at the end of the show.
Is it any good?
What happens in between the teasing and the advice-giving is where the series goes awry. Serious issues like teen pregnancy, fears about social acceptance, drug use, body image, and placing value on a spouse's contribution to the household are mixed in with ridiculous behavior such as slaps, threats, and angry outbursts. The issues themselves are often glossed over, and the fact that they're addressed at all shouldn't overshadow the reality that the adults might handle them poorly. Janet and Michael admonish their kids' chaotic behavior at the same time that they exhibit very childish behavior themselves -- it might be difficult for tweens and young teens to understand what's meaningless banter and what's inappropriate behavior.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the relationship between the kids and their parents. Is it over the top or realistic? The family members also tease each other a lot. You might want to ask your kids if casual violence is ever funny or appropriate, or if teasing or being teased by family members is OK.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Sexual content is a problem
I don't believe this show is age appropriate for 11-14. This show is geared more toward what happens in a marriage, i.e. jealousy, sex, adult language between adults, and raising children. The focus is on the marriage... hence the title of the show.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 15, 2011
AGE
I LOVE this show I am actually watchign it righ tnow on NICK! I think this is a good show for learning abotu what might happen if I do this or that or that kind of stuff. Very funny.
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AGE
Boring and Pointless
All I can say is how much I hate this show. It isn't that bad, but just straight out boring. It is also inappropriate. Over half of the jokes are sex related, and Kyle is always trying to get Jay to have sex with him. Junior and his girlfriend Vanessa had a baby in their parents' bed, and Junior proposed to her being much too young. And they insult their kids a lot, and do not encourage them to get along. They are immature parents and clearly do not understand each other. They use a**, da**, he**, "Oh My God", and are just messed up.
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AGE
My Wife And Kids!
Personally I like the show but I defiantly wouldn't let my 10 year old sister watch it... To much talk about porn and sex. The characters are funny but to many swear words. You really have to be old enough to under stand some of the jokes. My Wife And Kids also has a lot of love going on... between couples and a 16 year old son making a young women pregnant it would be a lot for a little kid to handle!
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Kid, 12 years old
May 26, 2011
AGE
LOVE IT
This show is very funny, im watching this right now.Nothing you need to worry about.
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AGE
Love it i love i love i love i love <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
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AGE
Okay, I have watched 4 episodes of this show back to back. All four discussed Sex. TOO MUCH!
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AGE
Perfect for older kids but not for tweens
Really funny show, junior is so amazingly stupid that in every scene he is in you WILL laugh. However the show has a lot of sex talk in it including masturbation, anal sex and all time of this stuff. Should have been TV-14. Still good though.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Networks: | ABC, Nickelodeon |
| Cast: | Damon Wayans, George Gore II, Tisha Campbell |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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