Numb3rs
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Common Sense Media says
Smart crime drama OK for teens.
 | 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. |
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this crime drama regularly includes scenes in which violent acts such as murder are committed, and they can be pretty gory (think CSI, rather than Bones). In one episode, for example, a woman is strangled and pulled into bushes, her feet twitching, and then the perpetrator walks away, leaving bloody footprints.
What's the story?
In CBS' procedural drama NUMB3RS, a team of FBI agents and investigators use mathematical formulas and forensic evidence to help solve L.A.-area crimes. Rob Morrow stars as Don Eppes, a FBI agent who uses his brother, Charlie (David Krumholtz), a mathematical genius and professor, to help him solve some of the bureau's toughest cases. Don deals with the evidence in each case, while Charlie relies on mathematical equations and probability. The pair, both bachelors, live with their father, Alan (Judd Hirsch), and work alongside eccentric problem-solver Dr. Larry Fleinhardt (Peter MacNicol), and dogged FBI agents Megan Reeves (Diane Farr) and Colby Granger (Dylan Bruno).
Is it any good?
Numb3rs is a refreshing take on the primetime crime drama. The storylines are current (in one episode, an Iraqi woman attempting to out Saddam's henchmen is murdered) and the acting is quite good. Viewers get a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the FBI and the unusual ways its agents go about solving crimes. If teens can get past the sometimes violent crime scenes, they'll find Numb3rs highly enjoyable.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how the characters use math to help solve crimes. Does this make math a more appealing subject for teens? Can you think of other ways math might come into play in adult life? Families can also talk about why people commit crimes and whether the punishments they receive are appropriate. Kids might also like discussing law enforcement as a career. Is that something that interests them? If so, what particular kind of role could they see themselves filling?
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Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
this is a great show!
i you had to pick one of the many crime investigation shows Numb3rs is the best! it is a great show that the whole family can sit down and see! it is Friday nights at 10. this one isn't another trashy crime show, it is very enjoyable and real.all though there are always murders and bloodeness not much is actually shown. 13+
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
i luuuuuuuuuv it
my second fav show okay for younger kids as long as they dont mind the whole
looking at bloody and sometimes gruesome people at crime areas also sometimmes parents are killed wich could upset younger kids but i've been watching it sense i was 11 and it was fine.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Awesome! Very interesting
The best part of the show is when Charlie (the math genius brother) uses mathematical formulas to solve crimes.
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Adult
August 28, 2009
AGE
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
June 10, 2011
AGE
Occasionally violent, but also brilliant
I picked up the first season of Numb3rs for 25 cents at a yard sale. I'd heard of it, and, being a math geek myself, decided to give it a try. I am ever so glad that I did.
Numb3rs is probably the best American TV show that I have ever seen in my life (I say American TV because I tend to watch stuff from BBC more than, say, Fox or CBS). Yes, it makes math look super-cool and (dare I say it?) fun. Yes, the acting is excellent and the stories are up to date (CSM gave a very nice example up above under the 'is it any good?' tab). And yes, it can be quite violent. The first episode seemed to be one of those 'let's make the first episode as violent and disturbing as we possibly can so as to shock the people into watching this show!' type episodes: in one scene, a woman is held hostage in a garage with a plastic bag over her head (she is rescued just before she passes out), and there are lots of images of female corpses that have been beaten, branded with a blowtorch, and raped. But once you get past that first episode, things calm down a bit: the plots center around things like stock fraud and bank robberies and such (please note that I'm referring to season 1 - the other seasons rank a little higher on the 'violence and gore' chart). Parents, if you have a teen who isn't really into math, I'd recommend this series to them (or anyone at all over the age of 14) and I'll bet you a steak dinner that this won't change their minds about math, at least a little bit!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 16 years old
November 8, 2009
AGE
Amuseing,educationalish show
this is a great series to get into.it has educational value
too with the math they explain. I highly reccomend this for 12+
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Top Ten -Excellent for older teens and adults
I enjoy this show alot. It uses math to solve crimes for the FBI. It also deals with adult issues and relationships.
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Adult
October 30, 2009
AGE
My opinion...
My kid started watching Numb3rs at age 16, since then it has become a staple in our home. I encourage my kid to watch this show because it has really allowed her to look at math in a different way. While she understands that the show often works backwards from an answer, she has found that the theoretical physics explained in the show using simple terms really interest her, and I find her exploring this later. I wouldn't recommend the show for young children who are sensitive to violence as there are a few scenes that may be too graphic, but these do not play too large a role in the overall plot, and only last very breifly.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 28, 2011
AGE
worst tv show ever do not let your kids watch this
WORST SHOW EVER!!! i dont think anyone should watch this its bolldy grusome and just horrible i hate it
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Teen, 17 years old
June 12, 2011
AGE
Gr3at Show!!
When I found this show on Netflix, I could not stop watching it! My family basically went through a Numb3rs marathon for a while, and we love this show! I'm a math geek, so I really like how math is used to solve problems instead of pure science. HOWEVER, there is a fair amount of sexual content and swearing, so parents of young kids beware.
What other families should know:
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | CBS |
| Cast: | David Krumholtz, Judd Hirsch, Rob Morrow |
| Genre: | Drama |
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