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The Office

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Droll take on office politics isn't for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The main character is seriously flawed. He's portrayed as an idiot. Accordingly, his ignorant sexist, and somewhat racist comments about his subordinates are not meant to be taken seriously.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Some sexual innuendo, nothing too explicit.
  • Language:

    Inappropriate comments about race and gender that are either ignored or met with disbelief.
  • Consumerism:

    One episode took place at Hooters, another at Chili's. Some product placement -- notably by Staples.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One or two characters will often get drunk at office parties.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Office was written by Marjorie Kase

Parents need to know that the show's main character regularly makes insensitive remarks about employees' race and gender, and that he's treated like a buffoon as a result. The show also features a fair amount of sexual innuendo. Characters are known to get drunk at office parties.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about rude and inappropriate behavior in comedic television shows. What is the most outrageous thing you've ever viewed? Do you think the line of what is considered acceptable changes? When would you say television writers have crossed the line into truly offensive? Is that line different for cable and network shows? Should it be?
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More on The Office

What’s the Story?

THE OFFICE is a mockumentary series that covers the 9-5 workaday antics of a Scranton paper company's staff. Overseeing employees is Mike Scott, played by Steve Carell (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), a boorish, self-aggrandizing, inept regional manager who cracks jokes that weren't funny seven years ago ("Wassup?" is still in his arsenal). His underling, Dwight (Rainn Wilson), a wannabe assistant manager and weekend volunteer sheriff's deputy, is like the hall monitor from hell, on constant watch for employee infractions. Dwight's a natural target for the never-ending stream of practical jokes conceived by bored desk mate and everyman Jim (John Krasinski) who has a wicked crush on receptionist Pam (Jenna Fischer). Rounding out the cast is office temp Ryan (B.J. Novak), who is simply along for the ride.

Is It Any Good?

Inefficiency runs amok in this remake of Ricky Gervais' classic BBC show. But The Office has proven itself to be a stand-alone hit from its British predecessor. Using only the framework of the previous series with new storylines that are more reflective of American office culture ("Diversity Day" and "Yankee Swap" are good examples), the show has managed to garner a sizable following on this side of the pond. Steve Carell also does a laudable job in setting himself apart from Gervais' David Brent with a character that is both offensive and oddly endearing.

Viewers unfamiliar with the original series might find it hard to get used to the show's intentional awkwardness both with its dialogue and direction. It may take a couple of viewings to appreciate the unconventionality of the show's humor, but it's definitely worth it for mature audiences.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    one episode i think says "f--k"

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    one episode i think says "f--k"

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    one episode i think says "f--k"

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    not as good as the uk one....this shows for 18 year old its really bad for 15+12

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    ok for like 15 year olds & up but not really. better for adults.

    the characters have really low morals. especially like merideth & michael and stuff. it can be funny but i'd rather watch the once without all that sick crap in it & all the swearing & stuff. there isnt really any messages to any of the episodes. michael is just an itiot that wants to have a kid he can be funny tho because hes just so stupid. dwight is just wierd but still funny. pam & jim are ok. creed is..wierd. i like like to watch it because it can be funny, but id really prefer a nice clean episode to watch.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Depends on the Family

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

  8. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Settle Down People. They're Just Jokes. :]

    The Office explores the world of office behavior while also adding a lot of humor. The main character, Michael Scott, is kind of pretty much dumb, although that it the point of the show. That bosses are sometimes idiots! :] Haha jk but he does make a lot of inappropriate jokes relating to sex with Jan, his on again off again girlfriend, and also makes CONSTANT racist jokes against indians and a co-worker Stanley. However these are JOKES and are to be taken lighty, as are the sexual jokes and drunk people at parties. It's just for comic relief, people.

  9. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    really funny

    nothing too bad many people my age are allowed to watch this i think its hilarious

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    welll this is my favorite show... it should b fine for a mature 10 year old... i started watching when i was ten. its a great show and season seven should b coming out soon.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Awesome show - just be mature :)

    This show is hilarious. I love it so much!

  12. I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism

    it is so funny!!!!!!

  13. I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    it is so good!!!

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title off for age 12 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Negative role models

    This show is funny, confusing, and stupid.

    I don't really like how the actors, when their talking stare at the camera. I mean, really? Get your eyes off the camera. Steve.... No! Get your eyes off that camera! I guess its the comedy, but its not to funny, just annoying. The language is the normal. Not a lot of times, just enough to annoy. It is funny, but really confusing (unlike shows like: Two and 1/2 men, Scrubs, Family Guy, Everybody hates Chris etc.) That probably means its not suppose to be watched by twelve year olds. There is a lot of office political stuff in it. But my older brother and mother laugh along the whole thing.

  15. I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Children below 14-15 may not be able to distinguish humour from reality.

    Clever, witty, insightful show. However, nearly all of the characters have serious flaws either socially, intellectually, or emotionally and thus are not very good role models. The main character in particular says and does very offensive things nearly every show. Children 14 and above may be able to understand that much of the show is not to be taken seriously but below that, because of the dry sense of humour, children may take much of the show's sarcastic remarks literally.

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Awesome.

    This show is hilarious, and I've seen most of the episodes (except for most season 6 episodes, and one or two before that.)

  17. I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Not for young teens

    This is definitely a funny show for adults. Not for kids. If you want insensitive kids who act inappropriately and say jokes they don't understand, then by all means, show them this show about a boss who is such a jerk he make viewers cringe. NOT a kids show at all. Sixteen is probably the youngest even mildly appropriate viewing age.

  18. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 10, 13, 15
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0

    You have to know your kids, and preview individual episodes.

    I'm typically very critical of what my kids watch. With this show its more about the episode. Many are completely okay for my 12 & 15 yr. old. I have pushed my own limits on some of the episodes, because I know that as my younger is well in tune with the style of humor, she is more apt to get a lesson of how innappropriate or stupid a character's actions were rather than take it on as behavior to copy. This is a show where you have to know your kids, but ultimately, I think my kids get a lot out of the intelligent humor in it. Don't rule out this show based on the more more adult episodes. Enjoy it before they do and you'll be able to keep it for them or delete it.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Teens will enjoy this show

    This is currently one of my favorite shows. It is awkward humor, it is subtle yet not at all subtle. Not appropriate for kids

  20. Kid Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    WARNING: REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS This is one of my favorite tv shows. I think it is appropriate for mature 12 year olds and up. It is very funny! Jim and Pam are great role models once season 4 hits. When their relationship starts you can see how they're the fairytale couple, Jim being the perfect, caring, sweet, romantic boyfriend (and soon to be husband) and Pam being the loving, funny, witty, girlfriend who follows her dream to be an artist. The rest of the characters are not the best role models. Over all, a wonderful show!

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