 | 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 Real L Word
- Showtime
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Reality show based on racy drama is too sexed-up for teens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reality series -- which, like its fictional counterpart, The L Word, follows the lives of a group of lesbians in Los Angeles -- has lots of mature content, from frequent uncensored swearing ("s--t," "f--k") to sexually explicit scenes that might make the Tudors blush. There's also plenty of smoking and drinking, and brand logos like Apple, MaxMara, and Lexus are visible. Most of the show's storylines focus on the women's personal relationships, but the series also highlights prominent issues in the lesbian/gay community, including same-sex marriage and single-sex parenting.
What's the story?
THE REAL L WORD showcases the life and lifestyle of a group of lesbians living in Los Angeles. The featured women include tough-talking fashion marketer Mikey Hoffman, streetwise special effects artist Whitney Mixter, real-estate agent Rose Garcia (who has a definite wild streak), and film/TV executive Tracy Ryerson. Cameras also follow entertainment industry manager Nikki Weiss and her fiancée, Jill Goldstein, who live their lives outside of the downtown lesbian "scene." From coping with parents struggling to understand their sexuality to complicated dating relationships, the series highlights the day-to-day drama that comes with working and playing in the city of angels.
Is it any good?
The series, which is produced by The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, is the first gay-themed reality show on mainstream television. It introduces viewers to some of the lingo and social rituals associated with the lesbian community and highlights some of the challenges that members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered) community face due to their sexuality. But the show's primary focus is on the featured women's romantic and sexual relationships, which range from casual dating to marriage.
Like most reality series, TRLW includes lots of over-the-top, hedonistic behavior designed to create voyeuristically dramatic moments. And some of the featured relationships are so complicated that they seem contrived. You can't help feeling sometimes that the series is playing up some of the cast members' sexual antics to appeal to existing stereotypes. Ultimately, what makes this an adult-oriented show isn't the fact that these women are lesbians, but rather some of the over-the-top behavior they engage in while the cameras are rolling.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether this show reinforces or undermines stereotypes. What do you think its goal is? Who is the intended audience?
How does this show compare to the drama that inspired it? Can you think of any other fictional shows that have become reality shows (or vice versa)?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
e.g. Watch the episode 13 version, don-t watch other ones, the other ones are questionable.
I gave episode 13 not use bad words, s**, n-dity, nude, naked, and no p*rnography videos. it's not for kids, or teens, or adults eithor (i mean not nessicary).
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AGE
Losers
I just love how this site says this show isn't for kids, just because it's about lebians I looked up a crap load of lesbian movies and shows even the ones that aren't bad just to see what this site said, and they all said no kids:(
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AGE
18+ okay, not appropriate for younger kids
My 16 year old daughter is a lesbian and wanted to watch this show. It has some positive role models, but also a lot of drinking/swearing/promiscous behavior which I do not find appropriate for most 16 year olds.
Since there are very few other gay reality shows, she is allowed to watch it when I'm there to watch it with her. We fast forward through certain scenes though. If she were any younger she would not have been allowed to see this.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 25, 2010
AGE
i don't know why a person says not bad or good
and just trashy, i say it's bad!
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AGE
i don't know why a person says not bad or good
and just trashy, i say it's bad!
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Kid, 11 years old
July 25, 2010
AGE
i don't know why a person says not bad or good
and just trashy, i say it's bad!
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Kid, 12 years old
July 9, 2010
AGE
episode 100 doesn't do anything or so.
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| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Network: | Showtime |
| Cast: | Nikki Weiss, Rose Garcia, Whitney Mixter |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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