 | 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. |
Reba
Common Sense Media says
Family comedy finds laughter in trying situations.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the main character, Reba, has gone through a divorce prompted by her husband's affair with a co-worker. Marriage, infidelity, and divorce are often discussed. Over the years issues like teen pregnancy, alcoholism, and depression also become major themes in the show. Reba herself can have a sharp tongue (“crap”), but her heart is always in the right place.
What's the story?
In REBA, Reba McEntire plays a sassy divorced mom trying to make peace with her circumstances while raising her kids, taking care of business, and not allowing her ex's affairs to get her down. The winning nature of the supporting cast, including daughter Cheyenne (Joanna Garcia), her dopey husband Van (Steve Howey), Reba's ex-husband Brock (Christopher Rich), and his loopy wife Barbara Jean (played for laughs by Melissa Peterman), also make for some lively and funny moments.
Is it any good?
Reba plays to an audience that can relate to, or even feel comforted by, her less-than-perfect situation by offering a down-home view of Middle America, complete with cluttered kitchens, cheating men, old-fashioned ideals, and divorce. It also incorporates some very modern humor, and features a few characters that reflect a more contemporary southern heritage, thus giving it wider viewer appeal.
It’s definitely funny, but it also touches on some serious topics like teen pregnancy, alcoholism, and depression, in a way that is both thoughtful and responsible. As a result, the overall series offers a fun and positive experience that reminds you that laughter may not fix your problems, but it may help you survive them.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what survival means. How does Reba make her situation work for her, and how is her hardship evident? Does laughing in the face of problems like teen pregnancy, alcoholism, and misfortune really help?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
REBA was on for six seasons, from 2001 to 2007, but somehow I had never seen it. I caught it on cable a while ago and was instantly hooked. REBA is a show that is truly family-oriented. It's always hilarious and laugh-out-loud hysterical, but also touching and inspiring. But, that's not to say that there are some issues with it.
The main plot of REBA is about how Reba's (Reba) dysfunctional family barely functions after she divorces from her husband Brock. As their marriage was deteriorating, Brock had an affair with Barbra Jean, a co-worker, that resulted in pregnancy. So, he divorced Reba and marries Barbra Jean. However, the three still live in a close, happy existance, and no pain or regret from the divorce is ever shown. Brock is still close to Reba, and Reba and Barbra Jean are friends. Also, Reba's daughter is pregnant out of wedlock at 17, and ends up marrying her boyfriend Van out of necessity (because he fathered her child.) Thus, some of the overriding themes in REBA are as such: Have an affair or get pregnant out of wedlock, because you can either: 1.) Get a divorce, or 2.) Get married, and live happily ever after in a big happy family. Make sure your kids are mature enough to separate this fiction from reality before they watch. On the other hand, the individual characters in REBA care about each other and sacrifice for each other (after the preliminary affairs and cheatinig that have no apparent side effects.) There is also some slapstick humor and some innuendo. REBA is a great show for the family, but make sure kids are mature enough to realize that it fantasizes divorce and pregnancy.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 11, 2010
AGE
Common Sense reviewed this show WRONG.
Me and my mother love this show.. and it's not that bad. Case closed. ;)
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AGE
Good Show
Good show! some language and other stuff but other than that i ? it
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AGE
watch
me and my parents and my 15 and 13 year old friend love this show. its hilarious and really good.watch it
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AGE
Will make you roll on the floor laughing!
It's hilarious!!! A really funny show! It's not for really little kids though. It really teaches you a lesson! Reba is a great role model and Cheyenna the daughter isn't a bad role model either because when she got pregnant she didn't do abortion or give the baby up for adoption! And she even finished high school! This show is it's pretty much about a white christian family. They are very racist in one episode. If you are Jewish or African American this show may offend you. Barbara jean cracks me up and so does Van! I wouldn't recommend you to let your little kids watch it, because they talk about sex a lot, but I think its a funny show for you to watch with your spouse or with friends.
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AGE
I live this show. I think that it is a great show for younger kids. Barbara Jean is so funny.
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AGE
Hillarious!! :)
I love this show! I've been watching it since I was ten. Sure, it has stuff like divorce, teen pregnancy, affairs and (slightly) drinking, but that's real life! And it's a very funy show, too! I would suggest it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet!
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | WB |
| Cast: | Christopher Rich, Joanna Garcia, Reba McEntire |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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