Rules of Engagement

Review

Common Sense Media says

Spade's relationship-oriented sitcom offers comedy, cliches.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this relationship-oriented sitcom includes discussions about sex (including one-night stands) and paints a somewhat confusing picture of married life. Lots of humor revolves around stereotypical male-female behavior, homosexuality, and other issues. The bachelor character has frequent liaisons, and viewers see him in bed with different women in sanitized sexual scenarios.

  • Positive messages0
    Relatively innocuous messages about relationships, though some stereotypes about men, women, romance, homosexuality, and Indians are prevalent.
  • Positive role models0
    The husbands are often insensitive, and the women are often quick to make fun of them. But in the end they all care about one another. Russell often exhibits sexist and homophobic behavior.
  • Violence0
    Occasionally the men end up wrestling each other, but there’s nothing really violent.
  • Sex3
    Frank discussion of sex, including one-night stands and subtle references to prostitution. Some scenes in bed before and after sex, without any nudity. Surrogate pregnancy is a theme in later episodes.
  • Language2
    Occasional "hell" and "damn."
  • Consumerism1
    VAIO computers visible. Labels for foodstuffs like Heinz ketchup and Guldens mustard are visible, but with the logos crossed out.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Frequent jokes about long-married husband's drinking -- the idea being that he drinks to endure his marriage. Frequent social drinking. References are made to getting high.
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What's the story?

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT feature two couples and their single friend dealing with the various stages of dating, commitment, and marriage. While Adam Rhodes and Jennifer Morgan (Oliver Hudson and Bianca Kajlich) begin their lives as a newly engaged couple, Jeff and Audrey Bingham (Patrick Warburton and Megyn Price) muddle through their long-time marriage. Meanwhile, single friend Russell Dunbar (David Spade) works his way through serial dating and a string of one-night stands. The group is later joined by Dunbar’s assistant Timmy (Adhir Kalyhan), a single-but refined young man who attempts to serve as his boss’ moral guide.

Is it any good?

 

This traditional-style sitcom pokes fun at relationships of all kinds, and relies on lots of gender stereotypes for laughs. But some of these lighthearted conversations also highlight some of the issues that surface when in a relationship, including communication, trust, and parenthood.

Granted, it contains some frank talk about sex, and Spade’s sharp humor is occasionally borderline offensive. But the show is also very well written, and contains lots of humorous moments, too. It isn’t for kids, but older teens and adults looking for a good laugh may actually find one here.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about romantic relationships. What are some stereotypes about men and women in relationships? Homosexual ones? Have you seen these stereotypes play out in your own life?

  • Have you heard jokes about how women or men act in relationships? How do you respond to those kinds of jokes? What messages do parents want kids to hear about the pros and cons of intimate relationships?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Teen, 14 years old
February 13, 2011
AGE
14
 
Awsome show for teens to adults.
This is one of my favorite shows. It extremely funny, and everyone should watch it.
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Helped me decide (4) | Had useful details (6) | Read my mind (2)
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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:CBS
Cast:David Spade, Oliver Hudson, Patrick Warburton
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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