Parents need to know that this brilliant series is too mature for young teens. While sex is not explicit, it is discussed frequently, even among children. Adults often behave with mild to moderate inappropriateness, revealing confidences and making hurtful judgments, but they also show deep loyalty and caring. The show's large, extended family leaves little room for non-white characters, but one couple is interfaith (WASP and Jewish). Humor is both self-deprecating and pointed. One character plays mean pranks and films the results, while another makes insensitive remarks that are sometimes tolerated in deference to her age and sometimes rebuffed.
Positive messages:Families are shown as loving and loyal despite their foibles, which include unintended insults, misaligned values, and rude pranks or comments by two characters in particular.
Violence:Almost none, but children witness a physical brawl between parents (presented with humor).
Sex:Sex is discussed by many characters, including a 13-year-old, and one couple's sex drought is written into the show. Nothing graphic.
Language:Infrequent and mild ("bad-ass," "bitch," "what the hell").