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The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Life is unrealistically sweet for tween boys.

Themes in this show include:   family relationships, materialism

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The show is intended to entertain rather than educate.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters sometimes learn lessons about topics like friendship and responsibility, but in general the show is intended to entertain and amuse rather than convey specific positive messages. The fact that the twins suddently become popular after getting a cool place to live (the Tipton Hotel), sends iffy messages about what's important in friendships.

  • Role models:

    Adults are rude to each other, acting cartoonish most of the time. The kids get a lot of unsupervised time to themselves to get up to mischief; one main character often brags about her family's wealth and tries to control others with money.

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.

  • Sexy stuff:

    The twins cruise girls like they're shopping for candy ... but they're not really old enough to act on anything in an inappropriate way.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Plugs for other Disney products can be found. Material wealth is celebrated.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody was written by Joly Herman

Parents need to know that most adults will probably find this popular Disney program annoying and flashy. Though kids will love the fantasy aspect that comes with the notion that living in a hotel is the answer to all home-life problems, the twins' popularity among their peers seems to be for the wrong reasons at times, and adult characters' behavior leaves a lot to be desired.

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 the fact that this series is, indeed, a fantasy, and that money doesn't necessarily make life easy. Would your kids want to live in a hotel? What would be the advantages and disadvantages?
  • Is there any part of Zack and Cody's life that real kids can relate to?
  • Kids: Would it be fun to have be a twin?
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More on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

What’s the Story?

When their mom lands a singing gig and they get the keys to a suite high in the sky, it's an invitation for twin brothers Zack and Cody (played by real-life twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse) to party and run amok around the swanky Tipton Hotel. The boys are occasionally chaperoned by cute candy counter girl Maddie (Ashley Tisdale), who also fills the role of babysitter.
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Is It Any Good?

The show's premise could allow for some soulful moments, but the series errs on the side of the boys' fun life. Cheesy lines and predictable circumstances are plentiful, but kids love the video-game lifestyle the boys live -- jumping in elevators and hiding on a passing luggage cart to escape trouble, and so on.

While there are always more compelling programs for kids this age to enjoy, the popularity of the twins has proven that they'll be blaring on your TV screens well past their tween years.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    dusty714
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

    Pretty good

    I genuinely like this show, even though I'm in middle school and should be over this type of stuff. But the main characters are cute and the storylines are interesting, albeit unrealistic. Watch it.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Parent Reviewer
    tmj2037c
    Lives in South Carolina
    Kids ages: 7
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    too cute

    typical tween language, not what i would let my 6 yrold say... but the show is very funny. we love it

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Parent Reviewer
    amatog
    Kids ages: 7
    I rate this title off for age 7 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative role models

    Hate it too much attitude for these kids. My daughter ends up imitating them which annoys me to no end

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    drama movie fan
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    god show

    the show is entertaining and funny. I recomend this to kids 7-12.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Kid Reviewer Age 7
    decksinger
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    WACTH THE SHOW!!!

    It is so awesome! Its about a show about two twin brothers who live in a hotel called, The Tipton. The twins Zack and Cody have a friend London who isn't too smart but she is friendly and selfish. They also have a friend named Maddie who is smart and nice. Their manager Mr. Mosby calls them two hooligans! Mr. Mosby growls a lot!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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