 | 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 A-Team
- Spike, Syndicated, TV Land
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
'80s action adventures with Mr. T and the gang.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this cult favorite 1980s action series is about a group of mercenaries. Consequently, there are plenty of explosions, guns, and other weaponry -- though almost no one is ever hurt, and it all feels pretty tame by today's standards. The guys fight on the side of good, but they often use deception, theft, and firepower to accomplish their missions. Though each episode includes a segment in which the group is under attack, the tension is never intense, and the team's successful outcome is never in question. Worth noting: Women don't fare very well in this show. They tend to be either gullible accomplices or absent helpers.
What's the story?
Accused of a crime they didn't commit, THE A-TEAM members are former U.S. Army Special Operations soldiers who escaped from a military prison. They use their considerable skills to accomplish missions for hire while avoiding capture by the military police who are always on their tail. Most episodes involve the group being hired for a dangerous-but-sympathetic mission during which they become trapped and use their ingenuity and firepower to escape, finally completing the mission with great success. The core cast includes group leader and disguise expert John "Hannibal" Smith (George Peppard), con artist and handsome ladies' man Templeton "Faceman" Peck (Dirk Benedict), expert mechanic "B.A." Baracus (Mr. T), and mentally unstable pilot H.M. Murdock (Dwight Schultz). Throughout the show's five seasons, different female characters joined or helped the A-Team, most significantly, reporter Amy Amanda "Triple A" Allen (Melinda Culea).
Is it any good?
While each episode features massive explosions and tons of shooting, no one's ever killed or even seriously injured (with one or two exceptions). This element, along with the over-the-top characters and constant humorous chatter, makes the show a lighthearted adventure, rather than a graphic crime drama.
That said, while the characters all ultimately mean well -- often giving back their fees to needy clients and only taking on missions for good guys -- some questionable messages do emerge. For example, group members bicker frequently: The relationship between B.A. and Murdock is particularly sour, with insults flying back and forth, many of which are directed at Murdock's apparent mental instability. Faceman, meanwhile, uses a variety of cons and deceptions in his job, frequently flirting shamelessly with gullible women to get her to trust him while he lures her into his plan. It's all got a good gloss of '80s nostalgia on it now -- and compared to the a lot of modern primetime TV offerings, the whole series is really pretty tame.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about TV violence. When a show has lots of violence but no injuries or death, what message does that send? Does it make the show easier to watch? Does it bother you that the show gives the impression that firepower and explosions might be fun to use and not have serious consequences? Can you think of other violent shows that skip the blood and injuries but keep the guns and weapons? What about vice versa? How has typical TV violence changed since the '80s?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
October 22, 2010
AGE
A TEAM
you may be abel to hire the A TEAM. love mr.t he rules. the ateam is a good show from the 80s and is relly prity fake. the guns are odveaosly fake. i think that it wont be sootible for a little 4-5 year old.
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Kid, 9 years old
August 7, 2010
AGE
TV: 10+ MOVIE: GUYS
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Kid, 12 years old
August 19, 2010
AGE
Good for 10+ bad for 7-
Channel : Cetfire
Rating: TV-14 for no reason.
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AGE
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this show is like a chase movie in a t.v. show. i love crashes, and chases, and explosions. so this show is good for me.
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AGE
good for ages 11-any
this is a good tv show no one ever dies there is alot of punching and exploding things
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AGE
its awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
its a realy good show but unfortanely it was canceld wich realy sucks
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AGE
every episode contains a big car crash. baracus throws murdock into the ocean and calls him a "foo" hannibal smokes a cigar, the a-team symbol. we all love the motto, "i love it when a plan comes together." i also went as Mr. T for halloween!
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Kid, 12 years old
June 23, 2010
AGE
Note: This Show is not bad around people age 10, 11, 12, or 13, it contains gunfire, discussion of s, "Dam","What the Hella","Cr*p","crap","R U Fukin' Around 12 @$$hole!, Faking F*ckin' Sk*e*t Must-sk--t-o, musketers",ashes to a-shiz,"Sh**","Show Me Your +its", and aalloott......
it is rated TV-14 for a reason, and it's on century fire. or BETj.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Networks: | Spike, Syndicated, TV Land |
| Cast: | Dirk Benedict, George Peppard, Mr. T |
| Genre: | Drama |
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