Handpicked by Our Editors

True Jackson, VP
Age 8+
3

True Jackson, VP

Why We Recommend It

The aptly named heroine of this show demonstrates how to overcome obstacles by staying true to yourself.

Read our full review
What does your 15-year-old learn from CW and HBO?

Kids TV? Family TV? Gone! Teens want the action and sex found on the CW and HBO. They love the acting out on reality TV. But these shows act as super-peers and can normalize all sorts of behavior.

A good place to start: Use their favorite shows -- like Gossip Girl -- to talk about drinking, sex, violence, and anti-social behavior. They may talk to you more about a TV character than themselves, so it's good to listen and learn.

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New TV Reviews for Teenagers (ages 15-17)

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The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox)
Parents Need to Know...

that this comedy/variety/talk series includes sharp political commentary that reflects host Wanda Sykes’ strongly anti-conservative point of view. There's also some racially motivated humor (like references to “white folks” and ... read more

Age 15+
The Wanda Sykes Show
2
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Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew (VH1)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series about celebrities' struggles with sexual addiction includes frank discussions about various sexual compulsions and past sexual trauma, plus occasional scenes of various sexual activities. All of this content is offered ... read more

Age 17+
Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew
3
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The League (FX)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this often-crass comedy about a group of longtime male friends pays a fair bit of attention to their fantasy football league, the show's real focus is their relationships -- both with each other and with their wives and ... read more

Age 16+
The League
3
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Leave It to Lamas (E!)
Parents Need to Know...

that there's not a whole lot in this "celebreality" show that's "good" for kids to see, although Shayne's attempts to repair her brother and father's fractured relationship is admirable. Sexual innuendo is pretty ... read more

Age 15+
Leave It to Lamas
2
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Secret Girlfriend (Comedy Central)
Parents Need to Know...

that Secret Girlfriend is a lowbrow comedy about a trio of guys whose main interests are chasing women, drinking wine coolers, and coming up with new ideas for viral videos that will make them marginally famous. Sex plays a major role in ... read more

Age 15+
Secret Girlfriend
2
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Titan Maximum (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that this animated parody from the creators of Robot Chicken of early sci-fi kids' shows like Thunderbirds is aimed more at the adults who watched the original programs than at today's young viewers. Like the earlier shows, Titan Maximum ... read more

Age 15+
Titan Maximum
3
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Cougar Town (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that the protagonist of this risque sitcom is a middle-aged divorcee who's setting out to reclaim her sexual identity with the help of younger men (she says that all single guys her age are either "broken, gaym or chasing younger ... read more

Age 15+
Cougar Town
3
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Mercy (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adult-oriented medical drama includes a strong female character who's still dealing with emotional battle scars after serving as a nurse in Iraq, where she cheated on her husband. Expect to see plenty of bloody and rather ... read more

Age 15+
Mercy
3
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Bored to Death (HBO)
Parents Need to Know...

that this quirky HBO comedy about a nebbishy novelist who decides to moonlight as a private detective is aimed at adults but is likely to interest teens thanks to stars Zach Galifianakis and Jason Schwartzman. The cases are unexceptional, ... read more

Age 16+
Bored to Death
4
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Melrose Place (2009) (CW)
Parents Need to Know...

that this update of the popular 1990s primetime soap is even edgier than its predecessor. Themes include adultery, murder, addiction, and prostitution -- just to name a few. There's lots of sexual content (groping, couples in bed, ... read more

Age 15+
Melrose Place (2009)
3
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Durham County (ION)
Parents Need to Know...

that this creepy thriller creates a palpable sense of menace and gloom. One of the two main characters may be a serial killer; the other is a detective investigating the murders. Both are hiding dark secrets, and their combustible ... read more

Age 15+
Durham County
3
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Guys 'N' Divas: Battle of the High School Musicals (Showtime)
Parents Need to Know...

that, because this documentary about high school musical theater airs on pay cable, viewers will hear unbleeped swearing (including several uses of "f--k"). There's also some candid discussion of issues like bullying, domestic ... read more

Age 15+
Guys 'N' Divas: Battle of the High School Musicals
3
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Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami (E!)
Parents Need to Know...

that teens won't glean many positive messages from this brand-heavy reality show that largely continues the antics of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Social drinking and sexual innuendo play heavily in the proceedings, and the girls ... read more

Age 15+
Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami
2
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Prom Night in Mississippi (HBO)
Parents Need to Know...

that this documentary's frank discussion of a sensitive topic -- racism -- includes some unbleeped swearing and racist language, including regular use of "N" word by both African Americans and Caucasians. Some violent acts are ... read more

Age 15+
Prom Night in Mississippi
4
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Michael & Michael Have Issues (Comedy Central)
Parents Need to Know...

that, while this deadpan comedy is littered with content red flags, it's also not intended for younger viewers. For example, while adults and older teens will recognize the irony in a loaded statement like "College isn't getting any ... read more

Age 15+
Michael & Michael Have Issues
3
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Miami Social (Bravo)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series about seven young professionals involved in the Miami social scene features lots of narcissistic and superficial conversations about looks, fashion, and being part of the "it" crowd. Characters smoke and ... read more

Age 15+
Miami Social
1
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Dark Blue (TNT)
Parents Need to Know...

that this violent drama about undercover cops examines the impact of lying for a living -- and how pretending to be a criminal for an extended period of time can take a toll on your psyche. To win the trust of their targets, these police ... read more

Age 15+
Dark Blue
3
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Hung (HBO)
Parents Need to Know...

that the title of this adult-themed dramedy (and many of its racy jokes) references the fact that main character Ray -- a "regular guy" who's drawn into the sex trade as a gigolo -- has a particularly big ... asset in his new ... read more

No Kids
Hung
3
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Is She Really Going Out with Him? (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series about sexist, self-absorbed men and the women who date them is based on the popular-but-crude Web site "Hot Chicks with Douchebags." It's played for humor, but that doesn't make it any less problematic. Expect ... read more

Age 15+
Is She Really Going Out with Him?
2
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DJ & the Fro (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this animated series airs as part of MTV's "Balls Out Comedy" line-up, which targets adolescent and college-age males with crude jokes, stupid stunts, and potty talk. In addition to sexist and racist comments that are meant ... read more

Age 15+
DJ & the Fro
2
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Nurse Jackie (Showtime)
Parents Need to Know...

that the main character in this mature medical dramedy is a complex anti-heroine who grapples daily with her addicton to prescription painkillers and is having an affair with a colleague -- even though, on the surface, she's happily ... read more

No Kids
Nurse Jackie
4

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