Unsupervised

Review

Common Sense Media says

Adult-aimed animated comedy features sex-obsessed teens.
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.

Find out more

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

Find out more

Parents say

AGE
14
QUALITY
 

Kids say

AGE
15
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this adult-aimed animated comedy centers on a pair of inexperienced, but sex-obsessed teenagers. Although there are some redeeming aspects to these characters, the heavy sexual overtones (constant discussions about "boners," "doing 69," etc.), as well as nonstop language ("s--t," "ass," "crap") makes this more suited to young adults than teens.

  • Positive messages1
    Underneath all the negative messages is the idea that it's good to be oneself as a teenager, even when peer pressure and cultural expectations seem to suggest there is some imaginary standard to attain.
  • Positive role models0
    Although the main teen protagonists are refreshingly unconcerned with seeking the approval of their peers, all of the characters exhibit comically extreme obsessions with sex and anatomy. The teens also have almost zero adult supervision or guidance; they curse constantly; and they engage in dangerous and sometimes illegal activity -- all in the name of comedy.
  • Violence3
    Occasional exaggerated animated violence for comedic effect, sometimes graphic -- for example, an animated character in a fist fight spurting blood and then getting Tasered.
  • Sex3
    The main characters are sex-obsessed teenagers whose primary motivation seems to be attaining any sexual experience available. Conversation is peppered with sexual references to "boners" or "69," with occasional animated depictions of sexual encounters (kissing, heavy petting).
  • Language4
    Frequent use of "s--t" unbleeped, along with "crap," "damn," "ass," Goddamn," and "frickin."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking4
    Teenage characters occasionally overindulge in alcohol and drugs -- in one episode the teens have a party while parents are away -- with few to no consequences. Some adult characters demonstrate lack of concern for this behavior and engage in their own overindulgence as well.
     
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

In UNSUPERVISED, two teenage best friends attempt to make their way through the daily minefield that is adolescence armed only with their skewed perspectives on the universe. Gary (Justin Long) and Joel (David Hornsby) are both lacking in parental guidance and proceed with some big misconceptions about how the world works, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Although there are plenty of friends and adults in their lives, somehow their schemes always seem to come down to the two of them against the world, somehow making it through despite their obstacles.

Is it any good?

 

Unsupervised takes the germ of a decent idea -- two teenage boys trying to make their way through high school with absentee parents -- and beats the life out of it with a series of increasingly infantile jokes and frequent swearing. It's not that infantile jokes can't be funny, or a well-placed swear word effective. But piled one atop another at a rapid-fire pace, these elements desensitize the viewer, forcing a quick grab for the remote to avoid any further abuse.

Truly wasting some great comedic talent (Fred Armisen, Kristen Bell), Unsupervised is a shrill and immature comedy lacking in enough creativity to earn much of a recommendation, even for adults mature enough to handle the material.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the show's approach to sexuality. Are teenagers really so obsessed with sex? How accurate a picture of teenage life is this show? Who is this show aimed at?

  • What were some positive attributes of the show's lead characters? Negative?

This review of Unsupervised was written by
Teen, 15 years old
February 13, 2012
AGE
14
 
hnhnjxdf
15 year old kids obsessed with being popular and doing drugs and wanna have sex is a waste of time.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (8) | Had useful details (5) | Read my mind (5)
Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 13 years old
January 30, 2012
AGE
18
 
not appropriate
i was watching it with my younger siblings and i had to turn it off right away soo not appropriate
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (5) | Read my mind (6)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 10 years old
February 25, 2012
AGE
13
 
Unsupervised is rated TV-RO for ROCK ON!!!
This show may have sexual themes, some violence, strong language, and doing drugs, but when I saw my first episode, the second episode ''Rich Girl'', I really got into it. When I saw info about the pilot, I thought at first, ''I think this is related to that sucky Good Vibes show'', but it was WAY better with its
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (6) | Had useful details (3) | Read my mind (6)
Flag as inappropriate 
Parent
March 12, 2012
AGE
13
 
Failed attempt to be funny
The show is kind of lame. Its all dumb jokes, excessive profanity, drugs use, and sexual activity all for the purpose eventually not makeing you laugh. Some shows can be all that and make you laugh but this is just a over the top lame and mediocre comedy, not a shred of humor.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (2) | Had useful details (4) | Read my mind (4)
Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
June 22, 2012
AGE
15
 
It's a good animated comedy
Good show. Reminds me of living in Lawrenceburg, TN. For someone who doesn't really like cartoons, I have to say I'm impressed.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (2) | Had useful details (3) | Read my mind (4)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review of Unsupervised was written by
Topics:friendship
TV rating:TV-MA
Network:FX
Cast:Fred Armisen, Justin Long, Kristen Bell
Genre:Comedy
This review of Unsupervised was written by
 
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Learning Products Quick Finder

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More edgy animation
For kids who love comedy
Browse more TV
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Visite nuestro sitio en español