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The Unusuals

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Amber Tamblyn, Jeremy Renner, Adam Goldberg, Where to watch: ABC, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Quirky cop dramedy isn't as graphic as other crime shows.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The detectives often use questionable tactics to solve cases, and many characters seem to be hiding a secret past. One character is suicidal, but it's part of his "quirkiness." Shraeger is a strong female but faces a lot of sexist attitudes. The majority of the featured police/detectives are male and Caucasian; Det. Leo Banks is African American. The show's secondary characters are from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. There are references to God, prayer, and being "born again."
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Frequent conversations about violent acts. Suspects are occasionally "roughed up" by detectives. Images of bleeding/bloody shooting and stabbing victims. Guns are frequently visible, and people are shown being shot (sometimes to death), but little blood is shown when that happens. Violence against animals is also discussed.
  • Sex:

    Lots of sexual innuendo, plus references to pornography, cross-dressing, solicitation, affairs, and date rape. At least one scene shows Shraeger in a bra/getting dressed. Prostitutes are visible and are sometimes shown in skimpy outfits and soliciting men.
  • Language:

    Language includes words like "damn," "hell," "slut," and "bitch."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Consumption of alcohol (beer, hard liquor, champagne) and prescription pills. Images of cocaine, and frequent mentions of various illegal narcotics, drug dealers, and drug busts.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Unusuals

Parents need to know that although this quirky cop drama stars tween/teen-fave actress Amber Tamblyn, it's not intended for young viewers. While it isn't quite as graphic as shows like CSI, there's frequent sexual innuendo (including references to criminal sexual behavior) and images of scantily dressed women, guns are frequently drawn, and sometimes people get shot (and killed). Images of shooting and stabbing victims are also sometimes shown. Characters drink and use prescription drugs, and there are frequent conversations about illegal narcotics (which are also sometimes shown). Language includes words like "damn" and "bitch."

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about shows that mix different kinds of genres/tones -- here, drama and comedy -- to create something that feels new. Can you think of shows that have done that successfully? What's the appeal? Families can also discuss the variety of crime shows on television. Why is this kind of show so popular? What sets one show apart from the others?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Not for any viewers, but especially not younger audiences

    I've been very disappointed in MANY ABC shows lately and The Unusuals isn't any exception. The stories generally have great potential to be fun and interesting but the language, violence and adult content makes the show WAY too much for viewers. Definitely would not allow younger viewers to watch and would exercise caution for any viewer.

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