 | 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. |
Wizards of Waverly Place
- Disney Channel
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Magic, mischief, and lessons for young tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there's little to worry about in this Disney sitcom about a trio of siblings with magical powers. Each episode offers positive messages about responsibility, honesty, and making good decisions, and characters learn from their mistakes. Teen girls are sometimes portrayed as image-driven and shopping-obsessed, and some mildly rebellious behavior (a girl uses magic to help sneak out of the house for a clothing sale, for example) is common. Older tweens might find the squeaky-clean package a bit on the cheesy side, but it's fine for younger ones.
What's the story?
To casual observers, Justin (David Henrie), Alex (Selena Gomez), and Max Russo (Jake T. Austin) are typical siblings, living in Manhattan with their parents, Jerry (David DeLuise) and Theresa (Maria Canals Barrera). In truth, the siblings are anything but ordinary: They inherited powers from their dad's side of the family and are actually wizards in training, learning the ins and outs of their magical craft. But despite Jerry's best intentions, their focus often strays from his careful instruction when they realize their powers can be used for more entertaining endeavors. As their magical powers strengthen, Justin, Alex, and Max must learn to control them -- and identify appropriate times for their use -- or run the risk of losing them altogether.
Is it any good?
WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE is full of standard Disney TV fare: a nuclear family headed by two devoted (if often outwitted) parents, tweens and teens with woes that young viewers will easily relate to (a snobby rival who lives to embarrass a teen girl, for example), and squeaky-clean content. There's little here to worry parents of the show's target tween audience; while there's often some mild misbehaving of some sort going on, in the end, important lessons are learned and consequences are faced.
If you're looking for a worry-free series to transition your young tween into the next stage of entertainment, Wizards of Waverly Place might be right up your alley. But don't be surprised if older tweens -- who will easily see through the predictable storylines -- find the package a bit hokey.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how siblings relate to each other. Kids: Do you think the characters' relationships are realistic? If you have siblings, how are the show's characters similar to you and your brothers and sisters? How are they different?
Is it ever difficult to get along with siblings? Why? What do you do then?
Do you think you would be closer to your family if you all shared a secret like the young wizards in the show do?
- Show:
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
beware of waverly place ESPECIALLY if you have a daughter
Diligent parents beware. Alex is a girl obsessed with how she looks and what boy likes her. She fails tests effortlessly and shows no concern for her poor grades. In fact, she tells her brother that she doesn't worry about making good grades b/c she's more worried about not ending up alone. What message are we sending our girls? Look pretty, act dumb and find a man that will want to date and take care of you. For a girl so young she has one singular obsession boys. Even her love of clothing is driven to get a guy. Her interest in spells are driven to get a guy. If this very disturbing lack of independence and self knowledge isn't disturbing enough. Look at the contrast between Alex and the other males.
The males of the family are smart and achievers (father teaches the kids in magic). The sons are all competent in magic as Alex stumbles along usually lucking out in the end. Lesson learned? Men are naturally smart and achieve. Girls should have no interest in being intellectual and don't worry someone will save you in the end. Alex doesn't have to be be a "nerd" but Fs are unexceptable. In one episode, Alex fails spanish (she is half hispanic on her mother's side, while father teaches the kids his heritage mother does not. very patriarchial). The only reason she has an interest in passing is to (guess) get a date w/ a guy. Overall, i'd say watch closely and discuss these issues w/ your kids. If you are into female empowerment, stay clear!
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Teen, 14 years old
March 5, 2010
AGE
The fact that they gave this an Emmy is almost sickening.
Wizards Of Waverly Place is highly overrated. I'm surprised to see Common Sense calling it wholesome and whatnot. Whoever wrote the review clearly has not seen the average episode. The show is about three kids-- a pre-teen named Max Russo, and two older teens named Alex Russo and Justin Russo. Somehow, they inherited magic powers, and their father gives them magic lessons. The catch is only one of them can keep their powers when they grow up. The kids constantly go behind their parents' back and use their powers for their own gain, always causing some sort of problem. The kids are awful rolemodels, such as Alex, who is materialistic, irresponsible, and just unlikable in general. Her character is probably the worst in the show. For example, the other night my sisters were watching an episode in which she explicity says she hates helping people, and later in the episode, she criticizes others for wanting to help people solely for rewards and not wanting to help people out of the goodness of their hearts. She often makes rude remarks to her best friend Harper for being herself and wearing unique clothes, and to her brother Justin for being himself and being responsible. I don't know how Disney thinks that kids should be able to identify with such a mean-spirited girl. Without the character of Alex, the show would be a lot more wholesome. Not only does this show not send good messages to its viewers, but it lacks humour (the laughter effect button is practically abused), is not very well-written, and the special effects are terribly cheap for Disney. If you want to watch a more age-appropriate and more enjoyable show involving kids with magical powers, look for Sabrina: The Animated Series or The Secret World Of Alex Mack on video.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
May 14, 2011
AGE
Lame.
The "WizardsVs. Angels" episode was very offensive! They made the good angels look like a bunch of giggly idiots who can't protect themselves. Also there is no such thing as a "dark angel". Not at all for Christans. This isn't funny at all.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 22, 2011
AGE
GREAT!!!
This is my favorite TV show ever. Alex Russo acts very rudely in the first three seasons, (example: in one episode she steals money from the cash register at her parent's diner and uses it to buy a vending machine so she doesn't have to do the work to save up money to go on the school field trip) but in the fourth season she is a great role model. She supports her best friend, fights for good, is responsible for her actions, etc. Just explain to your kids that her rude actions in the first few seasons are NOT OK and you should be fine.
ANYWAY, THIS SHOW IS AWESOME!!!!!!
What other families should know:
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Kid, 11 years old
March 8, 2010
AGE
Awful show.
This show has terrible role models. Alex is a conceited, mean-spirited brat who cares about no one but herself. Justin is a pretty good role model, but is a doormat. Max is so dumb it's funny, and the parents are dim-witted and oblivious to their kid's behavior. Don't let your kid watch this show.
Please.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
February 11, 2010
AGE
A bit too romantic for a kids show
Seriously, the newest episodes are all about true love and kissing and high school break ups. Take another look at what your young kids are watching. Just cuz it's Disney doesn't mean it's compleately innocent.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 2 year old
November 14, 2009
AGE
I don't like it. It teaches children to rebel against grown-ups, and it makes them think that they have the power. They will ask for magic powers to create what they want. It is like when Satan tempted Jesus Christ in this same matter in Matthew 4:4 when he said that he could turn the rocks into bread. He tried to get him to practice that same thing that they are showing our kids to practice themselves; that is magic. Satan tried to tempt Jesus to do wizard's magic.
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Parent of 5, 8, and 10 year old
December 18, 2008
AGE
Not all that funny.
I find it annoying that every episode deals with the clever kids outwitting and often lying to their dimwitted parents. I'd prefer my kids not to watch it.
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Adult
July 23, 2010
AGE
Not now, not ever
If you're trying to teach your kids that laziness, deviance, and short cuts are the way to get ahead in life, then this is the show to watch. It constantly mocks hard work and shows a deep lack of respect for parents and teachers. Do not for a second think that children are not influenced by what they see around them and on television. It has shaped a type of "Disney Mentality" that makes children think that it's ok to succumb to your whims and desires and be able to expect that everything will turn out just fine in the end. But as any adult should know, THIS IS NOT REALITY. There of course has to be some type of lesson learned in the end but at what cost??? Not only that, but the mistakes made in these shows cannot miraculously be redeemed at the end of a half-hour in reality. Many children will not grasp this concept. They're not looking for the underlying moral lessons in these shows. They just want to be entertained! So as your children are happily giggling away at the fact that their favorite Disney character just got away with the thing that theirs parents specifically told them not to do, you are deluding yourself into thinking that they are learning important life lessons through an innocent tv show. Some advice, if you want your kids to learn an important life lesson, try doing so yourself instead of through that imagination killer we call a tv.
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Parent of 6 and 7 year old
January 1, 2010
AGE
OK FOR 10+ NOT for younger kids
I see the appeal for tweens, but NOT for younger kids. With some many other good shows around, why show younger ones what's coming up in middle school (snobby kids, etc)? also, the frequent shopping plugs - ugh. We don't 'go shopping' as an activity and my 7 year old doesn't need to consider it one. I'd rather the kids watch Cars or Ice Age again, or Harry Potter or Star Wars IV. Then there's Word Girl, Zoom, Electric Company, etc. Already too much TV: don't waste time on a show like this for the younger ones.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, book characters, friendship |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Disney Channel |
| Cast: | David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Selena Gomez |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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