Handpicked by Our Editors

Max and Ruby
3

Max and Ruby

Why We Recommend It

Lovable bunnies take care of each other and show preschoolers how to treat people -- especially siblings -- nicely.

Read our full review
Baffled by TV ratings? Don't give up!

Industry TV ratings aren't much help when it comes to finding good family TV. It's hard to translate television ratings that look like a string of letters into good choices, and the TV ratings themselves aren't so reliable when you realize that the people who make the shows provide the ratings. So whatever your concern -- sex, violence, or all the ads -- our TV ratings help you find age-appropriate shows and manage the messages that our kids get from them.

TV Reviews

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Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation (Disney XD)
Parents Need to Know...

that this holiday special based on the popular Phineas and Ferb cartoon greatly exaggerates the main characters' abilities to act on their hair-brained ideas (toboggans made out of their beds, for instance) -- but that’s the essence of ... read more

Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation
3
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Lanny and Wayne the Christmas Elves in Prep & Landing (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this delightful holiday tale blends a unique story with clever humor and kid-friendly content, making it an excellent choice for the entire family. There's very little in the way of iffy stuff, the imaginative concept of elves ... read more

Lanny and Wayne the Christmas Elves in Prep & Landing
4
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Skyrunners (Disney XD)
Parents Need to Know...

that this made-for-TV alien-invasion adventure about two brothers who stumble upon a UFO is equal parts sci-fi action and high school drama, with older brother Nick trying to win a date with the girl of his dreams while defending younger ... read more

Skyrunners
3
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Find My Family (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is one of those rare reality shows that parents and children can watch together without having to worry about strong language, violence, alcohol, and other iffy stuff. Because the series follows real people grappling with real ... read more

Find My Family
4
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The Haunted (Animal Planet)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series follows what has become a fairly standard ghost-hunting formula, with a team of paranormal investigators visiting an allegedly haunted site hoping to document evidence of the supernatural. The twist in this case is that ... read more

The Haunted
2
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Merry Madagascar (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this holiday special sequel to the popular Madagascar films has strong positive messages about generosity and goodwill. Expect some very mild flirting between a penguin and a reindeer and a reference to a character’s “booty,” ... read more

Merry Madagascar
4
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Chef Academy (Bravo)
Parents Need to Know...

that, in general, this cooking reality show features positive role modeling, with participants putting their talents and energy toward a worthy goal: learning how to cook like a professional. That said, there's some bleeped swearing ... read more

Chef Academy
3
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Ghost Hunters Academy (Syfy)
Parents Need to Know...

that this entry in the popular Ghost Hunters franchise combines paranormal investigations with an elimination-style reality competition, giving it a little more edge than earlier series. The Atlantic Paranormal Society is looking for new ... read more

Ghost Hunters Academy
2
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Lopez Tonight (TBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this late-night talk/comedy show hosted by comedian George Lopez supposedly celebrates diversity and cultural unity -- but Lopez frequently uses crude humor and racial/ethnic stereotyping to garner laughs. Expect frequent strong ... read more

Lopez Tonight
2
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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

The Wanda Sykes Show
2
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Fanboy and Chum Chum (Nickelodeon)
Parents Need to Know...

that there’s little depth to this over-the-top show about two friends who fancy themselves superheroes, but their thrill-seeking adventures will appeal to young tweens with vivid imaginations of their own. Exaggerated, comic-style ... read more

Fanboy and Chum Chum
3
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Platinum Babies (WE)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series follows soon-to-be parents who spend extraordinary amounts of money on high-end baby products and services. The moms- and dads-to-be clearly love their babies, but the show's focus is really on how much they're spending ... read more

Platinum Babies
2
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Flowers Uncut (TLC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is one of many series in a long line of reality shows that focus on ultra high-end services. Star/floral designer Jeff Leatham spares no expense when he designs flowers for an event ... but that's what his customers are paying ... read more

Flowers Uncut
3
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V (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this remake of the same-named 1980s miniseries centers on the arrival of a group of alien Visitors who claim to have only the best of intentions but actually have a hidden agenda. As their real goals become clear, a resistance ... read more

V
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The Garfield Show (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that this CGI-animated series based on the long-running comic strip by Jim Davis offers more of the same exaggerated antics that viewers have come to expect from the infamously greedy orange tabby. Garfield is a model of irksome behavior, ... read more

The Garfield Show
3
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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

Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew
3
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Styl'd (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this fashion-centric reality series about up-and-coming junior stylists features some catty, sneaky behavior as the stylists vie for a prized contract with an L.A. agency. But the cast members also learn lessons about ... read more

Styl'd
3
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Pit Bulls and Parolees (Animal Planet)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series -- which supports the rehabilitation and adoption of pit bulls -- offers positive messages about rescuing animals and giving people (and animals) a second chance at life. Aided by sometimes-graphic images, rescuer ... read more

Pit Bulls and Parolees
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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

The League
3
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Naruto Shippuden (Disney XD)
Parents Need to Know...

that this compelling anime series about the adventures of a teenage apprentice ninja and his friends picks up two years after the popular Naruto series left off. There’s plenty of action, though it’s not excessive, and some ... read more

Naruto Shippuden
4
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Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Halloween special is far less intense than the Monsters vs. Aliens movie. Violence is limited to the self-imposed implosion of mutant pumpkins from eating too much candy, and the only weapon in use is a machine gun that’s used ... read more

Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space
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