Common Sense Reviewer

  • Kari Croop
  • Kari Croop
  • Illinois

About Me

I'm a freelance writer and editor based in Champaign, IL, home to the annual Roger Ebert Film Festival (also known as Ebertfest) and a three-hour drive from my alma mater, Northwestern University. In addition to my work with Common Sense Media, I work full-time crafting movie blurbs and actor bios for Common Sense Media content partner Netflix.com. I'm an avid fan of offbeat films and under-appreciated television, and I count Big-Top Pee-Wee and Waiting for Guffman among my top-10 funniest movies. I also love reruns of now-canceled classics like Small Wonder, Strangers With Candy, Freaks and Geeks, and Arrested Development.

What My Kids Love Now

Right now, my "kid" is a 75-pound golden retriever named Lewis. He watches a lot of Animal Planet and any commercial featuring other dogs. His favorite movie is Air Bud.

House Rules

Even though it's tough to enforce, we generally don't let Lewis watch shows about cats. It can get ugly.

When the Kids Are Asleep…

My Biggest Challenge Is:

Titles You’ve Reviewed

  • TV: Chef Academy

    I rate this titleiffyand give it3.0

    Cooking contest's formula isn't really fresh, but it's fun.

    You could make the argument that we don't really need another reality-style cooking competition on television -- and on the same network as genre stalwart Top ...

  • TV: White Collar

    I rate this titleonand give it4.0

    Fun odd-couple crime drama is tamer than you'd expect.

    The whole "bad guy works with the good guys to catch bad guys" schtick has been done many times before -- and rather successfully, to boot (most notably in

  • TV: My Super Psycho Sweet 16

    I rate this titleiffyand give it2.0

    Teen horror flick is big on blood, cliques -- and revenge.

    Trying to turn My Super Sweet 16 into a horror film sounds like a stupid idea. And, as it turns out, it actually is, thanks in large part to ...

  • TV: Leave It to Lamas

    I rate this titleiffyand give it2.0

    Yet another "famous" family overreaches for reality stardom.

    You've seen other shows on E! before about famous -- or marginally famous -- L.A. families and their "outrageous antics" (

  • TV: Secret Girlfriend

    I rate this titleiffyand give it2.0

    Raunchy comedy series relies on sex and dumb stunts.

    Apparently, Comedy Central picked up Secret Girlfriend because it did well on the web, where (according to its production company) it "probably got a million" views. Still, it's ...

  • TV: Man Shops Globe

    I rate this titleonand give it3.0

    Reality show mixes travel with retail promotion.

    If you can get past the fact that Man Shops Globe is basically a glorified Anthropologie commercial, it's a pretty fascinating portrait of how, art, creativity, and capitalism intersect. ...

  • TV: Disaster Date

    I rate this titleiffyand give it2.0

    Lame dating show isn't a total disaster ... but it's close.

    Most things that happen on Disaster Date aren't really all that shocking -- so, by extension, it's really not all that funny. In fact, the only people who seem genuinely entertained by the ...

  • TV: Cougar Town

    I rate this titleiffyand give it3.0

    Adult-oriented sex comedy lacks real bite.

    COUGAR TOWN is OK -- particularly for those who are willing to cut Cox a break because they loved her in Friends -- but it's hardly ...

  • TV: Eastwick

    I rate this titleiffyand give it3.0

    Charming dramedy mixes magic, some sexuality.

    This is actually the third time that The Witches of Eastwick has been adapted for the small screen (a pair of unsold pilots were developed in ...

  • TV: Mercy

    I rate this titleiffyand give it3.0

    Adult-driven hospital drama seems awfully familiar.

    If you lived under a rock and had never seen a medical drama, Mercy would seem fresh and new. Having the Paxil-popping Callahan come from working in Iraq is an interesting concept, and the ...

  • TV: Accidentally on Purpose

    I rate this titleiffyand give it3.0

    Sitcom's premise hangs on consequences of casual sex.

    As far as sitcoms go, Accidentally on Purpose is entertaining enough, with some generally funny writing and a strong cast (although Foster, like his character, seems a bit green compared to ...

  • TV: The Beautiful Life: TBL

    I rate this titleiffyand give it2.0

    Fashion drama aims for chic ... but the result is weak.

    Fashion television is undeniably hot right now, with the ongoing success of shows like Project Runway and

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.