Parents' Guide to #1 Happy Family USA

#1 Happy Family USA TV Poster: A family stands on the sidewalk as a police helicopter with a searchlight hover above.

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Mature sitcom about Muslim family navigating post-9/11 life.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

#1 HAPPY FAMILY USA follows the Husseins, a Muslim American family in New Jersey, in 2001. While 11-year-old Rumi (Ramy Youssef) wants to impress his teacher in school, sister Sharia wants to come out with her girlfriend. Rumi's father, Hussein, wants to get his Halal truck booming, and mother Mona struggles to balance taking care of her family with caring for her aging parents. But when the disaster strikes on September 11, the family is forced to focus on assimilation and avoid becoming public enemy number one.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This satirical series comedically explores a different perspective to a public tragedy. #1 Happy Family USA is fast-paced, funny, bold, and poignant. The jokes and cultural references move at breakneck speed, but the series adequately gives space for heavy and emotional moments throughout the story. Animation is the perfect format to build this world in and still have absurd, wacky cutaways. Despite the sexual content, language, and blood, this series is suitable for teens to watch and will bring up lots of opportunities for discussion.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the satire in #1 Happy Family USA. What points are the creators trying to make? Does the show's over-the-top content detract from those points or help make them?

  • What kinds of things can a series like this offer that a live-action series can't? Do you think animated comedies rely more on risqué behavior to please their audiences? Does this help viewers understand and relate to aspects of Muslim American history and culture that they may not share? Are we laughing at, or with, the characters?

TV Details

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#1 Happy Family USA TV Poster: A family stands on the sidewalk as a police helicopter with a searchlight hover above.

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