Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slick, somewhat dated police procedural for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
21 Jump Street
What's the Story?
A group of baby-faced city cops are recruited for a special assignment: Working undercover out of the chapel located at 21 JUMP STREET and infiltrating groups of young criminals. "Kinda like Fast Times at bust-your-buddy high," quips the soon-to-be-a-giant-star Johnny Depp, who is recruited into the titular squad in the show's pilot. Yeah, Johnny. Kinda like that. Kinda like that, crossed with any of the police procedural shows currently on television; only back in the '80s when this show premiered on the then-fledgling Fox Network, it was unique. Each week the squad tackles a crime in a different milieu (high school, a bar that serves underaged drinkers); by the end of the episode, the crime is solved.
Is It Any Good?
It's a little dated (oh, those '80s hairstyles and fashions!), and will probably look pretty silly to teens who have already gobbled up teen-detective fare like Veronica Mars. After all, it was created to be ultra-hip in a different era; that's always a recipe for later goofiness.
But it's also kinder and gentler than many modern shows, created in a time before school shootings and well-publicized teen gang activity and crime. The violence is muted (although deaths do occur, mostly offscreen), there is no blood, and teens are presented as mostly respectful to adults and law-abiding. Some of the themes are mature (child abuse, rape, suicide) putting this off-limits to little siblings, but this would be a good, relatively safe choice for teens who are interested in police shows, mysteries, or just getting a look at the young, stunning Johnny Depp.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the crimes that occur on the show. How likely is it that the crimes depicted on the show to affect you in real life? What are some ways your family stays safe?
What would you do if you witnessed a crime? Whose responsibility is it to stop crime? Are bystanders who watch criminal activity and do nothing responsible for what happens?
The police officers on the show pretend to be younger than they are in order to go undercover. Is it okay to pretend to be someone else for a good cause?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 12, 1987
- Cast : Holly Robinson Peete , Johnny Depp , Peter DeLuise , Richard Grieco
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Action
- Topics : Adventures
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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