Parents' Guide to

9JKL

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Mediocre comedy fails to impress, despite talented cast.

TV CBS Comedy 2017
9JKL Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Deb L.
Deb L. Adult
October 9, 2017
age 16+

Bad show

Definitely inappropriate material and language. Thought i would give it a second try. No thanks. Its a shame i like the actors. All they said in the minute I happen to watch, was how many names you could use to call sex.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Pittsburghmichaels
Pittsburghmichaels Adult
October 4, 2017
age 12+

New CBS Comedy Provides a good Laugh

9JKL is a new sitcom on CBS that so far is good. The name by the way is the name of the apartment that the main character lives in. This show reminds me of Everybody Loves Raymond although a lot of stuff is different than that show . There is nothing that would offend parents other than language and references to "Balls".

This title has:

Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In 9JKL, actor Josh Roberts (Mark Feuerstein), recently divorced and unemployed after the cancellation of his show, moves back to New York and into an apartment that's smack dab in between his parents (Elliott Gould and Linda Lavin) and his brother (Andrew Walton), sister-in-law (Liza Lapira), and newborn baby. Going from married life and geographical distance from family to living in such close proximity to them isn't an easy adjustment, and it's doubly hard when you have the kind of parent who pays the doorman to keep her abreast of your comings and goings. But even with family as intrusive as his, Josh discovers the rewards of renewing his relationships with them.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This series falls far short of where it could be, given its cast, by relying on trite comedy that loses luster after the first 10 minutes or so. The parents' well-meaning attention to their newly returned -- and conveniently needy, after a divorce settlement wiped out his resources -- son devolves into full-blown suffocation in record time. Ultimately, 9JKL's audience will sympathize with Josh's impulse to run and hide every time his parents make an appearance.

One result of 9JKL's lackluster writing is that much of the humor comes from jokes related to sex. Between Josh's lack of it (he's been in a dry spell since his divorce) and his aging parents' renewed vigor for it (Dad had "man" surgery that's helped in that regard), there's a lot of talk about who's getting some and who's not. It's a tired plot that doesn't help this show's case one bit, even if it does generate some short-lived laughs.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how 9JKL presents sexuality. Is it weird to talk about sex with your family? Why or why not? Does Josh's family cross a line?

  • How do our relationships with family change as we get older? Why is open communication important in keeping those relationships strong?

  • How does comedy reflect issues relevant to our society? On the other hand, why is it a good escape from our problems and everyday lives?

TV Details

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