Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Handler-inspired comedy has edgy humor, lots of alcohol.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Are You There, Chelsea?
What's the Story?
Based on Chelsea Handler's best-selling book, Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea... the sitcom ARE YOU THERE, CHELSEA? stars Laura Prepon as Chelsea Newman, a wild twentysomething barmaid who decides to turn her life around after being arrested for a DUI. Despite her best efforts to calm her life down, things sometimes get a little crazy thanks to her friend/boss, Rick (Jake McDorman), and co-worker Todd (Mark Povinelli). Friend Ali Wong (Olivia) and new roommate Dee Dee (Lauren Lapkus) are pretty eccentric, too. But her close relationship with her family, which consists of her loving but colorful dad (Lenny Clarke) and her ultra-religious but sarcastic sister Sloane (Handler), reminds Chelsea what's important in life.
Is It Any Good?
This loosely autobiographical series calls attention to some of Handler's own experiences during her wild 20s by highlighting endless sexual encounters and lots of drinking. But it also creates a strong family that's relentless in their support of each other, despite their differences in lifestyles and belief systems.
Are You There, Chelsea? is funny -- and definitely a milder version of the comedian's traditional fare -- but its humorous approach to alcohol use, especially, makes it inappropriate for most teen viewers. Nonetheless, the series has enough sharp wit and crass humor to make it feel genuine, and even non-Handler fans (as long as they're old enough to handle it) may find it entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way women are portrayed in TV comedies. Does Are You There, Chelsea? do anything different with its female leads? Are any stereotypes challenged or reinforced in the show?
What's the show's attitude toward alcohol use? Do you think it's OK to make light of getting a DUI or binge drinking? What are the real-life consequences of drinking lots of alcohol regularly?
What kind of changes have to be made in order to make a book into a successful show or movie? Who makes these changes? Have any of your favorite books been adapted to TV or film?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 11, 2012
- Cast : Chelsea Handler , Jake McDorman , Laura Prepon
- Network : NBC
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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