Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stellar teen comedy has sex, language, and mature themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Awkward.
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Parents say that the show, while humorous and entertaining with some positive messages about teenage life, contains inappropriate content and promotes behavior that might not be suitable for younger viewers. Many reviews suggest that it is best suited for older teens and adults, urging parents to preview episodes to discern whether it's appropriate for their children due to the themes of bullying and casual relationships presented throughout the series.
- cheesy humor
- teenage life
- mature themes
- parental guidance
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 38 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Jenna Hamilton (Ashley Rickards) has always struggled to fit into a social group at her school, so when an innocent accident is misconstrued as a suicide attempt and lands her overnight (albeit unwelcome) notoriety among her peers, she's determined to make the most of the new visibility and change her life. What follows is a series of relationships, first with her longtime crush, Matty (Beau Mirchoff), then with his friend Jake (Brett Davern), during which Matty attempts to win her back and Jenna tries to sort out her feelings for both guys. Meanwhile she's still a frequent target for her social nemesis, Sadie (Molly Tarlov) -- who lives to make her life miserable -- and her relationship with her mom suffers a blow because of a long-kept secret.
Is It Any Good?
AWKWARD. is at times irreverent, comical, and poignant, analyzing the uncertainties of high-school life from the point of view of an insightful teen who evolves as the show progresses. Jenna moves from the proverbial social fringe into the mainstream, falling victim to temptations and mistakes along the way, but she never loses her identity or her ideals. Instead of seeking popularity for the sake of status, Jenna envisions it as a gateway to a relationship with the guy of her dreams and the chance to befriend classmates who have never given her a second glance. Her family might not always be a solid foundation, but she's got two reliable friends who are in her camp through thick and thin. In a media world of Barbie types and bickering housewives, these qualities make for a quality female model for teens.
And Jenna's not the only one who changes as the show develops. Awkward.'s superb writing enables sharp character development, revealing layer after layer of each personality and giving viewers a glimpse of the complicated dynamics that exist within this peer group. Because the show doesn't shy away from touchy subjects like teen sex, drinking, and racial stereotypes, choosing instead to explore them in a realistic light, you'll find plenty of inspiration for follow-up talks with your teen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about relationships. Do you think this series depicts teen relationships realistically? Is sex a big issue? What are your feelings about teen sex? Is it possible to be in a committed relationship without that factor?
Teens: How is social class established among your peers? Is it difficult to relate to people whose interests aren't the same as your own? Do you see bullying among your classmates? Why is that such a hot-button issue?
Teens: Do you use social networking to stay in touch with friends? What are the benefits of this technology? What are the risks/dangers? What steps do you and your family take to ensure that you're safe online?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 19, 2011
- Cast : Ashley Rickards , Beau Mirchoff , Molly Tarlov
- Network : MTV
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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