Parents' Guide to

Boss

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Dark, mature drama examines underside of city politics.

TV Starz Drama 2011
Boss Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

As the de facto BOSS of Chicago, Mayor Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) has mastered the art of deceptive politics and become the most powerful man in the city, pushing his wife (Connie Nielsen) and daughter (Hannah Ware) away in the process. But when he receives an unexpected diagnosis of a degenerative brain disorder, the absolute power he once wielded threatens to erode if he can't keep his illness a secret.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2):

Boss isn't pretty, but it's certainly powerful, the kind of drama that's so grim, even the weather seems to play along. And in an age in which so many Americans seem let down by those elected to high places, the show's subject matter could really strike a nerve. Of course, if you're the type who prefers to believe that politics aren't actually this depressingly dirty, well, then this won't be the show for you.

As for Grammer, he slides into the role of a man who's accustomed to controlling his own fate (until fate steps in to take a swipe at his health) with impressive range and authority. He's the right man for the job, and his performance makes this dark and gritty world feel all the more dark and believable. But it might not be a world that everyone wants to visit -- or accept.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the show's portrayal of politics at a local level and whether the outlook is generally positive or negative. How accurately does the series reflect reality? Are politics always so "dirty," or can political power be used for good?

  • In spite of all the political scandals in the news, do you think politicians can be positive role models? How does the series' main character measure up? To what extent do you think public figures' personal lives differ from their public personas?

  • Discuss the show's main theme of power. Who seems to have it -- and what types of personal compromises seem necessary to get it? Who seems to lack it -- and what factors are keeping them from getting what they want? Can having so much power have a dark side?

TV Details

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