Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lighthearted cop comedy serves up laughs and diversity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 51 parent reviews
Based on 367 kid reviews
Kids say that this show is a fantastic blend of humor and heartwarming moments, often addressing serious topics like racism and sexism, though it contains a significant amount of sexual innuendo and some mild violence. While most feel the content is generally appropriate for older children, opinions vary on its suitability for younger viewers due to the frequent jokes about sex and occasional use of drugs and swearing, which can fly over kids' heads.
- humor and heart
- diverse characters
- appropriate for teens
- mild innuendo
- engaging storytelling
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When a straight-laced captain (Andre Braugher) takes over command of Brooklyn's 99th precinct, the men and women of the BROOKLYN NINE-NINE line up to impress him -- but high-performing detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) isn't about to revamp his reputation for skirting the rules. Will this slapstick officer ever get serious and learn to respect authority?
Is It Any Good?
For anyone who's up to their eyeballs in dark, gritty crime dramas, this comedy feels like a breath of fresh air. Brooklyn Nine-Nine adds laughs to the largely predictable plots of police procedurals, much like Scrubs injected much-needed levity into the disease-ridden world of hospital drama. And it's an offbeat series, indeed, that would name a pair of newborn twins Cagney and Lacey. Braugher (the breakout star of the Emmy-winning cop drama Homicide: Life on the Street) is especially entertaining as the precinct's openly gay captain.
Do these cops make good role models? Surprisingly, yes. And since the tone is intentionally lighthearted, the sex, drugs, and violence that are so central to serious crime shows take a backseat to jokes about office shenanigans and interoffice dating. Samberg's SNL roots also lend themselves to comedic cameos from the likes of Fred Armisen and other familiar faces, which sounds like a recipe for good times.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Brooklyn Nine-Nine compares to popular crime dramas like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Law & Order: SVU. What does it have in common with these serious series? What does it try to do differently?
How accurately does Brooklyn Nine-Nine portray the work environment of real-life police officers, particularly when it comes to women and gay men taking jobs in a historically straight-male profession? Does the use of comedy downplay the challenges those officers might face in the real world?
Do you think it's a good idea for detectives who work together to date each other? What are the risks of getting romantically involved with a colleague?
How do the characters in this show demonstrate communication, humility, and teamwork? Why are those important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 17, 2013
- Cast : Andre Braugher , Andy Samberg , Melissa Fumero
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Communication , Humility , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Awards : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 4, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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