Common Sense Media Review
By Marina Gordon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Weak helicopter mom sitcom has language, drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Call Your Mother
What's the Story?
In CALL YOUR MOTHER, Iowan 50-something widowed helicopter mom Jean (Kyra Sedgwick) misses her two grown kids who have moved to California. Since she hasn't heard from her son, Freddie (Joey Bragg), for four whole days she decides to fly out to Los Angeles and check up on him and his more dutifully in-touch sister, Jackie (Rachel Sennott). She discovers a rift between her kids, realizes she knows little about their lives, and decides to stay. Jean checks in with her best friend back home (Sherri Shepherd) to keep her apprised of the goings-on and flirts with her Airbnb host (Patrick Brammall).
Is It Any Good?
Finding a balance between helicopter mom and negligent mom is a constant struggle for many mothers, but we'd all be hard-pressed to relate to the mom Kyra Sedgwick plays in this weak sitcom. If you've seen Disney Channel shows, Call Your Mother will feel very familiar, with its cliched characters, "wacky" misunderstandings, and "I've seen them somewhere" cast. Fans who know Sedgwick best from Singles or The Closer will be disappointed with the sloppy material covering a topic that will hit close to home for parents of teens and older -- the peril and promise of being an empty nester. More encouraging is the adult kids' relationship; they have a conversation over beers about their oft-difficult mother that will feel familiar to some adult siblings who have divergent ideas about how to deal with aging parents. In a time of "podding" the message about making your family your village may resonate with some viewers; most others would be better off spending 22 minutes calling their own mother instead of watching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how middle-aged women are viewed by society and how they are portrayed in Call Your Mother. What are some of the issues that affect the lives of older members of the community?
How is the sibling relationship portrayed in Call Your Mother? How does it compare to how other shows featuring siblings?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 13, 2021
- Cast : Kyra Sedgwick , Joey Bragg , Rachel Sennott
- Network : ABC
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 16, 2021
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