Parents' Guide to

Cristela

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Likable female star stands out in stereotype-heavy sitcom.

TV ABC Comedy 2014
Cristela 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?

CRISTELA is a sitcom that centers on 20-something Cristela (Cristela Alonzo), a sixth-year law student with big dreams and a never-say-die attitude. Despite numerous setbacks that threatened to put her off course from her career plans, Cristela is determined that this time, law school will stick, and landing a dream internship for Trent Culpepper (Sam McMurray) gets her one step closer to her goal. Of course, none of that makes any sense to her traditional Mexican-American family, with whom she lives. Her immigrant mother, Natalia (Terri Hoyos), just wants Cristela to find a nice guy and settle down like her older sister, Daniela (Maria Canals-Barrera). As for Daniela's husband, Felix (Carlos Ponce), he'd just like to have his house to himself rather than putting up with all of his in-laws.

Is It Any Good?

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

With a script based loosely on her own life, comedian Alonzo shines in this otherwise tepid sitcom. She's thoroughly enjoyable to watch and skilled at acerbic wit that generates most of the show's laughs. The fact that her character is brimming with self-confidence is another real treat that goes hand-in-hand with the show's efforts to portray a self-reliant female of color who's working for the American dream. The fact that this often puts her at ideological odds with her family touches on cultural and generational divides to which some viewers may relate.

The downside is that for a show promoting a character who's challenging stereotypes, it sure pokes a lot of fun at ingrained racial labels. Cristela's boss is particularly politically incorrect, but since she can dish it right back, it becomes a non-issue. Although this is fine by comedy's standards, it might not be a quality all viewers appreciate. If you do watch with your teens, it gives you a great reason to talk about issues of prejudice and respect.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the show's use of stereotypes for comedy. Are the racial quips appropriate for the show's intended audience? Would comments like these fly in real-world workplaces? Is it ever OK to poke fun at issues such as race and gender?

  • Does this series cast family life in a positive or a negative light? Teens: Do you feel a generational divide between you and your parents? How do your respective ages make you look at issues differently? What shared values supersede your differences?

  • A recurring theme in this show posits that hard work and determination are the keys to success. Do you think this is true in America today? Are opportunities here truly equal across the board, or do other factors play a role? Teens: What are your dreams?

TV Details

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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 suggesting a diversity update.

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