Parents' Guide to

Cuts

By Brenda Kienan, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Sly, cutting humor lacks luster in adult comedy.

TV UPN Comedy 2005
Cuts Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Spun off from UPN's successful One on One, CUTS is meant to be sharp in the conflict-ridden style of Moonlighting or Cheers. But Cuts puts a new spin on the formula: Kevin is black and Tiffany is white, which opens up a world of back-and-forth banter across racial lines. Mismatched in almost every way, former hairstylist-to-the rap stars Kevin Barnes (Marques Houston) and spoiled rich girl Tiffany Sherwood (Shannon Elizabeth) have to get along now that they're co-managing his family's former barber shop -- which her family now owns. In the shop -- which Tiffany is gradually turning into a hot urban day spa -- Kevin and Tiffany are surrounded by manicurist Candy (Shondrella Avery), womanizing hairstylist Walt (Rashaan Nall), chubby barber Ace (Edward "Grapevine" Fordham, Jr.), and eccentric stylist Faith (Beatrice Rosen).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Unfortunately, the leads lack the kind of chemistry required to make this premise work. Additionally, plot lines are often predictable. But status, usually determined by how sexually attractive or rich the characters are, is an ongoing theme. Wherever they go -- work, bars, business meetings -- women show plenty of cleavage, want men to have money, and make references that equate a man's visible body parts or height to less apparent aspects of his "size." Men who have brief bonding moments with each other are ridiculed by others as "such women." A well-groomed man is likely to gesture flamboyantly and have a high voice, while one on the edge of the law might be said to be "one court date away from being sold for a pack of cigarettes."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why so few TV shows and movies have truly interracial casts. How accurate is Hollywood's reflection of real life, both in terms of race and gender roles? Also, when and how is it okay to make jokes about ethnicity, gender roles, and similar topics? What makes a joke offensive? How do you know you've gone too far? Why do you feel OK about making a joke around certain people, and not around others?

TV Details

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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