Dr. Ken

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Dr. Ken Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 11+

So-so sitcom styles itself after star's exaggerated comedy.

ABC Comedy 2015
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Dr. Ken is a sitcom that showcases the comedy stylings of star Ken Jeong, who once was a doctor but now plays one on TV. The content is mostly fine for tweens, with references to sex (a couple speaks of being horny, and there are references to threesomes) and occasional cursing ("hell," "ass," and "suck"). The show centers on an Asian-American professional whose family is a major factor in his success, but it does perpetuate some stereotypes in the process. If loud, obnoxious humor isn't your style, then this show likely won't win your favor, since it clearly pins its hopes on Jeong's ability to sell his grating character on repeat viewers.

Community Reviews

puper15
puper15 Adult
October 11, 2015
age 8+

Same as all the other crap on tv.

I'm going to say one thing, Ken Jeong CAN be funny. I liked him in community, and I think he is funny. But he cannot carry a show on his own. The reason he was funny in community was because he was the weird guy in the back. He could work off the main characters and make the situation funny. But that's the thing, I think his comedy is very situational. This is the problem because there is no situation to work off. This show is using the formula that every sitcom and their dog has used. He is the caring father who is trying to balance his job and work. There is nothing new he or any other comedian could bring to this formula, and that is why this show fails. The situation has been done a million times before. so the comedy comes off as stale and repetitive. There is nothing different between this show and it's predecessors. And it is just not funny. If you're looking for a funny sitcom, go for "Fresh Off the Boat" or "Modern Family" and skip this.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

DR. KEN stars Ken Jeong as the titular character, a long-suffering HMO doctor who's only moderately successful at balancing his work life and his family life. At the office, he's Dr. Ken, notoriously insensitive with patients and staff alike, which causes all sorts of trouble for him with his coworkers and his boss, Pat (Dave Foley). Around home, he's beholden to his therapist wife, Allison (Suzy Nakamura), and mutually responsible for their children, Molly (Krista Marie Yu) and Dave (Albert Tsai).

Is It Any Good?

There's no gray area in this sitcom's polarizing appeal or lack of appeal, and its success is heavily dependent on viewers' palate for Jeong's cantankerous comedy style. If you like it, then you'll thoroughly enjoy a show that devotes itself to setting up scenarios that showcase Jeong's snarky vibes. If not, you won't make it past his first verbal rebuke of a patient.

Jeong's character is slightly more tolerable in scenes that show him at home, and it's nice to see a series featuring an Asian-American family. As grating as Ken can be, Allison is his patient, forgiving antithesis, and their odd pairing leads to some funny marital woes. It's also intriguing to note that the show is partially autobiographical; Jeong was a practicing physician until he left medicine to pursue acting, which accounts for how well he owns the doctor role even as he pokes fun at the occupation's frustrations.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Jeong's success in this and other roles. Does he show depth as an actor, or is he more of a one-trick pony in his style? Do you think his leaving the medical profession for acting was a good move on his part?

  • Which stereotypes did you notice in this show? Are they offensive to you, or might they be to other people? Are our sensitivities to stereotypes unrealistically high? Is it ever OK to use them in comedy?

  • Does this show have an agenda to promote with regard to the health care industry? Is there any grain of truth to the interactions between patients and Dr. Ken?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

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    Funny look at average family is OK for older tweens and up.

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