Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
'70s-set animated comedy is spicy but surprisingly nuanced.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
F Is for Family
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 33 kid reviews
Kids say the show is a hilarious yet mature animated comedy that effectively portrays the dynamics of a dysfunctional family in the 70s, with relatable characters and multiple engaging storylines. However, viewers warn about its excessive use of profanity, explicit sexual content, and dark themes, making it more suitable for older teens rather than young children.
- funny yet mature
- excessive profanity
- explicit content
- relatable characters
- dark themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Created by comedian Bill Burr and writer Michael Price (The Simpsons), F IS FOR FAMILY takes place in 1973, a time when people smoked indoors, used pay phones, read newspapers, and threatened their rebellious teen sons with a trip to Vietnam. Frank Murphy (Burr) is the family patriarch, who just wants everybody to shut up so he can enjoy his beer and TV in peace. Sue (Laura Dern) is his wife, a stay-at-home mom who sells plastic storage on the side. Kevin (Justin Long) is their difficult 14-year-old; Bill (Haley Reinhart) their conflicted middle child; and Maureen (Debi Derryberry) the angelic youngest. The Murphys may not have a lot of money, and they bicker nonstop. But underneath it all, they're a family and always there for each other when needed.
Is It Any Good?
At first glance this looks to be yet another animated family sitcom that attempts mild-shock humor, but this show is more nuanced and amusing than it would first appear. Trailers for the show amp up Burr's "non-PC" humor, but between the offensive jokes are sharp moments of observational comedy that are a lot more appealing. Sue bursts into tears over the emptiness of her life right in the middle of organizing stacks of the plastic ware she sells to neighbors; Frank's plot to bring Kevin to work to straighten him out is an unexpected success. In addition, those who lived through the 1970s will thoroughly enjoy the period-correct details: phone number lists hanging up by the curly-corded wall phone, hair dryers with a bonnet attachment, cars with rusty fenders and doors so heavy they rebound when you push them open and crush your leg. Families with teens and up may want to check out this heavy but fun comedy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why television comedies frequently revolve around families. What types of viewers is this type of show trying to attract?
TV shows are frequently set in the near past. What other 1970s-era shows can you think of? Why is this era a popular setting?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 18, 2015
- Cast : Laura Dern , Sam Rockwell , Justin Long
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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