Family Tree
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mockumentary comedy boasts subtle humor, strong language.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
When his great aunt leaves him a box of curious heirlooms in her will, down-on-his-luck bachelor Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd) embarks on a quest to learn more about his inheritance with help from his father (Michael McKean), his sister (Nina Conti), and an old friend (Tom Bennett). But the twisty branches of his FAMILY TREE yield surprising secrets -- and an oddball assortment of quirky characters.
Is It Any Good?
There's a reason Christopher Guest is best known for his trademark "mockumentary" comedies and not necessarily for his own acting in other people's projects. (Fun fact: Did you know that he was the six-fingered man in The Princess Bride?) The main reason is that he pioneered the genre with his seminal rock-doc This Is Spinal Tap, which would inspire generations of writers and directors and ultimately spawn the likes of The Office and Parks and Recreation. But the other reason is, he's great at it.
Family Tree marks Guest's first foray into small-screen comedy, and he's delivered all the goods we've come to expect from his subtly hilarious feature films (including many of his go-to improv actors, from McKean and Ed Begely Jr. to Bob Balaban and Fred Willard). But with the addition of Bridesmaids' O'Dowd as the likable everyman lead, we also get a fresh face we don't mind following along a rambling trek through England that ultimately leads to America -- and a lot of laughs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the "mockumentary" style has been used successfully in other well-received series like The Office (both the original British comedy and the American adaptation), Extras, and Parks and Recreation. What are the pros and cons of the genre? Would Family Tree work as a traditional comedy?
Family Tree is writer-creator Christopher Guest's first television series. How does it compare to his critically acclaimed mockumentary comedies, including Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and Waiting for Guffman? Which of Guest's trademark film techniques pop up in this project?
Have you ever looked into your family history? How has the internet -- and easier access to online historical records -- affected the popularity of genealogical research and shows like Who Do You Think You Are?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 12, 2013
- Cast: Chris O'Dowd, Fred Willard, Michael McKean
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, History
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: October 14, 2022
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate