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Friends with Benefits
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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 "friends with benefits" is a loaded term used to describe a friendship involving casual sex with no real romantic connection. And as the title suggests, this sitcom contains frequent sexual content -- from simulated sex to suggestive jokes about swinging -- although most of it is comic in tone and no sensitive body parts are shown. You'll also hear language like "douchebag," "bitch," and "balls," and see regular social drinking.
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Frinds
What's the story?
While taking on the city’s brutal dating scene, five singles remain FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, which means they’re always there for each other … even in bed. Ben (Ryan Hansen) and Sara (Danneel Ackles) are sleeping together, but both are actively trying to find their perfect match, while Aaron (Zach Cregger), Fitz (Andre Holland), and Riley (Jessica Lucas) are playing the field with their own mix of random hook-ups.
Is it any good?
Friends with Benefits (which isn't to be confused with the big-screen romcom of the same name) took a long time to make it to the airwaves, and whether it remains there seems unlikely. That's not to say it's awful, but it doesn't have enough of the goods to have any real staying power. "Goods" being good characters, good jokes, and good plots.
Its attempt to revamp the successful Friends formula with casual sex right from the get-go (as in, right from the very first scene of the very first episode) certainly sends a clear message as to what the show is all about. But that won't be enough for most viewers, who'll likely want their sex with a little more substance.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the real-life consequences of casual sex -- especially when it happens with a friend. If two people can be friends and enjoy a physical relationship, why wouldn't they want to become a committed couple? Is casual sex any "safer" when it happens with someone you know?
Who's the target audience here? How can you tell? Do you think the show is designed to appeal to both men and women equally?
How realistic are these characters and their romantic problems? Are they relatable?
TV details
- Premiere date: August 5, 2011
- Cast: Jessica Lucas, Zach Cregger
- Network: NBC
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
For kids who love romance
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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.