Gavin and Stacey
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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 this British comedy features plenty of pretty explicit sexual content. Couples are shown making out and undressing (men are shown naked from behind, but women keep their underwear on), and in at least one scene, a couple's sounds of passion are overheard from the next room. Subplots center on things like sexually transmitted diseases (who gave what to whom), unplanned pregnancy, and sexual preferences (a couple seeks out a stranger for a threesome; a man wonders if it's normal that his partner put things in him during intercourse). Drinking and smoking also border on excessive; most of the characters partake with no consequences. That said, adult viewers who can put such behavior in context will be entertained by the series' spin on the ups and downs of life and love.
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What's the Story?
GAVIN AND STACEY is a British comedy series that dramatizes the highs and lows of falling -- and staying -- in love. After six months of getting to know each other through phone calls, Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page) finally meet face to face and confirm their mutual attraction. Everything seems meant to be, and the two start planning their life together, but it's not long before the proverbial curveballs are hurled into their path. Only time will tell whether their love for each other is enough to see them through life's uncertainties -- and the discrepancies between their personalities (and families).
Is It Any Good?
It's no accident that this engaging series garnered multiple awards since it premiered in the UK in May 2007. The characters are relatable, the story is believable, the cast is superb, and the writing has a freshness that's surprising in the often-clichéd romantic comedy genre. Unlike other series that overplay romance for the sake of drama, writers Ruth Jones and James Corden -- who also co-star as Stacey and Gavin's quirky best friends, Nessa and Smithy -- simply tell the story of two romantics who find each other and are convinced that that's all they need to be happy.
But for all the refreshing simplicity that Gavin and Stacey offers grown-up viewers, it's equally full of stuff that's not suitable for kids -- even some teens. Sexual content is extensive and fairly graphic; while there's no actual intercourse, there's plenty of everything else, including references to threesomes and other bedroom habits, nude shots of men's butts, suggestive foreplay (kissing, butt slapping, crotch grabbing, etc.), and unmistakable sounds through bedroom walls. Plus, the characters drink and smoke habitually. Still, once the kids are out of the way, adults will be entertained by the show's take on modern-day romance and the challenges that couples face when they commit to each other.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the real-life consequences of the kind of things the characters on this show do, from drinking to casual sex.
Which shows do you know of that glamorize playing the field and "hooking up"? Does that come across as more exciting than being part of a happy, faithful couple? Why or why not? How do you think love and marriage are typically portrayed in the media?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 26, 2008
- Cast: Joanna Page, Matthew Horne, Ruth Jones
- Network: BBC America
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: April 4, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Domestic humor fine for young teens and up.
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Romantic and entertaining -- for older teens.
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For kids who love comedy and romance
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