Gigantic

TV review by Kari Croop, Common Sense Media
Gigantic Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

L.A. teens are living the life -- and tackling big issues.

TeenNick Drama 2010
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 10 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 this teen-driven drama concerns a crop of privileged teens, most of whom are the children of celebrities. As a result, there's some high-end consumerism and name-dropping, although, in general, the show avoids glamorizing the glamorous life. Teen characters use words like "bitch," "ass," and "verbal foreplay," and a few secondary characters drink alcohol with no visible consequences. Some teens talk about contraception and sex, while others have already had it --- and one teen girl has had a baby.

Community Reviews

officialpineappleuwu
officialpineappleuwu Adult
December 28, 2021
age 11+

Pretty entertaining

This show is basically another "Degrassi" or "Pretty Little Liars" type of show. As long as your child is mature enough to know and understand what is going on, 11 is probably the best age. Maybe even 10. It contains some things that are a little risky, like one teen girl has had a baby. Things like underage drinking, sexual activity, sexuality, discrimination, and everything else you would find in an average teenage drama television program.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
suffacate
suffacate Adult
April 17, 2011
age 15+
This show contains A LOT of cussing. I've seen my kid watching it, there's always someone saying "b astard", "b itch", "ass", "hell" or "damnit". It is rated TV-14 for LSVD. Of course there isn't all four in every episode. L - Show cusses a lot. S - Someone is always making out or having sex. V - Blood and fighting is definitely in the program. D - Some inappropriate dialogue. This show covers - sex, relationships, drama, scandals, sexual orientation, friendships, racism, secrets and it's kind of like Degrassi. It just depends in the episode, the LSDV varies.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

For siblings Anna (Grace Gummer) and Walt (Tony Oller) Moore, life is pretty GIGANTIC. But that's what happens when your parents (Helen Slater and Patrick Fabian) are world-renowned movie stars who generate buzz -- and attract paparazzi -- wherever they go. When the family moves back to Los Angeles after a two-year hiatus to settle back into "regular" life, Anna and Walt re-enter a flashy world of parties, premieres, and risky behavior. And sometimes it's a struggle to stay grounded.

Is It Any Good?

Gigantic has the look and feel of 1990s-era Beverly Hills: 90210, which makes it slightly more palatable for today's parents who don't like the way the classic series' slick, next-generation remake, 90210, glamorizes iffy teen behavior. But for viewers, that comparison adds up to a slightly ridiculous yet strangely relatable teen soap that certainly won't win any awards for its writing. It's not a glowing review, for sure, but there are worse things kids could be watching.

In a classic case of art imitating life, two of the series' young stars are the real-life children of celebrities: Gummer's mom is Oscar winner Meryl Streep, while the girl who plays her nemesis, Gia Mantegna, is the daughter of actor Joe Mantegna. Both know for sure what it's really like to have famous parents, so you have to wonder whether they think this TeenNick series gets it right.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about celebrity culture and fame. What's the show's take on what it's like to be famous? Is it fabulous, horrible, or somewhere in between? Would you trade lives with any of these characters?

  • Does the show portray teen characters in a realistic light? Can you relate to them on any level? Are there any aspects of their lives that seem completely ridiculous?

  • What are the real-life consequences of iffy behavior like underage drinking and premarital sex? Does the show make light of weighty issues, or does it handle them in a responsible way?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Huge Poster Image

    Huge

    Thought-provoking drama has relatable messages for teens.

    age 14+
  • Privileged Poster Image

    Privileged

    Status-driven teen drama is surprisingly positive.

    age 15+
  • Degrassi Goes Hollywood Poster Image

    Degrassi Goes Hollywood

    Brush with fame teaches teens lessons in TV movie.

    age 14+

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