Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
L.A. teens are living the life -- and tackling big issues.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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
- Premiere date : October 8, 2010
- Cast : Gia Mantegna , Grace Gummer , Tony Oller
- Network : TeenNick
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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