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Gigantic
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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.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
The ok age
Content may be fine, but it's... boring.
Lame idea!
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: TV-PG
- Available on: Streaming
For kids who love stories about growing up
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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.