Parents' Guide to

Just Roll with It

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Family-friendly themes, laughs sell sitcom/improv series.

TV Disney Channel Comedy 2019
Just Roll with It Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Just Roll with It TV Series: Scene #1
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Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

princesscupcake683
princesscupcake683 Adult
July 28, 2019
age 6+

Anyone older than 12 will probably not like this show

I'm turning 21 in a few months and I'm not the target audience for this show, but that doesn't mean Disney Channel shouldn't at least try to make shows that appeal to older audiences as well as kids. I give the show credit for a non-stereotyped, racially diverse, blended family, as well as Rachel and Byron breaking gender stereotypes, and the actors do seem to be at least trying, but my praise for the show ends there. Just Roll With It tried too hard to be funny and instead ended up being annoying, obnoxious and overly hyperactive. I found myself cringing and thinking, "What the hell did I just see?" instead of laughing. You probably won't find a child older than 12 wanting to sit through this show. Disney Channel canceled Andi Mack, an actual quality show with themes that kids are never too young to learn about, due to complaints from Donald Trump fawning mothers, but they're promoting Just Roll With It? Honestly, Andi Mack, Raven's Home, Sydney to the Max and Stuck in the Middle are the only quality sitcoms Disney Channel has made in recent years, but with the exception of those shows, the network hasn't had a good quality sitcom since Austin and Ally.
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What's the Story?

JUST ROLL WITH IT centers on the Bennett-Blatt family -- newlywed parents Rachel (Suzi Barrett) and Byron (Tobie Windham), and their respective tweens, Blair (Kaylin Hayman) and Owen (Ramon Reed) -- as they muddle through the ups and downs of step-parent and step-sibling relationships. With four distinctly different personalities under one roof, expecting the unexpected is just how this family rolls, but that takes on a whole new meaning when the sitcom's studio audience gets to decide what happens next in the story! As the cast is dealt several surprises (unexpected guests, messy scenarios, etc.), they must adapt to them and quickly get back on track to keep the story rolling.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (5 ):

This unique sitcom/improvisational series plays out a little like the Choose Your Own Adventure books, except that the cast hands over control of their fate to the entire audience. It's a brave endeavor that yields a lot of laughs, but it can be a bit jarring to the fluidity of the story. Even so, the interruptions are fairly minimal (typically three or so per episode), and the cast does a capable job of rolling with what befalls them.

What impresses even more than the show's comic shtick is Just Roll with It's strong family-related themes of communication, responsibility, and forgiveness. As a blended family, the characters encounter their share of bumps in the road -- conflicting parenting styles, a kid's manipulative rebellion, and so on -- but they're dedicated to making their relationships work and they meet their challenges head on. This exceedingly pleasant series is a fun pick for families looking for something a little different from the typical sitcom.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what Just Roll with It tries to say about families and family relationships. In what ways do Rachel and Byron present a united parenting front for their kids? How are their challenges unique to blended families? Do their problems (and solutions) seem realistic?

  • Kids: What value is there in seeing racial/religious/gender diversity in the media you consume? What messages does Just Roll with It send related to diversity? Should achieving diversity be a top priority for those who create TV shows and movies? Why or why not?

  • How do Rachel and Byron demonstrate their commitment to tolerance and communication in their relationships with each other and with their kids? Can you love someone and disagree with him or her at the same time? When have you been faced with this challenge in your life? What is the difference between agreeing with someone and respecting their right to disagree with you?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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