Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
James shines, but clichés bog down mundane sitcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Kevin Can Wait
What's the Story?
KEVIN CAN WAIT stars Kevin James as recently retired police officer Kevin Gable anticipating living the good life of hanging out with his buddies and spending more time with his wife, Donna (Erinn Hayes), and their three kids now that his career is over. But life immediately throws him a series of curveballs, starting with his daughter Kendra's (Taylor Spreitler) announcement of her engagement and her plans to leave college to support her aspiring tech genius fiancé. Now Kevin must reassess his plans for his golden years.
Is It Any Good?
James' impressive talents aren't enough to distinguish this sitcom that repackages setups all too familiar to anyone who's watched a family-centric comedy of late. A goofy, overgrown-kid husband; a long-suffering, hardworking wife; and kids whose problems always manage to reach a comfortable ending by the show's 30-minute time limit -- none of it is original enough to make this show a must-see.
Even so, there's a certain comfort to Kevin Can Wait that's reminiscent of a well-worn pair of jeans; you know exactly what to expect, and they're not going to get a lot of attention, but they're satisfying just the same. Especially for viewers who can relate to the characters' specific stage of midlife, there are some laughs -- and a few warm fuzzies -- in this otherwise mundane series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how TV shows such as this one portray marriage and family life. Do the characters ever deal with real issues in a real way? How does the show's time constraints influence what we see them say and do under pressure and how problems get resolved?
What accounts for some celebrities' success? How has social media changed how we assign celebrity status? Have you seen Kevin James' other work? How does this show stand up to it?
Does this series make light of potentially serious scenarios? Where is the line between comedy and reality? Are you ever offended by comedy styles you see or hear? Is offensiveness something that should be considered, or should anything go in this genre?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 19, 2016
- Cast : Kevin James , Erinn Hayes , Taylor Spreitler
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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