Parents' Guide to

Leave It to Niecy

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Quasi-reality sitcom shows strong blended family.

TV TLC Reality TV 2012
Leave It to Niecy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

LEAVE IT TO NIECY is a unique reality show starring actress/comedienne Niecy Nash looking for ways to bring her family closer together. Six months after marrying mechanical engineer Jay Tucker, Niecy wants to have the perfect family by helping her teenage kids, Dominic, Donielle, and Dia, bond with their new stepfather. She also wants to help her stepson Romalis, who was raised as an only child, adjust to the crazy clan. Adding to the fray is Miss Margaret, Niecy's mom, who helps raise her grandchildren and is always part of the family dynamic. From forcing the family to go to the roller disco to radically attempting to improve the family's collective eating habits, Niecy never stops thinking of ways to inspire the family to get closer and be happy. Her plans don't always turn out the way she expects them to, but in the end, it somehow it all works out.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

The series, which mixes documentary and comedy formats, offers a humorous and voyeuristic look at the dynamics between the members of a newly blended family. Each episode is produced to follow a specific story line, but it contains plenty of seemingly spontaneous moments that create a sense of reality.

Nash's humor is definitely entertaining, and her children's dry wit will also make you chuckle. It's lighthearted and fun, but the overall show sends a very strong message about positive relationships and the importance of family.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about blended families. How difficult is it to bring together members of two families to create a new, single family? What are some of the challenges? How has the media depicted blended families over the years?

  • Do you think this show is offering a real portrayal of their family experience? Or are they just offering a comical version of it to create an entertaining show?

  • How are African-American families portrayed in the media? What images of African American men and women do we see in the news? How do media depictions compare to reality?

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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