life as we know it

TV review by Liz Perle, Common Sense Media
life as we know it Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Shallow hormonal show about sex, sex, and sex.

ABC Drama 2004
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Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 4 reviews

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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 show is all about how boys want to have sex. In the pilot a teacher flirts with a student and shows him her breasts, a mother has an affair with her son's hockey coach, and all three boys who star obsess about having sex. And this is just the first episode. In addition, kids drink with no consequences and urge a kid to steal his parents' wine.

Community Reviews

Forknose
Forknose Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Seems like school

This show seems like everbody's circle. I don't have much of a circle, maybe my circle would be like this if I weren't getting A's and if I had a good outlook on this "high" (joke) school thing. Yes I hear lots of sex talk and swearing and other junk at my school overrun by gothics and poseur punks. But anyway this show is reminiscent of the things I hear at high school. Since I highly dislike going there, why on earth would I give a show that completely reminds me of the place a good rating?
webmaster
webmaster Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

We MUST take down this show, and its advertisers

It sickens me to see what this society has become. It just doesn't have to be this way. Make a stand, help us all begin to bring back the respect and decency of and to our children and teens. It is NOT going to just happen. It is going to take some serious changes and work on all of our daily activities.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Hormonal show LIFE AS WE KNOW IT centers on three boys -- Dino, the jock, Jonathan, the artist, and Ben the brain -- who have only one thing in common: all they think about is sex. Dino wants to take his girlfriend's virginity because "No matter what else, I will always know I was there first," while Ben sees his literature teacher's breasts, then almost kisses her, then almost swoons as she handles a stick shift in her car. The closest we get to a sympathetic character is Jonathan, who, in spite of hating to be teased, still chooses to go out with the fat girl he really likes (who is beautifully and engagingly acted by Kelly Osbourne).

Is It Any Good?

life as we know it is rated TV-14, but if your kids aren't having sex, this hardly seems like the kind of peer role modeling messages you want them to absorb. Girls talk about being sluts and buy red sexy underwear, while boys talk about how to get girls to beg them to have sex. Girls also put their feet in boys' crotches in science class, causing erections and immediate departures to the restroom. There's also a running "joke" about who the boys would rather sleep with, their mothers or their fathers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether sex has any meaning other than as achievement or trophy. Also, you might want to discuss marital infidelity and Dino's anger with his mother.

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