Parents' Guide to

Life with Derek

By Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Modern day Brady Bunch from the teen perspective.

TV Disney Channel Comedy 2005
Life with Derek Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

BreaaLynnn
BreaaLynnn Adult
August 16, 2016
age 11+

Good morals presented with real family-centered issues for children.

This show will keep children's attention at tween to teen ages. It does not include many "adult" references, but does involve teenage struggles, like first boyfriends/girlfriends, parties, and appropriate games/movies.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Adrianna R.
Adrianna R. Parent of baby, baby, 11, 18+, 3 and 3-year-old
August 14, 2016
age 8+

Life with Derek...

We had a discussion about blended families after watching this show. With our younger ones it was as simple as (sometimes mommies and daddies aren't happy and can't figure out problems, they go find someone else to start over with)

This title has:

Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A newly married couple moves in together with children from previous marriage. Sound familiar? This time around the show focuses on the power struggle of the two oldest siblings, Casey (Ashley Leggat) and Derek (Michael Seater). Both 15 years old, these teens are accustomed to being the top dogs in their households and controlling their younger sibs. But who's the alpha between the two of them? Each episode plays on this struggle whether it's in the home, school, or community.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (20 ):

Sibling issues are bound to touch a nerve with tween and teen viewers who experience sibling wars in their own households. Casey is smart, idealistic, and a budding feminist who demands to be treated equally. Derek gets under her skin with his posters of girls in bathing suits on his bedroom walls, love of video games like "Babe Raider," and sugary sweet patronizing manner with girls.

LIFE WITH DEREK is a show that kids will relate to and find funny. But be prepared for them observing teen behavior including talk about attractions to the anatomy of the opposite sex and girls wearing skimpy outfits to impress boys. Bottom line: This is mostly fine, but you may want to preview before you share with your kids under age 10.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the challenges of the blended family. How common is this type of family and do the members of this one act in a realistic way? Parents and kids could also talk about birth order and how that affects family relationships.

TV Details

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