
Living Lohan
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Stage-mom reality series sends mixed messages.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
LIVING LOHAN follows the family of troubled starlet Lindsay Lohan, centering on her infamous mother/manager, Dina Lohan, as she raises two of her other children -- 14-year-old daughter Ali and 11-year-old son Cody -- while simultaneously managing her daughters' careers. From coping with relentless tabloids to dealing with the day-to-day challenges of raising a family as a single parent, Dina demonstrates how she offers her kids an ostensibly normal upbringing while also helping them determine what's best for their artistic development.
Is It Any Good?
Not surprisingly, while Lindsay Lohan doesn't appear in the series, she's still a major part of it. Pictures of her are prominently featured throughout the Lohans' home, and many conversations revolve around how her celebrity status affects the family. There's also plenty of discussion about how the tabloids exploit Lindsay and her allegedly problematic behavior. While other members of the Lohan clan feature in some of the show's "storylines" -- including the family's close relationship with grandmother Nana and Ali's burgeoning singing career -- almost everything seems to reflect back to some sort of Lindsay-related issue.
The series, which Dina Lohan also executive produces, provides a unique way of simultaneously promoting her daughters' careers and the idea that she's a caring, well-meaning parent. And while it's clear that she is a loving mother, the show sends some mixed messages about parenting by highlighting the time that Dina spends dealing with aggressive tabloid editors, music directors, and entertainment lawyers rather than focusing on addressing her children's personal and emotional well-being. This, combined with some strong sexual innuendo (including references to oral sex), mentions of drug and alcohol abuse (as the topics relate to Lindsay), and other mature issues, makes Living Lohan iffy for tweens and younger teens. But older viewers who enjoy this kind of voyeuristic entertainment may find it interesting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it would be like to have a famous sibling or parent. What are some of the perks a family can enjoy as a result of one member's fame? Are there drawbacks? How much does media coverage of a famous person impact the rest of their family? Should the media ever target a famous person's relatives? Families can also discuss reality television. Why do families agree to appear on reality shows? Do you think they act the same way in front of the camera as they do when the crews aren't there?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 26, 2008
- Cast: Ali Lohan , Cody Lohan , Dina Lohan
- Network: E!
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: October 13, 2022
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate