Parents' Guide to

Man Up!

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Unoriginal comedy about being manly has some heart.

TV ABC Comedy 2011
Man Up! Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

dr dew
dr dew Adult
October 31, 2011
age 12+

ok

well i am a christian man and i love last man standing so last week after that show i thought i would give this show a try as well and it was actualy quite good and rather funny but it is more for older kids though

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

MAN UP! is a comedy featuring three thirty-something guys trying to figure out how to hold on to their manhood. Will (Mather Zickel) lives a happy, domesticated life with his wife Theresa (Teri Polo) and his two kids, Nathan (Jake Johnson) and Lucy (Charlotte Labadie), but sometimes wonders if he is a 'real man'. His brother-in-law, Kenny (Dan Fogler), is struggling to cope with his ex-wife Brenda (Amanda Detmer) and her seemingly perfect boyfriend Grant (Henry Simmons). Meanwhile, their single and sensitive friend Craig (Christopher Moynihan) finds himself pining over lost loves and other issues while strumming his guitar. Together they realize that being a man in today's complicated world isn't easy, especially when they can't figure out what that really means.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The series offers some funny moments as the men support each other in their attempt to live up to a confusing idea of how their gender should behave. But the plot lines, which mostly revolve around the guys trying to solve a problem in goofy sort of way, don't feel very original. The conversations between them are often silly and mildly sexist, too.

The characters aren't very introspective about themselves or the world around them, but they are surprisingly easy to relate to. As a result, while the overall show lacks depth, it definitely has a little heart. If you are looking for some lighthearted sitcom entertainment, this one may fit the bill.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the role of men and women are defined in our society. Do you think these definitions are based on fact, or on stereotypes? How does the media contribute to the way gender roles are maintained and/or change over time?

TV Details

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