Parents' Guide to

Manhattan Love Story

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Romcom-y sitcom's twist tells inside story of relationships.

TV ABC Comedy 2014
Manhattan Love Story Poster Image

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

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What's the Story?

MANHATTAN LOVE STORY follows the developing romance between two New Yorkers whose inner thoughts accompany their dialogue. The story begins with Dana's (Analeigh Tipton) relocation from small-town life to Manhattan, where she's gotten the big career break she's been hoping for and can't wait to dive into the New York culture. When her domineering college friend-turned-roommate, Amy (Jade Catta-Preta), sets her up with her cynical brother-in-law, Peter (Jake McDorman), the two initially butt heads, but eventually Peter softens to Dana's wide-eyed optimism and sense of adventure and she comes to appreciate his lesser-known sweet side.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Manhattan Love Story's shtick isn't entirely new, but it does give this otherwise sappy sitcom a much-needed shot in the arm. It's one thing to know two characters' personalities and histories enough to accept their odd pairing; it's another to hear each one's inner thoughts in real time. While making small talk, Dana wonders whether Peter knows that she's aware he's looking at her boobs, and Peter ponders her fit of tears over dinner, for instance. While the idea of the world being privy to our thoughts might be appalling, it makes for some pretty decent comedy when it's someone else's soul being bared.

For all its prime-time polish and carefully planned trappings, there's also a certain rawness to Peter and Dana's story that's really likable. The show doesn't presume that relationships follow a natural flow from beginning to end (even if other pairings in the story imply that's the case). They're messy, complicated, and a lot of work on both parties' parts, and at least some of that plays out in this story. If your teens watch, it can prompt some discussions about dating and relationships in their lives.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how TV shows such as this one cast love and relationships. Are the relationships in this story healthy and fulfilling? Are any one-sided? Do you think society has a generally positive or negative view of marriage and monogamy?

  • This series touches on the hopes and fears involved in starting over. Why are new beginnings scary? How do they challenge us to grow? What can we learn from our successes? Our failures?

  • Do these characters make good decisions? Do their circumstances reflect your teens' in any way? How far would they go to make their dreams reality?

TV Details

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