Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Irreverent anthology stays light despite violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Miracle Workers
What's the Story?
Each season of MIRACLE WORKERS (all based on the writing of humorist/show creator Simon Rich) puts its core cast in a new situation. The first season is set in a version of heaven that's like a dysfunctional corporation: God (Steve Buscemi) is depressed and dissatisfied with the state of life on Earth, and Eliza Hunter (Geraldine Viswanathan) is an angel who's toiled for years in the Department of Dirt. She requests a transfer to a place where she can do some good for the human race and ends up in the Department of Wish Fulfillment, where there's only one other employee, Craig (Daniel Radcliffe). When God decides to permanently shut down Earth, Eliza makes a bet with him in an attempt to save it. Subsequent seasons find Buscemi, Viswanathan, and Radcliffe (along with other regulars) dealing with life in the Dark Ages and on the Oregon Trail.
Is It Any Good?
In all of its stories/settings, you could argue that Miracle Workers is using (light) philosophy to ask what it means to live in a world that's experiencing one demoralizing crisis after another. While it lacks the satirical punch of presumable inspiration The Good Place, the incredible cast (especially Buscemi, Radcliffe, and Viswanathan) and quirky premise give the show room to grow and establish its own unique voice. Briskly paced, with a strong sense of character and snappy one-liners, it's a show that's easy to breeze through.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Miracle Workers' first-season depiction of God and heaven differs from others. Does God behave how you'd expect? Does heaven operate the way you'd think?
What does it mean to do good in the world? How is that theme relevant to all of the different seasons' stories?
What do the cast's characters have in common from season to season? How do they change?
How does the show's light tone affect the impact of its more mature content elements, including violence and swearing?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 12, 2019
- Cast : Daniel Radcliffe , Steve Buscemi , Geraldine Viswanathan
- Network : TBS
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 16, 2021
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