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Parents' Guide to

Miracle Workers

By Marty Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Irreverent anthology stays light despite violence, language.

TV TBS Comedy 2019
Miracle Workers Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 15+

Based on 4 parent reviews

rprimeau95
rprimeau95 Adult
February 23, 2020
age 18+

Offensive if your a Believer in God

Mocks God the creator they have him acting dumb, helpless, drinking, destructive hire is this appropriate for 12 yr olds this worlds messed up
Junlei
Junlei Parent of 16-year-old
July 27, 2019
age 13+

Didn't get past episode 3

I saw the first episode on the airplane and thought it could be promising - interesting premise, and starring Daniel Radcliffe, who has been a good actor since long before HP series. So we sat down with two teen girls to watch it (both like Daniel). But the show is just disappointing. We are not "religious offended", but every "God" related distraction is just that - a distraction from an otherwise interesting and could-be-funny plotline. Whereas the main story idea - angels trying to help two people fall in love - offers much, the side story (a despondent/narcissist God) runs out of steam about 5 minutes into the intro. By episode 2, the God parts rely solely on a "penis" joke; and by episode 3, God parts rely soely on "diarrhea" jokes. I was hoping the show will simply return to Daniel and Co. But it keeps going back to the completely ineffective (and to many, potentially offensive/turn-off scenes involving the so-called "God"). By episode 2, we lost 2 out of 4 in the family. By the end of episode 3, all 4 gave up. Poor Daniel, having to take on such a role and try to carry a show.
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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?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (6 ):

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

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