Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Personalized picks at your fingertips

Get the mobile app on iOS and Android

Get the app
Parents' Guide to

Mr. Mayor

By Marina Gordon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Familiar-feeling political sitcom is tame, light on laughs.

TV NBC Comedy 2021
Mr. Mayor Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 1 parent review

Conner
Conner Parent of 8 and 17-year-old
March 31, 2022
age 14+

Sex? Mayor? IDK?

the show is great there is a lot of sex refrences in the show in the lastest episode in season two episode 3 a woman in a tv commercial(in the show) says that if someone on "this dating app" is asking to be pictures of your passport or dog or first name its fake. but if they ask for a picture of your "gentiles" then its her. Arpi also likes to say the word H*ll a lot she often says this h*llish place or this h*ll hole. Also in season 2 episode 3 "Trampage" Neil supposed"love of his life" says "I'm not a robot but i am a machine in bed" so overall its funny but little too much sex.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

MR. MAYOR stars Ted Danson as wealthy self-made retired businessman Neil Bremer, who runs for mayor of Los Angeles as a way to impress his teen daughter Orly (Kayla Kennedy). As a novice politician, he learns the ropes (and scoffs at them) from his millennial staff (Vella Lovell, Bobby Moynihan, Mike Cabellon) and newly appointed deputy mayor (Holly Hunter).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (6 ):

Anyone looking to fill the Good Place-sized hole in their hearts won't find a fit in Ted Danson's latest series, but it's still better than most network fare. Think of Mr. Mayor as a snarkier Spin City or a less warm-hearted Parks and Recreation. The series has a high joke density but few elicit more than a snicker, which is a pity considering the accomplished cast.

It may take a while for creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock to acclimate to Mr. Mayor's L.A. setting after multiple New York-specific collaborations (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News). The jokes and characters about the other coast in the first two episodes feel cliched -- Danson's Mayor Neil Bremer takes edibles! His foil, Councilwoman and newly appointed Deputy Mayor Arpi Meskimen, is a strident ultraliberal! The counselor (Rachel Dratch) at teen daughter Orly's private girls school is a woo-woo hippie! -- but the writing could grow into the show's good bones.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the media portrays political leaders. How much do you think the media contributes to how we perceive them?

  • As far as the content, do you think the show exaggerates what happens behind the scenes in local government offices? Do you think local officials do a good job of running your community? Would you ever be interested in becoming a part of your local goverment?

TV Details

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.

See all recommended tv lists

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