Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-done slice-of-life series explores life and death.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
One Mississippi
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
On ONE MISSISSIPPI as in life, Tig Notaro is a comic who's had breast cancer. But on this personal comic drama, she's also a character with challenges: Her mom has just died, and Tig decides to stay in her Mississippi hometown instead of returning to Los Angeles to resume her career and her so-so relationship with her girlfriend Brooke (Casey Wilson). Back in Mississippi, Tig's in the bosom of her (now reduced) family, with her brother Remy (Noah Harpster) and stepfather Bill (John Rothman) to alternately comfort and confound her as she tries to make a new life in a new place.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of the downbeat but effortlessly funny Notaro know what they're in for: smart, intermittently hilarious and well-written comedy that's occasionally a downer. That's what you get on One Mississippi, all right. The laughs are smart and frequent, but the show delves rather daringly into high-stakes drama right away: The first episode opens with Tig's mother's death and closes on her funeral. Sensitive viewers will be in floods of tears. The show is lightened at intervals with great deadpan jokes, often delivered at the expense of Tig's taciturn stepdad.
"How's Mom?" asks Tig, newly arrived at her hometown to see her dying mother. "She's on life support. And we're going to take her off life support," says Bill from the back seat. "Thanks, Bill," Tig deadpans. "And hello." A few minutes later, after Tig's mother has been disconnected from her respirator (mercifully, behind a curtain, though we're treated to the sight of the whole family sitting around staring at her as she slowly dies), Tig has an absurd vision. She's wheeling her mother out of the hospital, dead, on a gurney, as the hospital's staff gather around to wave her on to what's next: "Good-bye!" "Good luck!" That's some pretty strange territory for a show we hesitate to classify as a sitcom, but it's moving. This is good stuff, but it's not for everyone.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about different types of humor. Is death funny? Is it funny when it's the subject of jokes on One Mississippi? Why do different people find different things funny? Teens: What do you find hilarious that your parents just don't get? Why?
Do any of the topics discussed on One Mississippi make you uncomfortable? Do you think they're supposed to?
How do the characters in One Mississippi demonstrate compassion and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 8, 2016
- Cast : Tig Notaro , Casey Wilson , Noah Harpster , John Rothman
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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
Suggest an Update
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