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.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the mom and dad's brand of parenting comes off as gently sarcastic and exasperated. The siblings are a true sitcom concoction, with the two good-looking, "cool" ones ruling over the other three: a weirdo, a goth, and a kid with serious short-man complex. Expect plenty of sexual humor and objectification of women (particularly on the part of the teen boys).
Community Reviews
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
QUINTUPLETS plays on a scary situation for any parent: suddenly being responsible for five mouths to feed and five sets of egos to contend with. The audience is spared the early years of the family's life, joining the story when the quintuplets are at the tender age of 15. Hormones are bubbling, and the kids are ganging up on their parents, but Mom (Rebecca Creskoff) and Dad (Andy Richter) are good-naturedly coping without losing their marbles.
Is It Any Good?
What Quintuplets ultimately does right can't be said for all family comedies -- it doesn't take itself too seriously. The pace is quick and the characters are at times caricatures of stereotypes. There are laughs enough to justify some of the lame jokes. And, there's a kind of checks and balances scheme. For every sexist remark Patton (Ryan Pinkston) makes, his sister Penny (April Matson) cuts him down a notch. Every time Pearce (Johnny Lewis) gets the short end of the stick, he secretly triumphs in the end. Plus, the parents respect each other as equals, and they treat their kids with the light sarcasm that only parents with five teenagers under one roof can earn.
Some aspects of this goofy comedy are reminiscent of a self-aware The Brady Bunch. But unlike the innocent conundrums faced by the Brady kids, this contemporary take is riddled with strong sexual innuendo, drug references, and power struggles. So while Quintuplets can be amusing, it's not suitable for all audiences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the situations in which girls are treated like things, rather than thinking, feeling people. Is this how guys really act? If so, who taught them to behave like this? And how can girls set them straight? The peer pressure among the gang is pretty noticeable as well. But despite the fact that they're sometimes treated like freaks, the three less-popular siblings are actually the most interesting and entertaining of the quints.
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 16, 2004
- Cast: Andy Richter, April Matson, Rebecca Creskoff
- Network: Fox
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
The War at Home
Funny or crude, depending on you. Not for kids.
-
Malcolm in the Middle
Quirky, off-the-wall family humor; OK for teens.
-
Grounded for Life
Married... With Children-lite; iffy for kids.
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