Parents' Guide to

Roadies

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Half-baked take on roadie life caters to more mature fans.

TV Showtime Drama 2016
Roadies Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

A motley crew of ROADIES on tour with the Staton-House Band has to roll with the punches when a bean-counting financial adviser (Rafe Spall) shows up to cut costs. Among them are tour manager Bill (Luke Wilson), production manager Shelli (Carla Gugino), sound engineer Donna (Keisha Castle-Hughes), electrician Kelly Ann (Imogen Poots), and her twin brother, Wesley (Colson Baker).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

If nothing else, Cameron Crowe's surprisingly shallow take on road life has one killer soundtrack, as we knew it would. But it also has some problems, among them two leads who lack palpable chemistry. This wouldn't necessarily matter -- platonic relationships can (and should) be equally compelling -- except for the fact that the script so desperately wants us to see them as an item, a plot development that, while it would give the series some much-needed direction, doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense.

With Crowe at the creative helm, you might assume that Roadies would handle the lives of rock's unsung heroes with the same reverence that Almost Famous used for music journalists and the bands they followed. But instead of affecting and memorable television, you get an odd mash-up of workplace drama and romantic comedy, a bit like The Office with a much cooler wardrobe and a fraction of the laughs.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how close Roadies gets to capturing the realities of life on the road. What are the pros and cons of working behind the scenes in the music business? Are there downsides to every dream job?

  • Does Roadies challenge any commonly held stereotypes about the people who make their living on the road, or does it merely reinforce the "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll" mantra? Who seems the most authentic? Which characters surprised you?

  • What role does money play in the music business, and how accurately does Roadies reflect that? How does the business aspect of music affect the products we see and hear?

TV Details

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