Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll

TV review by Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media
Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Raunchy jokes, drugs, and lots of cursing in so-so comedy.

FX Comedy 2015
Rate TV

Parents say

age 16+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 3 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate tv

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.

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 Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll is a comedy about an aging rocker who reconnects with his fame-hungry daughter. The jokes are extremely raunchy: A man tries to passionately (mistakenly) kiss his daughter, there's an extended sequence about code words for female private parts, and there are jokes about and references to group sex, oral sex, and consequence-free casual sex. Expect frequent unbleeped cursing: "s--t," "a--hole," vulgar expressions referring to sex. Characters snort cocaine and smoke marijuana on-screen. Brand logos are shown; real celebrities and rock stars appear as themselves and are plot points.

Community Reviews

PCDberry
PCDberry Adult
March 13, 2016
age 16+

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

Sex & drugs & rock & roll is a comedy that is pretty halarious, fun, and entertaining but parents be warned some content is not exactly graphic but there is language such as damn, sh*t, references to sex, oral, and other sex positions are also refrenced, f*ck is used but is censored. Violence isn't really a issue but there is many non-graphic scenes of arguing which do get pretty heated. Common sense is always helpful but later on in the season there are 2 sex scenes in one scene 2 men one is homosexual and the other is straight, the homosexual is seen doing a sexual act on the other there's no mistaking what there doing not very graphic but somewhat graphic, the other is a brief sex scene between a husband and wife moaning and thrusting is heard and seen not graphic. There's also some drug use, cocaine, viagra ect. But in the end there's a positive message that is even when life gets tough you can still manage to get things done, also another message that family stays and sticks with eachother through tough situations, but there are no positive role models most do drugs, there manipulative, sexual, and mostly do illegal things to get money and or fame.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

It was all SEX&DRUGS&ROCK&ROLL when Johnny Rock (Denis Leary) and his band the Heathens had their brief, shining moment of indie fame. Unfortunately, on the brink of releasing their first album, they broke up after lead guitarist Flash (John Corbett) caught Johnny in bed with his wife, and it's been downhill ever since. Johnny is exhausted, broke, and on the verge of joining a Bryan Adams tribute band when his long-lost daughter shows up. Gigi (Elizabeth Gillies) has some money to burn and a towering desire to be famous, plus the talent to back it up. She persuades her dad to get the band back together -- with her as the lead singer and Dad relegated to behind-the-scenes status.

Is It Any Good?

The cast of Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll is charming enough, and there are some talented writers at the helm, but there are equally cringe-worthy elements that detract from the funny. Leary plays over-it-all reliably well, and he makes a creditable exhausted never-was rock star. But would a young, aspiring singer really pin her chances at success on reforming her dad's old band and taking it on the road? This creaky concept and numerous sitcom hijinks -- people run into each other in New York City with weird frequency on this show -- take the goings-on down a couple of notches.

However, some jokes do hit their targets -- we're suckers for good gags about song cycles and other music nerdery -- and several of the cast members are gems, most particularly Elaine Hendrix, whom you may recognize as the meanie from The Parent Trap remake as well as Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion. Give this woman more to do, please! But let it not be singing on this show. The moments when the band is singing together, clearly meant to generate some good vibes, are painful. A little advice: Stick to the workplace dynamics of a rock band. In these moments, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll shines.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the premise for this show. How likely is it that a young artist would enlist the help of an older one who was never famous?

  • Think about other shows that take place in creative workplaces: ad agencies, magazines, movie studios. Do these productions show what the characters are actually producing, as on Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Victorious Poster Image

    Victorious

    Upbeat iCarly-like tween comedy promotes confidence.

    age 8+
  • Louie Poster Image

    Louie

    Mature comedy series is both crude and entertaining.

    age 18+
  • Sex and the City Poster Image

    Sex and the City

    Smart, sassy, sexy -- and for mature viewers only.

    age 16+

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