Parents' Guide to

Smith

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Captivating crime caper is too violent for kids.

TV CBS Drama 2006
Smith Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

With movie star actors, slick production values, and a tried-but-true premise, SMITH is a sexy crime drama told from the criminals' perspective. Bobby and Hope Stevens (Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen) are married with kids, but Bobby leads a secret life as the leader of a high-stakes band of thieves. The series follows the gang's action-packed heists, which often include violent set pieces like car chases, explosions, and murder. Meanwhile, the FBI is hot on Bobby's tail, even as his fence, Charlie (Shoreh Aghdashloo), feeds him more lucrative work. Bobby is a sensitive husband and father with a talent for the piano, but he's also a tough crime boss with a temper. He's trying to mend his fragile relationship with Hope and wants out of the underworld.

Is It Any Good?

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

SMITH is network TV that's so glossy and gorgeous it looks like the movies -- or at least like HBO. And like HBO, Smith is full of racy themes and bad behavior. Each member of his squad has an area of expertise -- transportation, weapons, disguise -- as well as their own complicated back stories. As viewers learn bits and pieces of these characters' pasts, Smith gains depth and becomes more compelling.

With an excess of adult themes, Smith is definitely adult fare. But it's high-quality stuff that, aside from the a-little-too-familiar framework, will captivate crime caper fans.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about appearance versus reality. Have teens ever been fooled by a first impression? Have you ever been lied to? How does it feel? What would be the hardest part of living a double life? Families can also discuss the glamour of criminal life. Shows like this, as well as some movies and music, give the impression that a life of crime is sexier and more thrilling than straight life. Do you think that's really true? How do these media sources create that impression?

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.

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