Sons of Tucson

TV review by Kari Croop, Common Sense Media
Sons of Tucson Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Kids lie to get by in this cheeky, so-so sitcom.

Fox Comedy 2010
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Parents say

age 18+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 1 review

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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 there are some iffy messages here for a show that seems to be targeting kids and their parents, including the central premise that kids can largely take care of themselves without any adults around. The brothers' desire to stay together -- rather than be sent to separate foster homes -- is what motivates them to lie, but they lie a lot nonetheless and don't seem to think it's all that dishonorable. There's also a good bit of cartoonish violence, some of which is quite startling, and some gateway swearing like "damn," "hell," and "piss off."

Community Reviews

marty99
marty99 Adult
September 14, 2018
age 18+

Horrendous Show

The premise is based on theft, deception, lying, and fraud. Three underage brothers (13, 11, and 6) steal a huge amount of money from their criminal father's bank account, buy a house in another town far away from their own home and hire a drunken, drugged out loser to pretend to be their father. Inappropriate situations abound and this show is absolutely not suitable for kids of any age. In one episode the 11-year old does a suggestive dance in front of a hidden webcam wearing nothing but a pair of tight fitting briefs much to the delight of his brothers who have secretly put his performance online. Tight shots of the boy's jiggling rear end make up most of the scene. In another episode, the 6-year old is taken to a sex convention by his phony father and his friend. The kid comes away with a gift bag containing edible underwear, sex lube and a vibrator. In addition to the shocking sexual content, the show routinely ridicules kids who are considered weird or different. That includes a young boy with a stutter who is viciously mocked and a handicapped boy who is made to feel broken, inferior and unloved. This show was actually cancelled by Fox after 4 episodes which must be a record. I think even Fox (not known for wholesome shows) was embarrassed and shocked at the content. A total of 13 episodes were made and eventually shown by the network. I am not by any means a prude or a social conservative but the blatant immorality, sexualization of children and the mean spirit of Sons of Tucson was too much for me to handle.

This title has:

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

What's the Story?

In SONS OF TUCSON, brothers Brandon (Matthew Levy), Gary (Frank Dolce), and Robby Gunderson (Benjamin Stockham) are left to fend for themselves when their wealthy banker father lands in jail on a 25-year prison \

Is It Any Good?

In terms of plot, Sons of Tucson asks a lot from its audience and doesn't necessarily pay them back with the laugh-out-loud moments they might have been expecting. We're left wondering whether this would have played better as a Jack Black movie. After all, Labine is pretty much a Black lookalike -- down to his line delivery -- and you can't help but feel that his Ron could be friends with Black's Dewey Finn from School of Rock (or any of his other characters, for that matter).

Eerie similarities aside, Sons of Tucson gets points for its attempt to appeal to both kids and their parents. But some of the humor crosses the line in terms of appropriateness for tween viewers, even though two of the three Gunderson kids are supposed to be preteens themselves. Parents can watch with their kids, but be prepared for a Grandma who keeps dead squirrels in the freezer and has some pretty strange sexual fetishes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the show's use of violence as a comedic tool and whether any of it crosses the line. Why is it funny to see someone get hurt? Do you think most kids connect violent acts they see on sitcoms or cartoons with their real-life consequences?

  • In some ways, the show suggests that children can raise themselves without much parental guidance. Do you think that's a realistic idea? What types of things do moms and dads do that are irreplaceable? Do you think you could make it without your parents in the picture?

  • Do you think this series would have worked better as a movie? Why or why not? What are the advantages to doing it as a television show?

TV Details

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