Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Family movie night? There's an app for that

Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.

Parents' Guide to

Suburgatory

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Edgy, satirical comedy is fun for older teens, adults.

TV ABC Comedy 2011
Suburgatory Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 11 parent reviews

age 13+

good, but make sure mature

i think that Tessa is a good person, but it is high school, in that there is things that kids might not be able to see. it is a great series for mid-teen, adult, and maybe a little bit younger but this does talk about stuff that is referred to in high school so watch out, this is iffy.
age 18+

not for kids

it is certainly not for kids and every episode is getting worse. Tonights episode featured two strippers giving lap dances bu nowadays there aren't any shows available to kids that don't contain sexual undertones

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11 ):
Kids say (7 ):

SUBURGATORY has lots of fun parodying wealthy suburban life as seen through the critical eyes of a couple of level-headed newcomers, and Tessa and George's attempts to find a place in such foreign surroundings are both entertaining and relatable to anyone who's ever felt like a social outsider. Kudos to the show's brain trust for going the extra mile, though, and giving some real depth to the characters, reflecting the changing face of the American family without sacrificing positive messages. George's relationship with his teenage daughter toes the line between authority and camaraderie, offering some heartwarming moments offset by enough snarky banter over things like curfew, driving privileges, and dating rules to keep it realistic.

This sitcom's focus on life through the eyes of a teen and her father beckons to viewers who can relate to one or both of the main characters, but the content does have some trouble spots for young teens. Sex (including homosexuality) is a common topic among adults and teens, language is an issue, and stereotypes are fairly harsh. Some teens are catty and manipulative, using other people to get what they want with little regard for their feelings. Predictably all of this content (and then some) is spun for humor, so it's important that viewers don't misinterpret it as a reflection of real life. However, it does raise some issues that will hit home with parents and teens, all while entertaining viewers with razor-sharp writing delivered by a fantastic cast.

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