Parents' Guide to

Surviving Suburbia

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Jaded view of family life is best for empathetic adults.

TV ABC Comedy 2009
Surviving Suburbia Poster Image

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What's the Story?

SURVIVING SUBURBIA is a family centered sitcom that offers tongue-in-cheek commentary on the joys and pressures of modern adult life. Bob Saget stars as Steve Patterson, a middle-aged husband and father struggling with the confines of his predictable life. With his wife (Cynthia Stevenson), kids (Jared Kusnitz and G Hannelius, and a lovely home in the suburbs, Steve should be relishing his piece of the American dream. But the mundane nature of his life instead drives him to criticize everything and everyone around him -- and to question whose dream this lifestyle really is.

Is It Any Good?

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

Saget has no problem stepping back into the shoes of a sitcom dad, but his current character is the antithesis of his well-known role as Full House's exceedingly optimistic Danny Tanner. Of course, Surviving Suburbia is geared toward a more mature audience than that family-friendly '90s series was, as Steve's jaded outlook on life and ready sarcasm -- while sure to garner chuckles from those of us who can relate to his many beefs with adulthood -- will be lost on kids and tweens who probably won't understand the jabs at everyday grown-up experiences.

Expect some sporadic swearing, drinking, and sexual references -- but nothing too eyebrow raising by modern primetime standards. Moderately bad behavior on the adults' part (lying to a friend to get an expenses-paid vacation, for example) is also a non-issue for mature viewers but could send mixed messages to kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the messages this series sends about love, life, and family. What aspects of his life are most bothersome to Steve? How do you think these issues translate to real life? Do Steve's coping techniques ring true? How would you handle some of the issues he struggles with? How can the pressures of career and family interfere with a person's happiness? Kids: What are your goals for adulthood? How will you keep a positive outlook if things don't turn out the way you hope?

TV Details

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