Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kooky, spooky classic is still fun for tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Addams Family (Live Action TV Series)
What's the Story?
Based on the ghoulish characters first created by New Yorker magazine cartoonist Charles Addams, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a classic 1960s TV sitcom that follows the Addamses, a tight-knit, fun-loving family whose idea of normal is all that's dark, bizarre, and grotesque. Heading up the family is playful, romantic Gomez (John Astin), a lawyer who enjoys cigars and blowing up model trains. He adores his beloved wife, Morticia (Carolyn Jones), whose pastimes are knitting and taking care of man-eating plants, and his children, morbid son Pugsley (Ken Weatherwax) and somber Wednesday (Lisa Loring). Rounding out the family are demented Uncle Fester (Jackie Coogan), hag-like Grandmama (Blossom Park), and loyal, Frankenstein-like butler Lurch (Ted Cassidy). The show's funny plot twists are often a result of misunderstandings between the kooky Addamses and those who aren't familiar with their freaky world.
Is It Any Good?
This series, which, at its foundation, is a macabre satire of the traditional American nuclear family, isn't so much scary as it is quirky, especially by today's standards. The characters are likeable and generous, and their behavior, although weird, isn't intended to cause harm. While some of the images may be a little strong for young children,The Addams Family is fine for tweens. (Just be sure to fill them in on why Gomez and Morticia smoke all the time without garnering a peep of protest from friends or family members.)
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different kinds of families as represented by The Addams Fmaily. Kids, do you know any families that are nice even though they're very different from you and your parents? What makes them different? Do those differences affect what you think of them? What other people think of them?
Families can also discuss how values change over the years. What things do you notice characters in the show doing that aren't typically acceptable now? Why do you think that changed? What else has changed between now and 40 years ago (on TV and in general)?
How do the characters on The Addams Family demonstrate integrity? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 18, 1964
- Cast : Carolyn Jones , Jackie Coogan , John Astin
- Network : Syndicated
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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