Parents' Guide to

The Fabulous Beekman Boys

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Couple swaps city living for farm life with a side of drama.

TV Planet Green Reality TV 2010
The Fabulous Beekman Boys Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

ladyfrombeekman ny
ladyfrombeekman ny Adult
March 26, 2011
age 10+

Great for everyone, children can learn about things that parents will not discuss and by the way kids are baby goats

love it, love it, wish it was on longer and really hope it's renewed for another season. Do not think that Josh & Brent being a same sex couple have a negitive impact, to us it's just what a couple go thru and different stages of their relationship. We know several same sex couples that are going thru the same things we are and we live in a rural area. Main thing we love is the farm and how much they care for their animals and how they become part of the family

This title has:

Too much consumerism
Great messages
Great role models
pboyal
pboyal Parent of 7 and 9-year-old
January 17, 2011
age 10+

Great Show

Very good environmental messages and teaches basic farming techniques and self reliance.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS follows an urban couple as they attempt to revitalize an upstate New York farm. While doctor/health and wellness expert Josh Kilmer-Purcell lives and works at Beekman Farm full time, advertising exec/former drag queen Brent Ridge works in New York City five days a week earning a paycheck to keep them afloat until their organic farm becomes self-sufficient. In the meantime, their weekly separation puts a toll on their relationship. And while growing vegetables and raising animals aren't easy for the first-time farmers, local goat expert Farmer John helps them through it.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The series takes a humorous look at the way the couple adjusts to giving up their trendy Manhattan lifestyle in exchange for a life in the country. But the series' primary focus is on the men's Odd Couple-like relationship, which is being tested by both the financial pressures associated with building a new business and the distance that Ridge's job puts between them.

The show -- which supports organic foods, local growers, and the gay community -- is both fun and fairly mild for reality TV (though there is some social drinking and bleeped language). Viewers might just get a kick out of watching these two city guys with yin and yang personalities trying to keep their farm (and their relationship) afloat.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what being "organic" means. What benefits does a local farm offer to the community? Why is what they sell usually more expensive than goods sold from larger farms? Do you think there's anything about being a farmer that's not seen on the show?

  • How does this show compare to other reality shows that focus on couples and deal with relationship issues?

  • Does this show reinforce or undermine stereotypes?

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.

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