Parents' Guide to

The Good Cop

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Mild violence, language in endearing throwback cop sitcom.

TV Netflix Comedy 2018
The Good Cop 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 9+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Groc
Groc Adult
December 20, 2018
age 11+

Old fashioned family viewing

The charm of this show lies in the essential kindness and easy relationships of the main characters. There is humour and the show does not take itself too seriously. Viewers know they will not be confronted by disturbing images or foul language. Storylines are not too complex but they remain entertaining in the same way that an Agatha Christie novel or old fashioned police procedural does. My adult daughter and I loved watching this together. I was sorry to hear it has not been renewed as there are very few shows like this available for family viewing. Given the number of MA rated programs on Netflix, I think the Good Cop met a gap in the market. I hope an equally suitable program replaces it. Even though there is only one season, it is worth a look.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
The Professor
The Professor Parent of 2 and 10-year-old
December 20, 2018
age 4+

Great family show

Family from 4yrs-adult enjoyed it very much. Some of the murder scenes were a bit grizzly (like getting cut in half by an elevator), but much was left to the imagination. No surprises. It is one of the rare shows I could watch with my guard down. The main character's goody-two shoes morality is meant to be the butt of the joke for us cynical adults, but is simultaneously a refreshing example of doing the right thing for my kids. I was very disappointed they cancelled it.

This title has:

Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE GOOD COP centers on TJ Caruso (Josh Groban), an earnest perfectionist of a homicide detective whose home and work life are thrown into disarray when his dad (Tony Danza), a former NYC officer, has to come live with TJ as a condition of his parole. Solving crimes is easy. Living with Tony Senior, not so much. Monica Barbaro also stars as Tony Senior's tough-but-tender parole officer, Cora.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (4):

On paper, this detective series/sitcom is high-concept stupid -- They're cops! They're roommates! They're father and son! -- but you'll fall in love with it anyway. Tony Danza still has it. And he's once again playing a character with his own first name, lending his performance a meta quality that will instantly make viewers of a certain age want to settle back and keep watching that guy who made them laugh on Taxi or Who's the Boss? (notable Tonys both). His chemistry with Groban is top-notch too. When Tony Sr. scrambles his son's eggs to prepare him for a big day, or sends him off to bed with a "I love you, son," you believe in their relationship. It feels lived-in -- and lovable.

Creator Andy Breckman is particularly adept with snappy dialogue, which won't come as a surprise to anyone who enjoyed his work on Monk (a series that shares a similar light-and-breezy tone with this one). When TJ and Cora race across town to find a case-breaking clue, Cora wonders if they might be going to "Professor Xavier's mansion to pick up the other mutants." "Yes," says TJ, deadpan. "We're going to Professor Xavier's mansion to pick up the other mutants." The Good Cop is a throwback to vintage detective shows like Murder, She Wrote and Magnum, P.I., where the murders aren't terrible, investigating crimes is a lark, every character boasts a host of endearing quirks, and bad guys have really terrible aim -- shows that are easy to watch and hard to stop.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Good Cop is similar to and different from other crime dramas. Why do you think some shows have upped the blood-and-guts level? Are there any shows that are like this one, or are they all a lot more serious and graphic?

  • Why do TV shows so frequently revolve around crime and police work? What dramatic or comedic possibilities does the setting hold? Do you think these officers look and act like real cops?

  • TV characters are commonly given personal quirks. Think about some of your favorite characters. What are their quirks? Do they seem realistic? Or like something a TV writer would make up? Why?

TV Details

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