Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Broad comedy mostly family friendly, but some innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Neighbors
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say that this TV show is a quirky family comedy with a mix of humor and adult content, making it somewhat inappropriate for younger viewers. While many find it funny due to its bizarre situations and positive messages about acceptance and learning, there are concerns about the language and themes, leading some to believe it should only be watched by older audiences.
- funny humor
- adult content
- parental concerns
- positive messages
- family comedy
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When Marty Weaver (Lenny Venito) moves his wife, Debbie (Jami Gertz), and their three children (Clara Mamet, Isabella Cramp, and Max Charles) from the city to a gated community in suburban New Jersey, he prays that THE NEIGHBORS turn out to be normal. But the welcome wagon is more than a little weird -- it's packed with aliens from a faraway planet. Can they learn to live together in spite of their differences?
Is It Any Good?
While the tone, at times, borders on ridiculous and the premise is, well, downright stupid, there's something about The Neighbors that works, almost in spite of itself. (And it isn't just the fact that the resident aliens have adopted the names of well-known American athletes like Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Dick Butkus. Although that definitely helps.) The comedy's so broad it's practically a barn door, but both kids and parents will find something to laugh at.
Of course, the concept of aliens living among humans is hardly unique to TV -- and for some reason, sitcom aliens seem to prefer suburbia (see also: Mork & Mindy, ALF, or 3rd Rock from the Sun). We doubt these Neighbors will make their mark beside Mork, but the writers certainly could take them to some interesting places.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about aliens and the possibility of life beyond planet Earth. Why do humans find outer space so fascinating? How has curiosity about the universe and its inhabitants influenced art, science, and other forms of popular culture?
How does The Neighbors compare to other TV series and movies about aliens? Are alien characters better suited for comedies or dramas?
Does the show have a message, or is it merely meant to be funny? What do the aliens' assumptions about the human world really say about us?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 26, 2012
- Cast : Jami Gertz , Lenny Venito , Simon Templeman
- Network : ABC
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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