Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Frank sex and language, genuine family love in sweet comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Other Two
What's the Story?
When their 13-year-old brother, Chase (Case Walker), gets famous overnight, Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne Yorke) feel that they're suddenly relegated to the status of THE OTHER TWO, passed over by their mother, Pat (Molly Shannon), as well as the rest of the world. After all, Brooke was going to be a famous dancer, and Cary a household-name actor. But now, well into their 30s, Brooke and Cary find their careers stalled—and then "Marry U at Recess" becomes a monster hit, and Chase is launched into a whole new world. Can this family find a way to stick together when fame threatens to tear them apart?
Is It Any Good?
Smart dialogue, a promising premise, and the interactions of an offbeat family make this comedy an absolute pleasure to watch. The Other Two, which focuses on the siblings left behind while their younger brother rockets to fame, could have been crass, ugly, and snarky, but instead, it's instantly clear that siblings Chase, Brooke, and Cary care deeply about one another. Brooke and Cary are naturally a little jealous of their little brother, as well as interested in soaking up the spoils of fame (cue red-carpet-clubs-and-limos montage), but they're also protective of Chase and they care about what happens to him.
Brooke and Cary both crave fame but have watched their younger brother achieve it instantly while they've floundered—Brooke stuck in a dead-end job with a chaotic dating goal, and Cary juggling humiliating auditions and tourist gigs. They're far from saints, but watching them stumble through their jealousy and desperation is part of the show's guilty-pleasure fun. Over the seasons, it offers a sharp, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt look at how families evolve under the spotlight.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Other Two satirizes the way media and the internet define popularity. Who decides what goes viral or gets airtime? Is it talent, timing, or something else entirely? Can you distinguish between viral fame and critical acclaim? Which one would you prefer?
Can clever writing really poke fun at serious subjects like homophobia and sexism? Has the line between what's considered acceptable and what's considered offensive changed?
Does this show push boundaries relating to sex and drinking/drugs? How much sexual content in media is appropriate for kids? Is the use of drugs and alcohol on this show acceptable? What should parents say to kids about underage drinking on TV shows?
How do the characters on The Other Two demonstrate empathy and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 24, 2019
- Cast : Molly Shannon , Drew Tarver , Case Walker , Heléne Yorke
- Network : Comedy Central
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Award : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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