Parents' Guide to

The Patty Duke Show

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Classic sitcom's identical cousins still entertain.

TV Online Comedy 1963
The Patty Duke Show Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 8+

Warm and loving

It is a terrific program. Perhaps most important, it reflects a loving family that regularly spends time together. It harks back to a simpler, much less anxious time. Patty Duke is spectacular in the dual roles. She makes you believe that there are two cousins with each having her own distinct character. Those in supporting roles are perfectly cast. There is respect for the parents all too often missing from shows of this nature. The parents are not the butt of jokes. They are serious minded people devoted to their TV family.

This title has:

Great role models
age 7+

clean and wholesome but formulistic

Sometimes this twin formula works. Unfortunately not this time. It's just fake and comes across that way.

Is It Any Good?

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

Dated gender roles and a black-and-white format can't dim this classic's huge appeal, mostly due to Duke's masterful toggling between starring roles. Clearly not one to be typecast, she is equally comfortable playing soft-spoken, idealistic Cathy as she is the quintessential American teen, Patty. The contrast between these two personalities is the show's most recognizable quality and yields many of its laugh-out-loud moments. (Well, that and the fact that each girl can manage a spot-on imitation of the other's voice, making for some hilarious scenes.)

Also notable, especially in light of the modern sitcom track, is the absence of concerning content such as sexuality or language. There's virtually no controversy to be found in these stories, which usually revolve around Patty (and less often, Cathy) falling victim to some kind of misunderstanding that balloons into full-scale chaos and hilarity. Yes, it's whitewashed and plenty hokey at times, and the outfits and hairdos are a hoot, but The Patty Duke Show remains excellent family viewing even decades later.

TV Details

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