The Starter Wife
Common Sense says
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Did this review miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive, diverse representations in books, TV shows, and movies. Want to help us help them? Suggest a diversity update
Suggest an update The Starter Wife
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this dramedy isn't for kids. Although it pokes fun at Hollywood, it rides a fine line between embracing and rejecting Hollywood values. The very skinny main character makes jokes about her weight, alluding to the constant desire to be thinner. Money -- who has it, who doesn't -- is a constant theme. And some characters sacrifice friendship in the name of ambition. Some scenes include frank talk about sex, and there are brief passionate clinches, as well as some drinking, smoking, and swearing.
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
I wanted to like it, but couldn't help hating it.
Good show for the wait till new network TV comes back
Interesting
What's the story?
THE STARTER WIFE takes a funny, somewhat critical look at Hollywood through the eyes of Molly Kagan (Debra Messing), whose studio-boss husband dumps her for a younger woman. Messing is charming and funny as Molly, who must examine her life and values after being "let go" from her role as Hollywood wife. As she slowly learns who her real friends are and makes tentative connections with people outside the catty world of Hollywood, Molly builds herself into a better person. But this new person still cares about what people think about her, as well as the size of her butt. Molly tends to let men take the reins all too often, and she can be a pushover when it comes to her egotistical, obnoxious power broker of an ex-husband, Kenny (Peter Jacobson).
Is it any good?
Starter Wife is at its best when it's taking an inside look at Hollywood and its fickle ways. The show makes fun of the industry town's shallowness with sharp wit (Molly talks about worshipping at the Church of Perpetual Upkeep, for example).
Less successful are the show's forays into mystery (a handsome stranger saves Molly's life and asks her enigmatically if it's a life worth saving before diving into the surf) and "real" life (Molly befriends a UCLA student and a Malibu Colony security guard who's in danger of getting evicted).
With its talented cast and irresistible premise, The Starter Wife is lots of fun ... for adults. Typical Hollywood decadence and backstabbing make the show decidedly iffy for kids, as do mature topics like addiction and affairs.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the media depicts Hollywood and the movie industry. Do you think the people who live and work there are as materialistic and image-obsessed as TV shows and movies imply? Families can also discuss the similarity between Hollywood politics and high school. Why are people so attracted to the "in crowd" when it can be so painful to deal with? What does it take to step outside of a powerful force like Hollywood (or a certain clique) and still feel good about yourself?
TV details
- Premiere date: May 31, 2007
- Cast: Chris Diamantopoulous, Debra Messing, Joe Mantegna, Judy Davis
- Network: USA
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: DVD, Streaming
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
Streaming options powered by JustWatch