Parents' Guide to

The Starter Wife

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Adult divorce drama pokes fun at Hollywood values.

TV USA Comedy 2007
The Starter Wife Poster Image

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

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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?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

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

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