Parents' Guide to

The Winner

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Late-bloomer sitcom is edgier than it looks.

TV Fox Comedy 2007
The Winner Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Comedian Rob Corddry -- best known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show -- stars in THE WINNER, a sitcom set in upstate New York. Corddry plays Glen Abbott, a neurotic man-child who lives with his parents and lusts after his neighbor/childhood crush Alison Miller (Erinn Hayes). Glen's best friend is Alison's 13-year-old son Josh (Keir Gilchrist), a fellow neurotic and Glen's emotional equal. Told from the perspective of present-day Glen, now married with three kids and the richest man in Buffalo, The Winner looks back on Glen's "formative" years -- starting in 1994, when he was a late-blooming 32. Pop culture references to O.J. Simpson and Nancy Kerrigan spice up the flashback comedic setup.

Is It Any Good?

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

While The Winner's set looks like a traditional sitcom, its plots and dialogue are quite a bit more risqué than, say, The Cosby Show (or even According to Jim). And despite its forceful laugh track and by now old-fashioned, stationary-camera three-wall set, the show feels fresh. Corddry's comic persona -- an eager, awkward, rather conservative dork -- carries the bulk of the show, while Gilchrist's Josh is a refreshingly different take on the typical sitcom kid. Even the show's stereotypical sitcom elements (like scenes on a living room couch facing the camera) feel like they're part of a postmodern tweak. It's as if, in order to look back to 1994, we have to do so through the popular TV format of the day.

With its frequent references to sexuality and occasional foul language, parents may want younger kids to avoid The Winner. But mature teens and parents may very well enjoy the show's unique humor, despite (or because of) its edgier elements.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about late bloomers. Is or was anyone in your family a late bloomer? What challenges face someone who takes longer than average to mature? Are there any advantages? What about the late-bloomer concept makes this show funny? Is there anything about the show that makes you uncomfortable? If so, why? How realistic do you think Glen and Josh's friendship is? Also, do you notice the show's laugh track? Why do some sitcoms have them while others don't? Which do you prefer?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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.

See how we rate