Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dated couples comedy serves up racism, sexual subplots.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Truth Be Told
What's the Story?
Mitch (Mark Paul Gosselaar) and Russell (Tone Bell) are best friends who just happen to live right next door to each other, giving their wives Tracy (Vanessa Lachey) and Angie (Bresha Webb) plenty of time to bond. So what happens when this foursome gets together for dinner or a rare night out? TRUTH BE TOLD, anything goes.
Is It Any Good?
TRUTH BE TOLD isn't funny, but that's only a part of the problem. Its worst sin is that it's so desperately dated, thanks to stereotype-driven jokes about race that feel at least 20 years old. From wondering aloud whether an orthodox Jewish family's name is Goldstein or Goldman or Goldfein to assuming that the Asian employee at a Chinese restaurant is using a fake accent to add authenticity to the food, the show tries to make light of racism but only succeeds at heavy-handed comedy.
What's odd is that the show claims to be based on the real-life experiences of its creator DJ Nash, which implies it's at least loosely rooted in reality. But the things these characters say feel so fictional and far removed from the way we talk about race in 2015 that it's hard to believe there's much truth to it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Truth Be Told handles the hot-button topic of racism. Are there "right" and "wrong" ways to make light of such a serious subject given today's rocky racial climate? Where's the line between funny and offensive, and who gets to decide?
What would Truth Be Told look like as a single-camera show that wasn't shot as a traditional sitcom (think Modern Family)? How does it compare to other comedies that regularly tackle the topic of race, such as Fresh Off the Boat and Blackish?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 16, 2015
- Cast : Mark Paul Gosselaar , Tone Bell , Vanessa Lachey
- Network : NBC
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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