Parents' Guide to

United We Fall

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Unoriginal but enjoyable sitcom has positive messages.

TV ABC Comedy 2020
United We Fall Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • United We Fall TV Show: Jo, Bill, and Sandy
  • United We Fall TV Show: Talking about feeding children correctly
  • United We Fall TV Show: The children

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 2 parent reviews

BarbRoland
BarbRoland Adult
July 23, 2020
age 18+

Profanity and Vulgarity

The mother calls her child the B word in the first episode, and another episode is entirely about sex and child drinking alcohol. I don’t appreciate this show being passed off as a family friendly show when it is most definitely not. I was disgusted at much of the low-brow humor and material. I would not suggest this show for families, or anyone really.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Cherylreviews
Cherylreviews Adult
July 23, 2020
age 18+

Vulgar, Offensive and Inappropriate

If you think it’s funny to scream and call your toddler child a b*^%% or forget your preschooler in the car (something that actually kills many children each year), or laugh about a child experiencing rectal prolapse, which can be a sign of sexual abuse, then you might like this show. Otherwise, I would strongly advise skipping this terrible program. This show glorifies child neglect, abuse and bad parenting. To top it off, the writing and acting is horrendous, and the characters are flat and one dimensional. HARD PASS.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

UNITED WE FALL is a family sitcom about a set of overwhelmed parents who are doing their best. Bill (Will Sasso) and Jo (Christina Vidal) are working parents raising their quirky young daughter Emily (Ella Grace Helton) and toddler Lulu Ryan (played by Ireland and Sedona Carvajal). They try to make the best decisions for their kids, but often question whether their parenting skills are good enough. Adding to the pressure is Bill's mom Sandy (Jane Curtin), who lives with them and thinks nothing of criticizing their decisions. Jo's annoying brother Chuy (Guillermo Diaz) doesn't hold back either. It's not easy, but Bill and Jo do their best to remind themselves that no family is perfect, and that no matter what, their family shares a lot of love.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (3 ):

This predictable series offers the familiar trappings we come to expect from a family comedy. There's the well-meaning, but imperfect parents, the precocious child who sounds like an adult, and the loving, but nosey, extended family members who join the fray. The plot lines, which includes parent-teacher conferences and having to rush their children to the emergency room, aren't particularly unique either. But United We Fall is upbeat, and the family's multiethnic heritage, as well as Will's sensitive nature, adds a very slight twist to the formula. It's not the freshest of shows, but it's worth tuning into if you're looking for something that feels positive and familiar.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the challenges that come with having children and raising a family. What messages does United We Fall offer about what it means to be a "normal" family? How does it define good parenting?

  • How can a sitcom rely on traditional TV formulas and still be funny and innovative? Does its success rely on good writing? The acting? How much does timing have to do with it?

  • What are some ways the Ryan family reflects your own family? What are some differences?

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.

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