Parents' Guide to

Up All Night

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Parenting sitcom has relatable messages for families.

TV NBC Comedy 2011
Up All Night Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

dr dew
dr dew Adult
October 3, 2011
age 12+

great

well me and two of my siblings love this show and think it is just so funny and it is not all that dirty either so you may could even watch as a family

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

UP ALL NIGHT stars Christina Applegate as Reagan Brinkley, a new mom who's trying to juggle the demands of parenthood, family life, and a successful career. Reagan and her husband, Chris (Will Arnett) -- who gave up his law career to stay home and raise their daughter -- are the poster parents for the modern family, and with no how-to manual to guide their way, they're just making it up as they go. Balancing their new roles as parents with their nostalgia for their pre-baby days makes for some rough patches, and the nagging demands of Reagan's eccentric boss, Ava (Maya Rudolph), further complicate the Brinkleys' life transition.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Parenthood and comedy go together like peanut butter and jelly in the TV world, and many a sitcom has relied on the follies of child-rearing for staying power on the tube. Up All Night's talented cast helps viewers overlook its recycled premise, and modern families will appreciate that it shakes up the traditional family make-up by making Mom the breadwinner and Dad the homemaker. There's also an honesty to the content that reflects the issues that real families face, giving grown-ups a chance to chuckle over woes to which they likely can relate.

Teens might get a kick out of some of the scenes -- particularly those featuring Rudolph's outrageous portrayal of an Oprah-esque, co-dependent TV personality with larger-than-life dreams -- but it's really meant for those viewers who can identify with Chris and Reagan's predicament. If teens do watch, though, they'll come away with the sense that although life is never perfect, the journey is worthwhile when love and communication exist within the family structure.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the struggles they face. Is it difficult to balance school, work, hobbies, and family time? How do you ensure you're giving proper attention to every aspect of your life? What routines in your household help keep you on track?

  • Teens: How is drinking portrayed in this show? Does it have a positive or negative connotation? Is it OK for such a serious issue to be a source of humor on TV?

  • What qualities are important in a healthy relationship? How can outside factors affect a relationship? How do you foster your own friendships or connections with loved ones?

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.

See all recommended tv lists

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