Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Jokes take flight in airport-set '90s sitcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Created by the folks behind Cheers, WINGS is a sitcom about odd-couple brothers Joe and Brian Hackett, operators of Nantucket's fictitious Sandpiper Airlines. When intelligent-but-reckless womanizer Brian (Steven Weber) returns to Nantucket after running off with his brother's fiancée, organized (and rather neurotic) Joe (Tim Daly) finds himself rebuilding their once-close relationship while they work together to keep their company airborne. The Hackett brothers are in constant competition with AeroMass airlines, which is run by smug Roy Biggins (David Schramm). Also working at the airport is the Hacketts' childhood friend Helen (Crystal Bernard), an aspiring concert cellist who runs the airport lunch counter; batty Sandpiper ticket handler Fay Cochran (Rebecca Schull); the slow-but-talented handyman Lowell Mather (Thomas Haden Church); kind-but-unusual taxi driver Antonio Scarpacci (Tony Shalhoub); pilot Alex Lambert (Farrah Forke); and Helen's older sister, Casey (Amy Yasbeck). Over time, the Wings group evolves from simple airport terminal colleagues into a quirky-but-loyal extended family, exchanging lively banter and the occasional sarcastic insult, and supporting each other through even the craziest of situations.
Is It Any Good?
Wings is often quite funny, but some of its themes -- including sexual relationships, infidelity, and, on one occasion, coping with a son's sexuality -- may be too strong for younger viewers. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining sitcom that reminds us that even the most eccentric of people can come together and become an extended family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how people at work can become a "family" over time. Does that happen in real life? What defines a family? Which other shows feature nontraditional families like this one? Parents and kids can also talk about becoming a pilot and running an airline. What kind of training do pilots need? How much work is it to run even the smallest airline?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 19, 1990
- Cast : Crystal Bernard , Steven Weber , Tim Daly
- Network : TV Land
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 6, 2026
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