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MacGyver
(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Richard Dean Anderson, Dana Elcar, Where to watch: TV Land, Syndicated, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
80s action hero relies on smarts, not violence.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About MacGyver
Parents need to know that this adventure drama is about an ex-secret agent who uses his investigative skills and prowess with gadgets to ferret out bad guys on missions for his justice-seeking employer. Although MacGyver is a clever, admirable hero who prefers to use his smarts -- rather than weapons -- to defeat his opponents (making him a rarity in the media world), in some scenes he has to physically defend himself. Other scenes include relatively mild violence like car crashes and explosions (which mostly harm things, not people). Some kids might try to re-create Mac's homemade devices, so a refresher on the difference between TV and real life may be in order.
Read our full review by Lucy Maher
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the law enforcement system. What are the different branches of law enforcement -- from local police to the FBI -- and how are they distinguishable from one another? Are there some situations that mainstream law enforcement officials can't handle? Do you think there are real operatives like MacGyver out there? Families can also talk about MacGyver's methods. What makes him different from other action heroes? How do you think he learned all of the tricks he uses to get out of jams? How could a real-life person acquire that kind of knowledge? What would you do in his place?
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