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Parks and Recreation

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones, Amy Poehler, Where to watch: NBC, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Local government spoof very similar to The Office.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The main character is passionate about her job, so even when she slips up, her heart's in the right place. But a few of her colleagues are less than ethical. One accepts illegal gifts from constitutents and tries to hit on a woman during a public meeting. Another powerful bureaucrat who openly hates government tries to put the kibosh on publicly funded projects that could help the community. And so on.
  • Violence:

    A few mild falls/slapstick moments, played for comedic effect. For example, the main character tumbles into an open pit (but isn't really injured).
  • Sex:

    Occasional sexual innuendo for comedic effect, including a reference to an affair/one-night stand between the main character and one of her colleagues. The main character also describes a graffiti removal project that involved male genitalia: "We had removed five cartoon penises when we were shut down due to lack of funding. I am haunted by those remaining penises. One in particular."
  • Language:

    Generally pretty tame, but strong swearing is used (and bleeped) on at least one occasion for comic effect when a concerned parent says he was accosted by a man screaming "f--k my c--k."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters are sometimes shown drinking on the job -- usually to celebrate an achievement. In one scene, the main character chugs champagne and gets tipsy with a constituent she's trying to help. One of her colleagues says she typically gets "plastered" at such celebrations and does wildly inappropriate things, like make out with the water cooler guy. In another scene, children at a playground point out that there's a "drunk stuck in the slide."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Parks and Recreation

Parents need to know that teens who watch this mockumentary-style sitcom from the creators of The Office will see some iffy stuff when it comes to sexual content, alcohol, and language (there's generally not much swearing, but when there is, it's pretty strong -- and bleeped). That said, the main character is goofy but likeable, and her well-intentioned quest to turn an abandoned construction site into a public park is both noble and family friendly.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the mockumentary style and why it works for comedies like this one. Would the show be as funny if it were presented as a typical sitcom with a laugh track -- and without the constant presence of a fictional documentary camera crew? Why do you think the show's creators decided to film it the way they did? As far as the content, do you think the show exaggerates what happens behind the scenes in local government offices? Do you think local officials do a good job of running your community?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Hilarious for older kids

    THIS IS THE FUNNIEST SHOW EVER! It's one of my favorite shows and I think that kids should be able to watch it. Kids younger than 10 probably wouldn't get the jokes but I think it's apropriatte for basically any age. It's really funny. I LOVE AMY POEHLER! I love how she just turns any situation around in this show. cough *positive messages* cough.

  2. I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0

    Pretty good

    This Show is pretty funny, I wouldn't quite say "tame" but a far-cry from the worst thing I've ever seen. I think I'll continue watching it. I think this is appropriate for 14-15 year olds, any younger and I just don't think the kids will find it funny

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Whats the big deal?

    This TV is definitely appropriate for kids eleven and up. There is minor sexual reference and some language but its not bad at all. My only complaint is that it is very much like the Office and the main character is a slightly more knowledgeable Michael Scott in female form. I love it and it is particularly funny especially when the main character tries to sing Lady Marmalade and says "Lady Marmalard!"

  4. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    An Okay Show...

    PARKS AND RECREATION is an okay show. The whole weekly episode is only 20 minutes long, and there are some funny parts. It's like this: when it's funny, it's really funny. But when it's not funny, it's dull. There is some language: "b**ch", "a*s", and "d**n" are all used some (stronger language is bleeped out). Reference is made to "getting plastered" at a meeting, and mention is made of two colleagues sleeping together. There is mention of covering up cartoon penises on a mural (nothing is shown).

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    It's an "okay" show... but has good potential.

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