There's no effort to obscure food brand names like "Popsicle" and "Shake and Bake," but they're not especially prominent, either.
Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
A few kisses, plus rare mentions of people sleeping together. In at least one scene, full-body nudity is implied -- though sensitive areas are always obscured by well-placed props. A budding relationship between adults spawns awkward flirting.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
The series has some fun poking fun at small-town life, but it's done in a manner that's more jovial than mocking. It also evokes a sense of home and belonging. Comedy is the main objective, and there's no guilt in finding humor in the characters' harmless antics because their friendships always trump their conflicts.
Positive Role Models
a little
The characters are known to play pranks on each other or tease about their friends' personality quirks (perpetual unemployment or low pain tolerance, for example), but it's all in good fun and never causes any real harm
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that there's very little content that's not age-appropriate for teens in this quirky Canadian sitcom, which derives its refreshingly smart humor from daily life in a small town. Sexual references are mild, drinking is infrequent and never excessive, and strong language is limited to the occasional "damn" or "ass." While kids and young tweens won't grasp the situational humor, this is a great choice for parents and teens to enjoy together.
The "Boring Saskatchewan" Stereotype Will Soon Be Long Gone.
This show is the best show I have watched since moving to Canada from Utah eleven years ago. I have watched hundreds of new shows—at least 25 of them being Canadian, because my husband is a TV addict and I always watch the first episode. So far only a few I have loved, and Corner Gas is one of them. The show, set in Saskatchewan, is the most amazing show I have seen. I have let my ten year old see a couple episodes, and permitted my twelve year old to save it on her Netflix. Appropriate for eleven and older.
What's the Story?
To an outsider, it may not seem like much happens in the fictitious town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, but the proud residents would tell a different story. There's plenty of drama -- and lots of gossip -- to be shared, and, as the only filling station for miles around, Corner Gas is always at the center of the (relative) hustle and bustle. For comedian Brent Butt, who plays station's proprietor Brent Leroy, CORNER GAS is the tale of what his life could have been had he not left his own small Canadian hometown to pursue loftier goals than pumping gas.
If thoughtful, witty humor tickles your funny bone, then Corner Gas deserves a spot on your TV itinerary. Just as Seinfeld pointed out the humor in life's most tedious moments, this clever Canadian series pokes droll fun at the ins and outs of life in a place where everyone knows everyone else's business.
The talented ensemble, colorful characters, and spot-on writing make this show an unexpected gem; the best part is that the lack of edgy content makes it perfectly age-appropriate for young teen viewers. So if you're searching for a sitcom to enjoy with your teens -- without any potentially awkward bedroom scenes -- give this one a try.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how entertainment styles differ in shows from other countries. What does it mean for a show to be "Canadian" or "British"? How much of a show's entertainment value depends on a viewer's familiarity with the nuances of the place it was made? Did you find this series funny? Was it obvious that it wasn't an American-made show? Why or why not?
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.
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.
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
