Homosexuality, dating, and divorce are major themes. Some sexual references (including subtle lines about masturbation), but most will go over the heads of younger viewers. Kissing (between heterosexuals) is visible.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Contains references to popular bands like Cold Play, TV shows like Glee, popular icons like Suze Orman, and fitness clubs like the Y.M.C.A. and Equinox.
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
Drinking (hard liquor, wine, champagne) is visible over dinner and occasionally during heated exchanges.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
The series is both non-judgmental and accepting of homosexuality. Occasional stereotypes about gay men are referenced; Cesar's character is also plays up stereotypes about Latino workers.
Positive Role Models
very little
The entire main cast is accepting of Peter after he comes out. Fran and Peter are pursuing their own individual romantic lives, but still care for each other and often behave like a married couple.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that homosexuality, divorce, and dating are major themes in this comedy series. The language is mild ("hell"), and contains occasional sexual references that might go over the heads of younger viewers. Some of the characters and jokes reflect stereotypes about gay men and about Latinos.
I love Fran so-o-o-o-o much. I watch The Nanny every day, have seen every episode, know every line, love it. But, I am so very disappointed in Happily Divorced. It is dull, uninteresting, not funny at all. I can't get used to the new characters, they are not funny at all. The mother and father are boring and the best friend, Judy is sickening and so is Fran's ex on the show. I am so sorry I don't like it, because I love The Nanny so much. Fran, I love you and always will. I just loved every character on The Nanny, it is so funny and entertaining.
Happily Divorced: Perfect for Teenagers, But They Will Neglect it Anyway
I personally think this series is exellent, I can sort of relate to Fran's position due to my ex girlfriends coming out and now we both are happy and with new people. This show has an overall humor to it I just find appeasing. Fran Drescher is exellent in this along with the whole cast in general. Teens will neglect, but if they'd give it a chance, they'd fall head over heals for it.
What's the Story?
HAPPILY DIVORCED is a comedy starring Fran Drescher as Fran, a Los Angeles florist who learns that her realtor husband of 18 years (John Michael Higgins) is gay. Despite their subsequent divorce they continue to live together and care for each other while re-entering the dating scene. Sometimes the arrangement gets a little crazy, but luckily she has her quirky but loving parents Dori (Rita Moreno) and Glen (Robert Walden), and best friend Judi (Tichina Arnold) to help her through it. Cesar (Valente Rodriguez), Fran's flower deliverer, also enters the fray.
The series, which is inspired by Drescher's life, takes a lighthearted look at how one's late acknowledgement of his/her sexuality changes the dynamics of a long-standing and close relationship. It also shows how complicated it can get when a formerly married couple holds on to their close friendship while simultaneously attempting to move on with their lives.
The show presents the need to come out and other issues pertaining to homosexuality in a way that is accepting and non-judgmental. Like most comedies of this type, it also relies on a fair share of stereotypes for a quick laugh. But there is a genuine kindness to this show that makes it upbeat and positive, as well as entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the media portrays gay, lesbian, and transgendered people. What are some of the existing media stereotypes about members of these communities? Where do these stereotypes come from? How has the media changed the way these communities have been portrayed over time?
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
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 Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
