Watching TV as a family can be a risky proposition in this day in age. With the immense perversion and the glorification of loose moral living being the norm of late on primetime shows, some families have opted out of watching TV altogether. Thankfully, for this fall lineup at least, there are a few choices families can enjoy together according to the Parents Television Council (PTC).
“We are happy to report that there are a number of new TV shows on prime-time broadcast television that appear to be safe for children and families to watch together this fall, and that hasn’t always been the case in recent years,” PTC President Tim Winter said.
A group from PTC recently got a sneak peek at the upcoming fall TV programs at the Paley Center for Media’s Fall TV Preview. During this viewing, they were able to determine which shows were appropriate for families to view, and which were best avoided. The following is a breakdown of the top shows families can safely view and a few they should avoid:
Best Shows For Family Viewing This Fall
CW’s “All American”
“All American” will air on October 10th. The series focuses on the life of Spencer James, a ultra-talented football player from the inner city of Los Angeles who is given the opportunity to play for a team in Beverly Hills. The show follows Spencer as he commutes from his impoverished hometown of Crenshaw to the affluent town of Los Angeles County. PTC stated the following about the show in their evaluation:
“’All American’ is a joy, and inspirational, extremely well crafted and well-acted tale of two worlds, and the young man who moves between them, navigating hazards all the way.”
Spencer’s immense depth of character is highlighted throughout the series and each town is shown to have its own flaws as well, which is important as it proves there is good and bad in any situation.
ABC’s “The Rookie”
This series, based on character John Nolan, follows him as he becomes the oldest “rookie” on the Los Angeles Police Force. Interestingly enough, this show is based upon the real life event’s surrounding John Nolan. Nolan was nearly murdered during a bank robbery and suffered through a divorce, prompting him to make a significant life change, this being his joining the police force. The show follows this process and his “uphill battle for acceptance.”
“Containing only mild language and unremarkable violence typical of a police series, ‘The Rookie’ is a safe and enjoyable choice for families,” the PTC said of the program.
CBS’s “The Neighborhood”
PTC says the following about this series set on Calvin Butler (played by Cedric the Entertainer) who is a 50- year-old African American who becomes upset when an upbeat white couple move into his previously all-black neighborhood. PTC says the following about “The Neighborhood”:
“Calvin Butler follows firmly in the footsteps of Archie Bunker and George Jefferson, bringing honesty and humor into his role. Even more admirable is ‘The Neighborhood’s’ message: given the division in society today-over politics, race, and nearly everything else—America desperately needs a show that proves we can all get along.”
Shows Families Should Avoid This Fall
CBS’s “Magnum P.I.”
This reboot of the 1980’s crime drama is based around Thomas Magnum, former Navy SEAL turned private investigator. PTC claims the reboot leaves a lot to desired, saying it’s “far from the light-hearted action-adventure original.”
“Instead, this ‘Magnum’ is filled with frequent and extremely explicit violence and gore,” the council said. “The new ‘Magnum P.I.’ is a morose, blood-soaked totally unnecessary update.”
Suffice it to say, families should pass on this reboot.
Fox’s “The Cool Kids”
This comedy series focuses on three male residents within a retirement community who have to welcome a female occupant.
“Set at the Shady Meadows Retirement Community, cranky African-American Hand, flamboyant gay man Side, confused former addict Charlie, and free spirit Margaret consider themselves ‘the cool kids’ always looking for a way to subvert the authority of the home’s rules,” the PTC explained. “‘The Cool Kids’ provides stale, foul-mouthed, raunchy toilet humor, frequent foul language and loads of references to sex and drug use.”
Again, a show families will want to avoid for sure.
Thankfully, this fall isn’t without any worthy shows for family viewership as the three choices listed above are all worth watching. It’s best to avoid the shows mentioned as non-family-friendly.
~ 1776 Christian