TV & Streaming Reviews
Viewer Comments
Titles A through F
Click for TV series titles index…Please note: These viewer comments are from our VISITORS, not the Christian Spotlight staff.
Absolutely Fabulous 1992-1996 and revived 2001-2004
British sitcom based on the sketch “Modern Mother and Daughter” created by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders / The show was created and written by Saunders, who also stars as one of the main characters.
Edina “Eddy” Monsoon (Saunders) and Patricia “Patsy” Stone are a pair of high-powered career women on the London fashion scene. Eddy runs her own PR firm, and Patsy holds a sinecure position at a top British fashion magazine.
The two women use their considerable financial resources to indulge in cigarettes, alcohol and recreational drugs and to chase the latest fads in an attempt to maintain their youth and recapture their glory days as Mods in swinging London. The partnership is largely driven by Patsy, who is both co-dependent and enabler to Eddy.
Their lifestyle inevitably leads to a variety of personal crises, which are invariably resolved by Eddy’s daughter, Saffron Monsoon, whose constant involvement in their exploits has left her increasingly bitter and cynical.
Recurring in their lives are both of Eddy’s ex-husbands, Marshall and Justin, and their respective new partners, the American hippie Bo, and the acidic antique dealer Oliver.
The Adventures of Paddington 2019 to present series for Nick Jr. (103+ episodes)
Alias 2001–2006 (99 episodes)
All In the Family 1971-79
This American sitcom is about a working-class white family living in Queens, New York. Its cigar-smoking patriarch is Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), an outspoken, narrow-minded man, seemingly prejudiced against everyone who is not like him or his idea of how people should be. Archie's wife Edith (Jean Stapleton) is sweet and understanding, though somewhat naïve and uneducated; her husband sometimes disparagingly calls her “dingbat.”
The show broke ground in its depiction of issues previously considered unsuitable for a U.S. network television comedy, such as racism, antisemitism, infidelity, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, religion, miscarriages, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause, and impotence.
Archie and Edith’s only child is Gloria (Sally Struthers) who is an outspoken Feminist, married to college student Michael Stivic (Rob Reiner)—referred to as “Meathead” by Archie—whose values are likewise influenced and shaped by the counterculture of the 1960s. The two couples represent the real-life clash of values between the Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers. For much of the series, the Stivics live in the Bunkers' home to save money, providing abundant opportunity for them to irritate each other.
Outspoken Leftist political activist Norman Lear developed the show, served as an Executive Producer and sometimes Director. Lear, a Liberal non-practicing Jew, is a vocal critic of Conservatives and Christians. He adovocated Secularism and founded the organization People for the American Way (1980) for the purpose of counteracting the Christian right organization Moral Majority, founded in 1979.
Ally McBeal 1997-2002 (112 episodes)
Amazing Stories 2020 on Apple TV+ (5 episodes)
American Web television anthology series based on the 1985 television series of the same name / Its executive producers include Steven Spielberg, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Darryl Frank, and Justin Falvey.
Andromedia 2000–05 (110 episodes)
The Andy Griffith Show 1960–68 (249 episodes)
This American sitcom premiered on CBS in 1960. Main characters are Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Opie Taylor (Ronny Howard), Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) and others.
Animal Miracles 2002-03
American live-action program offering a perspective into the realm of human and animal interaction / Hosted by Alan Thicke, the series features animals protecting humans or other pets, one being a llama guarding a herd of alpacas. Each episode contains three or four segments.
Animaniacs 1993-1998 (99 episodes)
Arthur 1996-2022 (253 episodes)
Canadian/American animated educational comedy series for kids 4-8 that premiered on PBS / The main character is Arthur Read an anthropomorphic 8-year-old aardvark who lives in Elwood City.
Babylon 5 1993–98 (110 episodes and 6 TV films)
American space opera sci-fi series / It premiered on Warner Bros. TV channel in 1993.
Battlestar Galactica 1978–79 (24 episodes)
American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons) / The series incorporated many themes from Mormon theology, such as a “council of twelve,” a lost thirteenth tribe of humans, a planet called Kobol (an anagram of Kolob), and marriage for “time and eternity.”
The series starred Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Lorne Greene, John Colicos and others. The story involved a distant star system where the Twelve Colonies of Mankind were reaching the end of a thousand-year war with the Cylons, warrior robots created by a reptilian race which expired long ago, presumably destroyed by their own creations. Humanity was ultimately defeated in a sneak attack on their homeworlds by the Cylons, carried out with the help of a human traitor, Count Baltar (John Colicos). Protected by the last surviving capital warship, a “battlestar” (starship), named Galactica, the survivors fled in available ships. The Commander of the Galactica, Adama (Lorne Greene), led this “rag-tag fugitive fleet” of 220 ships in search of a new home. They began a quest to find the long lost thirteenth tribe of humanity that had settled on a legendary planet called Earth.
Becker 1998-2004 (129 episodes)
American sitcom series set in the Bronx, starring Ted Danson as John Becker, a cantankerous doctor who operates a small practice and is constantly annoyed by his patients, co-workers, and friends, and practically everything and everybody else in his world
Despite everything, his patients and friends are loyal because Becker genuinely cares about them. At times, the show tackled serious issues, such as racism, homosexuality, transgenderism, addiction, nymphomania, schizophrenia, cerebral AVM, and political correctness.
Behind the Music 1997-2014 (244 episodes)
This documentary series focuses on a musician or musical group, documenting both the successes of the musicians and the problems they faced during their careers. Episodes profile and interview the a featured artist or group.
We find out that for all his great guitar riffs and his conservative stance that Ted Nugent didn’t know diddly about investments, and know to watch the people watching his money. We learn that for all the millions he made, his accountants took most of it without his knowledge. Rock stars turn out to be people. Finite, destructible people. They aren’t what we thought they were and this show goes a long way to show it I feel.
This is NOT a show for kiddos. There’s always a ton of bleeping and some rough subject matter. Mature adults and teenagers who need a does of reality might get something out of this show. If you find out a past or present favorite group of yours is on, it might be interesting to see what they are really like. It might shatter your image. But it goes to show that nobody, even musicians, are above the fallen state of humanity.
Better Call Saul 2015-2022 (63 episodes)
This American neo-noir, dark-comedy, legal crime drama television series was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould for the AMC channel. Part of the “Breaking Bad” franchise, it is a spin-off from Gilligan’s previous series, “Breaking Bad” (2008–2013), to which it serves primarily as a prequel, though some portions take place after the events of “Breaking Bad”. “Better Call Saul” follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill, a former con artist who is trying to become a respectable lawyer, into the personality of the flamboyant criminal lawyer Saul Goodman (a play on the phrase "[It]’s all good, man!"), over the six-year period prior to the events of “Breaking Bad”, spanning from approximately 2002 to 2008.
The six-season series chronicles the events that led to Jimmy McGill adopting the controversial persona Saul Goodman in the Breaking Bad series.
The first three seasons of the series find Jimmy learning that his newly agoraphobic brother Chuck (one of the top execs at a law firm that Jimmy aspired to work at) has been holding back his law career by telling his business partner Howard Hamlin not to hire him. A major feud is born from this revelation. Chuck gets Jimmy arrested on a breaking and entering charge in an attempt to bust him on a forgery crime. Jimmy is able to avoid jail time by (unfortunately) exposing to the entire court Chuck’s declined mental state; Chuck then has a breakdown, which discredits his case. Jimmy would later scheme to have Chuck’s law firm’s insurance premiums increased, causing Howard to forcibly retire him. Chuck would later commit suicide after a nervous breakdown, but not before telling Jimmy off when he stops by to apologize.
While some may compare this brotherly feud to that of Cain and Abel, a better comparison would be the tension between the Prodigal Son and his brother. The brother was insulted that even though he did everything right and worked hard to get to where he got, his mischievous brother who spent all of his share of his father’s money had a party for him after returning.
The latter half of the series (seasons four through six) sees Jimmy “moving on” after Chuck’s death. The emotional scars he has translate in to his professional life. He sells burner phones temporarily before the law suspension of one year is lifted; he then proceeds to represent some of the clients who bought phones from him. It is during this time that his girlfriend (and later wife) Kim Wexler grows concerned by his behaviour. In the fourth season finale, she is blindsided by Jimmy’s false display of emotion during his law reinstatement hearing believing that he was telling the truth.
Unforeseen circumstances find Jimmy (now working under the pseudonym Saul Goodman) working with/for cartel member Lalo Salamanca. Crime cleaner Mike Ehrmantraut, who throughout the series has helped Jimmy out of a jam or two, does his best to protect Jimmy/Saul and Kim during this period, which leaves long-lasting effects.
One day, Mike tells Jimmy/Saul about the “bad choice road.” Once you make a choice in life, that choice puts you down a road. This speech represents one of the overarching themes of the series that every action and sin one makes can affect those around you either immediately or eventually.
Soon, Kim leaves Jimmy after a selfish (and somewhat sociopathic) scheme against Howard results in his murder (which they were not intending). This breaks Jimmy to the point where he fully takes on the hedonistic Saul Goodman persona. He gets himself arrested for his involvement in Walter White’s crime ring after blowing his cover when he was on the run. He is able to negotiate a seven-year prison sentence in a plea deal; but ends up giving it up by confessing on the stand his direct involvement in the crime ring. He then proceeds to ease his long-held guilt by expressing his remorse for Howard’s death, and admitting to his involvement in his brother’s death. He is sentenced to 86 years.
While the subject matter in this series is extreme in some episodes (with a lot of foul language, the odd shootout, and sex scenes in some episodes), this character-driven series does an amazing job at showing how easy doing the wrong thing can be, but also how hard the aftermath can be on the person now holding on to that guilt. The series finale sees several flashbacks with Jimmy speaking to Mike, Walter White, and Chuck discussing regret. In all three conversations, Jimmy avoided speaking from the heart because the truth hurt too much. All three people seemed offended by his shallowness. It wasn’t until Jimmy/Saul confessed on the stand that it seemed like the weight of the world was finally lifted off of his shoulders.
To be clear, the subject matter in this series is heavy; but the Christian themes are absolutely there.
Biography 1962-64, 1979, 1987-2012
Each episode of this American documentary series depicts the life of a notable person with narration, on-camera interviews, photographs, and stock footage.
Bonanza 1959-1973 (431 episodes)
American Western series set in the 1860s and centering on the wealthy Cartwright family who live on the Ponderosa ranch in the vicinity of Virginia City, Nevada, bordering Lake Tahoe
The series presented pressing moral dilemmas and initially starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon and later included Guy Williams, David Canary, Mitch Vogel and Tim Matheson.
Boy Meets World 1993-2000 (158 episodes)
American sitcom series created and produced by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly—broadcasted on the ABC network for 7 seasons
The show chronicles the everyday events and life-lessons of Cory Matthews (Ben Savage). It also stars Cory's teacher George Feeny (William Daniels), best friend Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong), brother Eric (Will Friedle), and love interest Topanga (Danielle Fishel).
Then he told the cult’s “leader” Mr. Mack, "I see you right in front of me and I hear what you have to say, and it’s nothing. If I was lost and empty and had nothing to believe in I might go with you because that would be easy. Well I’m done with easy. I’m done with empty. I’m done with you." This show is highly recommended from my point of view. It’s a good show about friendship, TRUE love, and believing in something good.
Brooklyn Bridge 1991-93 (35 episodes)
This American sitcom series is about a Jewish American family living in Brooklyn in the middle 1950s. Throughout the TV show there are various references to the family's origins as Jews from Poland/Russia. There are also various references and actions showing how the young boys feel as Americans. Featured actors include Marion Ross, Jenny Lewis, Jake Jundef, Aeryk Egan, Amy Aquino, David Wohl and Louis Zorich.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1997-2003 (144 episodes)
Caillou 1997-2010 (144 episodes)
Canadian educational children’s series based on the books by Hélène Desputeaux / The series is about a 4-year-old boy named Caillou who lives with his mother, father, and younger sister, Rosie. He has many adventures with his family and friends, and uses his imagination in every episode.
CardCaptors 2000-01 (70 episodes)
“CardCaptors” is the American version of the Japanese anime “Card Captor Sakura.” Ten-year-old Sakura Avalon accidentally releases a set of magical cards known as Clow Cards from a mystical book in her basement created and named after the sorcerer Clow Reed. Each card has its own unique ability and can assume an alternate form when activated. The guardian of the cards, Cerberus, emerges from the book, explains only a person with magical powers could open the seal of the book, and chooses Sakura to retrieve the missing cards.
If you like what you see on TV, I suggest you buy the subtitled tapes and forget what you saw on TV… This series is very intelligent, much more than Pokémon or Dragon Ball Z. I recommend it if you can access info on the Internet that fills in the holes. I guess the fact that the main character (Sakura) has many witch-like characteristics could [make it objectionable for some viewers]
The Chosen 2017-____ (26+ episodes)
“The Chosen” is an American drama television series. Created, directed, and co-written by filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, it features a heavily fictionalized Jesus of Nazareth. This eccumenical series is primarily set in Judaea and Galilee of the 1st century. It stars Jonathan Roumie as Jesus (an outspoken Roman Catholic), alongside Shahar Isaac, Elizabeth Tabish, Paras Patel, Noah James, and George H. Xanthis.
Charmed 1998-2006 (178 episodes)
This American supernatural fantasy drama series was produced by Aaron Spelling and premiered on The WB network in 1998. Main characters are Prue Halliwell (Shannen Doherty), Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano), Piper Halliwell (Holly Marie Combs), and Paige Matthews (Rose McGowan). The first episode is titled “Something Wicca This Way Comes.”
About witches in the Bible
About witchcraft
About enchantments
About modern Wicca and Paganism
What is the Occult?
The Occult—What does the Bible say about it?
• There is no God but a council of "White Lighters"
• The main characters use chanting and home made spells and potions to vanquish demons and warlocks.
• One of witches is married to a "White Lighter"
• Another of the witches had an affair with and eventually married a demon. **There is no ‘Higher’ power and no means of salvation or repentance. **Wiccan covens are depicted as innocent and harmless religious groups.
• The Mother of the witches committed adultery with a "White Lighter" and bore a child out of wedlock and then abandoned the child.**Promiscuity is encouraged by the dialog, actions and manner of dress used in the show.
• Episodes are often violent and show victims in intense pain.
Clifford the Big Red Dog 2000-03 (65 episodes)
An American/British educational animated children’s series produced by Scholastic Productions and based upon Norman Bridwell’s children’s book series of the same name / Each episode consists of two 15-minute stories. Usually one story features Clifford and his canine friends, Cleo, T-Bone and Mac among them; the other story focuses on Clifford's owner, Emily Elizabeth and her friends, Jetta, Vaz and Charley. During scenes focusing on the dogs' perspective, human speech replaces barking to show the storyline from the dogs’ point of view.
The Commish 1991-96 (94 episodes)
American comedy-drama series that focuses on the work and home life of Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis), a former NYPD detective who is now the police commissioner in the small upstate New York town of Eastbridge, and tends to work through problems with humor and creativity more often than with violence or force
The series deals with a wide range of topical social issues such as police corruption, racism, homophobia, drug addiction, disabilities, child abuse, illegal immigration, and sexual harassment.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2000–2015 (337 episodes)
Damon 1998 (13 episodes)
American sitcom starring Damon Wayans / Two brothers, one a bachelor and undercover detective, the other a married rent-a-cop, are reunited in Chicago. Things come easily to Damon, a clever but politically incorrect undercover cop. He has a quick wit, beautiful women and a challenging job. His older brother Bernard is a rent-a-cop home security officer who longs to be the real thing.
Daria 1997-2002 (70 episodes)
American adult animated sitcom created for MTV / This is a spin-off of Mike Judge's earlier animated “Beavis and Butt-Head” series, in which Daria appeared as a recurring character. The series focuses on Daria Morgendorffer, a smart, acerbic, somewhat misanthropic teenage girl who, along with her best friend, aspiring artist Jane Lane, observes the world around her. The show is set in the fictional suburban American town of Lawndale and is a satire of high school life, full of allusions to and criticisms of popular culture and social classes.
Dark Angel 2000-02 (43 episodes)
Dave's World 1993-1997 (98 episodes)
American sitcom series focusing on the daily trials and tribulations of columnist Dave Barry (Harry Anderson) and his wife, Beth (DeLane Matthews) along with their sons, Tommy (Zane Carney) and Willie (Andrew Ducote) / Dave works at the fictional Miami Record-Dispatch.
Dawson’s Creek 1998-2003 (128 episodes)
This American teen drama series is about the lives of a close-knit group of friends beginning in high school and continuing into college. It launched the acting careers of its young lead stars James van der Beek, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson.
Dharma and Greg 1997-2002 (119 episodes)
American sitcom series starring Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson as free-spirited yoga instructor/dog walker Dharma Finkelstein and straight-laced lawyer Greg Montgomery marry on their first date despite being complete opposites
Their conflicting views lead to comical situations. Ivy League Greg was raised by wealthy, conservative parents. After graduation from Harvard and Stanford, he went to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office as a federal prosecutor in San Francisco. He then meets Dharma, who was raised by hippie parents. They fall in love immediately and elope. Despite being totally different, their parents eventually learn to tolerate each other.
Digimon: Digital Monsters 1999–2007
A group of young teens is unexpectedly sent to the mysterious Digital World and paired up with their own powerful, morphing monster called the Digimon. Together the entire group set out on an adventure to fight evil and save the world.
Like 98% of Japan and most of the world he was searching for forgiveness but didn’t know where to find it. Although the children in Digimon are unaware of the forgiveness Jesus purchased for us on Calvary, they fight for what is right and save the Digital world and Earth from evil. Pokémon has been bashed by many Christians, and rightly so, for being too spiritual.
The Pokémon use magic and shrink into their poke balls as if turning into ghosts, but that’s beside the point. In Digimon the digital monsters have a partner human that is chosen just for them and become their best friend. They are as sentient as you and me and defend their partner like a guardian angle. In fact, one is named Anglemon. The good guys are as separate from the baddies as black from white, contrary to Pokémon where there is no evil, just Pokémon battles and the mild distraction of Team Rocket who are just minor and very pathetic thieves.
I recommend this show for children of all ages and teens like me who like this sort of thing. The violence is tasteful (lacks blood and gore but good always wins) and is reminiscent of the battles between angles in the Bible. Absolutely no deaths of people and the good digimon who die are reconfigured into digieggs in Primary Village.
The District 2000-04 (89 episodes)
Doc 2001-04 (88 episodes)
Dragon Ball Z 1989-1996 (291 episodes)
Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation / It is the sequel to “Dragon Ball.” “Dragon Ball Z” picks up 5 years after the end of the “Dragon Ball” anime, with Goku now a young adult and father to his son, Gohan. A humanoid alien named Raditz arrives on Earth in a spacecraft and tracks down Goku, revealing to him that he is his long-lost older brother and that they are members of a near-extinct extraterrestrial warrior race called the Saiyans (Saiya-jin). The Saiyans had sent Goku (originally named “Kakarot”) to Earth as an infant to conquer the planet for them, but he suffered a traumatic brain injury soon after his arrival and lost all memory of his mission, as well as his bloodthirsty Saiyan nature. Goku refuses to help Raditz continue the mission, which results in Raditz kidnapping Gohan. Goku decides to team up with his former enemy Piccolo in order to defeat Raditz and save his son, while sacrificing his own life in the process.
In the afterlife, Goku trains under the ruler of the North Galaxy, King Kai, and is taught the Kaio-ken and Spirit Bomb techniques, before being revived by the Dragon Balls a year later in order to save the Earth from Raditz' allies; Nappa and the self-proclaimed “Prince of all Saiyans,” Vegeta, who arrive before Goku returns.
Personally, I don’t find it that offensive where the worst language there is probably ‘shut up clown’ but the violence is still questionable even when censored. Also the intepretation of Heaven is also an issue where the show implies that doing good things can get you to Heaven.
Dragon Tales 1999-2005 (94 episodes)
Canadian–American animated fantasy adventure children's series / The series focuses on the exploits of two siblings, Emmy and Max, in possession of an enchanted dragon scale capable of reading the special rhyme then transporting them to Dragon Land, a whimsical fantasy world inhabited by colorful anthropomorphic dragons. Befriended by four friendly talking dragons with distinctive personalities, Ord, Cassie, Zak, and Wheezie, they frequently travel to Dragon Land and help their friends in fulfilling particular quests, assisting them in their daily problems, and learning important morals through their experiences with Dragon Land.
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman 1993-98 (149 episodes)
American Western drama series starring Jane Seymour who plays Dr. Michaela “Mike” Quinn, a physician who leaves Boston in search of adventure in the Old American West and settles in Colorado Springs, Colorado—trying to convince the townspeople that a female doctor can successfully practice medicine. She makes the difficult adjustment to life in Colorado with the aid of rugged outdoorsman and friend to the Cheyenne, Byron Sully (Joe Lando) and a midwife named Charlotte Cooper (Diane Ladd).
She had many books in her library about vampires, pre-marital sex, adultery, and many other bad things. They make the pastor seem bad, and un-fun for condemning the books, and the show ends with some townspeople burning the books. Dr. Quinn bursts into the church, and demands that they hand over a nook that has pre-marital sex, adultery, demons, and other sins to be burned. Can you guess what it was? That’s right, our Bible. All the townspeople admit they are wrong and let her re-open the library with all her books.
We forget though, that what we put into our minds influences what we do. I’m afraid this show is starting to put in subtle things that make you always root for the hero, even when she is wrong. …This show often shows New Age stuff with the Indians. Use caution and don’t forget to be on the lookout.
The Drew Carey Show 1995-2004
This American sitcom is set in Cleveland, Ohio and revolves around the retail office and home life of self-proclaimed “everyman” Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor. He has a “gang” of friends who embark with him on his everyday trials and tribulations.
Dukes of Hazzard 1979-85 (147 episodes)
This American action-comedy series is about two young male cousins, Bo and Luke Duke (John Schneider and Tom Wopat), who live in rural Georgia and are on probation for moonshine-running. The young men and their friends and their female cousin Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach), and other family (such as patriarch Uncle Jesse played by Denver Pyle), have various escapades as they evade the corrupt law officers Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane.
Early Edition 1996-2000 (90 episodes)
American fantasy comedy-drama series is set in Chicago, Illinois / This show follows the adventures of a Gary Hobson (Kyle Chandler) who mysteriously receives each Chicago Sun-Times newspaper the day before it is actually published, and who uses this knowledge to prevent terrible events every day.
By the second season, though, Chuck’s attitude had undergone a shift. Sometimes he’s been the one who’s kept Gary on track. Marissa, the other main character here, has always been an encourager for Gary. She was seen praying during the last episode of the second season. God answered her prayer and provided a way for her to help save Gary. Many parallels to what we as Christians face every day. This is one of only three shows I watch on a regular basis. I hope it enjoys a good long run!
Earth: Final Conflict 1997-2002 (110 episodes)
This American-Canadian science fiction series is based on ideas developed by Gene Roddenberry. Early in the 21st century, a race of aliens, the Taelons (often referred to as “the Companions”), travel to Earth and take up residence in limited numbers. The Taelons possess highly advanced technologies, many of which they share with humanity, seemingly out of generosity and good will. As a result of these advances, disease, war and pollution are nearly eliminated within three years of their arrival. Despite this, some question whether the Taelons’ motives are as benevolent as they appear, and a resistance movement forms to halt the Taelons’ ever growing influence on humanity.
When it is mentioned, it is usually looked down upon by the arrogant Taelons as human superstition. There are some offensive episodes in which the Taelons are worshipped by deluded people as gods, but it is made obvious to the viewer that they are false ones; whether or not they actively discourage such worship depends on the character of the individual Taelon (the show has as regular cast a ‘good’ Taelon, Da'an, and an ‘evil’ Taelon, Zo'or).
The very idea of aliens might be offensive enough to some viewers, but even if you aren’t taken aback by it, discerning viewer beware; there is lots of violence, and much is made of ‘atrocities’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ committed by the manipulative aliens. The humans are a pretty bad lot as well; we have sociopathic FBI agents, humans controlled by alien implants into doing the Taelon's dirty work, and criminals known as 'amoralists' who actively renounce morality as a concept!
Even the protagonists, while generally moral, are grimly professional, bear grudges, and often blur the line between good and evil to accomplish their missions. Overall, "E:FC" isn't all that bad, and I'd recommend it to Christian viewers over mindless shows like "Star Trek: Voyager," but while “Voyager” (unlike the other Star Trek series, mind you) is blatantly banal, worldly, and violent, "E:FC" gets under your skin. I would advise extreme caution in viewing it.
8 Simple Rules 2002–2005 (3 seasons, 76 episodes)
800 Words 2015-18 (40 episodes)
This Australian–New Zealand comedy-drama series centers on George Turner (Erik Thomson), a popular columnist for a top-selling Sydney newspaper, writing a weekly column which he insists must be exactly 800 words. After his wife dies, he buys (over the internet and unseen) a new home in a small New Zealand seaside town called Weld (fictional), where his parents took him on holiday as a child. He then has to break the news to his two teenage children, Shay Turner (Melina Vidler) and Arlo Turner (Benson Jack Anthony). But the colourful and inquisitive locals in Weld ensure Turner’s dream of a fresh start does not go exactly to plan.[
I stopped watching after Season 2, Episode 9. Why? A teenage boy (Arlo) has a girlfriend who has left the summer coastal town after the season. She tells Arlo she was given a ride home from school. When Arlo expresses a bit of jealousy, the girl laughs and reassures Arlo by saying, “He was 55, bald, and said Jesus Christ was our savior.” A completely gratuitous line by the writer, given to the “sweetest” character in the show.
ER 1994-2009 (331 episodes)
The Vision of Escaflowne 1994-1997 (26 episodes)
This Japanese anime television series was created by Shōji Kawamori and Sunrise Studios and directed by Kazuki Akane. It follows a teenage high school girl named Hitomi, who finds herself pulled from Earth to the planet Gaea when a boy named Van appears on the high school track while battling a dragon. In Gaea, she is caught in the middle of a war as the Zaibach Empire attempts to take over Gaea. Van (King of Fanelia), with aid from Allen (an Asturian Knight), commands his mystical mech Escaflowne in the struggle to stop the Zaibach Empire. Hitomi's fortune telling powers blossom in Gaea as she becomes the key to awakening Escaflowne and to stopping Zaibach’s plans.
Be careful when allowing children to watch this show unless you are sure of their maturity and faith—although the American from of this show is highly censored, it still contains a certain, albeit slight, level of violence.
I am nineteen years old, and I, myself, felt really disturbed with the content to where I couldn't enjoy the show in itself. Despite the great animation, I feel, personally, that Escaflone needs to be avoided by viewers of ALL ages, ESPECIALLY by those who have, at some time, struggled with the occult.
Everybody Loves Raymond 1996-2005 (210 episodes)
Family Law 1999-2002 (68 episodes)
This American legal drama series stars Kathleen Quinlan as divorced lawyer Lynn Holt, who attempts to start her own law firm after her husband leaves both her and their law practice, taking all of their clients with him. The show also stars Christopher McDonald as opportunistic, ambulance-chasing attorney Rex Weller, Julie Warner as Lynn's friend Danni (and the one member of her former firm's staff who did not defect with Lynn's ex-husband), and Dixie Carter as “pit bull” divorce attorney Randi King. Other cast members include Tony Danza, Cristián de la Fuente, Salli Richardson and Meredith Eaton as Emily Resnick, an ambitious attorney hoping to make partner.
Family Matters 1989-98 (215 episodes)
American sitcom series that premiered on ABC and later moved to CBS / It centers on a police officer named Carlton “Carl” Otis Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) and his family.
In many episodes, Eddie and his girlfriends are seen making out on the couch. Also, there is a show where a guy is spreading rumors about things he's supposedly “done” with Laura. Also one show, Laura gets drunk at a party, and gets wild. She ends up falling in love with Steve, so the end is cute, but her actions at the party are a little less than exemplary. And while I must say, most of the time the ending do reflect a Christian viewpoint, sometimes the middle of the shows are somewhat questionable. That said, I must remind you that this show is excellent compared to Hollywood's standards, and is most of the time worth watching.
Farscape 1999-2003 (88 episodes)
This Australian-American science fiction series features diverse characters who are initially escaping from corrupt militaristic authorities called the Peacekeepers. The protagonists live inside a large bio-mechanical ship called Moya, which is a living entity. They are joined by the main character, John Crichton (Ben Browder), a modern-day American astronaut who accidentally flew into the entrance of a wormhole near Earth during an experimental space flight. On the same day, another stranger is picked up by Moya: a stranded Peacekeeper named Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black). Despite his best intentions, Crichton makes enemies; the primary of these is known as Scorpius, a neural clone of whom haunts his brain.
Fear 2000-2002 (16 episodes)
American paranormal reality series inspired by the 1973 horror film “The Legend of Hell House”
A fellow team member reads via radio the instructions. Explicit details of the site's most horrific events are read to the contestant in order to invoke a level of fear. The disturbing part is that the kids are asked to conduct seances, use Ouija boards, or pour blood to offer a lure to whatever they are investigating. Some are lowered into pits, blindfolded or asked to sit for hours with radio silence to properly investigate. The viewer can hear the audio from each site and determine what scares the kids. If they only knew what they were really dealing with, they may not be so willing to trifle with it. So far, no one has tried to actually rebuke the demonic spirits by uttering the name of Christ.
The show usually revolves around the unbelieving contestants of all the "hocus pocus" of paranormal activity. They are left with watered down worldly explanations of the events witnessed and become more lost than when they first arrived…
Fear Factor 2001-2006 (144 episodes), 2001-2012 (9 episodes), 2017-2018 (35 episodes)
American stunt/dare game show
Here is something from Wikipedia that describes the so-called “stunts” seen in the show (Luke 12:15):
“Beat the Beast: This stunt challenges the contestants to conquer their fear of something creepy (usually live creatures considered gross or intimidating) and generally follows the same format as animal stunts from the second stunt of the original version. The team with the best performance in this round wins a “FearVantage,” which is an advantage in the next round (such as picking the order).
Face Your Fear: This is a challenge tailored to a common fear shared by all of the contestants on a particular episode. The nature of this stunt varies widely depending on the fears of the contestants.
The Final Fear: This is an extreme physical stunt that follows the same format as the first and third stunts from the original version of the show. The team with the best performance wins the $50,000 grand prize.”
They are like people who have little to no respect for people’s fears and are interested in their own selfish amusements. And, by coincidence, the people who run shows like this would probably have little to no respect for clowns (1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
If Sodom and Gomorrah were still around, they would undeniably have a TV game show that humiliates contestants like this before a huge laughing, cheering audience (Genesis 13:13, Ezekiel 16:49-50, Isaiah 3:9, Psalm 11:5, Deuteronomy 32:32, Obadiah 1:12, John 8:42-47, Mark 8:36).
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.” —2 Timothy 1:7
Felicity 1998-2002 (84 episodes)
This American drama series revolves around the fictional college experiences of Felicity Porter (Keri Russell), as she attends the “University of New York” (based on New York University), which lies across the country from her home in Palo Alto, California. A recurring episode opener is a stark camera shot of Felicity sitting in a dormitory room or apartment holding a tape recorder, recalling events in order to make a cassette tape to send to an old friend named Sally Reardon. This occasionally provides a method for Felicity to narrate an entire episode. Other featured actors include Scott Speedman, Scott Foley, Amy Jo Johnson, Greg Grunberg, Tangi Miller, Amanda Foreman, and Ian Gomez.
For the parents, it brings back the hilarious, awkward college days. The show is humorous, thought-provoking, and very enjoyable. Discussing controversial issues portrayed in the episodes is a great idea. I would especially recommend this for older teens and college students. Those that are younger than that would not be as able to relate to it. I think the show is one of the most down-to-earth and thoughtful series on TV right now, with an incredible cast and acting to boot.
Frasier 1993-2004 (264 episodes)
This American sitcom series was created as a spin-off of “Cheers,” continuing the story of psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) as he returned to his hometown of Seattle and started building a new life as a radio advice show host while reconnecting with his father and brother and making new friends.
Freaks and Geeks 1999-2000 (18 episodes)
American teen comedy-drama series created by Paul Feig and executive-produced by Judd Apatow / The show follows gifted high schooler Lindsay Weir, who befriends a gang of slacker “freaks,” and her younger brother Sam, as he and his geek friends navigate high school in a fictional suburb of Detroit. Lindsay finds herself attempting to transform her life as an academically proficient student, star "mathlete", and young girl into a rebellious teenager who hangs out with troubled slackers. Her relationships with her new friends, and the friction they cause with her parents and with her own self-image, form one central strand of the show. The other follows Sam and his group of geeky friends as they navigate a different part of the social universe and try to fit in.
Friends 1994-2004 (236 episodes)
American sitcom / Rachel Green, a sheltered but friendly woman, flees her wedding day and wealthy yet unfulfilling life, and finds childhood friend Monica Geller, a tightly-wound but caring chef. After Rachel becomes a waitress at West Village coffee house Central Perk, she and Monica become roommates at Monica's apartment located above Central Perk, and Rachel joins Monica's group of single people in their mid-20s: Previous roommate Phoebe Buffay, an eccentric, innocent masseuse; neighbor Joey Tribbiani, a dim-witted yet loyal struggling actor and womanizer; Joey's roommate Chandler Bing, a sarcastic, self-deprecating IT manager; and her older brother and Chandler's college roommate Ross Geller, a sweet-natured but insecure paleontologist.
This last episode was the "last straw" for us- Monica gave Chandler (her husband) a porno video as a gift for Valentine's Day! I don't understand why this is considered normal or acceptable? The Rachel character is pregnant, and there was never once discussion of marrying the father of the baby (Ross). As a matter of fact, all of the characters gathered together to watch a video of Rachel becoming pregnant with Ross. Why would anyone want to watch two of their friends in that situation? There has been a mention of “porn” in every one of the episodes I've watched this season.
I am fed up and angry that this is normal in today's society. There will be no more of these “Friends” in my house, and I would recommend that fellow Christians avoid this show completely.
Full House 1987-95 (192 episodes)
American sitcom centering on widowed father Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) who raises his 3 daughters with the help of brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos) and friend Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier)
Futurama 1999-2013 (140 episodes)
American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening that premiered on Fox in 1999 and on Comedy Central in 2008 / The plot revolves around the Planet Express interplanetary delivery company and its employees, a small group that largely fails to conform to future society. Episodes usually feature the central trio of Fry, Leela, and Bender, though occasional storylines center on the other main characters.
The show should probably be restricted to adult viewing, though I don't see this as reason for giving it a lower "grade." After all, it's slotted for around 9PM, past the time when children for whom it is unsuited would be out of the television's gaze. It is a show made by adults, for adults, and it plays with all the conventions of science fiction we've come to love through the past seventy-odd years of pulp magazines.
The humor can, at times, bend toward the sexual and/or irreverent, but, even so, it does not challenge Christianity. It never makes a claim against Christianity; rather, its deity-oriented jokes are poked at a vague "God," which only bears the characteristics of being (a) omnipotent and (b) curmudgeonly. Lest the point be lost, I reiterate: not once do they call Christ a sham; they joke about the stereotypical God that exists in the popular mind.
If you're not comfortable enough with sex to enjoy the juvenile and at-times sophisticated wit, then you'll have difficulty accepting some of Futurama's content. At its heart, however, it's a string of intellectual gags.
It's a high-IQ comic book, wherein everything ends either (a) happily ever after or (b) with key characters dead, always available to reappear at the beginning of next week's episode.
The good: "The Simpson's" inspired satire. American's obession with THINGS and television is kept here. The funny characters and creative aliens (it's FANTASY, so aliens exist, don't take it too personal). The ability of the major chartacters to put their friends in front of their personal needs.
The bad: There IS a bit of sex and iffy language. In one scene Leela goes to bed with an ego-driven ship captain (to her defense, she regrets it quite a bit, and we all see that one mistake like this can have long lasting consequenses). Also, Bender drinks quite a bit and is brash at times. The ugly: Leela's one eye!! Eeek! Overall, this is NOT a cartoon for kids. Mature teens and adults can enjoy it if they keep it in moderation and do not let it get in way of their relationship with God.
Like the Simpsons, each character can remind you of someone you know, and the adventures they get into can be very ridiculous. One episode that we all liked involved Fry (the dimwit from 1999) eating some bad meat that had been infested with some weird eggs. Sounds gross, but bear with me. Anyway, the eggs hatched and these little worms built a city in his body. They fixed all the problems with him and made him super-strong and super-smart. Having this newfound intelligence, Fry finally manages to tell Leela, the one-eyed alien girl, how he feels for her.
On one date, he recites a song he wrote for her and she says "I love what you've become." When he hears this, he starts to wonder if it's right of him to pretend to be something he's not. In the end, he gets the worms to leave and becomes an idiot again for continuity's sake. Unfortunately, the cartoon has a lot of reasons why only older viewers should see it.
If your kids really want to see this, I suggest letting them buy the comic book version of it. I collect them and they are much more tame than the TV equivalent.