 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Boss
Common Sense Media says
Dark, mature drama examines underside of city politics.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this mature drama was intended for adults, with unbleeped cursing (including "f--k" and "s--t") and simulated sex that exposes some sensitive body parts. There's also an ongoing storyline involving a character with a substance abuse problem, along with bloodless violence like slapping, choking, and yelling. Brand names are mentioned on occasion, too.
What's the story?
As the de facto BOSS of Chicago, Mayor Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) has mastered the art of deceptive politics and become the most powerful man in the city, pushing his wife (Connie Nielsen) and daughter (Hannah Ware) away in the process. But when he receives an unexpected diagnosis of a degenerative brain disorder, the absolute power he once wielded threatens to erode if he can't keep his illness a secret.
Is it any good?
Boss isn't pretty, but it's certainly powerful, the kind of drama that's so grim, even the weather seems to play along. And in an age in which so many Americans seem let down by those elected to high places, the show's subject matter could really strike a nerve. Of course, if you're the type who prefers to believe that politics aren't actually this depressingly dirty, well, then this won't be the show for you.
As for Grammer, he slides into the role of a man who's accustomed to controlling his own fate (until fate steps in to take a swipe at his health) with impressive range and authority. He's the right man for the job, and his performance makes this dark and gritty world feel all the more dark and believable. But it might not be a world that everyone wants to visit -- or accept.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the show's portrayal of politics at a local level and whether the outlook is generally positive or negative. How accurately does the series reflect reality? Are politics always so "dirty," or can political power be used for good?
In spite of all the political scandals in the news, do you think politicians can be positive role models? How does the series' main character measure up? To what extent do you think public figures' personal lives differ from their public personas?
Discuss the show's main theme of power. Who seems to have it -- and what types of personal compromises seem necessary to get it? Who seems to lack it -- and what factors are keeping them from getting what they want? Can having so much power have a dark side?
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| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Network: | Starz |
| Cast: | Connie Nielsen, Kathleen Robertson, Kelsey Grammer |
| Genre: | Drama |
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