 | 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. |
The Playboy Club
Common Sense Media says
Branded retro drama connects sex, money, and "girl" power.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series directly promotes the Playboy brand and glamorizes the lives of Playboy Bunnies in the 1960s. The show also tries to push a message that the Playboy Bunny lifestyle empowered women of the era rather than objectified them. The sexy subject matter includes some simulated sex and kissing, but no nudity; there are violent moments, too, involving murder, blood, and attempted sexual assault. Characters also use words like "piss," "hooker," "penis," and "ass"; drink alcohol; and smoke cigarettes.
What's the story?
In 1960s Chicago, THE PLAYBOY CLUB is one of the hottest destinations in the city, where only a coveted key can gain you access to the fantasies locked inside. But one of the club's newest "Bunnies," Maureen (Amber Heard), quickly finds herself on the outs with veteran Bunny Carol-Lynne (Laura Benanti) -- and a powerful Windy City crime family -- when she kills a VIP client in self-defense and Carol-Lynne's lover, Nick (Eddie Cibrian), comes to her aid.
Is it any good?
Well before it aired, The Playboy Club was catching flak, both from parent groups who feared it promoted pornography and women's advocacy groups who claimed it was inherently sexist. And while neither of those predictions proves 100 percent accurate, the show certainly tries its darnedest to make serving men cocktails in a tight-fitting Bunny outfit look like an act of women's lib. But let's be honest: That's a pretty tough sell.
Aside from all that cleavage, of course, there's one other big distraction worth mentioning: leading man Eddie Cibrian's blatant attempt to impersonate Mad Men's Jon Hamm, whose Emmy-winning portrayal of womanizing ad exec Don Draper elicits both swoons and critical acclaim. It's an aural resemblance that's so uncanny it can hardly be an accident, which makes The Playboy Club feel even more like a cheap copy of a classier original.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about sexism and the way that women are portrayed on the show. What role does gender play in the context of these characters' lives? Who generally seems to be in charge, and who's generally taking orders?
Do you agree with the producers' premise that being a Playboy Bunny empowered women of the era? How have society's views about women's roles changed since the 1960s?
In terms of consumerism, how does this show about Playboy's history help promote the modern-day Playboy brand? What does Playboy stand to gain -- or lose -- from the show's success?
What messages is the show sending female viewers about the importance of being sexy and attractive to the opposite sex?
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AGE
Porn for kids?
Since when is marketing pornography on primetime acceptable? Who cares about the plot. This show is all about promoting the Playboy brand and mainstreaming pornography.
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AGE
Trash.
I'm sorry but i have to disagree w/ Common Sense on this one. How is a show promoting pornography and prostitution, etc getting a "Just Fine" rating?? DIsappointed. This show is not for teens, or anyone.
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AGE
Good messages.
i love this show. it does have good messages, they are really strong female chericters. highly recomended, ill be tuning in next week!
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AGE
I like it :) but got a little boring, I see why it was cancelled
Ok so this show is pretty good, I've always loved shows that are based in another era and this is no mad men but it's ok. It's kind funny, the bunnies are not hookers (even though one hooks up with a waiter) the girls, even though in skimpy bunny suits have girl power and don't let any of the men get very near them. Like I said like the show pretty awesome, watch there is nothing wrong with it.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | NBC |
| Cast: | Amber Heard, Eddie Cibrian, Naturi Naughton |
| Genre: | Drama |
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