Melissa & Joey TV Review | Common Sense Media

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Parents' Guide to

Melissa & Joey TV Freeform Comedy 2010

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 5 Reviews
• Kids Say 13 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

By Emily Ashby , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Former child stars' sitcom has grown-up edge.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that even though it stars former child actors Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, this sitcom isn't meant for tweens. The characters' dialogue often refers to issues like…

Why Age 13+? Language

Multiple uses of “ass” and “hell,” as well as words like “suck,” “screw it,” and

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Mel frequently makes references to her wild teen years, which included plenty of

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Adults discuss details of their relationships, sometimes alluding to sex. Some p

Products & Purchases Not present Violence & Scariness Not present Any Positive Content? Positive Role Models

Mel takes her responsibilities to her niece and nephew seriously and strives for

Positive Messages

The show celebrates the bonds that exist among family members of all types. Trad

• Parents Need to Know

  Parents need to know that even though it stars former child actors Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, this sitcom isn't meant for tweens. The characters' dialogue often refers to issues like underage drinking, sex, and marital unrest. Language -- including multiple variations of "hell" and "ass," as well as frequent use of words like "suck" and "screw" -- is also on the strong side. That said, the show does center on a strong female character who's dedicated to balancing her work and personal lives and ensuring the well-being of her niece and nephew, and it aims to convey messages related to responsibility, appreciating others, and the importance of family ties.

• Language

  some

  Multiple uses of “ass” and “hell,” as well as words like “suck,” “screw it,” and “pissed.” Also some references to body parts (“vagina”) and name-calling, like “buttface.”

  Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

  Get started Close

• Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

  a little

  Mel frequently makes references to her wild teen years, which included plenty of underage drinking.

  Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

  Get started Close

• Sex, Romance & Nudity

  a little

  Adults discuss details of their relationships, sometimes alluding to sex. Some passionate kisses. Mention of strippers and a woman looking like a “hottie.”

  Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

  Get started Close

• Positive Role Models

  some

  Mel takes her responsibilities to her niece and nephew seriously and strives for a healthy relationship with them. Joe’s methods are unorthodox, but he always manages to drive home important lessons about being responsible, appreciating others, and valuing education.

• Positive Messages

  a little

  The show celebrates the bonds that exist among family members of all types. Traditional gender roles are reversed, with a woman as the primary breadwinner and a man overseeing the kids’ needs and caring for the home.

Where to Watch

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• Melissa & Joey

Melissa & Joey

Parent and Kid Reviews

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• Parents Say (5)
• Kids Say (13)

age 15+

Based on 5 parent reviews

See all 5 parent reviews age 11+

Based on 13 kid reviews

Kids say the show is entertaining and funny, but the humor often contains adult themes that may go over the heads of younger viewers. Many recommend it for teens and older due to its more mature jokes and evolving storylines, while some emphasize its enjoyable nature for family watching.

• funny show
• adult themes
• good for teens
• family dynamics
• positive energy

Summarized with AI

See all 13 kid reviews

What's the Story?

MELISSA & JOEY centers on rising political star Mel (Melissa Joan Hart), whose fast-paced lifestyle gets a little more hectic with the arrival of her niece, Lennox (Taylor Spreitler), and nephew, Ryder (Nick Robinson), who end up in her care after their mom gets sent to jail and their dad skips town. In over her head, Mel decides to hire a nanny -- but fate sends her an unlikely rescuer in the form of Joe (Joey Lawrence), an unemployed finance guru who becomes the family's surprisingly capable "manny."

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Is It Any Good?

Our review: Parents say (5 ): Kids say (13 ):

First the good news: Hart and Lawrence could easily build careers playing opposite each other, with the chemistry they established in the TV movie My Fake Fiance carrying over to this new endeavor. Even in Mel and Joe's dislike of each other onscreen, it's easy to like the combination they create, and the show benefits from their presence. Unfortunately, the show as a whole doesn't quite measure up to the standards of its stars. Like the frazzled Mel, viewers are always one step behind the action, trying unsuccessfully to keep up with the show's frantic pace.

Still, there are some sweet moments as the show's unlikely family makes small progress in bonding, and the gender-role shake-up -- with Mel furthering her career and Joe holding down the fort at home -- livens things up. But overall, the show doesn't live up to its stars, and the use of strong language (mostly "ass" and "hell," but there's a surprising amount of it) and references to underage drinking and sex ensure that it's not for tweens.

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Talk to Your Kids About ...

• Families can talk about family members' roles within the household. How are responsibilities assigned in your home? What are your chores? Does gender play a role in who does what? Why or why not?

• What defines a family? How has that definition changed over the years? How does the media reflect that change?

• Teens: How do you deal with adversity? What resources do you have to cope with the difficulties in your life? What are some of the challenges you've overcome? Was the experience rewarding?

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TV Details

• Premiere date : August 17, 2010
• Cast : Joey Lawrence , Melissa Joan Hart
• Network : Freeform
• Genre : Comedy
• TV rating : TV-14
• Last updated : October 9, 2025

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Did we miss something on diversity?

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 suggesting a diversity update.

Melissa & Joey

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