TL;DR: The Quick Take
Schitt’s Creek is the rare show that starts as a cynical comedy about rich people being terrible and ends as one of the most profoundly kind stories on television. It’s perfect for parents of teens (14+) who want a show that tackles identity, failure, and family loyalty without the trauma-porn often found in "gritty" teen dramas.
- Best for: Ages 14+ (due to language and sexual references).
- Where to watch: Netflix or Hulu.
- Parental "Watch Out": The first season is the "edgiest" in terms of cynicism and sexual humor; it gets much warmer as it goes.
- Top Themes: Unconditional acceptance, reinventing yourself, and why "ew, David" is a universal sibling mood.
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If you missed the boat when this swept the Emmys, here’s the setup: The Rose family—video store tycoon Johnny, soap star Moira, and their adult children David and Alexis—loses their massive fortune to a crooked business manager. Their only remaining asset is a small, dreary town called Schitt’s Creek that Johnny bought for David as a joke birthday gift years ago.
They are forced to move into two connecting rooms in a run-down motel. The show tracks their transition from horrified socialites to actual members of a community. While it starts out feeling like a "fish out of water" sitcom similar to Arrested Development, it eventually evolves into something much deeper.
In a digital landscape where kids are bombarded with TikTok trends about "quiet luxury" or the latest influencer drama, Schitt’s Creek offers a vital counter-narrative. It’s a show about what happens when the "aesthetic" is stripped away and you’re left with just your character and your family.
For parents, the highlight is the growth of the Rose children. David (the high-strung, pansexual gallery owner) and Alexis (the "it-girl" who has been kidnapped by pirates more than once) start as vapid, self-absorbed adults. By the finale, they are entrepreneurs with genuine emotional intelligence. It’s a masterclass in the idea that it’s never too late to actually grow up.
Check out our guide on teaching kids about financial literacy through media
Let’s get into the "No-BS" part of the review. This show is rated TV-MA, but it’s a "soft" MA.
Language
The "f-bomb" is dropped occasionally, usually for comedic emphasis. Moira Rose’s vocabulary is a delightful maze of archaic English, but the rest of the cast uses standard adult sitcom profanity. If your teen is already on YouTube or Discord, they’ve heard much worse.
Sexual Content
There is a lot of talk about sex. The first season features a plotline about a "happy ending" massage (which Johnny doesn't realize is a sexual service), and there are various hookups throughout the series. However, the show is remarkably non-graphic. You’ll see characters in bed together or making out, but it’s not Euphoria.
Substance Use
There’s plenty of drinking—mostly fruit wine and cocktails at the local diner—and some references to past drug use (usually one of Alexis’s wild stories about a party in Ibiza). It’s portrayed as a part of adult life, not a "cool" rebellion.
One of the most famous scenes in the show involves David explaining his sexuality to his friend Stevie using wine as a metaphor: "I like the wine and not the label."
What makes Schitt’s Creek revolutionary isn't just that it has a queer lead; it’s that the town of Schitt’s Creek is a place where homophobia simply doesn’t exist. Creator Dan Levy made a conscious choice to write a world where David’s identity is never a source of conflict or "trauma." For a teen questioning their identity or looking for LGBTQ+ representation in media, this is a safe, joyful harbor.
If your family finishes the Rose family saga and wants more shows that balance humor with heart, here are a few recommendations:
If you love the "kindness as a superpower" vibe of Schitt's Creek, this is your next stop. It follows an American football coach heading to the UK to coach "soccer." It’s basically a warm hug in TV form.
A comedy about ethics, the afterlife, and becoming a better person. Like the Roses, these characters start out pretty terrible and work their way toward redemption. Great for ages 12+.
For a slightly more traditional (but still very funny) look at family dynamics and acceptance. It’s more "network TV" safe but still hits those emotional beats.
Another show that starts a bit cynical and becomes a celebration of community and friendship.
Because Schitt’s Creek is so character-driven, it provides great "in-roads" for conversations with your teens that don't feel like a lecture:
- On Failure: "The Roses lost everything. Which of them handled it the best? Why do you think Alexis was able to pivot so much faster than Johnny?"
- On Relationships: When David meets Patrick later in the series, it’s one of the healthiest depictions of a relationship on TV. Talk about how they support each other’s business goals and personal growth.
- On Community: "The Roses originally thought they were 'above' the people in Schitt's Creek. When did that change for them?"
- On Identity: Use David’s "wine" metaphor to talk about how people define themselves today versus how things were when you were a kid.
Schitt’s Creek is a 10/10 recommendation for parents of older kids. It’s funny enough to keep a cynical 16-year-old engaged and sweet enough to make you tear up during the finale.
In a digital age where "clout" is the ultimate currency, the Rose family reminds us that the only thing that actually scales is how you treat the people around you. It’s not just "brain rot" entertainment; it’s a blueprint for empathy.
Next Steps:
- Watch the first three episodes with your teen. The first season is short!
- If the humor feels a bit too "adult" for your 12-year-old, bookmark it for two years from now.
- Check your Netflix settings to ensure your profile allows TV-MA content if you’re watching on a shared family account.