mixed-ish – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

mixed-ish

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Rainbow Johnson's mixed-race childhood in the '80s gets the sitcom treatment—well-intentioned but not exactly must-watch TV.

76%

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mixed-ish

show

TV-PG, 2019

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Rainbow Johnson's mixed-race childhood in the '80s gets the sitcom treatment—well-intentioned but not exactly must-watch TV.

76%

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Screenwise Verdict

Mixed-ish has its heart in the right place, tackling important themes about racial identity and belonging that absolutely deserve airtime. The problem? It's just not that compelling as television.

The show got decent critical reviews (76% on RT) but audiences were lukewarm (59%), and that gap tells you everything. It's educational and well-intentioned but often feels more like a lesson than entertainment. The sitcom format feels tired, and being a prequel to 'black-ish' means it's always living in another show's shadow.

That said, if you're looking for age-appropriate content that opens conversations about race and identity with tweens, it does the job. Just don't expect anyone to be begging for the next episode. It's the kind of show that's fine to have on but not something kids will remember years later.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-14 who are ready to engage with themes of racial identity and can handle depictions of prejudice in a historical context. Older teens will likely find it too juvenile and predictable, while younger kids might not grasp the nuance of the identity struggles being portrayed.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A family sitcom centered on navigating identity and belonging with warmth and humor. Models cooperation and understanding across cultural differences, though some '80s-era stereotypes and prejudice are depicted as part of the historical context. Generally positive family dynamics and age-appropriate emotional content.

Imaginative

The premise of exploring mixed-race identity in the '80s offers a unique lens, but the execution is fairly standard sitcom fare. Doesn't push creative boundaries or invite much active engagement—it's a watch-and-absorb experience rather than something that sparks imagination or creative expression. The '80s setting adds some nostalgic flavor but feels more decorative than transformative.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 10, and content appears to be standard family sitcom territory. Addresses racism and prejudice as themes but in an educational, age-appropriate way without graphic content. No violence, sexual content, or truly disturbing material. Some dated attitudes are shown but clearly framed as wrong. The lower audience score (59% RT) suggests it might miss the mark tonally at times but not due to safety concerns.

Enriching

Tackles meaningful themes around racial identity, cultural assimilation, and belonging that can spark important conversations. The show explicitly addresses prejudice and what it means to navigate multiple cultural identities. However, as a prequel spinoff of 'black-ish,' it can feel derivative and lacks the sharp writing of its parent show. Educational value is present but wrapped in fairly conventional sitcom packaging.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Addresses racial identity and belonging in ways that open up important family conversations about difference and acceptance
Shows what it was like to be biracial in the 1980s, giving kids historical context about how attitudes have (and haven't) changed
Positive family dynamics and age-appropriate handling of serious topics like prejudice and cultural identity
If your family loved 'black-ish,' this backstory might add depth to Rainbow's character

⚠

What to Watch For

The show depicts period-accurate racism and microaggressions—handled appropriately but worth discussing with younger viewers
That 59% audience score tells a story: critics liked it more than regular viewers, suggesting it might feel preachy or miss the comedic mark
It's a prequel spinoff that got canceled after two seasons, so don't expect narrative closure
Some jokes and sitcom tropes feel pretty stale by 2025 standards

Conversation Starters

"Rainbow's family had to decide whether to fit in or stand out. Have you ever felt like you had to choose between being yourself and fitting in?"
"The show is set in the '80s when attitudes about race were different. What do you think has changed since then? What's still the same?"
"Rainbow's parents have different approaches to dealing with prejudice. Which approach do you think works better, and why?"
"How do you think it would feel to be the only family that looks like yours in your whole neighborhood or school?"

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