TV-PG, 1981
WISE Score
A classic 80s P.I. bromance that swaps gritty violence for San Diego sunshine and brotherly bickering.
Simon & Simon is the TV equivalent of a comfortable old sweater. It's a relic of a time when 'detective show' meant two guys in a cool car solving a case by the end of the hour without any season-long trauma arcs.
For a modern kid, the main hurdle isn't the content—it's the clock. The show takes its time getting where it’s going. But if you have a kid who enjoys retro vibes or wants a 'grown-up' show that won't give them nightmares, this is a solid, sunny choice.
Best for ages 10 and up. Younger kids might be bored by the dialogue-heavy investigations, but there's nothing here that's truly 'too mature' for a middle-schooler.
The core of the show is a solid, supportive relationship between two brothers who genuinely like each other despite their differences. It models conflict resolution and loyalty without the cynicism found in modern procedurals.
It's a standard private investigator formula. While the 'Odd Couple' dynamic is fun, it doesn't break new ground or invite deep creative exploration.
Very safe for an 80s crime drama. Violence is mostly limited to staged fistfights and car chases with minimal blood. It lacks the dark, psychological grit of 21st-century detective shows.
Offers some light deductive reasoning and moral lessons about doing the right thing, but it's primarily designed as easy-watching entertainment.
While Miami Vice was all neon and cynicism, Simon & Simon stayed firmly in the camp of 'Light Entertainment.' It arrived during the golden age of the TV private eye, but it survived on the strength of its leads rather than its puzzles. A.J. (the straight-laced one) and Rick (the Vietnam vet in a pickup) provided a blueprint for the 'buddy cop' dynamic that we still see in shows today.
The show avoids the 'mean-spirited' trap. Even the villains feel like they belong in a slightly heightened reality. For parents, it's a nostalgia trip that actually feels safe to share. There's a distinct lack of the 'body-of-the-week' gore that defines the CSI era. Instead, you get San Diego harbors, classic powerboats, and a lot of banter.
Let's be real: your kids might find this incredibly slow. In 1981, we had the patience for a three-minute scene of a guy tailing a car. In 2026, that feels like an eternity. If you're going to introduce this, do it as a 'background' show—something to have on while doing a puzzle or hanging out. It’s not 'must-watch' prestige TV, but as a piece of cultural history, it's a charming look at how we used to define 'cool.'
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