The Neighborhood – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Neighborhood

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2018

68%

WISE Score

A fish-out-of-water sitcom about a relentlessly nice white guy moving next door to a skeptical Black family—wholesome but formulaic.

The Neighborhood

show

TV-PG, 2018

68%

WISE Score

A fish-out-of-water sitcom about a relentlessly nice white guy moving next door to a skeptical Black family—wholesome but formulaic.

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Screenwise Verdict

The Neighborhood is the television equivalent of a beige couch—comfortable, safe, inoffensive, and unlikely to make much of an impression. It tackles race and neighborly relations with good intentions but network-TV caution, resulting in a show that's pleasant enough but never particularly funny or insightful.

The 6.8 IMDb rating and 50 Metacritic score tell the story: this is middle-of-the-road family programming that won't offend anyone but also won't blow anyone away. It's fine for family movie night when you want something completely predictable, but in an era of genuinely great family content on streaming platforms, this CBS sitcom feels like it's from another era (even though it premiered in 2018).

If your tween is into traditional sitcoms or you want something to discuss cross-cultural friendships without any edge, it'll do the job. Just don't expect anyone to be quoting lines at school the next day.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-15 who can appreciate the cultural themes and family dynamics. Younger kids might find it slow; older teens will likely find it corny. Adults can watch without cringing, but it's not appointment television.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A family sitcom that models kindness, community involvement, and cross-cultural understanding through the lens of a white family moving into a predominantly Black neighborhood. The show emphasizes cooperation and neighborly values, with positive role models (particularly Dave, who demonstrates consistent kindness). Mild profanity (occasional 'damn' or 'hell') and casual alcohol references keep it from scoring higher, but the overall tone is emotionally healthy and age-appropriate for tweens and up.

Imaginative

This is a traditional multi-camera sitcom that relies on familiar sitcom formulas and character-driven humor rather than creative world-building or imaginative storytelling. The premise of cultural clash between neighbors has been done many times before. It doesn't invite exploration, creative expression, or particularly original thinking—it's comfort-food television that plays it safe within established genre boundaries.

Safe

According to IMDb parental guide, the series contains no nudity, violence, or frightening scenes. Mild profanity and mild alcohol references (characters occasionally drinking beer) are the only content concerns, both presented in a comedic, non-graphic manner. Rated TV-PG and appropriate for ages 8+. No surprise content that would be inappropriate for family viewing. The show is predictable and safe in the best sense for this category.

Enriching

The show tackles themes of cultural differences, community building, and empathy through a lighthearted lens. It offers some opportunities for discussions about race, neighborhood dynamics, and getting along with people different from you. However, as a broad-audience CBS sitcom, it doesn't go particularly deep—it's more about gentle lessons wrapped in laugh-track humor than meaningful personal growth. The entertainment value is moderate; it's pleasant but not particularly memorable or thought-provoking.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Positive role models who demonstrate kindness, community involvement, and working through differences
Addresses race and cultural dynamics in a family-friendly, accessible way without getting preachy
No violence, nudity, or frightening content—predictably safe for family co-viewing
Shows diverse family dynamics and neighborly relationships in a lighthearted format

⚠

What to Watch For

Mild profanity (occasional 'damn' or 'hell') and casual drinking scenes
Formulaic sitcom humor that may feel dated or unengaging to kids used to streaming content
Stays pretty surface-level on race and culture—don't expect deep conversations to emerge naturally

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever moved somewhere new and felt like the outsider? What was that like?"
"Why do you think Calvin is skeptical of Dave at first? Have you ever misjudged someone before getting to know them?"
"What makes a good neighbor? What would you do if your neighbor was really different from you?"

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