Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action! is a 2001 animated adventure about teen undercover agents based on the likenesses of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who provide the characters' voices. The show does an excellent job presenting strong female role models in the two heroines, who are independent, intelligent, and self-confident, and dialogue often includes words of wisdom such as "Hard work is its own reward" and "Beauty is on the inside." Negative qualities such as power lust and greed are evident in villains to mark them as the bad guys, but they're not an intimidating bunch. Happily this show also incorporates some learning potential in its far-flung geographical settings and in how the gumshoes use basic math and science knowledge to make sense of some of the clues.

Sexual Content

Violence

Some spats with hitting and other contact, but no injuries. Kidnappings are common.

Language

Social Behavior

Strong female characters rely on their smarts to solve problems and mysteries. The stories incorporate positive messages about body image ("Looks aren't everything, you know" and "Beauty is on the inside"), work ethic ("Hard work is its own reward"), and healthy friendships. Villains are motivated by greed and power, but it always proves to be their undoing. Even though they're very capable on their own, Mary-Kate and Ashley understand that teamwork is essential to their success. That said, there's the obvious departure from reality in the idea that two teen girls could traipse around the world solving mysteries unsupervised.

Consumerism

The show introduces Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to kids who otherwise might not have known them, and the opening and closing sequences show the girls themselves rather than their animated images.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable