Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this sitcom's office setting provides the fodder for much of its mostly tasteful humor. Most storylines are harmless in nature, ranging from an anchorman's addiction to age-unknown sandwiches in the building's snack machine to a new complaint box that handles more than its share of employee gripes. Ongoing elements include office romances and sibling-like rivalry between co-workers. Overall, the show's ability to make interpersonal relationships so funny while sticking to largely non-controversial subject matter makes it a rare find.

Sexual Content

Flirting and sexual innuendoes accompany workplace romances. Characters occasionally have sex (all off-screen) in the office. Beth consistently wears short, skimpy outfits; Joe likes to comment on them (and other things, including Catherine's figure -- he can be a bit of a lech).

Violence

Pratfalls and physical comedy, all in the name of humor.

Language

Words like "damn," "hell," and "sucks" are used intermittently.

Social Behavior

The group has mostly respectful working relationships despite very different personalities. Two out of three regular female characters are strong and ambitious and admired by their co-workers. The characters often play jokes on each other, almost always in good fun. Some characters (like Matthew) are consistently made fun of, and the characters can be petty at times -- all for laughs, of course.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Drinking is alluded to but rarely shown (although characters have been drunk on screen in some episodes). One of the main characters smokes regularly, but rarely onscreen.