Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this quirky sitcom from the creator of My Name Is Earl deals with single fatherhood (resulting from unprotected sex), exploring them within the context of family bonds and learning life lessons. Some of the humor is based on stereotypes about lower-income families, and there's a fair bit of sexual innuendo (as well as shots of characters in their underwear or partially naked -- though no sensitive body parts are shown) and cigarette smoking. References are also made to murder and capital punishment; fantasy violence is also visible. Despite all of this, the series ultimately sends positive messages about both parenthood and family.
Sexual
Content
Some strong sexual innuendo. Hope was a result of unprotected sex (not shown). People are shown in their underwear. The terms "weiner" and "balls" are used to refer to male genitals. Maw-Maw sometimes wanders around topless (shown from the back).
Violence
Hope's mom was a murderer and was executed for her crimes (an electric chair is visible in the first episode); Maw-Maw often attempts to kill family members (but she's never successful). People are occasionally hit with things like TV sets, but no injuries are visible. Baby Hope is sometimes seen flying through the air and/or involved in other mishaps, but she's unharmed.
Language
Words like "pissed," "ass," and "bitch" are frequent.
Social
Behavior
Despite the fact that it sometimes relies on blue-collar stereotypes for laughs and issues like teen parenthood and dementia for humor, the series ultimately offers positive messages about the importance of fatherhood, family, friendship, and commitment.
Consumerism
Occasional notable placement of books like David Sedaris' Naked and other products.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Early episodes feature members of the Chance family (especially Virginia) smoking, but they're pressured to quit for Hope's health. Beer and other drinks are occasionally consumed; Hope sometimes drinks milk/juice from containers usually reserved for alcohol. Giving Maw-Maw her medication is often a challenge.