Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Rescue Me is an unflinching look at the lives of firefighters. These rough-and-tumble men -- and the occasional woman -- put their lives on the line when they go to work, and their language is as rough as the situations they face. When they're not fighting fires, they're usually crass, sometimes violent, often drunk, and always looking for either sex or love, though not always at the same time. In short, they're very human, very flawed, and very real.

Sexual Content

Plenty of sex, talking about sex, and arguments between sexual partners. Some pretty graphic sexual scenes in many episodes (but not all), including partial nudity. Characters have affairs.

Violence

The firefighters are frequently in danger on the job and sometimes engage in pretty realistic fights off the job.

Language

Extremely foul. Just about every bad word imaginable, and a few creative new ones.

Social Behavior

Characters appreciate loyalty, friendship, teamwork, and other positive values, but they also behave in ways that are iffy at best -- drinking too much, cheating on significant others, etc. The show respects the dangers that firefighters face on a daily basis.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Tommy is a struggling alcoholic, and it's not pretty when he falls off the wagon. Several other characters also drink heavily, and some take drugs. This show doesn't shy away from portraying both the fun times and the ugly lows that come from both. Many characters smoke cigarettes.