Parents' Guide to

Webster

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Endearing '80s sitcom celebrates family, embracing change.

TV ABC Comedy 1983
Webster Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 7+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 7+

Opera Surpise

I watched this show as a kid when nothing better was on. I found it unrealistic and unrelatable to the middle class. The episode that bothered me in particular was Katherine's birthday surprise to Webster by going out of her way to get 6 opera tickets for him and his friends. In real life as an adult I would hope she would get permission from the other kid's parents to take them on a birthday outing. As a child I simply thought it was strange. After the high jinks and misunderstandings of confussing opera tickets with wrestling tickets she takes them to the werstling match instead as kids are not interested in the opera. Problems of the rich must be dissapointing. However, the disturbing part is after they return home Katherine decides to introduce her opera singer friend to the children anyway. It ends with her singing for the children and they miraculously learn to at least appreciate opera singing. In what world would this actually happen? I thought it incredibly narcissistic to force opera on children 7 through 10 years old. A certain maturity goes with the enjoyment, understaning and appreciation of opera. It was Webster's birthday, not hers. The immorality of this situation is on so many levels. The show was riddled with unlikely situations or problems that money would easily fix. So unrelateable.
age 10+

Promote child molestion

I was watching one of the episodes I don’t know the characters name but the old guy made a remark on the show that basically saying that one of the little girls was in his room that night here is the scene: he came in gave the little girl his hat he told the little girl “keep the crese” then he goes In his pocket and gives her money after that a lady that I assume is the mom says “she is not a show girl” then the old guy says “well you weren’t in my room last night!” Then the mom said “what did you say” and he said “nevermind” with me being a person that barely watches the show I took that as him basically saying he sexually assaulted that little girl!

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Emmanuel Lewis is the shining star of this feel-good sitcom that aired for six seasons in the 1980s. The contrast between Webster and his adoptive parents -- for whom parenting isn't an ingrained skill -- accounts for much of the humor, but it's also the source of emotion in this well-loved classic. Webster and the Papadopouloses prove that the definition of family knows no bounds if love is able to grow, and it's a message that still rings true today.

Despite its decidedly vintage look, Webster continues to be relevant entertainment for families. Kids will be amused at Webster's antics and the endearing relationship he enjoys with Katherine and George. With virtually no concerning content to speak of, this classic is one your whole family can enjoy.

TV Details

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