All American
All American is a compelling sports drama series on The CW, drawing inspiration from the real-life journey of NFL player Spencer Paysinger. The show chronicles the experiences of Spencer James, a talented high school football player from the challenging neighborhood of Crenshaw, as he transitions to play for the affluent Beverly Hills High. Through this central narrative, the series intricately explores the contrasts between these two distinct worlds, delving into critical themes such as family dynamics, enduring friendships, racial tensions, class disparities, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. Although American football provides the primary setting, the show's core strength lies in its exploration of the personal triumphs and struggles of a diverse ensemble cast, particularly focusing on the nuanced experiences of Black youth in contemporary America. The series is celebrated for its inclusive storytelling, aiming to represent a wide spectrum of relatable challenges and underscore the significance of community and self-identity, making it particularly resonant for teen and young adult audiences.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series features significant LGBTQ+ representation. Tamia "Coop" Cooper is a main character who is lesbian, with storylines detailing her coming out to her religious family and navigating romantic relationships. The spin-off, "All American: Homecoming," further expands this by introducing Nathaniel, a prominent non-binary character, and also highlights Keisha, who is queer/bisexual. Additionally, the character Marco Galvez is openly gay. The show's creators and actors have openly discussed the importance of this representation.
Tamia "Coop" Cooper (lesbian) faces rejection from her church-going mother in Season 1, Episode 3 ("i") after coming out as gay. Coop's romantic relationship with Patience, also a lesbian, is a recurring plot point, exemplified in Season 1, Episode 5 ("All We Got") where they define their relationship. In the spin-off, "All American: Homecoming," Nathaniel (played by Rhoyle Ivy King) is introduced as The CW's first Black non-binary character, exploring gender identity and expression. Furthermore, the character Marco Galvez is a five-star running back who is openly gay, a fact that becomes a plot point when a college attempts to use his identity for a campaign.
Violence
HighThe series frequently depicts violence, particularly in relation to gang activity in the Crenshaw neighborhood. This includes instances of physical fights, gun violence, and stabbings, some of which are portrayed graphically and result in severe trauma or character deaths. The escalating nature of violence is noted across seasons.
A prominent example is the death of Shawn Scott due to a drive-by shooting in Season 1, which deeply impacts multiple characters. In Season 2, Spencer James, the protagonist, is shot, leading to a prolonged recovery arc that addresses both physical and psychological consequences. The Season 5 finale features Patience being stabbed by a stalker fan, Miko, a graphic event that leaves her traumatized and affects her storyline into Season 6.
Substance Use
HighSubstance use is a significant and recurring concern in "All American." The show explicitly depicts underage drinking, marijuana use, and serious drug addiction, particularly through the ongoing storyline of Olivia Baker. It explores the struggles, consequences, and recovery processes associated with substance abuse.
Olivia Baker's struggle with drug and alcohol addiction is a central and long-running plotline, including scenes of her attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings, experiencing relapses, and battling consistent temptations. Many high school-aged characters are frequently shown consuming alcohol at parties and social gatherings, often in underage contexts. There are also references and depictions of marijuana use among the younger cast members.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe show incorporates numerous romantic storylines and moderate sexual content, including passionate kissing and implied sexual activity. While broadcast television standards prevent explicit depiction, the presence of suggestive themes and discussions about romantic and sexual relationships is consistent throughout the series.
Kissing scenes are frequent among the various romantic pairings in the show. While explicit sex acts are not shown, sexual activity is often implied through suggestive dialogue, characters waking up together in bed, or scenes fading to black after intimate moments. The series includes suggestive attire, particularly involving cheerleaders, and flirtatious interactions among characters, contributing to its TV-14 rating.
Profanity
MediumProfanity is regularly used throughout the series, aligning with its TV-14 rating. While the most explicit words may be censored or less common on broadcast television, a range of mild to strong curse words and strong language are present in character dialogues.
Characters frequently use milder curse words such as "damn," "hell," "bitch," and "ass" in casual conversations, expressions of frustration, or arguments. In more intense or confrontational scenes, especially those involving gang-related tensions or heightened emotional disputes, stronger language is employed to convey anger and urgency.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumWhile not a horror show, "All American" contains intense and emotionally charged content, particularly stemming from the pervasive threat of gang violence and the severe personal struggles of its characters. These situations can generate significant suspense and fear, especially when characters' lives are directly imperiled.
Scenes involving gang rivalries, explicit threats, and actual shootings, such as Shawn Scott's death or Spencer James's injury, create moments of high tension and fright. The constant danger in Spencer's old neighborhood contributes to an ongoing sense of suspense. Patience's storyline in the Season 5 finale, where she is stalked and subsequently stabbed by a fan, introduces a frightening real-world danger and significant suspense for the character.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe series frequently portrays acts of disrespect and rebellion from its teenage and young adult characters towards authority figures, including parents, coaches, and school rules. This manifests as backtalk, defiance, and independent decision-making that often leads to challenging consequences.
Characters like Spencer, Coop, Olivia, and Jordan often challenge their parents' authority and decisions, engage in backtalk, and participate in rebellious behaviors such as defying curfews or making choices without parental approval that lead to difficult situations. In school and sports contexts, characters occasionally express disrespect or defiance towards coaches, teachers, or administrators, especially when they perceive unfairness or feel their perspectives are dismissed.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no indication of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or any supernatural elements within the "All American" series. It is a realistic sports drama focused on contemporary human experiences and societal issues.
The narrative strictly adheres to realistic scenarios, focusing on high school and college life, sports, and social challenges without any supernatural or magical interventions. The show's themes and plot points are grounded in the real world. No symbols, rituals, or character actions associated with occult practices or witchcraft are depicted or referenced throughout the series.
Anti-Christian Themes
Low"All American" does not exhibit overt anti-Christian themes. While there is a storyline involving a character, Coop, whose lesbian identity is not accepted by her church-going mother, this is presented as a personal conflict within the family, not as a condemnation of Christianity itself. The series also includes positive portrayals of faith and community within a church setting.
Coop's mother, who is a church choir director, initially struggles with and disapproves of Coop's lesbianism, leading to a period where Coop is asked to leave home. This specific conflict stems from a particular religious interpretation rather than the show promoting anti-Christian sentiments broadly. The show also features scenes of Coop's mother involved in her church choir, showcasing faith as a part of community life without negative overarching judgment.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
TV-14. This recommendation is based on the show's consistent depiction of mature themes including gang violence, substance abuse, sexual content, and strong language. These topics are often presented with a level of intensity and realism that requires a more mature understanding and can be better processed with parental guidance for viewers aged 14 and older.
Additional Notes
The series' official TV parental rating is TV-14 with content descriptors that include sequences of violence, suggestive dialogue, and crude language. The spin-off, "All American: Homecoming," shares similar thematic elements and age-appropriateness. Parents should be aware that the show delves into complex social issues, including gang violence, drug and alcohol addiction, and racism, which are treated with realism and can be intense. These elements provide potential discussion opportunities for mature teens, but consistent parental guidance is recommended.
Related Reviews
Is All American right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required