Television Review: Living Lohan
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that although Lindsay Lohan doesn't
appear in this reality show about her family -- which instead
focuses on matriarch/stage mother Dina Lohan -- much of the
conversation revolves around her and how her fame impacts the
family's life, and young fans may well be interested in
watching. Dina's dual role as a loving mom and determined
career manager results in some uncomfortable and sometimes
troubling messages about what's most important in a child's
life. Some of the tabloid references include strong sexual
innuendo and touch on other mature topics; watch for references
about Lindsay's battle with drugs and alcohol and the Lohan
kids' tenuous relationship with their estranged father.
Families can talk about what it would be like to have a famous
sibling or parent. What are some of the perks a family can
enjoy as a result of one member's fame? Are there drawbacks?
How much does media coverage of a famous person impact the rest
of their family? Should the media ever target a famous person's
relatives? Families can also discuss reality television. Why do
families agree to appear on reality shows? Do you think they
act the same way in front of the camera as they do when the
crews aren't there?
LIVING LOHAN follows the family of troubled starlet Lindsay Lohan , centering on her infamous mother/manager, Dina Lohan, as she raises two of her other children -- 14-year-old daughter Ali and 11-year-old son Cody -- while simultaneously managing her daughters' careers. From coping with relentless tabloids to dealing with the day-to-day challenges of raising a family as a single parent, Dina demonstrates how she offers her kids an ostensibly normal upbringing while also helping them determine what's best for their artistic development.
Not surprisingly, while Lindsay Lohan doesn't appear in the series, she's still a major part of it. Pictures of her are prominently featured throughout the Lohans' home, and many conversations revolve around how her celebrity status affects the family. There's also plenty of discussion about how the tabloids exploit Lindsay and her allegedly problematic behavior. While other members of the Lohan clan feature in some of the show's "storylines" -- including the family's close relationship with grandmother Nana and Ali's burgeoning singing career -- almost everything seems to reflect back to some sort of Lindsay-related issue.
The series, which Dina Lohan also executive produces, provides a unique way of simultaneously promoting her daughters' careers and the idea that she's a caring, well-meaning parent. And while it's clear that she is a loving mother, the show sends some mixed messages about parenting by highlighting the time that Dina spends dealing with aggressive tabloid editors, music directors, and entertainment lawyers rather than focusing on addressing her children's personal and emotional well-being. This, combined with some strong sexual innuendo (including references to oral sex), mentions of drug and alcohol abuse (as the topics relate to Lindsay), and other mature issues, makes Living Lohan iffy for tweens and younger teens. But older viewers who enjoy this kind of voyeuristic entertainment may find it interesting.
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