Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this animated series (part of the Cartoon Network's late-night Adult Swim line up) is for very mature teens and adults only. The main character is a naked butt with a drinking problem who, as a renegade detective, shoots his gun with abandon. Scenes include naked adults groping, with visible breast-fondling. Viewers also hear an explicit sex scene and see it in shadows. Blood flows freely, though in animated form, and dark subject matter -- like the murder of a prostitute -- is the subject of the comedy. Crass language is frequent.
Families can discuss comedy. What makes a cartoon funny? Is this show funny? Why or why not? What boundaries is it pushing? How would the show be different if it wasn't animated? What other TV shows does it remind you of? What characteristics do most Adult Swim cartoons have in common? Why do you think that is?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci
It's not surprising that the crudely comic animated series ASSY MCGEE airs as part of the Cartoon Network's late-night Adult Swim programming bloc. The title character is, literally, a butt. This butt wears a handgun strapped to his legs, as well as socks and shoes -- but he has no torso or head. His slurred voice (along with frequent gas) emanates from his butt crack.
Assy (voiced by Larry Murphy, who takes care of the rest of the characters as well) is a hard-boiled cop with a drinking problem and a weakness for the massage parlor. Despite his propensity for shooting off his gun without warning at anyone who gets in his way -- criminal, cop, or even his partner, Detective Sanchez -- Assy's hunches pay off in the end, which keeps him on the police force.
Episodes are only a few minutes long, but they're packed full of every violent, crass, cynical element you can think of. For example, one episode follows Assy's investigation of a murdered hooker. Viewers meet the city's corrupt mayor and the ragged-faced chief of police, and a flashback scene features President John Adams and his "favorite whore" cavorting naked under a bridge. Next thing you know, Adams has unwittingly killed the woman, setting up the present-day storyline.
Obviously, this isn't kid-friendly material. Some older teens will enjoy the juxtaposition of animation with the dark, crass material, and there are some funny moments thanks to the clever writing and the just plain strangeness of watching a talking butt walk around. Nevertheless, parents may prefer that even mature teens avoid the show due to its sexual content, especially the parts that potentially demean women.
Fans might enjoy other off-kilter Adult Swim shows like Robot Chicken and Minoriteam. Younger viewers can stick to The Simpsons.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentAnimated, jokey groping scene between naked adults. Breast-fondling visible. Sounds of and shadowed views of a sexual act. The main character is a naked butt. Prostitutes feature prominently in the show. |
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ViolenceFrequent gunfire with blood spraying or pooling -- in an exaggerated, comic (and animated) manner. |
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Language"Ass", obviously, as well as plenty of other expletives. Harsher curse words, like "f--k," are bleeped but obvious. |
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Social BehaviorNothing redeeming here, though it's completely tongue-in-cheek. Lots of toilet humor (no surprise there), and poor treatment of female characters. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe main character seems constantly drunk and often has beer bottles around him. He also mentions needing "a stiff drink." |
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