The Brak Show - TV-14
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Cartoon Network Cast: Andy Merrill, C. Martin Croker, George Lowe
Genre: Comedy
Available on: 
DVD
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this bizarre cartoon is meant for teens and adults. Though most of its humor is silly and nonsensical humor, themes surrounding domestic life -- including male-female gender dynamics and parent-child relationships -- might be confusing to younger viewers. The mother and father argue frequently, and the father regularly spouts chauvinistic vitriol, which most older teens will understand to be satirical. References to violence, sex, and alcohol occasionally come into play, but overall this is one of the tamer Adult Swim shows.
Families can talk about what makes something funny. Why isn't the same joke funny to everyone who hears it? What are the different styles of comedy? How is each one defined? Which style does this show fall into? Is its humor similar to or different from other Adult Swim shows? How? Families can also discuss why domestic life is so often mined for laughs. Do you think your family could be turned into a sitcom? When does your family have the most fun together?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci
THE BRAK SHOW -- a spin-off of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast -- is an animated comedy that airs as part of the Cartoon Network's late-night Adult Swim. It's a spoof on traditional domestic sitcoms like I Love Lucy (it even features a Cuban husband).
The titular character (voiced by Andy Merrill) is a young alien boy whose friends include Zorak (C. Martin Croker), a fiendish alien praying mantis. Brak's traditionally styled mother (Marsha Crenshaw and, later, Joanna Daniel) -- who wears an apron and dishwashing gloves but has Brak's alien eyes -- spars frequently with her shrink-ray victim husband (George Lowe). Dad usually sits at the kitchen table reading a newspaper and is generally lazy and incompetent, sometimes making chauvinistic comments to his wife. His dialogue is generally nonsensical and often absurd.
Storylines are generally brief forays into the absurd (each is only 15 minutes long). For example, in one episode, an exasperated Mom leaves Dad for a lecherous alien in order to make him jealous. When Mom and the alien arrive at a far-off planet, she discovers she's been kidnapped and is soon wrapped in a cocoon designed to transform her into the alien's "ideal woman." Brak and Dad rescue Mom and return to their bizarre home life.
Jokes about sex, sexism, and beer -- along with twisted examples of family and friend relationships -- mean that this show isn't for young viewers. Teens with a twisted sense of humor might enjoy it, and most will understand the satirical elements. But parents might want to check in with teens about the less-obvious humor regarding gender dynamics.
Teen and adult fans might also enjoy Space Ghost: Coast to Coast and other Adult Swim shows. Older tweens can stick to The Simpsons.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentThinly veiled sexual themes, such as an alien kidnapping Mom to turn her into his "ideal woman." |
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ViolenceOccasional jokes about death and violence, but they're very cartoonish. Frequent verbal sparring between mother and father. |
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LanguageOnly "hell" and "damn." |
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Social BehaviorThe characters are chauvinistic and irresponsible, but it's obviously satirical. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOccasional references to beer. One character invents a beer hat. |
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