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Chappelle's Show

(Rated TV-MA, Comedy, Starring Dave Chappelle, Charles Q. Murphy, Paul Mooney, Where to watch: Comedy Central, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Edgy, brilliant comedy that's best for adults.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Racism, sexism, alcoholism, affluenza, ignorance -- no stone is left unturned in the name of comedy. The intent is to mock society's foibles, but some of the messages may be too subtle for younger viewers to catch.

  • Violence:

    Chappelle's biting commentary cuts like a serrated knife, and some sketches feature faux murders and gun shots.

  • Sex:

    Some sketches feature scantily clad women (often as strippers and prostitutes). Plenty of sex talk to go around. Skits have mocked sexual fetishes, and one character talks a lot about swapping sexual favors for drugs.

  • Language:

    No holds barred. "Damn," "d--k," "bitch," etc., plus rampant bleeping that barely masks words like "motherf___er." Plenty of derogatory racial terms as well (the n-word makes frequent appearances), though they're often used to draw laughs.

  • Consumerism:

    Some, but nothing too blatant, unless, of course, the situation/sketch warrants it.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Considering one bit features a funny how-to on scoring drugs, vices aren't off-limits. One of Chappelle's recurring characters is a crackhead.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Chappelle's Show

Parents need to know that, above all else, this wildly popular sketch comedy series is uproariously funny. Adults will laugh themselves silly at Chappelle's edgy satire and knowing social commentary, but it's the kind of humor that pushes the proverbial envelope to the absolute. It's only for the fearless, and despite the fact that many teens love the show, it's really not appropriate for most kids.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the issues that Chappelle chooses to satirize. What is the state of race relations in this country? What are the stereotypes the show chooses to skewer based on? Does the show reinforce or dispel those stereotypes? How? Could another comedian do the same skits and get the same response? Why do issues that are, on the face of it, not very funny, play for such great laughs?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    DisneyFan
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Brilliant

    A wonderful show, but probably not for most kids. We have the shows on DVD and only allow our son to watch select skits. We also discuss why certain things are said and done on the show to make a point, but that these aren't things that you should say in real life.

    This review...

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  2. Adult Reviewer
    Chris LP
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Very Funny show!

    It was originally TV-MA, but changed to a TV-14. Very funny show for persons 13 and older.

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  3. Adult Reviewer
    dylanis21
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    i laughed a lot!!

    i love this show!! chappelle is soooo funny!!! but i wouldn't say it's okay for people under 13.but if your 13 or older.watch!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  4. Adult Reviewer
    poetsnger
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

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    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    linglingrocks218
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    it's not TV-MA

    It's not TV-MA, it's TV-14, i't almost TV-MA, but it barely gets by witha TV-14. i think it can be viewed by 13+.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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