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Chocolate News

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring David Alan Grier, Rene Cadet, Chase Kim, Where to watch: Comedy Central, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fake news show tackles real racial issues.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The series offers social commentary about urban popular culture and race relations in America from a pointedly African-American point of view. Many of the skits incorporate racial/ethnic stereotypes and other generalizations in their attempt to make broader points about society.

  • Violence:

    Lots of references to gang violence. Skits include people being punched, slapped, kicked, etc. Street thugs are shown brandishing guns and other weapons. Some skits show people getting hit by cars and thrown out of windows. Most of these images appear fake -- and it's all played for laughs -- but some of them are still disturbing.

  • Sex:

    Some strong sexual innuendo, including references like "pop that cherry." One rap video spoof features close ups of dancing women lifting their skirts, wearing thongs and shaking their buttocks (sometimes in front of young children). References to genital herpes.

  • Language:

    Audible language includes "goddamn," "bitch," and "ass." Stronger words -- "f--k," "c--k," "dick," "p---y" -- are used fairly frequently but bleeped. The "N" word is usually bleeped, but it's occasionally audible when it's being used to make a specific point about its use.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Frequent references to drug dealing (particularly crack), drug addiction, and alcohol consumption. Popping champagne bottles are featured in a music video sketch.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Chocolate News

Parents need to know that this edgy newsmagazine parody offers frank, pointed social commentary about African-American urban popular culture. The show's mock news stories and comedy sketches are full of strong language (including the occasional unbleeped use of the "N" word), racial stereotyping, sexual innuendo (including images of women wearing thongs and shaking their butts), and references to gang violence, drug trafficking, and other illegal behavior. It's best reserved for mature teens and adults who can connect this kind of humor with the show's intended social statements.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about some of the issues in play here. Do shows like this one reinforce or dispel stereotypes about African Americans and other racial/ethnic groups in America? What audience do you think Grier is primarily trying to reach? Families can also discuss social commentary in general. When do stereotypes go from being part of a social critique to just offensive? Do you think using stereotypes makes it easier for people to talk about complex, loaded subjects?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    9001
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    If it's on Comedy Central, it's not for kids.

    I haven't seen this show, but I can tell you if it's on comedy central it's not for kids.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    MONIE2
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    good for kids

    i love it because it is good for kids.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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