Code Monkeys - TV-14

Vintage video game animation is iffy for teens.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-14
  • Network: G4
  • Cast: Adam De La Pena, Matt Mariska, Andrew Sipes
  • Genre: Comedy
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this mature, video game-centric animated series features characters using marijuana and engaging in other risqué behaviors. There's strong sexual innuendo, including visual references to sadomasochism and partially clothed characters shown in sexually suggestive positions (though there's no actual nudity). Language includes words like "hell" and "p---y" (stronger words are bleeped), as well as racial/ethnic terms and stereotypes (for example, one character is called "Black Steve") and occasional iffy references to religion. While the animation may appeal to younger viewers, the show isn't intended for tweens and is even an iffy choice for teens.

Families can talk about whether cartoons need strong plotlines to be funny. Are crude jokes and references to inappropriate behavior enough to make a show worth watching? Why or why not? Families can also discuss how video games have changed since the 1980s. What are some of the major differences between video games then and now? Do you think the concerns about the impact of video games on kids during that era are the same today? What new issues have come up in more recent years?

Message

Social Behavior:

Lots of crude bathroom humor and racial and ethnic stereotypes. Occasional references to various religions, some of which border on offensive. Frequent references to homosexuality; at least one character is gay. Mr. Larrity's adopted son is Korean, "Black Steve" is African-American, and Mary is the only female programmer.

Consumerism:

The show's theme song is Jonathon Coulton's "Code Monkey." Music from Tinhorn is occasionally featured. Lots of references to popular 1980s video games, including Super Mario Bros.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Lots of alcohol and drug references. Characters are shown drinking and getting high. Alcohol, bongs, marijuana plants, and other drug paraphernalia are visible.

Violence

References to guns, knives, killing, and murder. Mr. Larrity enjoys hunting men for sport. Weapons are occasionally seen, guns are shot, and corpses are dumped, but scenes of bloody carnage are minimal.

Sex

Strong sexual innuendo, including references to masturbation, sexual intercourse, and sadomasochism. Terms like "gun shows" and "joy sticks" are used to describe male genitalia. Sexual behavior is occasionally shown, but it's blurred due to the animation format.

Language

Audible language includes words like "hell" and "p---y" stronger words are bleeped out.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Melissa Camacho

Animated comedy CODE MONKEYS follows the misadventures of Jerry (voiced by Matt Mariska) and Dave (Adam de la Pena), two programmers who work for the fictitious 1980s video game company GameAVision. Along with their eccentric coworkers -- including fellow programmer Mary (Gretchen McNeil), receptionist Clare (Suzanne Keilly), game designer Todd Friedman (Dana Snyder), and other members of the GameAVision team -- they struggle to survive their new boss, Mr. Larrity, a womanizing Texas billionaire with no knowledge of computers, and his rather dimwitted son Dean (both voiced by Andrew Sipes).

Is it any good?

2
The show stands out from other mature animated series in that it's created to actually look like the early arcade-style video games of the '80s. Guided by Jerry and Dave, the gang often embarks on adventures that bear striking similarities to the games of that era, which required players to solve clues, search through mazes, and fight mysterious enemies. But while the series' concept is unique, its thin plotlines offer very little outside of drug references, crude sexual innuendo, and bathroom humor. As a result, the games this crew plays are usually intended to locate things like drugs, alcohol, and other guilty pleasures.

While Code Monkeys does refer to some of the issues surrounding the video game industry in the '80s, the way it presents them isn't particularly thoughtful. It brings up concerns about games' potential negative impact on people -- but these references are usually offered only as a source of dark, often disparaging humor and are usually highlighted by the characters' negative behavior and racially motivated stereotypes that were common during the '80s. The jokes may draw some smiles from those who remember the decade, but it's definitely not for tweens. And despite its TV-14 rating, it makes for some iffy teen viewing, too.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

4

Posted on 07/14/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

good show, but vulgar

when i first watched this show, it was crazy with the cussing. it also has some sex jokes in the show. but i think it's a preety good show.
4

Posted on 06/05/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

Vulgar, if not hilarious show for teens.

Code Monkeys is quite simply a comedy that uses an 80's style of video game art for animation. Don't be fooled by the appearance, this is a VERY iffy and vulgar show, with lots of sexual innuendo, violence, and poor social behavior, including but not limited to somewhat graphic sex scenes, shootings, mass suicide, and having the word Black in every African-American's name (examples include "Black Steve, Blackie Blackerson). The abundance of inside jokes and the style of humor (sex-related) will turn off younger viewers. However, nostalgia will be strong for games who played in the 80's as there are references and parodies of famous video games such as Super Mario Bros. and Doom. I would recommend this show to video game fans too old for SpongeBob yet too young for Gears Of War.
5


Posted on 06/02/08 by brunofish Kid contributor, age 14

oh man!

this show rox, i dont care wat anyone says
Age 17+
0


Posted on 05/23/08 by blondy881 Adult contributor

i lost all my brain cells when i watched it

i hate this show i think it should be cancelled

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

Age 17+
0


Posted on 05/23/08 by blondy881 Adult contributor

i lost all my brain cells when i watched it

i hate this show i think it should be cancelled

Kids Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

4

Posted on 07/14/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

good show, but vulgar

when i first watched this show, it was crazy with the cussing. it also has some sex jokes in the show. but i think it's a preety good show.
4

Posted on 06/05/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

Vulgar, if not hilarious show for teens.

Code Monkeys is quite simply a comedy that uses an 80's style of video game art for animation. Don't be fooled by the appearance, this is a VERY iffy and vulgar show, with lots of sexual innuendo, violence, and poor social behavior, including but not limited to somewhat graphic sex scenes, shootings, mass suicide, and having the word Black in every African-American's name (examples include "Black Steve, Blackie Blackerson). The abundance of inside jokes and the style of humor (sex-related) will turn off younger viewers. However, nostalgia will be strong for games who played in the 80's as there are references and parodies of famous video games such as Super Mario Bros. and Doom. I would recommend this show to video game fans too old for SpongeBob yet too young for Gears Of War.
5


Posted on 06/02/08 by brunofish Kid contributor, age 14

oh man!

this show rox, i dont care wat anyone says
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