Heathcliff and Marmaduke - TV-G

Slapstick animal toons are fine, if not inspiring.

TV Rating: TV-G Network: Boomerang Cast: Mel Blanc, Paul Winchell, Frank Welker Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that these '80s cartoons, while mild in many ways, aren't nearly as politically correct as those made today. All the heroes are male, and female characters (and sometimes even minorities) tend to appear in stereotypical guises and minor roles. Some slapstick cartoon violence as well -- which is sometimes used to resolve conflicts.

Families can talk about why TV producers would want to make cartoons based on characters in newspaper comic strips. Do you think that would make kids more likely to watch them? Why or why not? Can you think of any characters from other media that have become cartoons today?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: KJ Dell'Antonia

HEATHCLIFF AND MARMADUKE ran for only a single season on ABC, although Heathcliff appeared with other characters -- including Dingbat and the Catillac Cats -- in other cartoons both before and after this iteration. Here, the Garfield-esque orange tabby defends himself easily from neighborhood bully Spike using his greater strength and craftiness. Meanwhile, Marmaduke's predicaments are the result of a combination of good intentions, great size, and native clumsiness (and very little guile).

The one thing that makes this show different -- and even a little refreshing -- is that none of the characters are actually out to eat or deceive one another. It's impossible to find any real malice even in Spike, who doesn't want to hurt Heathcliff, but rather prove himself the stronger to his friends. Kids might even relate to the situation and envy Heathcliff his easy solution. That said, the plots aren't original, and the animation is nothing special. Overall, Heathcliff and Marmaduke is fine, if not particularly inspiring, viewing.

If your kids are new to classic cartoons, it's always fun to have them see the originals:Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry before they start getting into the seemingly endless knock-offs. If not, and if the Marmaduke's gentle pratfalls make your kids giggle, try Magilla Gorilla.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Very mild cartoon violence. No weapons -- cats and dogs fight within a spinning cloud of dust, striking one another, etc.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior In the Marmaduke cartoons, the mayhem invariably results not from bad intentions but from the dog's size and clumsiness. Though Heathcliff responds to neighborhood bullies with violence, he never starts it and insists he would prefer to be friends. Some dated gender roles -- the heroes are always the male characters.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco