The Hollow Men

Review

Common Sense Media says

Python wannabes' skits center on bawdy humor.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this ribald sketch comedy show includes lots of sexually oriented humor, much of it designed to be "offensively" funny. Expect explicit references to infidelity, masturbation, and sexual acts, including homosexual oral sex. Scenes include a man with a covered-but-obvious erection, as well as a man wearing underwear with garter belts. Characters drink beer, play poker, visit strip clubs, and act irresponsibly ... all in the name of comedy. Language includes plenty of body-part slang ("pecker," "balls," etc.).

  • Positive messages0
    Skits include characters of all types -- good, bad, and in-between -- though most are generally benign. The cast members themselves are exclusively Caucasian. Lots of gay-centric humor, though it's not homophobic. Other groups are also mocked, but all in the name of comedy.
  • Violence0
    Some slapstick/pratfall humor.
  • Sex3
    The majority of the show's jokes/skits have sexual themes and include sexual slang/language ("balls," "peckers," "spunk," "whores," etc.) and refer to sexual acts (including oral sex). But sex is talked about, not shown. The guys, like many sketch comedians before them, frequently dress in drag to play women, and sometimes the "women" kiss their fellow comedians to get laughs. Partially dressed men are shown; one skit includes a character with a covered (but obvious) erection.
  • Language3
    Lots of sexual language ("spunk," "prick," "screw," etc.). Occasional "ass."
  • Consumerism0
    Jokes about marketing, consumerism.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Beer frequently appears in skits; wine and hard liquor make appearances as well.
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What's the story?

THE HOLLOW MEN are four British guys who write and perform smart skits with decidedly bawdy themes, playing all the roles themselves -- including the female ones (they cheerfully don drag).

Is it any good?

 

If the show's concept sounds familiar, it should: Fans of Monty Python and The Kids in the Hall are very well acquainted with just this sort of thing. But even though The Hollow Men aren't breaking new ground, they're still witty and -- for fans of intentionally vulgar humor -- lots of fun to watch. Skits vary from simply silly and juvenile -- like one that shows all sorts of people drinking a soda that causes them to say "monkey spunk" -- to slightly more complex ones that comment on social issues like homophobia and consumerism (like a skit about marketing a Spam-like product to gay men).

Due to its mature concepts and sexually themed material, The Hollow Men isn't a good fit for younger viewers. Even parents of teens may want to preview some episodes to decide whether the show's style of humor is appropriate for their family -- though chances are there isn't too much here that most teens haven't already seen.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about comedy. Aside from the accents, what makes non-American comedy different from that performed by U.S. comics? Do you think these differences make one group better than the other? How can you tell if comedy is good? What's the difference between intellectual humor and gross-out humor, and do you see them intersect sometimes? What do The Hollow Men have in common with other comedy troupes like Monty Python and The Kids in the Hall?

This review was written by Sierra Filucci

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Sierra Filucci
TV rating:TV-14
Network:Comedy Central
Cast:David Armond, Nick Tanner, Sam Spedding
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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