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In Living Color

(Rated TV-14, Variety show, Starring Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Where to watch: BET, Syndicated, DVD)

  • 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 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Razor-sharp '90s humor has too much bite for kids.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Jokes target just about every social group, including homosexuals, Caucasians, African Americans, and the disabled. "Role models" include a clown who's an ex-con, a senior citizen who does tricks with a dead dog, and a safety-obssessed fire marshall who always seems to blow things up.

  • Violence:

    Incidents are rare but tend toward the outrageous. One recurring character, for example, likes to hit others in the head with a sock full of rocks.

  • Sex:

    Pimps and prostitutes appear in certain sketches, and jokes are rife with sexual innuendo. Puns include the use of sexually suggestive terms like "lesbian," "transsexual," "whore," and "syphilis."

  • Language:

    Mild curse words like "damn" and "hell" are left in, while "ho" and "ass" are bleeped out. Terms that deal directly with race include "honky" and "negro."

  • Consumerism:

    Sketches occasionally parody recognizable products. Celebrities and materialism are routinely mocked.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters are sometimes shown drinking and smoking. Drugs like crack and marijuana are mentioned occasionally for comic effect.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About In Living Color

Parents need to know that the humor in this groundbreaking sketch series is edgy and smart and was in many ways ahead of its time when it debuted in the early 1990s -- but today's teens (and younger children, especially) probably won't appreciate it from that perspective. They're more likely to latch on to the outrageousness of the show's characters and memorable catch phrases like "I'm gon' rock yo world," "Homey don't play that!" and "Mo' money, mo' money, mo' money!" Another downside? Kids could inadvertently add words like "honky" and "breasteses" to their budding vocabularies.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the fine line between being funny and being offensive. When it comes to making a joke, why are some stereotypes fair game while others are considered taboo? Does making light of racism and ethnic stereotypes make it easier for people to discuss their differences or merely reinforce longstanding prejudices? Would an all-black audience view this show any differently than a more general audience would? Why or why not? And how does the show compare to similar series like Saturday Night Live and MADtv?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    quagmire
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Best Sketch Show Ever!

    I Watch the MyNetworkTV Versions of These and They Are Really Funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Has useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Kamina-kun
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I love this show!

    This show is hilarious. Yes there is some bad content like Homey The Clown being an ex-con and Men On Film's anti-gay humor. Also the Fly Girls have sexy outfits, and there are words like "honky" or "breasteses" that young kids shouldn't hear. However, this show has bite. I mean, it made Jim Carrey and Jennifer Lopez famous! And it's by the Wayans family, so it's funny!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Has useful details | Read my mind
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