The Life and Times of Tim - TV-MA

Lackluster animated series isn't meant for kids.

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details

TV Rating: TV-MA
Network: HBO
Cast: Nick Kroll, Steve Dildarian, Maryjane Otto
Genre: Comedy

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this mature pay-cable series, though animated, isn't intended for kids. There's lots of strong sexual innuendo (one character is a working prostitute), as well as references to various sex acts and animated nudity (bare buttocks) and lots of bad language ("f--k," "s--t"). Characters also drink, get drunk, and smoke cigarettes; there are occasional references to hitting or slapping women; and occasionally a weapon is brandished.

Families can talk about the show's envelope-pushing humor. Do strong language and/or stereotypes make movies and TV shows funny (or funnier)? Does anything in this show shock you, as well as make you laugh? Why? Are stereotypes ever appropriate? What if they're being used for humor or to make a more serious point? Families can also talk about animated shows. Why are cartoons, which historically have been for young and/or general audiences, increasingly being geared toward older viewers? Why do you think producers would choose to make an animated show over a live-action one?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Tim makes a lot of silly and often bad choices on a day-to-day basis. Lots of stereotypes about Latinos and other ethnic groups. The animated characters are primarily Caucasian.

Consumerism:

UPS logo visible. Also includes references to Bloomingdale's, Oprah, The View, and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Visible consumption of alcohol (beer, wine, mixed drinks) and cigarettes. Some characters occasionally get drunk. Potential for drug references.

Violence

Occasional references to slapping or hitting women. Knives and other weapons are occasionally visible.

Sex

Tim solicits and then befriends a prostitute. Lots of strong sexual innuendo, including references to oral sex and other sexual acts. Also includes references to homosexuality. Occasional animated nudity (bare buttocks). One episode refers to the acronym NAMBLA (the name of a male pedophile organization).

Language

Nothing is bleeped; audible language includes everything from "bitch," "ass," and "whore" to "s--t" and "f--k."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Melissa Camacho

Tim (voiced by Steve Dildarian) is an average New York City guy who lives with his girlfriend Amy (Maryjane Otto) and hangs out with his friend Stu (Nick Kroll). But his life is full of strange, often awkward challenges -- especially when he meets Debbie (Bob Morrow), a prostitute who happens to work on his street. Tim's job at Omnicorp gets a little strange too, thanks to co-workers like Rodney (Matt Johnson) and The Boss (Peter Giles). And while Tim always means well, he has a way of "fixing" tricky situations with bad -- and often offensive -- solutions.

Is it any good?

Because this animated sitcom focuses on weird scandals and ridiculous solutions to Tim's problems, there's no real message driving its humor. Although some episodes appear to be pointing toward some kind of meaning, they never really seem to get there. As a result, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM fails to offer any real substance. Even the moments that are mildly funny are overshadowed by content like gratuitous swearing, strong sexual innuendo, racial stereotyping, and references to pedophilia and violence against women. Some adults may like this sort of thing, but it's definitely not for kids.