Mr. Show - TV-MA

Edgy, goofy sketch comedy with mature themes.

TV Rating: TV-MA Network: Comedy Central, HBO, TBS Cast: David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, John Ennis Genre: Comedy
Available on: DVD

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this cable sketch comedy show includes uncensored profanity, some sexual elements, and mock violence (though the language has been bleeped/cleaned up for syndicated airings). Some skits show couples in bed and brief shots of women in their underwear, and jokes cover everything from hiring prostitutes to hitting on women in bars and women being "frigid" -- but they mainly poke fun at the male characters, and the jokes aren't at the expense of the women. Mock-violent scenes include a riot at a protest where a police officer is hit on the head and pulls his gun and points it at attackers. In another skit, a news reporter acts as a sniper and shoots at people from a rooftop.

Families can discuss the things the show makes fun of. Why are they targets for spoofs and parody? What do you think of TV news? Is there anything funny about it in your experience? What cultural issues or trends do you think deserve being made fun of? What's the purpose of politically or socially oriented humor? What happens when you hear a joke about something that makes you uncomfortable?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

MR. SHOW is an edgy sketch comedy series that originally aired on HBO in the mid-'90s (it now runs in syndication and is available on DVD). Comedians Bob Odenkirk and David Cross star in the show, abetted by a rotating cast that includes the likes of Sarah Silverman and Jack Black. Skits poke fun at targets like TV news, Ugly American college kids, and political protesters (though the comedy generally stays away from specific political themes).

Mr. Show is generally considered to be one of the better sketch comedy series in the genre's history. Fans know that it's also fairly intellectual; skits cover topics as wide-ranging as Anne Frank's house and anti-communist propaganda films of the 1950s. The show's absurd, funny take on American culture offers insightful commentary on shared values, trends, and popular culture.

For example, one skit parodies the fierce competition between TV news channels. A news commentator fans a small outdoor fire before announcing that he's first on the scene of a forest fire. Moments later, another newscaster shoots him, steps in front of the camera, and announces that she's first on the scene where a news reporter has just been shot.

Because the show contains a good deal of profanity, as well as occasional sexual innuendo and mock violence, parents may want to keep younger viewers away. But most teens will understand that the sexual and violent elements are part of the larger parody. For instance, in one skit, Bob and David play protesters who chant and wave signs whenever they want something -- and they always get what they want. At one point, they pick up prostitutes by waving signs that say, "We want sex!" There's nothing actually sexual about the scene; it's just an example of what these two can acquire by staging protests.

Fans might also enjoy Monty Python's Flying Circus, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, and Saturday Night Live.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Scenes of men and women in bed allude to sex but aren't directly sexual. Brief shots of women in underwear (also generally not sexual). Jokes involving prostitution, the idea of "frigidity," etc.
Violence Mock comic violence, like a news reporter shooting another for a scoop. No blood.
Language Explicit and frequent, but not excessive. Words like "f--k," "s--t," "donkey d--k," etc.
Message
	Social Behavior Targets are generally mainstream folks. No jokes about people of color, etc.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Occasional jokes with drug or alcohol references, such as mention of a secret room for bongs.