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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this animated classic is a little bit of a mixed bag -- and probably not quite as innocent as you remember (but it's still tame enough to earn our "on" rating). Although the iconic sailor promotes eating your veggies, the good stuff comes accompanied by not-so-healthy portions of violence and stereotyping, with side dishes of mild innuendo and smoking.

Families can talk about why Popeye eats so much spinach. Why is it important to eat fruits and vegetables? How do they help make you strong? What are your favorite fruits and veggies? What else goes into a healthy lifestyle? Families can also discuss Popeye and Bluto's rivalry over Olive Oyl. Would you want anyone fighting over you? Why or why not?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Deirdre Sheppard

Thanks to his affinity for spinach and his catchy theme song, Popeye the Sailor Man is a cartoon icon. His eponymous show, POPEYE, follows his quest to win the object of his affection, Olive Oyl, while fending off his bullying rival, Bluto.

Even though Bluto (voiced Jackson Beck) is twice Popeye's size, Popeye (Jack Mercer) can beef up his strength by popping open a can of spinach, so he's always able to win their battles -- and Olive Oyl's (Mae Questel) heart.

Popeye is a classic for a reason, and it's guaranteed to tickle kids' funny bones. But there are a few things today's parents might want to be on the lookout for. Popeye and Bluto's fights can get fairly violent, whether they're using their fists or picking up weapons like saws, axes, and explosives. Popeye has also been hit over the head by a police officer at least once.

Bluto and Popeye's affection for Olive Oyl isn't entirely innocent, either -- they often whistle at her, and they sometimes make some mildly suggestive comments as well. Then there's Popeye's pipe, which he smokes proudly (and sometimes puts spinach in -- which could send confusing signals), and several now-dated stereotypes. The earliest Popeye cartoons date from the '30s, after all, when portrayals of women (like the annoyingly helpless Olive) and people of other ethnicities weren't exactly politically correct.

All of that said, Popeye is still lots of fun. And the old sea-dog does promote eating your veggies (sometimes he and Olive Oyl will even make his nephews eat bowls of spinach instead of hot dogs and ice cream!). And, in the end, the show succeeds in sending the message that Popeye triumphs thanks to his good deeds, rather than any bad habits.

Looking for more shows about healthy eating? The be sure to check out LazyTown. Or, for more classic 'toons, try the Boomerang channel.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Male characters whistle appreciatively at a woman. Popeye and Bluto compete for Olive Oyl's affections.
Violence Fistfights, saws, axes, etc. Bluto uses an oven as an explosive.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Very mixed; Popeye is a good guy, but even though he eats his spinach, he has some bad habits. Bluto is a bully, and Wimpy is constantly trying to mooch. Some now-dated stereotypes.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Popeye smokes a pipe.

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