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The Ren & Stimpy Show

(Rated TV-Y7, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Billy West, John Kricfalusi, Where to watch: Nicktoons, DVD)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Nasty cat-and-dog duo isn't for little kids.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    There's some South Park-esque lampooning of commercialism and narrow-mindedness, but for the most part, the characters just come across as mean. Lots of humor involving bodily functions (which are presented pretty graphically, for a cartoon).
  • Violence:

    Heavy cartoon violence, with more malice than you'll find in most 'toons. When Ren slaps Stimpy (as he does often), the sense of fun found even when Tom is trying to eat Jerry is absent.
  • Sex:

    There's often heavy sexual content for a cartoon that, in theory anyway, is meant for kids. There's also a suggestion of a homosexual relationship between the title characters (particularly in the episodes on DVD).
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some episodes include humor based on the affects of drugs and alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Ren & Stimpy Show

Parents need to know that there have been several incarnations of this show, including some "lost episodes" that were aired in 2003 under the title Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon. Although the original series (which still airs in syndication and is available on DVD) is tamer than that version and was definitely marketed toward grade-schoolers and tweens, between the frequent implications that the main characters are gay and their constant abuse of each other, it's really a much better fit for older tweens and teens. What's more, the show -- which first aired in 1991 -- was ground-breaking in its willingness to disregard social conventions by depicting bodily functions and adding a significant amount of gore to its cartoon violence. The episodes that air on Nicktoons usually offer a somewhat watered-down version, but they still aren't meant for kids.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the trends that this series started (or at least heralded), contributing to the current media landscape in which there are far fewer limits than there used to be. Was the show's influence good (South Park) or bad (arguably, South Park), and what affect has it had on the rest of society? Is society different because we've grown used to watching animated creatures defecate on TV?
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See all 16 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    I love this show!!

    This show rockz. It is so funny!! They are like sooooooooo gay!! In one episode stimpy takes of his fur and gets naked and says "Oh Reeeeeeeeen." Then they both get naked and go in a lake together. They totally dig each other. LOL!!

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 10
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    humiliating!

    Ren & Stimpy is not bad and they are not gay!

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    This is a really funny show.

    Ren and Stimpy is awesome, and is a great show. But watch out when you let some children watch this. It's rated TV-Y7 for kids age 7 and above. This show is violent and homosexual related stuff. Know your kids. I would put a 7+ iffy stuff or not age appropriate. The tv ratings are always right. Well the creator got fired, so probably 10+.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Stupid, but funny

    11+

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in Vermont
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Nickelodeons second greatest cartoon

    I didn't grow up with this, because Nickelodeon didn't air it here in my country. Don't know why, and problary won't find out why either. Anyway, when I first found it at the age of 13, I said to myself: "Shouldn't there be limits of sexual jokes, death or violence in a kids cartoon". They said 'Hi, kids' at the end of each episode after all, and I don't mean it in a ironic way which a lot of adults shows does, like The Simpsons and Drawn Together. But later, I found out that the first season of RaS were given a 12+ rating. And I fully understand why too. This is not for kids in my opinion, but is fantastick for 13+. Recommended.

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