Television Reviews -
The Sarah Silverman Program: Navigation

• CSM Reviews <--
• Adult Reviews
• Kid Reviews

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this adult-oriented comedy series revolves around the fictionalized life of a controversial comedienne. She jokes about race, sexuality, disability, religion, sex, excrement, and more -- nothing is off limits. Episodes include scenes of implied masturbation, pooping in public, driving while intoxicated, and one particularly unsettling scene of Silverman having sex with "Black God."

Families can discuss cultural taboos. What subjects are off limits to comedians? Who's responsible for deciding when "the line" is crossed? Are certain topics always going to be "forbidden," or do things change over time? What's the purpose of politically or socially oriented humor? What happens when you hear a joke about something that makes you uncomfortable? Do you think Silverman is taking things too far? Are her jokes simply for shock value, or do they have something important to say?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

In THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM, the controversial comedienne plays a fictionalized version of herself who lives in Los Angeles, scrounges money from her sister, and hangs out with her gay neighbors. Just as Curb Your Enthusiasm exaggerates the real life of star Larry David, Silverman also liberally embroiders the truth, engineering exploits in which Silverman's biting, outrageous, and often disturbing humor can shine.

Silverman is a skilled comic actress and an intelligent social critic, but her humor is known for its political incorrectness and lack of taboos. She frequently jokes about race, disability, religion, sex, and poop; in her stand-up routines, she even takes on previously untouchable subjects like 9/11, Martin Luther King, Jr., and rape.

Silverman's trademark persona is self-absorbed and cutesy. She often speaks in a sing-songy voice, with her sweet demeanor highlighting the depravity of her jokes. Sometimes she even breaks into song, mocking the earnestness of musical ballads and MTV videos.

Silverman's commentary on race is especially incisive -- and often disconcerting in its ability to point out social problems. For example, at the end of one wild episode in which Silverman crashes her car into a playground after drinking cough medicine and later winds up in jail, she talks about the lessons she's learned, including: "Elderly black women are wise beyond their years, but younger black women are prostitutes."

Like Dave Chappelle's smart and edgy brand of comedy, Silverman's material can very easily be taken the wrong way. Young folks attracted to her scatological humor may not understand that she's joking when she says, "Whether you're gay, bisexual, it doesn't matter, because at the end of the day, they're both gross." Parents may want to preview the show before allowing even mature teens to watch.

Mature fans might also like Mr. Show, Chappelle's Show, and The Aristocrats, in which Silverman makes a memorable appearance. Younger folks might enjoy Silverman in the film School of Rock.

Rate It!

Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Crude sexual humor and jokes about genitals. Implied masturbation and brief shots of a porno mag. Faux sex scene between Silverman and "Black God."
Violence Comic violence, like kneeing someone in the groin, knocking over a store display in a threatening manner, or tripping someone.
Language Steady stream of mild expletives like "dick," "crap," "ass," and "bitch," along with slang like "titties." Rare stronger language is bleeped.
Message
	Social Behavior Silverman's character is unapologetically self-absorbed, racist, homophobic, ignorant, and even criminally dangerous -- but the humor is largely intended to illuminate sociocultural issues.
	Commercialism TiVo is mentioned, and Sarah drives a Ford.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco No central drug or alcohol use, but one episode features Silverman unintentionally getting drunk on cough syrup.

Rate It Now

OR