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Strangers with Candy

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, Where to watch: Comedy Central, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    After school-special spoof is an acquired taste.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Jerri is a former junkie, prostitute, and jailbird who makes multiple references to her past behavior "in the joint." She's always happy to ditch her dorky friends in favor of the popular kids. The teachers are far from models of good behavior. The show as a whole is designed to send up the neat lessons of corny after school specials.

  • Violence:

    Physical comedy, but all harmless.

  • Sex:

    Blatant sexual innuendoes ("I like the pole and the hole"); sloppy kissing for the gross-out factor. Jerri hits on both boys and girls.

  • Language:

    Derogatory remarks can be offensive, including "fag", "p--sy", "whore."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Smoking weed, and some drinking. Lots of references to past drug use.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Strangers with Candy

Parents need to know that this satirical comedy (which has a strong cult fanbase) contains mature humor and is geared toward adults. Jokes are crude and can be racially, sexually, and socially offensive. The series' intention is to poke fun at the ridiculous nature of the after school specials and "very special episodes" that were so popular in the '70s and '80s.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the series' off-beat brand of humor. Is it smart, sarcastic, or over the top? Why is making fun of something considered funny, and when does mocking go too far? Is Jerri funny or repulsive? Why? Do any of the subjects dealt with in the show come up in teens' own lives? How do they deal with them? Teens may need a brief intro to the history of after school specials.
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