That Mitchell and Webb Look - TV-14

Quirky British sketch comedy won't shock teens.

TV Rating: TV-14 Network: BBC America Cast: Robert Webb, David Mitchell Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that while this sketch comedy show isn't as bawdy as the starring British duo's hit series Peep Show, there's still enough mature content to warrant pausing before giving viewers younger than their teens the OK. Characters make light of drug use, excessive drinking, sex, and murder, and there's some strong language (though it's sporadic). Little of the content is likely to surprise teens, but the show's decidedly British humor may not tickle their funny bones anyway.

Families can talk about how culture and society influence entertainment. Teens: Did you understand all of the humor in this show? What skits did you find least funny? Do you think your impression of them would be different if you were British? How?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

Award-winning British comedians Robert Webb and David Mitchell build on the popularity of their hit series Peep Show with this self-written sketch comedy show, which features a myriad of oddball characters and skits. Among the recurring characters are the crime-fighting team of Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit, who combine expert biking skills with legions of heavenly helpers to battle bad guys; aging sporting commentators prone to running off on tangents unrelated to the game; and wannabe gumshoes with a weakness for drugs and alcohol.

The success of Peep Show helped make this talented comic duo a hit among British fans, and it's likely that viewers who enjoy British humor will get some chuckles out of this series as well. Most of the content won't surprise teens, but the show's strong language and frequent references to drug use, alcohol, and sex are likely to give parents pause when it comes to younger viewers.

Ultimately, though, the show's British humor may be lost on American viewers, who probably won't pick up on all of the cultural and societal undercurrents that make the characters and skits funny.

Entertaining American-flavored sketch comedy series include Saturday Night Live and Whose Line Is It Anyway?

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Sexual references and innuendoes, and occasional mention of mature/graphic topics like anal sex.
Violence Physical brawls, murder, and death -- but all are obviously comic/fake and played for humor.
Language "S--t" (unbleeped) and "damn."
Message
	Social Behavior Most of the humor is fairly tame, but some sketches poke fun at drug use, murder, and various sex-related topics.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Many characters smoke, drink, and make references to drug use.