Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this animated series is meant for kids old enough to watch -- and appreciate -- a satire of reality shows like Survivor; those too young to get the joke likely won't find it very funny. There's some mild innuendo, characters can be rude to each other, and, of course, they're often made to suffer indignities and ridiculously difficult and dangerous "challenges." But there's really very little that's blatantly iffy beyond occasional fart jokes.
Families can talk about what parts of reality shows this series is making fun of. Is it just the shows themselves, or also they way they're cast and created? The characters are purposely presented as one-dimensional stereotypes -- because that's what producers of real reality shows often do to people through judicious editing. If someone only filmed and showed certain moments in your day, could they make you look mean or whiny? Why would someone want to focus on those parts of your character for a reality show?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: KJ Dell'Antonia
TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND is a cartoon satire of reality shows like Survivor. The intentionally one-dimensional teen characters are thrown together in a summer camp setting, then broken up into teams and presented with challenges by their host. At the end of most episodes, someone's voted out and sent home.
The best thing about Total Drama Island is that its knowing wink encompasses everyone -- viewers and characters alike. Many characters know that they're there to play their stereotypical roles (geek, tough kid, big sassy African-American girl, etc.), and they do so with one eye on the camera. The joke isn't just on reality shows -- it's on reality shows as they've become now, populated with students of the genre who are all trying to game the system. The show's theme song, "I Wanna Be Famous," says it all.
For all its satiric qualities, Total Drama Island actually manages to pull viewers in. There's a contest at the core, and kids who tune in for the spoof may find themselves caught up in finding out which character will manage to survive to the end. Overall, it's an enjoyable, smart show for anyone old enough to watch "real" reality TV.
Kid fans might also enjoy other cartoon satires and spoofs, like My Dad the Rock Star, The Tick, and Ricky Sprocket - Showbiz Boy.
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Sexual ContentMild innuendo and "I'd like a bunk under her"-style jokes. |
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ViolenceMost "violence" comes in the form of dangerous challenges forced on teen contestants by the supposed adult in charge, although characters do threaten one another, grab one another, and throw one another out of doors, etc. -- never with any ill affect. No weapons. |
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Social BehaviorTeen contestants can't trust their host or one another, are rude to one another, compete in unsportsmanlike ways, and generally refuse to uphold or do anything but mock positive values -- but then, that's exactly the kind of behavior being satirized here. |
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