The World's Funniest Moments - TV-PG

Iffy AFV wannabe is mediocre at best.

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details

TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: MyNetworkTV
Cast: Arsenio Hall
Genre: Reality TV

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like America's Funniest Home Videos, this series often laughs at people's misfortunes -- including painful physical mishaps. Though many of the videos' subjects get hurt, viewers never find out how badly the victims were hurt. Some videos feature pranks or stunts designed to shock or cause probable injury (skateboarding down steps, for instance); expect some intermittent strong language and sexual references.

Families can talk about voyeurism. What is it? Would you characterize any of the videos on this show as voyeuristic? If so, which ones, and why? How has technology changed our ability to access and record such material? Have you ever seen voyeuristic videos or photographs? How do you think the subjects of those images would feel knowing that their privacy was exploited? What laws exist to monitor voyeurism? Do you think they're strict enough or too strict? Why?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

The series often laughs at people's misfortune, but many of the clips show situations in which the subjects are willing participants. Some videos -- mostly spoofs of commercials -- make light of serious issues like global warming awareness and volunteerism. Occasional potty humor includes things like the implication that a cell phone could be used as a rectal thermometer.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Many clips show people suffering falls, collisions, and other mishaps (snowmobile roll-overs, getting crushed by the garage door, being dragged by a parachute, and the like) that can cause injury, but there's no follow-up to indicate how badly they're hurt. Some segments feature stunts gone wrong, and the host always reminds viewers that they shouldn't try what they see on TV.

Sex

Sporadic and mild: A few suggestive narrative comments during clips that show women in bikinis, for example. In one segment, the host mentions "getting it on."

Language

Rare use of "damn" and "son of a bitch," with "bitch" edited.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

THE WORLD'S FUNNIEST MOMENTS is a compilation of "funny" video clips submitted by viewers and via the Internet. As on the long-running America's Funniest Home Videos, the show's host -- in this case, Arsenio Hall -- adds voice-over quips to increase the laugh factor of the featured pranks, stunts, and various physical mishaps. Unlike AFV, there's no cash prize for home submissions; instead, each episode awards a nominal title of Viral Video of the Week to a pre-selected clip.

Is it any good?

Whoever cautioned against messing with a good thing must have had The World's Funniest Moments in mind. It's abundantly clear from the show's presentation (live audience, funny-guy host who mingles with the crowd as he introduces clips) that it's not trying to hide the fact that it's a blatant AFV copycat. But ultimately it comes up way short on the laugh-o-meter compared to its mentor (which has its own iffy issues to deal with anyway). Not even Hall can save this sinking ship, and fans will be disappointed to see that his talents are wasted on the script's corny commentary and silly segues.

But if your family can't get enough of funny moments caught on tape, at least be sure to save this series for after the little ones are in bed, since the sporadic sexual innuendo, language, and potty humor isn't appropriate for little kids and younger tweens.