All Grown Up (Nickelodeon)

common sense media says

The Rugrats go to middle school.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the show makes slight fun of parenting styles, from the would-be perfect parent (abreast of child psychology and serving "steamed spinach on a bed of chilled spinach" for dinner) to the career parent (emotionally uninvolved but concerned with which extracurricular activities will grace her child's college applications). Other than that, there is really no objectionable material.

Positive messages: Diverse cast models tolerance and friendship. Series highlights the value of elderly people. Humor ranges from satire to goofball to crude humor involving a farting dog.
Violence & scariness: Some goofy roughhousing.
Sexy stuff: The kids are starting to develop crushes and "like" each other.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Angelica is still selfish and materialistic, but the show doesn't depict her as a role model.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on All Grown Up

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about whether the parents on the show seem realistic. Is it obvious when exaggeration is used for comic effect? How are real parents different from the ones in the show?

What's the story?

What's the story?

As the phenomenally successful Rugrats series winds down, ALL GROWN UP steps in to take its place. So what happens when the Rugrats go to middle school? Angelica writes for the school paper, Susie's a singing sensation, Kimi goes punk, Chuckie takes more chances, and Tommy (now with hair!) makes movies. The twins Phil and Lil also remain major characters. Tommy's little brother Dil, a new baby in the original series, now has a wild and crazy personality of his own, and by no means hides in the shadows of his big brother.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The characters remain endearing, but situations aren't quite as hilarious as in the original series. Rugrats built episodes out of the babies' radical misinterpretations of the adult world. The stories in All Grown Up are thoughtfully crafted but less satiric, focusing on more standard preteen fare such as handling the emotions of jealousy and embarrassment, becoming an individual, and experiencing a first crush. Kids who grew up with Rugrats will enjoy seeing these familiar characters deal with middle school. Real middle-schoolers, though, are likely to find the cartoon too juvenile. The parents are often oblivious to their kids' struggles and antics, but family members generally value and respect each other and sibling relationships are especially positive.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Nickelodeon
Cast: Elizabeth Daily, Nancy Cartwright, Tara Strong
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Nickelodeon

This review was written by Betsy Wallace
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Rugrats Grown Up?
Rugrats was one of my favorite shows about 3 years ago. Being involved in the anatomy of politics and people in general I liked the satire of the first show. I also enjoyed the crude jokes. However, after the movies, the show wasn't as good for some reason. So now the first show may end and bring in a new one. All Grown up isn't as good as the original. The kids don't really act like they are in middle school, more like forth grade. Phil and Lil are no longer obnoxiously crude. And they aged the parents WAY too much. Were Stu and Didi in their 40's when they had Tommy and Dil because they look 50. Maybe I don't like the show because my interpretations of the world are often much different then most preteens and teenagers, also having an interpretation clashing that of adults. Other than Phil and Lil I thought most of the other characters lost their flavor. Susie now sings pop. I don't like this because I greatly dislike pop music. Chuckie taking more chances is a generic portrayl of a nerd wanting to be cool. That bothers me because I know a lot of people who did that. It is almost as sad as when Kimi went "punk". To me she was being just as generic as Chuckie. Z however was a horrible generic punk. Just a plain out horrible. I cannot stress enough how much of a cheese ball he was. Angelica was still a good character but not as good as the old one, same with Tommy. Dil in my opinion was an improvement because in the original, Dil was just annoying.

BlueSunday
teen, 15 years old
 
It's good, although they may have all aged... to much?
Of course, NOTHING can compete with the Rugrats, although I do actually like this show. Things I do like: they're all still friends, and it hasen't 'completely' changed their characters. They still live in the same houses, it and still refurs to parts of Rugrats (memories) Things I don't like: Lil has grown out of her gross discusting self, although still is a tomboy, although she chases boys at times. Kimi is still pretty fun, but she's kinda into hanging and doing what Angelica says (also chases boys) Chucky is always trying to be cool, totally left his old self, now he's kinda annoying. Tommy is okay, although much more hot tempered. Dill.. he's alright, I like how he's weird. Susie is a hard worker, though much stricter than she use to be. Angelica has softened a little, but still has her perks, she's more into sucking up though, always trying to get with the cool kids (I don't like that, I imagined her to be more independent and showing who's boss) The parents are alright, they just seem more aged than expected... I mean they have gray streaks and... they seem more like senior citizons! But the show on a few parts is really good. Still in low comparison to Rugrats.

 
Rated TV-Y7 Now, But TV-Y Is still surrounding the show
Maybe I'll wait. The show has pushed the TV-Y Limits because it sort of like Disney with flirting and roughousing. Was the FCC being stupid again on these educational shows?(ex.WordGirl, Turbo Dogs).Message should be green instead of nothing.

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
Eh
There's nothing innapropriate in this show; it just portrays growing up. But I don't like how the characters are acting like the stereotypical tweens on Disney Channel; they're obsessed with crushes, boyfriends/girlfriends, being cool, they have embarrassing parents, etc. And most of the characters are different. It's not that bad, but not that good, either.

oopser
kid, 12 years old
 
Fine show tweens will love
This is a good show. The langauge is words like that bites, shut up etc. Kids should watch 4+

SavvySavannah
kid, 12 years old
 
Entertaining!
I love "All Grown Up" it's a good show for families!

 
Perfect for fans of the original Rugrats!
A good show that was cancelled before it's time. All elements of the show are perfect for genuine fans of the Rugrats!

Cooldee
parent
 

 
Shallow with Stereotypical Behavior
First of all, when they decided to make this show, the people turned the rugrats we know and love into stereotypical teenagers. Lil and Kimi , who in the original series were portrayed as tomboys and perfectly capable of handling themselves, have become the typical female teenager, obsessed with fashion and boys. The boys have lost their personalities and one of them is also obsessed with the opposite gender. The whole show does not have believable characters and, all in all, it seems like a younger ripoff of some teen comedy. I halfway wonder why the creators didn't follow the formula of "As Told By Ginger", which shows the teenagers at their best and worst and doesn't "give in" to stereotypes. If you want your daughter or son to begin acting like the teenagers you see on most commercials, then by all means, let them watch the show. Otherwise, let them watch cartoons like Codename: Kids Next Door, which doesn't have severe gender stereotyping.

rhater
kid, 8 years old
 
I Guess Okay For 5 Year Olds And A Little Iffy For Underdogs
Great Show

Brittany Bieber
teen, 13 years old
 
great show some mature epesoids
Ok it shows lil in her bra and Phil walking in on her like that. Also he walks in on his mom in their bra it talks about shaving and stuff and they say hot but if your kids mature its fine as long as they know abou bras growing up ect

fredder
kid, 10 years old
 
rugrats better
you know, spin-offs are dumb to me. This is a spin off from rugrats,which is way better show.there is nothing bad in the show, but it's just boring.not even funny. sad,very sad

livieluv23
kid, 12 years old
 
love it!!!!
love it!!there isnt anything bad about the show tommy is an awesome role model and i can relate!

ibarncat
teen, 17 years old
 
Rugrats gets redeemed... or at least the characters do.
The VAST difference between this show and Rugrats is truly astounding. It is also HUGE proof that Klasky-Csupo's mission is to make cartoons that are realistic in terms of characters' personalities and how they react to situations. Whereas Rugrats is realistic in showing how uninteresting and repulsive it would be to follow a baby's head as an adult, All Grown Up is realistic in that it is one of the last Nick shows (on regular Nick, not TeenNick and its original series) to show teen problems in a realisitc manner. And yet, at the same time, there is a sense of humor in the show. But at the end of the day, the show still has several drama elements, thus making it a dramady. It is no As Told By Ginger, but the only show that is anywhere nearly as good with drama is Dragon Ball Z. But still, this is a very enjoyable show and shows why Klasky-Csupo is quite easily the most important animation studio in television history.

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