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Chowder

(Rated TV-Y7-FV, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Nicky Jones, Dwight Schultz, John DiMaggio, Where to watch: Cartoon Network, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Quirky 'toon serves up silly fun and potty humor.

Themes in this show include:   growing up

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The show is intended to entertain rather than educate.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The show isn't really out to convey any concrete lessons/messages. Potty humor is common and includes allusions to body odor and gas (in at least one scene, Chowder vomits up an entire grocery order still intact -- fruits, veggies, and blocks of cheese). Rather than using names, Mung Daal calls all female characters "woman," as in "Woman, I can't see through walls!"
  • Role models:

    As an apprentice, Chowder tries hard but often gets distracted from his work, causing multiple kitchen disasters. His mentor never seems to mind, but that also makes him seem unrealistically patient.
  • Violence & scariness:

    Lots of goofy cartoon violence with no resulting injury: Chowder whacks Schnitzel on the head with a club, an anemone-like creature tries to suffocate a character, etc.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Chowder is hounded by a young girl who claims to be his girlfriend and tries to hold his hand and, occasionally, kiss him.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Chowder

Parents need to know that although there's nothing that iffy about this somewhat bizarre cartoon, there's not much overtly positive content, either. The three flawed main characters are a flighty cooking apprentice who never suffers repercussions from his constant kitchen mishaps (which result from his own rash actions), a supportive but unrealistically patient mentor, and an under-appreciated employee whose reliability is often taken for granted. A one-sided love interest depicts a young girl as pleading and desperate for attention from her crush, goofy cartoon violence doesn't result in lasting injury, and potty humor includes references to body odors and scenes of vomiting.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the importance of doing a job well. Kids: What do you think of Chowder's performance in the kitchen? What often gets in the way of his doing a good job?
  • How does Chowder's mentor react when things get messed up? Does his reaction seem realistic?
  • Do any of the characters in this series act responsibly? Who are some of the most reliable people in your life? How does it feel to be able to rely on them?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Chowder?
  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

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See all 38 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    What I know about Chowder

    I think chowder is a cool cartoon because he cooks with his father. Just like kids like me I cook with my mother or cook myself. Chowder has a girl that likes him, but doesn't like her. It's funny because he yells im not yoru boyfriend

  2. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    What I know about Chowder

    I think chowder is a cool cartoon because he cooks with his father. Just like kids like me I cook with my mother or cook myself. Chowder has a girl that likes him, but doesn't like her. It's funny because he yells im not yoru boyfriend

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    my opinion

    i think it's an ok show as long as the kids don't resort to acting innapropiate. i think all mothers think that.

  4. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Everyone can watch it

    this is such an awesome show. It's simple, clean and funny.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    ok for little kids

    It is not educational but it is a funny show and very entretaining. There is nothing that concerns me. Like some people would say that one of the charicters always tries to kiss another charicter but I know that little kids would be like "ew" and then laugh

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