Dexter's Laboratory

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Dexter and pals use science to set iffy examples.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that even though this series features witty writing and sharp animation, the characters may leave a bad taste in some parents' mouths because they conduct themselves so poorly. Kids are rude and disrespectful (to each other and to adults), and parents are clueless and often nowhere to be found. There's also lots of cartoon violence and regular use of words like "stupid" and "idiot."

  • Not applicable.
  • The characters' actions -- particularly their tendency to use physical and verbal violence -- send iffy messages about how to deal with problems and other people.
  • Dexter and Dee Dee set questionable examples, and their parents are completely aloof.
  • Frequently glamorizes weapons like knives, swords, guns, and bows and arrows.
  • Rare, but not undeard of. For example, one segment features a silhouette of a naked woman.
  • Words like "stupid" and "idiot" regularly pop up in dialogue.
  • Not applicable.
  • Rare, but not unheard of. One episode features a chain-smoking waitress, and the customers drink beer.

What's the story?

DEXTER'S LABORATORY chronicles the life of Dexter (voiced by Christine Cavanaugh), a child prodigy with a secret lab that he uses to conduct experiments like building a mass-destructing robot or using advanced technology to catch up with the ice cream man. Something's guaranteed to go awry in each episode, with Dexter's sister Dee Dee (Allison Moore) often having a hand in the trouble.


Is it any good?

 

There's plenty of cartoon violence here. In one episode, for example, Dexter and his friends play an interactive game that features Robin Hood look-alikes and magicians who battle dragons with swords and bows. As if gruesome stabs weren't enough, at one point a dragon's arm is sliced off, and after a few seconds he turns into a piñata with candy pouring out of his body. The story twist might be clever, but the endless displays of mocking violence are almost shocking

Plus, Dexter's parents are nowhere to be seen, mimicking '50s TV moms and
dads in their complete denial of their kids' problematic behavior. Most Their obliviousness sends a confusing
message -- are they really clueless, or are they too lazy to
invest the proper time and care necessary to raise their kids? (On a positive note, Dexter and his sister do stick by their parents when necessary.) Bottom line? When watching Dexter's Laboratory, expect shrill, piercing voices accompanied by temper tantrums, violence, name calling, and overall disrespect. Kids might enjoy this three-ring circus of a show, but a headache is the only thing a parent will walk away with. If Dexter's Laboratory was synthesized in the cartoon lab, its formula would be 1/10 funny and three parts obnoxious.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the benefits of science. How can you use science to expand your knowledge and help people?

  • Does Dexter use scientific knowledge in a positive way? Do the ends ever justify the means?


This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
Teen, 17 years old
March 23, 2009
 
Cartoon Network- YU ARE "GENIUS"!
I love yur animation style and humor! Nick can only DREAM of being as great as you are! And, in my opinion, NICK COPIED YU!!!! DEXTER IS WAAAAY BETTER THAN JIMMY NEUTRON!!! ~InvaderZib~(THE ALIEN LOVE CHILD!)

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Teen, 15 years old
August 17, 2009
 
the expression on my picture explains all
I Love Dexters Laboratory when i was really really small it was one of my favorite shows i just loved how big and shiny his lab was i thought it was a great cartoon plus..... HOW CAN U GUYS GIVE DEXTERS LABORATORY 2 STARS!?!! thats insane i think anyone 4 and up can watch it not the insanely high 9+ rating.. insane also i have no concerns i think its not scary sexy or any of that bad stuff

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Kid, 12 years old
November 9, 2011
 
I'm glad Cartoon Network made this show!!!!!!
This is one of the best Cartoon Cartoons in the bag! Sure, it could contain a little bit of cartoon violence and words like "idiot" and "stupid", but if you wanna watch something that's less appropriate than this, go watch "South Park"! It was a little heartbreaking when it ended originally on 1998, but at least the renewed the epic show in 2001. This is part of my top 10 favorite cartoons of all time... 10: Rugrats 9: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 8: 2 Stupid Dogs 7: Powerpuff Girls 6: Dexter's Laboratory 5: Adventure Time 4: Rocko's Modern Life 3: CatDog 2: Regular Show 1: SpongeBob SquarePants I even got the season 1 DVD, but it wasn't easy.

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Teen, 17 years old
September 25, 2011
 
Stop tearing apart a great show.
Seriously, you people are ridiculous. All my childhood shows are being torn apart, criticized, and hated on. No offense, but you wouldn't understand the show unless you were a 90's kid. I grew up with this show, among others, and I LOVED it. Still love it, to this day. I'll go on Youtube every now and then to watch another episode. Yeah, okay, it's not educational. It's a bit violent, somewhat weird, but you can't deny that it's entertaining. I would stay up/wake up early to watch this show when I was a kid, and even the episodes that seemed a little stupid/pointless I still enjoyed watching. Honestly, it's not a bad show. My childhood was based on this show, yet I'm not in any way violent or rule-breaking--I'm just me. If your kid turns out evil because of the cartoon...well, then something's wrong with your kid. Every person I know who was a fan of the show such as myself are completely normal people; back then, us children knew that Dexter's Laboratory wasn't promoting violence...we knew it was for entertainment purposes only. Personally, I miss the show. I know it's on Boomerang, but there's no way I can stay up till 3 AM to watch it. So, if it's on, don't worry; it's totally fine for kids. Maybe not the three year olds and under but 5-7 should be okay.

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Teen, 15 years old
August 14, 2011
 
Adult Humour
as it is good as any other show on boomerang,the show contains some adult humor but the production team try to hide it in a cleverway so this should be 5+

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Kid, 10 years old
April 2, 2011
 
Boy Genius filled with fun for family, but iffy messages for kids.
Dexter, is a boy genius who has a secret lab that nobody knows about except his annoying sister, Dee Dee.In his laboratory, Dexter makes experiments such as building a giant robot, and while he has his own enemy, Mandark.This is one of the most well-known Cartoon Network originals, and the show isn't even bad.Violence: Plenty of cartoon violence with the Tom and Jerry kind of weapons.There's some fighting, but the violence is not too violent, just very iffy for young viewers.Sex:Rare.One episode, Dexter's mom and dad kiss.Other episodes, Dexter is shown naked (His butt can be seen, but very rarely).The name calling is on this show, but it's mostly ''Stupid'' and ''Idiot''.Drinking:One episode.It's pretty mild and once again, it's rare.The animation is really nice, it is totally a classic, really original.Be careful of it's TV-G rating.The rating is more of a TV-Y7-FV or TV-Y7 kind of rating.Dexter is similar to Jimmy Neutron, but on the other hand, He (And his sister Dee Dee) are bad role models.Currently, the show is playing on Boomerang every weeknight at 9:30p.A very great classic, if you can, check it out.

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Teen, 15 years old
January 18, 2011
 
This show isn't bad. I've watched some old episodes on the internet. But this was back in the time of "the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy" (and I think it was by the same creators) so it's got some things people never show today (example; they show Dexter's butt when he is turned around dancing in the shower) This is not a Dora. You don't come to this show for learning, you come to have a good time watching a cartoon.

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Teen, 16 years old
January 13, 2011
 
Beware there is one bad episode I know that might be too scary for kids which is "Hamhocks and Armlocks".
The Hamhocks and Armlocks episode is a bad episode for young children because it contains too much violence, scariness and has too many people smoking and drinking in it and also I believe they used the word "idiot"! This episode should had been banned it is too much for young children too much violence and drugs in it. Overall good show I used to watch it when I was little but my mom would let me watch Hamhocks and Armlocks episode.

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Teen, 16 years old
December 30, 2010
 
A lot of original episodes can be weird, but some back-up segments are OK
Nothing educational. Dexter is smart in the wrong ways. He kicks cans with toxic liquid, has a beard pulling contest, and made his sister's voice so deep which is a weird thing. The back-up segments called "The Justice Friends" and "Dial-M for Monkey" have some, but not all of the episodes that are just OK. It is a classic that appears on Boomerang because this TV show is now over 10 years old, but the humans can be pretty violent. There is one thing that I should not call my family members or friends and that word is called "stupid".

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Kid, 13 years old
November 20, 2010
 
Pretty Cool
I like the show. Funny too.

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This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
Topics:book characters, science and nature
TV rating:TV-G
Network:Boomerang
Cast:Nadia Dajani
Genre:Kids' Animation

This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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