 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Get Smart
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Classic spy parody offers laughs and some dated stereotypes.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this award-winning classic spy parody is mild enough for tweens, but younger kids may not be drawn to (or even get) some of its humor. It also contains lots of gun activity, fantasy violence, and some mild sexual innuendo that will probably go over their heads. As was typical for the time, cigarette, pipe, and cigar smoking is also frequently visible; occasionally the cast is shown drinking alcohol (wine, champagne, hard liquor). It also contains some stereotypes and jokes that are not considered politically correct by today’s standards, but reflect some of the political and social climate of the time.
What's the story?
GET SMART is an Emmy-award winning comedy series that spoofs the world of espionage. The parody stars Don Adams as Maxwell Smart, a loyal but inept secret agent who is called upon to battle KAOS, an evil organization trying to take over the world. Guided by Chief (Edward Platt), his boss at the U.S. government counter espionage unit CONTROL, Smart -- AKA. Agent #86 -- uses lots of cutting edge spy gadgets and his own version of common sense to try to capture the bad guys. Luckily, clever Agent #99 (Barbara Feldon), a poorly trained spy dog named Fang, and even a robot named Hymie (Dick Gautier) assist the blundering agent with restoring world order.
Is it any good?
The cult classic, which aired from 1965-1970, pokes fun at the popular spy genre of the time, already made popular by James Bond films, and TV series like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and The Avengers, by mixing satire with slap-stick comedy. Over the years it also used its humor to make subtle statements about major political issues of the time, including the Cold War, the conflict in Vietnam, and U.S. domestic policy.
While the show contains some material that may be unsuitable for younger children, including gun violence, sexual innuendo, smoking, it is still mild by today’s standards. It also contains a lot of gender and racial/ethnic stereotypes, which also serve as indicators of the political and social climate of the time. But taken in context, Get Smart is a funny, well-written, and intelligent series that that comedy lovers are sure to love.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what makes a comedy a parody. What is the purpose behind spoofing someone or a situation? What’s the difference between spoofing someone and being sarcastic? Is it always easy to tell the difference? Can a parody ever go too far?
Classic films and TV shows often feature attitudes and/or activities (like stereotyping and smoking tobacco products) that were considered OK when they were originally created, but that are no longer viewed as appropriate and/or healthy. Why were they seen as acceptable practices then? What has changed/not changed over the years? Parents: Check out some suggestions on how to talk to your kids about some of these issues.
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
August 30, 2010
AGE
A great show
A funny TV series.
Get smart contains mild violence
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Kid, 10 years old
September 29, 2011
AGE
A timeless masterpiece...
A fantastic series. A bit violent perhaps, and some of the jokes many children won't get, but it is just spectacular in all.
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Teen, 15 years old
June 4, 2010
AGE
Watch this, not the 2008 knockoff
Absolutely love this show. I have all 138 episodes on DVD, and love them.
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Teen, 15 years old
March 30, 2011
AGE
Goofy, funny, love it
Just really funny. I have all the episodes on DVD, and I love them. Fine for 8+ (my father was watching this at age 7, he is now 51)
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Kid, 10 years old
June 1, 2010
AGE
just great.
Really funny and makes me laugh!
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Teen, 17 years old
February 20, 2013
AGE
This show is acceptable for all ages and is the funniest thing EVER! ;-)
99 is often referred to as a "positive role model for young women and girls." This show is THE FUNNIEST thing that was ever aired, I first saw it when I was seven, and as I recall not many of the jokes went over my head. The "violence" in it I don't really call violence, not when you consider the trashy spy stuff on TV today. Just gun battles-- and the good guy always wins, so nothing really bad there-- and fancy "gadgets" that usually, comically, don't do what they were supposed to do, but just the opposite. Blood is only seen twice in the whole series run. And nothing else is ever seen. There is never any language, and other than 99 and Max giving each other a hug and a kiss after they get married, and Dr. Steele's outfits [which don't reveal anything], there is nothing sexual in it. Yes, Max smokes, but lots of people on TV do, as in real life, so I don't think that's any kind of a deal breaker, sice this was the 60's. The only "Drug" in it are just super secret spy gadgets-- Truth Serum, the occasional poisoning plot (from KAOS, of course) and silly drugs like Imobilo, which turns one into a statue for so long, or an unnamed injection that makes you "Stiff As A Board." And other silly things.There is a positive message, good over evil, the bad guys always lose, and I have never understood why German, Russian, and Swiss villains are "politically incorrect". The show would be missing a lot without Siegfried and Shtarker! As Joe Green, author of "The Get Smart Handbook" says, "There was always the satire for the adults, and the slapstick for the kids, and the physical comedy for both. And the kids looked up to Maxwell Smart. He was easy for kids to relate to, projecting innocence while living in a scary world. Growing up, Max was our pal."
Whoops! I just realized how long this thing is. What can I say, I have a wordy personality. Anyway, for kids of any age really, the slapstick and physical comedy will keep them entertained for hours to come. I LOVE this show, have all 138 episodes on DVD (Get the Box Set... There are a TON of great extras) and have fun watching this show.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 22, 2012
AGE
Get Smart! and watch this!
So funny! I love this show! 99's the best!
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Educator and Parent
March 12, 2013
AGE
Relaxed, silly fun
This is my kids favourite program, much better than the modern kiddie fare. It is very silly fun. My 6 year old understands enough of the jokes and none of the situations bother her. Even 'violent' scenes are not scary as they are surrounded by comedy and the characters are never really frightened. I can't understand the 10+ rating, as the recent movie Brave is rated as 8+ and my 9 year old could not finish watching it as the violence and overall plot were too intense. There is nothing scary or upsetting here at all.
There is occasional mild innuendo that my kids don't even pick up on, and they don't understand that some of the gags are based on 'racial stereotypes', they are just people being silly. If you are not offended by Max misunderstanding a Chinese villain who says 'Claw' as 'Craw', that it is just being silly and not making a political comment about the use of language to marginalise minorities, then you will love this TV Show.
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| Topics: | adventures |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Cast: | Barbara Feldon, Don Adams, Edward Platt |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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