Look Around You

Review

Common Sense Media says

Low-tech science spoof could confuse younger viewers.
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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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this British send-up of educational programming from the 1970s and '80s is loaded with ridiculously distorted science "facts" and flat-out untruths that are meant to amuse adults, which makes it an iffy choice for kids who are still working on mastering basic scientific principles. While not too much of the content is inherently inappropriate for older teens (aside from a bit of sexual inuendo and a few humorous references to alcohol), they could get a few answers wrong on their next exam if they don't do their own homework. There are also some British pop culture references that kids -- and American adults -- might not get.

  • Positive messages0
    Conclusions derived via the show's pseudo-scientific "experiments" are meant to be funny, but kids could miscontrue their facts, resulting in a murky message overall. For example, water is said to boil at 1,000 degrees (the actual boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit), and someone is shown eating ectoplasm (the physical existence of which has never been proven). In another experiment, scientists take a sample from an overflowing sewer and drop it onto a human subject's tongue to test the spread of germs. You get the picture.
  • Violence3
    A few experiments (plunging your hand into boiling water, removing an egg, and slicing it open with a scalpel, for example) would be dangerous if younger viewers tried to replicate them.
  • Sex3
    Although the general tone is straightlaced, there's occasional innuendo. For instance, the narrator explains that "kissing a tramp" is one way to get germs. In another instance, an older man removes his pants and underwear to have his temperature taken rectally -- although no sensitive body parts are shown.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Usage is infrequent, but it happens. One experiment involving water produces whisky, and the narrator says, "Whisky is a pleasant-tasting, thirst-quenching drink, and it's enjoyed by all." Later, an adult scientist pours a glass from the beaker, drinks it, and promptly falls over.
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What's the story?

A deadpan narrator presents themed lessons on a variety of topics -- including "Maths," "Water," "Germs," and "Ghosts" -- in this series of 10-minute comic shorts that spoof educational programming from the 1970s and '80s. But the joke is that you won't actually learn anything, except how to laugh at how far technology has come. Created by Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz, LOOK AROUND YOU originally aired on the BBC in 2002, with a second series airing three years later. Episodes feature well-known British comedians, including Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and spoof classic British pop-science shows like How and Tomorrow's World.

Is it any good?

 

Kids probably won't get the joke here -- and maybe that's a good thing. After all, do you really want your tween or young teen concluding that "Germs originated in Germany before rapidly spreading throughout the rest of the world"? But for older teens and adults who have plenty of schooling, Look Around You is a satisfying romp into nutty, nostalgic territory. Anyone who enjoys a good spoof is bound to enjoy the show's reliance on bad lighting, bad hair, clunky computers, and dated pop culture references, but fans of Monty Python's Flying Circus -- and of British humor (or should we say "humour"?) in general -- will find it particularly funny.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the art of using fictious "facts" for comedic effect -- and the importance of knowing that this show is just a parody. What "facts" were presented that you know to be 100% wrong -- and what are the actual answers? When it comes to science, were any of the program's statements true -- and if so, can you be 100% sure? What elements make it clear that this show is meant to be funny instead of serious? (Think about everything -- from the narration to the art direction.) Teens: How does this program compare to the genuine educational programs you watch in school?

This review was written by Kari Croop
Adult
July 5, 2010
AGE
11
 
fun british comedy makes people feel smart, because characters dont appear that way
People, this show is confusing for laughs. Im old enough to ignore the facts they give while still enjoying it. There is not really anything wrong.
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Teen, 16 years old
March 27, 2009
AGE
11
 
Wow, great funny show for the whole family!
This may be AdultSwim's best TV show yet. The first time I saw it I could hardly breathe because I was laughing so hard! Anyways, this show does have some rather inappropriate content. In one eppisode,a guy sticks his hand into boiling water, which leaves a bad message for younger kids. Good show for anyone 11+
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This review was written by Kari Croop
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:Cartoon Network
Cast:Olivia Colman, Peter Serafinowicz, Robert Popper
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Kari Croop
 

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About our rating system
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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