Mike, Lu & Og

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Big adventures on a small island are OK for kids.
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

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series provides a mixed bag of messages. On one hand, these islanders set good examples by finding innovative ways to keep themselves busy -- but on the other, they're victims of stereotypes. And one of the main characters, Mike, isn't a very motivated student.

  • Characters set good examples, but they're also rather stereotypical. Mike doesn't put the same energy into her schoolwork that she puts into her creative schemes.
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

MIKE, LU & OG takes place on a sparsely populated tropical island (vaguely implied to be Pitcairn Island) devoid of social development. The main characters include Micheline "Mike" Mavinksy (voiced by Nika Futterman), a foreign exchange student from Manhattan, and her native peers: Lu (Nancy Cartwright) and Og (Dee Bradley Baker). Og has a knack for conducting technological experiments with coconuts and empty cans, and Lu is a spoiled island brat who's convinced she's a princess. The two young islanders fill a void to Mike's boredom, and together the trio creates adventures both big and small.


Is it any good?

 

For example, in one episode, feisty Mike introduces the concept of TV to the island. Og scavenges all of the beach trash he can find and manages to build a widescreen set. The TV doesn't actually get any channels, but all of the islanders still become fixated with the "snow storm" on the screen -- offering a comic allusion to the idea that TV (whether working or not) ultimately has nothing to offer ... and that even the power of nothing can turn us into dysfunctional vegetables. In another episode, Mike teaches all of the islanders how to roller skate, which means she and her friends are kept busy building a rink and making skates. Mike is a flip-of-the-coin character -- she's always finding a project to tap into and is always eager to get the others involved, but she doesn't apply the same amount of drive to her studies. Mike loves the lack of education she's receiving as a foreign exchange student and ultimately shows no real motivation to attain any long-term goals.<

Parents should note that this series sits on the fence when it comes to stereotypes. All of the island characters wear grass skirts and nose rings and have no concept of modern civilization. Kids need to understand that each country has its own level of societal advancement so that they don't come away with the assumption that every island in the world is desolate and uncivilized. Parents need to take the time to explain the possible misinterpretation.When watching Mike, Lu & Og, expect innovative adventures. The music and the characters' costumes also add to the fun. Slight stereotypes and sometimes-whiny characters are the only potential causes for concern -- overall, it's not too shabby.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the power of imagination. If you lived on the island, what could you do to keep your mind occupied besides watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Internet? How can you use your imagination to entertain yourself and others? How can imagination help you be a more productive member of society?


This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
Teen, 18 years old
November 10, 2010
 
Great Show! So Happy It's Still on Boomerang Sometimes!
This show is really cool! I loved it when I was younger. The theme song is permanently in my brain. My favorite character is Og because he talks to animals and makes amazing inventions. I like Lu because she's voiced by Nancy Cartwright (who most famous for her voice acting as Bart in the Simpsons). Mike and I have similar personalities. One of the great Cartoon Network Classics, before Cartoon Network became bad.

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Teen, 16 years old
January 30, 2010
 
I remember this!
I remember this show. I used to watch it sometimes on weekends when I was little before going to the store. Hahahaha. I've seen a few episodes online recently and I think this is a very good show. It's pretty funny and the theme song is sooo catchy. The only thing is that Og really needs a pair of pants. The loincloth is pretty gross. o_O

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
I used to watch it every morning!!!
Mike, Lu & Og used to be on Cartoon Network, and so when I was about five I always watched it. Then it got canceled... :( Maybe someday they'll bring it back.

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This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
Topics:adventures, friendship
TV rating:TV-Y7
Network:Boomerang
Genre:Kids' Animation

This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
 

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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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