Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz

Review

Common Sense Media says

Hip-hop-skewing sketch comedy for mature peeps.
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

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that teens will probably be drawn to this adult-oriented sketch comedy show thanks to star Nick Cannon. But it has lots of sexual references and plenty of profanity. Sketches frequently involve scantily dressed women in sexualized roles (groupies, promiscuous women, mute escorts, etc.); one skit revolves around a man suing a woman for refusing to put out. Some bits involve violence (a man holding up a diner and threatening to kill the patrons with guns, for example) though it's clearly meant to be funny. Racial stereotypes -- the criminal black man, the hoodlum rapper, the hoochie mama, the prissy white woman, and more -- run rampant, but they're also played for comic effect.

  • Positive messages0
    Sketches poke fun at pop culture and racial stereotypes. The cast is primarily African American.
  • Violence3
    Comic violence, like a man holding up a restaurant with guns and threatening to kill people. No real injuries.
  • Sex3
    Some sketches involve sexual topics, like a man suing a woman for not putting out. Women are often provocatively dressed and sometimes act in sexually suggestive ways (licking lips slowly, showing off legs, touching bust, etc.).
  • Language3
    Constant profanity, though the harsher words are bleeped (but still obvious). Unbleeped words include "ass," "bitch," "whore," and "hell."
  • Consumerism0
    Some brands are mentioned in rap songs, like Cadillac.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Pretty clean, all things considered.
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What's the story?

Comedian Nick Cannon takes a shot at a Dave Chappelle-style comedy show in NICK CANNON PRESENTS: SHORT CIRCUITZ. Made up of a collection of brief comic sketches, the series features a primarily African-American cast and both pokes fun at and embraces racial stereotypes. For example, one skit features a People's Court-type judge named Judge "Mo" Dollars, who's decked out in heavy gold chains and a gold grill and struts like a proud pimp. In his court, a man sues a woman for refusing to put out after he paid for an expensive dinner. Another sketch pokes fun at rappers whose songs consist of little more than irrelevant nonsense set to a beat. The camera follows a Ludacris impersonator as he films a video for a completely freestyle song that ends up so mundane that it becomes hilarious: "I'm making a phone call! I'm hailing a cab! Hey, there's a cab!"

Is it any good?

 

The cast of Short Circuitz is talented, but the skits don't have the same edgy social criticism of Chappelle's work, which makes for a less-satisfying result. But mature viewers who can understand the value of poking fun at a group without buying into stereotypes might enjoy Cannon's raunchy humor -- and get a few laughs in the bargain.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about racial stereotypes and humor. How does seeing stereotypes in TV shows and movies affect viewers? Are the effects different depending on whether you're watching a drama or a comedy? Why or why not? What are the negative effects of stereotypes? Are there any positive effects? Do you find it difficult to discuss race and racial stereotypes? Why or why not?

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
this show is hot!!!!!!!
i love nick cannon he knows how to make you laugh.
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This review was written by Sierra Filucci
TV rating:TV-14
Network:MTV
Cast:Affion Crockett, Eliza Coupe, Nick Cannon
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 

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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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