The Penguins of Madagascar (Nickelodeon)

common sense media says

Scene-stealing schemers get their own gig; fun for kids.


parents & educators say
  • 40% say there are positive messages
  • 27% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids who haven't already seen the Madagascar movies -- where the scene-stealing penguins got their start -- may or may not be interested in the shenanigans presented here, because the series doesn't offer any backstory (exactly who these penguins and their other friends are is never explained). There's also a bit of iffy behavior like cartoon violence and burping that parents wouldn't want their kids emulating on a good day. But on the whole, this is harmless entertainment.

Educational value: The show is designed to entertain rather than educate -- the penguins' hare-brained schemes shouldn't be taken as problem-solving tips for kids.
Positive messages: Even "bad" characters usually learn lessons -- like that it's wrong to always try to be right.
Positive role models: The penguins use their smarts and teamwork to solve problems. Animal characters occasionally engage in rude behavior, like burping without saying "excuse me."
Violence & scariness: Animals get injured in various ways -- by pushing, falling, slapping, getting crushed by rocks, etc. But it's all played for laughs, and no one is ever seriously hurt.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Cheeky words like "booty" are as bad as it gets.
Consumerism: Part of the Madagascar line of products.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The penguins are often shown sipping tropical concoctions -- but they're non-alcoholic smoothies.

More on The Penguins of Madagascar

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the cartoon critters featured in the series. Why do you think they were chosen to get their own show? How does this series compare to the Madagascar movies?

  • How is a real-life penguin different from the animated version? How do lemurs really live in the wild?

  • How do animals' lives change when they're raised in captivity? Are zoos good or bad for animals' well-being?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Set in the wake of the action that played out in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, this animated spin-off sets four of the film's secondary characters -- resourceful penguins Skipper (voiced by Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Jeff Bennett), Private (James Patrick Stuart), and Rico (John DiMaggio) -- firmly in the spotlight. While their other friends are living it up in darkest Africa, the flightless foursome have staked their claim in the Central Park Zoo. But now they're competing for supremacy against an old royal pain of a rival: pompous lemur "king" Julien (Danny Jacobs).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Bottom line? Thanks to random plot lines and less-intricate animation, this Nickelodeon series isn't quite as good as the movies that inspired it. But if you love the Madagascar characters, you'll be thoroughly entertained.

Kids, especially, are bound to giggle when the penguins spring into action with the show-stealing Mission: Impossible antics that made them famous.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Nickelodeon
Cast: Danny Jacobs, Jeff Bennett, Tom McGrath
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Nickelodeon

This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 15 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say there are positive messages
  • 27% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Mission impossible show for kids.
My grandson has seen the movies and really likes this show. In order to have a story something must go wrong. That's usually caused by the lemur "king" Julien. And then the Penguins under the leadership of the Skipper work as a team to resolve the problem through trial and error. There is a lot of slap stick humor that five year olds seem to love.

DylanMD
teen, 14 years old
 
Takes the tween side of Nick out
Nickelodeon was channel for Tweens. Nick Jr. Is for five year olds. I really wish there was a petition to take it off. Or at least move it to Disney where it's meant for five year olds I got a little sad watching this, I really miss shows like Rocco's Modern life and Invader Zim. They may have some of the old shows on Nicktoons but I want people who aren't able to afford Satellite and only have Cable. Please Nick, take it off television.

KirbyKon
kid, 13 years old
 
Positive messgaes, role models, violence,product placement,-Penguins of Madagascar
This is really a TV show that stood out to me since there was great use of teamwork and communication. If only that lemur-like character was in this show. He constantly teaches selfishness, 'late-night parties', and being annoying. The show overall advertises the Madagascar line of products. The bad thing about the penguins is that they always approve violence and some of them are completely different; one is overly intelligent, one was is extremely violent and 'coughs off bombs', one was is babyish and likes 'ponies and rainbows', and one is the leader. It gives different perspectives. All of the positive messages are literally crammed into the last seconds of the episode program.

mikenlei
parent of 4 and 6 year old
 
Fine for older elementary, but not really the little guys.
My kids love it. I do find my 6 year old trying to repeat some of their kung-fu style moves but that's about it. On the up side, my boys like to replicate the 'spy' moves and go around the house hiding around the corners from each other. It has certainly stimulated their imaginations in creating all kinds of make believe situations. No language or 'sexy' stuff for the little kids. The only warning I provide is if your household is sensitive to some of the cartoon violence. It is nothing like the old Tom and Jerry cartoons, though.

Mrs. W
educator and parent of 10 and 13 year old
 
Deliciously silly
We watch this show as a family and howl together at lines like, "I've got my freak on for recon" and "Intel is sketchy." It's a silly parody of the spy genre and a continuing and lovely tale of friendship. Enjoy with your kids!

reveiwer123987
kid, 13 years old
 
Great for most ages
this is a funny family series.

MilesFlyer
parent of 4 year old
 
Great for Parents and Kids!
Kids love it and the adult humor written in has us loving it too! Beats Barney any day!

Kowalski is cool
teen, 13 years old
 
Best show ever!
This is a really good show! This is actually(in my opinion) the show that makes Nick so awesome. The other shows just aren’t as good as they used to be like Spongebob and iCarly. Spongebob's jokes just aren’t funny and iCarly is just too weird to watch and is too girly(even though I am a girl). The Penguins of Madagascar is the funniest show on TV, it will leave you laughing with tears rolling down your cheeks. The show has helped me expand my vocabulary extremely and the lessons they give are helpful. The only good role model in the show is Private, everyone else are kind of neutral. The whole family will love this show!

96grlpowrCE
teen, 16 years old
 
This is coming from someone whose favourite animals are penguins. o_o
The movie Madagascar was fine, but this series is just... stupid, if you ask me. Whenever this is on I immediatedly turn the channel because it doesn't interest me at all-- it's not funny in the least, and it's just boring. Something I definitely would not have enjoyed as a kid, much less now.

momogirl
parent of 15 year old
 
GREAT SHOW!
I love this show! It is pretty good and I don't think that there are any problems with it. Kowalski also uses good vocabulary that can help kids enlarge their language...in a good way.

1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o
teen, 14 years old
 
good for kids,but not too young
it alright for anybody over 5,but if you under 5,just make sure that you watch it with them,(the show has good role models and positive messages).

mustlovedogs500
teen, 13 years old
 
blah
blah. not for me

leonard727
teen, 13 years old
 
This show is great. I love how Skipper will turn everything into a covert operation. And how Rico is always like KABOOM! and can hack up anything the team will need

PenguinFan
teen, 16 years old
 
Best show on Nick
One reason I love this show is that its humor is simply a refreshing break from all the stereotypical humor possessed by most other Nick shows. Yes, it's cute too.

Jdogrules
teen, 13 years old
 
good kids show
Parents need to know that this cartoon is different from others and is harmless fun

lilmissfrankie
kid, 12 years old
 
this show is so funny but it has alot of humor that kids dont understand and older kids do my mom loves this show

SBFBCCPOM
teen, 15 years old
 
Terrific!!
I absolutly adore this show! I've seen the Madagascar movies and am so happy that the penguins have their own series. The plots are terrific, the jokes are hilarious, it's all around perfect! There's nothing else i can say!

fanboy is cool
kid, 12 years old
 
AWESOME!
I LOVE THIS SHOW! but sometimes the show can get violent

twinkers321
teen, 14 years old
 
Excellent
I really do Love this show! I think it shows children that you can rely on friends even in the worst of times, teamwork examples are excellent, and teaches kids to do the best you can do.

camaro15
teen, 15 years old
 
funny show
this is a hilarious show.

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