Recess (ABC)

common sense media says

Engaging cartoon celebrates playground time.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is very little to worry about in this show. Although sometimes minor rules get broken and the characters are a slightly idealized group, overall the series is thoughtful, funny, and insightful.

Positive messages: Most, but not all, characters are white. Still, a great demonstration of inclusion of all types of people. The show can be funny even for adults, as the kids often sound wise beyond their years.
Violence & scariness: One main character is a toughie who talks of getting into fights.
Sexy stuff: None shown, but a love affair between the playground monitor and custodian was featured.
Language: Kids sometimes utter a made-up expletive.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Recess

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the different kinds of people that make up their kids' school. Is it better to try to be all the same, like "The Ashleys," or all different, like the main characters? Which of the main characters does your child admire most? Another potential discussion topic is school rules and the ramifications of breaking them.

What's the story?

What's the story?
RECESS abounds with clever insights into a child's perspective. Whether facing a school bully, a math test, or a forgotten permission slip, the kids band together to solve problems creatively and thoughtfully. Each kid is different, and yet they love and rely on each other's differences. The biggest guy isn't tough at all, but instead a poet and a ballet dancer. A petite girl is the toughest of the bunch and watches professional wrestling. Another girl is a genius but loves kickball, and the one African American main character is a tremendous athlete. The rest of the kids on the playground are given labels, such as Guru Kid, Upside-Down Girl, and the Diggers (twin brothers who dig holes all around the playground), and yet rather than represent generic types, they celebrate children's unique preferences and peculiarities.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The kids' mistakes create the show's most humorous situations, and viewers laugh because they understand the daily ups and downs these cartoon kids go through. The main characters may represent an ideal group of friends rather than a group that might actually be found on a typical playground. But Recess delights in presenting the obsessions of childhood, which kids sadly outgrow as self-consciousness kicks in, as perfectly normal.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: ABC
Cast: Andrew Lawrence, Rickey D'Shon Collins, Ross Malinger
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: ABC

This review was written by Betsy Wallace
 
 

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What parents & educators say

7

Most useful reviews by all members

Natasha2
teen, 17 years old
 
Recess
This show is okay. I only watch it a little

girl4natwolff
teen, 14 years old
 
Classic
Ha I'm 13 years old and I still love this show!

 
Recess Rules
RECESS RULES!!!!!!!!!!! It's a great cartoon for anyone!

Blue-Bunny
teen, 18 years old
 
Meaningful and fun...
Unfortunately, in today's generation, children's cartoons hardly teach any good morals. Recess was a cartoon back when Disney Channel used to be "Disney" and when it used to teach actual lessons and taught good morals. Now, I'm not saying that every cartoon should teach a lesson, but we need more of this type of cartoon: something with meaning. Recess was fun, clever, and imaginative. The characters are relate-able and understandable. If they did something wrong, they eventually end up correcting their mistake and they learn a lesson in the end. To be honest, I can't even find one bad trait from this show. Really, it's good.

crazydendo
kid, 12 years old
 
5 and over
i loved it since was 4 on toon disney and disney channel

Gregg
adult
 
Great program
A great show for kids. Each episode is 15 minutes so younger viewers can stay with it. The shows have a teaching point put in situations that kids can relate to. Definitely a show my kids could watch by themselves.

csmith
adult
 
A Show to Watch Together!
This is one of the few animated shows that everyone in my family enjoys. My children (ages 5 & 7) think it is hilarious. My wife and I find the ideas behind the stories quite effective as discussion starters or reference points for issues my kids deal with from time to time. I am even using some clips to illustrate points in a religion class I teach.

AuboisAcadiaSt ...
teen, 14 years old
 
an ok show
i remember watching it, i thought it was an okay show

MillyMolly
teen, 15 years old
 
Still loving it.....
Ive seen probably all the episodes, but I still dont get bored of them.

heckyeah
parent of and 6 , 9 , 11 year old
 

textingqueen
teen, 15 years old
 
awesum
I luved this show!!!

Panya
adult
 
...
I love this show. It has a lot of positive messages for older kids.

5aret
adult
 
This Whomps!! (Not!!)
Great Show... I watch it all of the time. A little exagerated sometimes. I guess its because its a cartoon. (Ex: The show when T.J. Almost got expelled because of the word whomps.)

 
Enjoyable!
this show brings back memories from the olden days :-D

anano
kid, 10 years old
 
craaaaap
classic crap some romance and a tinne bit of violance

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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