 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Ren & Stimpy Show
- Nicktoons
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Nasty cat-and-dog duo isn't for little kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there have been several incarnations of this show, including some "lost episodes" that were aired in 2003 under the title Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon. Although the original series (which still airs in syndication and is available on DVD) is tamer than that version and was definitely marketed toward grade-schoolers and tweens, between the frequent implications that the main characters are gay and their constant abuse of each other, it's really a much better fit for older tweens and teens. What's more, the show -- which first aired in 1991 -- was ground-breaking in its willingness to disregard social conventions by depicting bodily functions and adding a significant amount of gore to its cartoon violence. The episodes that air on Nicktoons usually offer a somewhat watered-down version, but they still aren't meant for kids.
What's the story?
In its early-'90s heyday, THE REN & STIMPY SHOW was ground-breaking TV, offering cartoon gore, bodily functions and fluids, crushed heads, oozing brains, and an ongoing fascination with the controversial aspects of sexuality, particularly homosexuality (which isn't portrayed very attractively here). It pre-dated South Park and has a lot in common with Bart Simpson's beloved Itchy and Scratchy Show. It was never pretty, but it was fascinating and often funny. Those early, decidedly mature episodes can be found on DVD, but Nicktoons now airs repeats of a somewhat-defanged version of the show, which included the less-offensive original episodes and those made later, without creator John Krisfaluci. (The show's evolution can be seen in its animation, which goes from intentionally rough to much more polished and plushie-toy ready.)
Is it any good?
No matter what format it's in, Ren & Stimpy is still too edgy and adult for younger children. Teens may enjoy the scatological humor and the occasional attempt at social satire, but Ren & Stimpy's once-shocking take on classic cartooning is old hat now. It's been done, and it's been done better.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the trends that this series started (or at least heralded), contributing to the current media landscape in which there are far fewer limits than there used to be. Was the show's influence good (South Park) or bad (arguably, South Park), and what affect has it had on the rest of society? Is society different because we've grown used to watching animated creatures defecate on TV?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
for kids 5 +
ok first of all people are being too sensative. this show isnt any different than spongebob, its not here to teach kids a lesson, its here to entertain them. younger kids might try to immatate ren and stimpy, but kids that are at least 6 should be smart enough to know its just a cartoon. and i don't know why people think it shows sexual meanings. ok, it shows their butts a little, but who cares, there is much worse stuff out there than this so don't be complaining, i am 12 and love this show, and so do the kids i babysit and they have no problem at all. so pipe down everyone is being way too sensative get a life.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
this show is dumb!
ren and stimpy is so dumb! not for kids, first ren and stimpy was in nick but now it become for adults and its on spike. !dont watch it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
The Ren & Stimpy Show
Oh common sense what is wrong with you! Iffy for ages 13+. It's not really inappropriate. Anybody who thinks this show is not appropriate is crazy! Yes Ren does smack Stimpy in the face. This is TV-Y7, Characters do not take drugs, they're just acting a little weird sometimes. It's so not inappropriate! This show is a nicktoon, nick does not put on inappropriate shows. A show like "South Park" or "Family guy" would be inappropriate for kids but this show is appropriate for kids. All you do is lie Common Sense! LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE!!! LLLLLLIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is an awesome show!! Not inappropriate!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 8 years old
November 15, 2011
AGE
15 or older is age appropriate
They once said the h word. So much violence. Sexual behavior.
Instead of TV-Y7 it should be rated TV-14
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
August 14, 2011
AGE
Happy Happy Joy Joyful Cartoon
This is an amazing show! It's funny and influenced modern animation! It should be awesome for kids and teens 9 and up, but there's things to discuss under that. There is lots of violence and threats, lots of suggestive themes, like showing Ren urinating on a board game, and speculation about Ren and Stimpy being gay, since they sleep together, etc. After Seasons 1 and 2, it was very tame. Overall, a great show!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
June 12, 2011
AGE
Ren & Stimpy is awesome! (NOTE: These are epsiodes from the Spumco era)
CommonSenseMedia, iffty for 13? Really? I have the first and second seasons DVD and I don't get why this isn't for kids. Yes, Ren slaps Stimpy, but how is that explicit? And I know about TRCKY. It uses hell. But who cares? It's fine.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
December 20, 2010
AGE
huh common sense? 13?! started watching it at 7
very mild badwords like idiot,stupid VERY LITTLE south park humor,its F-U-N-N-Y,ren and stimpy are bad role models but,i never look up to them (and i hope other kids dont) voilence:mild contains punching,kicking and pushing some gross humor ps i have no idea why common sense rated this show 13+ HELLO COMMON SENSE,TV-Y7!? pss note to parents- there is a ren and stimpy ADULT CARTOON dvd so be sure NOT to buy that dvd
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of the best 90's shows! Not that inappropriate!
Wonderful 90's cartoon, why does everybody think it's inappropriate, very funny classic. Common sense, is it really iffy for kids 13 and up, you're crazy Common sense! I saw like every episode and yes, there is violence but no drugs, sexual behavior or anything else, Why do people think this is nit for kids, I watched it when I was a kid and it has like 0 sexual problems and 0 drugs. I think you need to write better reviews common sense! I love this show!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
humiliating!
Ren & Stimpy is not bad and they are not gay!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
good show but only for mature kids and adults
though I truly enjoyed the show i cant be bias so here it goes,though the jokes are sometimes extremely amusing you have to be a certain age for it to be funny yet not scary,i would recommend this to anyone who I know is mature so if you're kid is mature,lettem watch and if they are you can tell by them being entertained at the jokes not the violence
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | friendship |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | Nicktoons |
| Cast: | Billy West, John Kricfalusi |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
