 | 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. |
Saturday Night Live
- NBC
- Genre: Variety Show
Common Sense Media says
Legendary late-night show funny for teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that much of this sketch show's sexual, political, and racial humor may be too mature for some kids -- but it could also fly right over their head. Stereotypes abound, from ditzy girls to angry black men, and they're treated with differing levels of social critique -- some shallow, some deeper. Due to the show's live nature, occasional curse words or other unplanned activity occurs (such as when Sinead O'Connor ripped up a photograph of the Pope on air). Many parents may remember their own experiences with SNL growing up and should know that, if anything, the show is tamer now than it was in its early years.
What's the story?
For over 30 years, NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE has been broadcasting comedy sketches and musical performances from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center. Some of today's veteran comedians started on the show -- Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase -- and it's where a number of contemporary comedy movie stars also got their first big break, including Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell. Sketches often parody timely events, politics, and celebrities, providing an astute form of social commentary.
Is it any good?
Over the years, the quality of the show has varied, both from season to season and from episode to episode. But for the most part, SNL has been a place to see solid, live comedy with a broad, mature appeal. Other similar shows may have topped it comedically (In Living Color, The Kids in the Hall), but none have endured the test of time to become a living institution like SNL
In the late '90s and 2000s, Tina Fey's smart, biting delivery as the co-host of the long-standing news parody segment "Weekend Update" became a highlight of the show. Her role as both performer and head writer for SNL marked a shift from the 1990s, when series creator Lorne Michaels was under fire for a lack of a female voice on the show. Musical guests, who usually play two live songs during the course of the show, are also top-rate and diverse, ranging from Paul Simon to Britney Spears.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the show's characters -- especially those based on stereotypes -- to ensure that teens understand the layers of comedy. What makes something funny?
What is the purpose of satire in our culture? How do you feel when someone you admire is being made fun of -- like a politician or celebrity? What would our culture be like if we weren't allowed to mock authority figures and role models?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Parent of 5, 5, 8, and 10 year old
April 18, 2011
AGE
Young Kids dont get it, so there is really no harm
My ten year old has seen it and most time she fall a sleep or gets bored and walks away because she doesnt get it it is fine for 12+ just be sure to watch it with them
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Kid, 11 years old
October 22, 2010
AGE
I adore the show, but I must say, it is a little inappropriate.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 18, 2011
AGE
perfect for toddlers
tehe
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Teen, 14 years old
March 11, 2011
AGE
great show could be for kids 10 or 11 up (depending)
i love love love love this show. my parents watched it and used to let me stay up once and a while to watch it when i was little. i didnt understand anything except some of the ads and the news..... while the show isnt appropriate for most elementary school kids, you cant stop middle schoolers and high schoolers from hearing about this stuff..... its live acting and amazing to see what these comedians come up with in 5 days!! if your kids are mature enough to handle it without repeating stuff, r if they dont understand everything they hear then some skits are fine to watch (if they can stay up late enough haha)
(also seth meyers is awesome <3) (so is kristin wiig and bill hader too)
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Kid, 11 years old
April 5, 2011
AGE
Funny, but watch out
This show is really funnny, there are some skits that can be innnapropriate, but it's all comedy based. If your a parent, I would watch out for some of the skits, but otherwise, let you child watch it. It's all just plain fun, so what do you expect?
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Parent of 13 year old
December 19, 2010
AGE
Amazing show for people 12+
HILARIOUS!!!! This show is extremely funny. Sometimes there are jokes that are very inappropriate for kids. I think that the funniest things on the show is the Roger Brush shows, but they're really inappropriate. This show is good for anyone 12+
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Parent of 10 year old
March 1, 2011
AGE
i really love this show. It is often quite inapropiate, but kids under 10 probably wouldn't understand but older kids would probably lov it and get all the jokes.Hilarius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
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Teen, 16 years old
May 22, 2010
AGE
Okay for teenagers.
Kids seven and under probably can only watch the opening bit and monolouge, then need to change the channel.
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Teen, 14 years old
April 12, 2010
AGE
Ooooh my gosh I am laughing SO HARD from the review that ProudMotherOf6 posted!! Ma'am, if you're currently reading this review, please know that the requests that your 17 year-old has are perfectly reasonable!! 2$ a month?? I get 15! Disney Channel only for your teens? I watch Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network on a daily basis! I go over to friend's houses nearly every other weekend! The "only thirty minutes of TV a day" part kinda scares me....! If it makes any difference to you, I knew a girl in my elementary school that everyone made fun of, because her mom wouldn't let her go to bed after 7:30, she couldn't watch Nickelodeon, and she had to hold her mom's hand when she walked across the street. This girl was constantly made fun of, and she never had any friends. She actually switched schools because of a mental break-down. You want this to happen to your kids? Then let your kids live a little. And please get rid of the hidden cameras, so that the next person who reads it doesn't die from laughing. By the way, if you've watched iCarly, you might relate with Freddie's mom...
Anyway, now for my review! I think SNL is appropriate for kids 13 and older, because of some sexual references and swearing. I started watching it when I was eleven, and I LOVE IT! It's really funny!! Teens my age get the jokes, and why they are funny. They don't go out thinking "I'm gonna go make fun of black people because I saw it on SNL!" I highly doubt anyone above the age of 5 does that. I think you should lets teens watch this. 11-12 year old's can watch it too, if you ask me, but with adult supervision. I recommend recording it if you are gonna let kids that age watch it, so if you come across something inappropriate, you can simply fast-forward!
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Teen, 17 years old
February 2, 2011
AGE
Funny show not for younger teens or kids
To be honest, my parents would probably freak out if they new I was watching SNL in the first place, but I think it's usually a hilarious show that's worth watch. Can be very inappropriate sometimes, but with one sometimes comes the other (take the 01/29/11 episode with Jesse Eisenberg as host; probably one of the dirtiest eps for months, but easily the funniest). I'll second what another user posted, the opening political sketch and monologue are probably appropriate for kids, but I can't see kids being able to grasp the humor in those skits anyway, so it's best to just have them wait until they're a little older to be able to handle all the crudity on SNL.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | NBC |
| Cast: | Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig |
| Genre: | Variety Show |
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