Sigmund and the Sea Monsters

Review

Common Sense Media says

Vintage Krofft is cheesy but lighthearted.
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 Sigmund and the Sea Monsters is mostly inoffensive, nostalgic fun and may be enjoyable for parents and kids to watch together. Young kids might get a bit spooked when Sigmund's sea monster brothers chase and try to capture him while thunderous music plays. Sigmund's family rarely appears but when they do they are unkind to the peaceful Sigmund, and sometimes call him names, like "fool." The show's messages of kindness and friendship emerge, despite the overall cheesiness of the production.

  • Educational value0
    This show is intended to entertain, not educate.
  • Positive messages3
    Sigmund's reason for leaving his family is that he refuses to be mean and scare humans. His friends Johnny and Scott show how friends and family can be loving in contrast to Sigmund's family.
  • Positive role models2
    Sigmund, Johnny, and Scott are loyal friends who work together to overcome adversity and are thoughtful and kind. Sigmund's family's unkindness is played for laughs. Female characters are in short supply, and are almost always villains when they appear.
  • Violence & scariness1
    Violence is very cartoonish with no combat or injuries. But it can be scary when Sigmund's brothers chase and sometimes capture him while thunderous music plays.
  • Sexy stuff1
    Johnny and Scott's guardian, housekeeper Zelda, is often preparing for a date with her boyfriend and hoping he will ask her to marry him.
  • Language1
    Brothers Burp and Slurp often call Sigmund names or use critical language, including "fool" and "disappointment."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
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What's the story?

SIGMUND AND THE SEA MONSTERS is a groovy 1970s-era show from Sid and Marty Krofft, the same brother team that produced shows like H.R. Pufnstuf and The Bugaloos. Sigmund is a sea monster who refuses to frighten people. When he meets human boys Johnny (Johnny Whitaker) and Scott (Scott Kolden) on the beach, they take him home, hide him from his sea monster family, and have adventures.

Is it any good?

 

Like the Krofft brothers' other shows, this show is amateurly acted and cheaply produced, with extremely unconvincing rubber costumes that may be a deal-breaker for modern kids. On the other hand, they may enjoy spotting such bloopers as stuck eyeballs and actor clothing sticking out from beneath the awful costumes.

Plotlines are classic kid-show stuff, silly and predictable, with a notable amount of scariness and tension as Sigmund is repeatedly stalked, chased, and captured. But the cheerful attitude of the kids and the light-hearted adventures might fascinate kids who have never seen anything like it. Nostalgic parents might want to watch, too, and sing along to the corny theme song, "Friends."

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how television shows have changed since Mom and Dad were kids. How do the sets and costumes compare to today's shows? Do you think there are more positive female characters in today's shows compared to the Sid and Marty Krofft days?

  • What are the show's messages about family and friendship? How should family members treat each other? Is it okay for family members to disagree? To live their lives in different ways?

  • Does it scare you when Burp and Slurp find Sigmund? What music, dialogue, or other techniques does the director use to frighten you?

This review was written by Joyce Slaton

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This review was written by Joyce Slaton
Topics:adventures, ocean creatures
TV rating:NR
Cast:Johnny Whitaker, Rip Taylor, Scott Kolden
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Joyce Slaton
 

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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.
Our child development rating guidelines

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