Slacker Cats (ABC Family)

common sense media says

Kitties behaving badly aren't meant for kids.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated series definitely isn't meant for kids or tweens. It's full of sexual innuendo ("faking purrs," "kitty" porn, and the like), references to drinking and drug use, and tons of generally iffy behavior. The main characters prey on others' naivety to their own advantage, often tricking their friends into unpleasant and dangerous situations. Swearing, while on the mild side ("hell," "damn," etc.), is common. Bottom line? Don't let the show's affiliation with Disney (ABC Family is owned by the Mouse House) fool you -- nothing about this show is particularly family friendly.

Positive messages: The main characters play tricks on their friends and owners for their own gain, often putting them in uncomfortable or dangerous situations. In one, they trick a peer into standing on a busy freeway. In another, they steal a woman's credit card to fund a vacation. Body humor (gas, poop, vomit) is also popular.
Violence: Characters often slap and hit each other. Death is a source of humor, as when cats convince their friend to climb inside the fly-ridden corpse of a dead cat so they can collect the reward for returning him to his owner.
Sex: Lots of talk of fantasizing about sex, enjoying "kitty" porn, and physical attraction to females. Innuendoes are equally hard to miss; in one scene, for example, cats discuss "faking a purr" when they're being stroked by their people.
Language: Words like "hell" and "damn" are common.
Consumerism: The cats often play video games for fun.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking is portrayed in a positive light, as part of a successful social life or relaxing vacation. There's also mention of drugs and their effects on the body.

More on Slacker Cats

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about cartoons aimed at older viewers. What does the animated format offer this audience that live-action doesn't? Why do teens and adults enjoy series like The Simpsons and King of the Hill? How do shows like these take a critical look at American life? Do you think viewers take away any messages from them, or are they strictly for laughs? Do you think these teen- and adult-oriented cartoons should be promoted on TV during times when younger kids are watching? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?

The SLACKER CATS cartoon centers on the antics of feline friends Buckley (voiced by Harland Williams) and Eddie (Sinbad), who redefine laziness in the course of their nap-filled days. Between snooze and snack sessions, the cats patrol their neighborhood, always on the lookout for new and improved ways to take advantage of those around them. Buckley's owner, Louise (Nicole Sullivan) -- who bridges the species gap by chatting it up with the cats -- is a repeat victim of their schemes, whether it's an innocent fake purr to encourage more stroking or the credit card theft that funds their pricey vacation plans. Most susceptible to Eddie and Buckley's antics are paranoid Dooper (Emo Phillips) -- whose jitters center on hell rising up through the sidewalk cracks -- and pleading Tabitha (Kiersten Warren), who's so desperate for attention that she's been known to scrape up road kill for companionship. It doesn't take the guys much effort to coax either of them into uncomfortable (or stinky, as when Dooper donned a cat corpse to claim a monetary reward) situations for the dominant duo's pleasure.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

In general, the Disney conglomerate -- which includes ABC Family -- tends to keep its name (or at least its animated offerings) synonymous with squeaky-clean family programming. Slacker Cats is a glaring exception. If you're looking for positive lessons or values -- even a stray message about the power of friendship -- you're not going to find them here. In addition to the kitties' rampant bad behavior, there's some strongish language (mostly "hell" and "damn"), cartoon violence played for laughs, references to drinking and drug use, and obvious sexual innuendoes.

All in all, it's a poor choice for tweens and definitely not for kids. But adults and teens may get a few laughs from some of the same type of humor that's made shows like Family Guy and King of the Hill such favorites among older age groups.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: ABC Family
Cast: Alex Borstein, Harland Williams, Sinbad
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: ABC Family

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Nooberz attack
teen, 13 years old
 
Ugh ok where do i start oh yes! Two cats and thats as fun as the show goes unless you like to watch a coupple of perverted cats look at kitty pourne, flirt terribly with humans, and killing. this show is good to be cancled because who in the perverted right mind would like this stupid show. no affence to the pervs who actually like this show though :(

masterofvideogames
teen, 15 years old
 
not very good
This show sucks. It is about prevert cats for god sake.Don't wacth this show!

jskyroe
adult
 
for adults
This is definitely . Not for impressionable young minds

yankee01
teen, 16 years old
 
funny
i laughed every minute

MatthewAbate
teen, 14 years old
 
THEY DESERVE TO DIE
Meowica women built a transporter all so she could get into their show and murder both of the kittens and make them both drop to hell while yelling WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU OLD MEN? directly at them and then she started shooting their butts with a gun.

brandonneo6425
kid, 13 years old
 
SUCKIEST SHOW EVER!!
Ok dead cats bad behavior,HORRIBLE animation,and drugs and drinking,plus a bit of language.Woo-freakin'-hoo

 
Not appropriate for the Family Channel
My son thinks Slacker Cats is hilarous, I think it's funny...I just keep wondering why this is on ABC Family. Seems like a show that should be on MTV or Comedy Central.

 
I laughed! A lot!
I love this show so much! It is so funny, but so many people are judging it by the previews. Trust me, sit down and watch it. There is so much that they don't show you in the preview!

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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