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Strangers with Candy (Comedy Central)

common sense media says

After school-special spoof is an acquired taste.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this satirical comedy (which has a strong cult fanbase) contains mature humor and is geared toward adults. Jokes are crude and can be racially, sexually, and socially offensive. The series' intention is to poke fun at the ridiculous nature of the after school specials and "very special episodes" that were so popular in the '70s and '80s.

Positive messages: Jerri is a former junkie, prostitute, and jailbird who makes multiple references to her past behavior "in the joint." She's always happy to ditch her dorky friends in favor of the popular kids. The teachers are far from models of good behavior. The show as a whole is designed to send up the neat lessons of corny after school specials.
Violence: Physical comedy, but all harmless.
Sex: Blatant sexual innuendoes ("I like the pole and the hole"); sloppy kissing for the gross-out factor. Jerri hits on both boys and girls.
Language: Derogatory remarks can be offensive, including "fag", "p--sy", "whore."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking weed, and some drinking. Lots of references to past drug use.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the series' off-beat brand of humor. Is it smart, sarcastic, or over the top? Why is making fun of something considered funny, and when does mocking go too far? Is Jerri funny or repulsive? Why? Do any of the subjects dealt with in the show come up in teens' own lives? How do they deal with them? Teens may need a brief intro to the history of after school specials.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Created by Sedaris, Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report, The Daily Show) and Paul Dinello, STRANGERS WITH CANDY positions itself as a spoof on the once-popular after school specials of the '70s and '80s. The show describes its main character, Jerri Blank (Amy Sedaris), as "a boozer, a user, and a two-time loser" -- she's a 46-year-old ex-prostitute and former junkie who, after being released from prison, decides to pick up where she left off -- high school. So it's not surprising that Jerri is picked on by everyone in school, including art teacher Mr. Jellineck (Dinello), science teacher Mr. Noblet (Colbert), and Principal Onyx Blackman (Greg Hollimon). Jerri quickly comes to the realization that after being a teenage runaway for 32 years and returning to high school, "the faces may have changed, but the hassles are still the same." Each episode of Strangers with Candy ends with another twisted lesson Jerri has learned, always described in her own words.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

In its short run (1999-2000; it still airs in reruns and is available on DVD), Strangers with Candy became a cult favorite and attracted variety of guest stars, including Will Ferrell, Winona Ryder, and Steve Carell (The Office). A big-screen version hit theaters in June 2006.

The series can be offensive on a number of levels -- it almost seems like Sedaris' goal to mock as many groups and institutions as possible -- but keep in mind that it's intended for mature viewers. If you like Sedaris' brand of humor, you'll probably dig the show, but it's definitely not for everyone.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Comedy Central
Cast: Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Comedy Central
This review was written by Jill Murphy
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

angelascats
adult
13
 
Hahaha, there are no reviews. This show is definitely not a kids' show. Jerri, the main character, is an ex-junkie ex-prostitute who goes back to high school at the age of 42 (or somewhere around there). She makes all the same mistakes, but "for the right reason." It's ridiculous and there are some parts that definitely gross me out even now (like when she flashes a boy in high school and there is a bell attached to her...privates) A lot of drug/alcohol use/references, sex/masturbation references, not the best language. The messages are terrible if you take it seriously--which I don't think most kids would. But the content is probably not appropriate for kids under 13 or so. Anyway, it's a funny show, just not for kids.
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thisSisPOSSESSED
teen, 18 years old
15
 
Brilliant for a certain sense of humor.
Oh, this show. It's absolutely hilarious. Jerri Blank's over-the-top innapropriate humor is something to be laughed at rather than cringed at. (if you're of the right age, of course.) My father loved it and my sister loved it and so do I, although my mom doesn't. It all depends on what kind of humor you find funny. She has a diary that she calls her "Dirty, dirty jew diary" and I remember at one point she pointed out that she was "moist as a snack cake down there." There is also a blantant gay relationship between her english teacher and her art teacher. But, as I've said, if you like that kinda humor then you'll love it. I wouldn't suggest showing it to kids though until they're at least 15/16, or older if they are the kind that would take a negative influence to heart.
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oogamama
adult
17
 
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