See more TV reviews

Timon & Pumbaa (Disney Channel, Toon Disney)

common sense media says

The Lion King does Looney Tunes.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of the characters in this cartoon series are pretty scary, particularly the three always-starving, stooge-like hyenas, who never catch their prey. Disney's excellent animation can make them look quite horrifying, and they frequently hit each other, as well as attack their prey. The violence is of a cartoon nature -- abundant and free of consequence. There's a commercial break between segments, and Toon Disney's commercials tend to be of the most insidious kind.

Positive messages: Characters frequently hit one another in anger. It's cartoon violence, but nothing you'd want a child imitating.
Violence & scariness: Classic cartoon violence -- if a character is hit with a frying pan, his head emerges in the shape of a pan, etc.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: No on-screen product placement (though there is an ad break), but this is Disney, so products are a given. Lion King merchandise is still out there everywhere, and these characters are included.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Timon & Pumbaa

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how TV Timon and Pumbaa are different from the characters in the movie. Parents might also bring up the series' joyfully ludicrous violence, as opposed to the apparently serious violence found in anime and action cartoons. Which do you like better, and why? Parents might also want to discuss the characters' tendency to hit one another when they're angry. Why is that funny on screen but not off?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Lion King spin-off series TIMON & PUMBAA has its roots in classic American humor. With its wacky cartoon violence, similarity to the original Looney Tunes is unmistakable, and the three hyena characters are clearly an homage to the Three Stooges. Like the Stooges, these characters sometimes hit one another, usually in response to some perceived stupidity.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Parents and older kids will find plenty of slapstick and pun-like humor, most of which is worked in well enough that a younger viewer won't require an explanation. There's plenty of wacky cartoon violence, but only the very youngest viewers might be bothered by it -- and then only until they get the way these cartoons work and accept a world where you can fall out of an airplane and emerge unharmed. Timon & Pumbaa is pure brain candy, with no lessons and no morals. It's Bugs and Daffy for the Lion King fan.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7-FV
Network: Disney Channel
Cast: Cam Clarke, Ernie Sabella, Quinton Flynn
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Disney Channel
This review was written by KJ Dell Antonia
 
 

Review It

 

Review Timon & Pumbaa

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

ttfan147
teen, 18 years old
 
great
this is what tv should be. light classical humor. it is still on disney and toon disney. a must see for whomever like the lion king.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
NoseStuckInABook
teen, 15 years old
6
 
I used to love this show!
I used to be a huge TLK fan when I was really young. I couldn't get enough of this show. Nothing but a little cartoon violence to worry about. Not that you'll be able to find this show on air now that XD has finally overpowered Toon Disney...
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
RainforestGal
teen, 15 years old
2
 
Where on Earth did Disney Go?
I LOVE this show, my only consern is the violence. But I wish it shows on Disney channel more. Infact on the main Disney channel, it doesn'r show at all. I'm afraid teens have taken over Disney. I'm a teen, but I don't like that kinda stuff. I know little kids like it, but thats cuz they've never seen the REAL Disney very often. . .
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)
BlueSunday
teen, 15 years old
6
 
A good intertaning show with cartoonish violence
It was a really fun show to watch. I love the Lion King, and Timon and Pumbaa are really funny together. It had some violence, but not like, horrible or anything. It's intertaning and little kids will love it, there are far worse cartoons on now a days that can NOT compare to this show. They need to bring back Toon Disney because Disney XD is rediculous.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
Cartoonaholic_ ...
adult
 
Funnier than the Modern Disney Barf (excluding Playhouse Disney)
It's like Looney Tunes, Lion King-style.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
DexterSmith
adult
 
Timon and Pumbaa
Sexual Content (Not an Issue): None. Violence (Pause): Lots of cartoony slapstick, comic peril. Language (Not an Issue): Pumbaa is repeatedly referred to as a "mook" by Timon. Social Behavior (Not an Issue): Snooty behavior and nastiness, but it's made clear that this isn't acceptable behavior. Most episodes have some kind of moral lesson within them. Commercialism (Not an Issue): Spin-off of The Lion King. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Not an Issue): None.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
CaSmFiRe
kid, 11 years old
7
 
It's Okay...
I watched a VHS of it on YouTube, and it really actually was quite good. Not enough to make me laugh to death, but it was entertaining, and I did laugh once in awhile. There are some great lessons that are learned, and Timon who usually does all the wrong stuff, learns his lesson pretty darn well. There IS an episode where Timon feels guilty and he has a nightmare where they are to cut off his head. There is no blood, but there is black liquid that covers the screen. So, not the BEST show. But I DO wish they still showed it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
rebma97
teen, 14 years old
6
 
Looney Tune-ish show
Ii used to watch it. The crude humor was weird...other than that I liked it. There is a lot of slapstick violence, but it's like Looney Tunes. But you can't watch it on TV because Disney got rid of Toon Disney :(
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Timon & Pumbaa?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more TV
About our rating system
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
Our child development rating guidelines