 | 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. |
Tom and Jerry
- Boomerang
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Cat and mouse face off in classic (but violent) cartoon.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated classic is far from educational. Although it's considered a masterpiece, some of the series' content -- particularly the consequence-free cartoon violence -- is iffy for younger viewers. There's also some content that reflects the series' original 1960s' era -- such as the fact that the characters smoke in some episodes.
What's the story?
TOM AND JERRY invented the cat-and-mouse game we all know today. The classic pair have had many incarnations, but everything dates back to the original 1940s MGM series, in which the pair chases, outsmarts, and tortures each other to the max. In each episode, Tom the cat attempts to outsmart Jerry the mouse -- although in most cases Jerry ends up turning the tables on his foe. For example, Tom builds a master mouse trap for Jerry. All is going well until Jerry escapes, leaving Tom to land in the trap himself. Parents can try to use scenarios like this to teach their kids to root for the underdog, but that's about the only positive message you'll get out of this show.
Is it any good?
Tom and Jerry is inarguably one of the most celebrated cartoons of all time. But that doesn't mean it's perfect for young viewers. In most episodes, Tom and Jerry casually smoke some form of tobacco. In the mouse trap episode, for example, Tom gives Jerry a cigarette before his supposed death, and Tom daydreams about smoking a Cuban cigar once Jerry is dead. Mild sexual innuendoes occasionally pop up, too; in one episode, Jerry uses a bra as a parachute to escape explosives.
But parents should be most concerned about the show's constant violence. Examples include Tom hitting a dog with a brick, Jerry blinding Tom with toothpaste, and Pecos the mouse (a guest character) using an ax to tear down a door. Other weapons such as guns, knives, and saws make regular appearances. (Obviously, there's a kernel of accuracy behind The Simpsons' extremely bloody Tom and Jerry parody, Itchy and Scratchy.) It's all played for laughs, but Tom and Jerry's unexplainable motives could prove confusing for younger viewers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why it's important to respect someone else even when competing with them. When does competition become unhealthy?
Why is it inappropriate to make fun of someone else?
Why can something be funny on TV but dangerous in real life? How does the violence in this show compare to what you've seen in other series?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Lighten up, geez
The more I browse this site, the more I see parents worrying too mcuh. "They solve their problems with violence!" Oh boo hoo. Let your kids have fun. I'm not hitting people with pans for the fun of it, and I loved this show when I was little. And kids are going to try to do it by fighting anyway. You ALSO forget that Tom and Jerry often make up at some point."BUT THEY SMOKE" and they almost always get sick afterwards from taking too much. Your kid is not dumb enough to pick up an actual cigar, light it, and smoke it, unless they see you doing it and learn how. And in such a case, you SHOULD'VE TAUGHT YOUR KID NOT TO DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. Make sure your child understands what they do wrong, and make sure they understand it's a cartoon. I really don't think you're giving your kids enough credit. They're not that dumb, and you can't protect them from every little knick and scrape to their body or mind. And from personal experience, the harder you try to do it, the farther your kids get later. I had issues with my grandmother recently because it suddenly dawned on me that she kept me inside my whole life, so I never learned how to play with other kids, I'd never played any games outside, and I'd never played in my own yard without long pants and a sweat shirt on. Whatever happened to kids having fun, anyway? AND WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE FUN OF ANIMATION?
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Not as bad as people make it out to be
Yes, Tom and Jerry has quite a bit of animated violence. I'm 26 and I grew up on shows like Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes. Now, I never felt the compulsion to hit my younger brother in the head with a frying pan...mainly because I knew it was wrong and also because I knew I would get in a world of trouble for it. T&J is all animated so the violence isn't "real." Yes, kids are imitators, but as long as parents aren't using the TV to babysit their kids and parents actually discipline kids, then the animated violence shouldn't be a problem. Long story short, teach the kids the difference between real and make believe and everything will be ok.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 9 years old
July 1, 2011
AGE
a kids show rated G
anyway all kids watch cartoons this is on in the morning so it is ok for kids
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A gennerly funny show with a few unsavory elements.
While I mostly agree with the Common Scence media review I think they left out a few things. There is some innuendo laced through the series, mostly whistling at women and that kind of stuff. Also while you probably wont see it on the TV, there are some unsavory racial sterotypes, namely blackface gags. Violence is what you would expect though. So while I don't think it's for 5+, 8 and higher should be good. But in the positives, this is a classic for the ages that it still entertaing today.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
December 27, 2010
AGE
ONE OF FUNNIEST SHOWS EVER
i love this show! me and my brother have been watching this since we were little. there's no blood,no scary voilence just ka-booms and whacks.okay for 4+ beacause they will think its will be HILARIOUS (i do and im 11)its 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000% funny
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Violent But Classic Cartoons
Tom and Jerry cartoons are very funny, but often violent. In almost every cartoon (with very few exceptions) they're fighting. Jerry doesn't try to escape Tom like Tweety tries to escape Slyvester, but tries to hurt the cat for fun. My main choice for giving this 5+ is that the characters smoke occasionaly, but you hopefully taught your kids from the time they understood what smoking was that they should never do it. I suggest if you have not take an example in Texas Tom where Tom smokes and say" We don't smoke like Tom."
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A fun for everyone classic cartoon
Family friendly classic for just about everyone. Cartoon violence could be offensive or frightening to the very young set.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
March 28, 2011
AGE
Great for all ages!
Funny as always!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
good for ages 4 and up.
funny but they use torchere tools for humor sometimes.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A classic to behold!
I remember watching this show when I was a bit younger and I still tune in to watch it every once in awhile. Let me tell you what I think about it. It's funny, surreal, and entertaining. The violence is one of the most funniest parts of the show. Jerry seems to be indestructible because he's always clever. He's also a very good role model because no matter how many times Tom tries to eat or kill him, he always manages to outsmart him and never gives up. I give it two thumbs up! One last thing, Glass-Cheshire is absolutely right!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | adventures |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Boomerang |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
