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Totally Spies

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Scooby-Doo meets Beverly Hills 90210.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 8–10

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Girls are the powerful (and sometimes clever) characters here, which sends a positive message to young viewers.
  • Role models:

    Although the girls are strong and resourceful, they also sometimes act in stereotypical ways ("valley girl" speak, emphasis on clothes, etc.).

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    There's action fighting, though the brutality isn't as gruesome as other action shows.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Girls wear tight and/or skimpy clothes.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Totally Spies was written by Joly Herman

Parents need to know that there are no obvious redeeming features about this series. It does make for fun enough sleepover material, and there are hints of travel and cultural exploration, but in terms of everyday viewing, there are much more worthwhile shows for tweens.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the show's use of slang ("totally," "so not," "like," "you know," etc.) Do adults find it hard to take kids seriously when they use these words? How can language affect how people are viewed?
  • Are the girls actually clever, or are they just lucky to have the stuff that they have?
  • Do real teens look like these girls?
Did this review help you decide?

Will your kids tune in?

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More on Totally Spies

What’s the Story?

Scooby-Doo meets Beverly Hills, 90210 in cotton candy cartoon TOTALLY SPIES. The action takes place at Beverly Hills High School, but the girls are so often whisked away from school that being at school is so not even the point. What makes this series as catchy as a pop song has to do with the mysteries that the girls must solve -- and they often find themselves in places like Madrid or the Alps, which gives the show the slightest bit of international cred. Much like Velma and Daphne of the Scooby series, the girls have to use their ingenuity to solve the mysteries.

Is It Any Good?

Totally Spies was first introduced on ABC in 2001, and, to its credit, it's garnered some staying power. Perhaps it's the manga-style animation, or the cool spy gadgets that viewers enjoy. But there is something charming about Totally Spies lying under the shallow façade. Whether viewers should subject themselves to the annoying dialogue to find the deeper stuff is up to their discretion. We think it's a decent show to catch once in a while, but anything more regular might give viewers the like, slightest headache.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    really cool

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 1.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 2.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 3.0

    The valley girls in spy gear(must be a 70's writer)

    I think that this show puts alot of focus on material things.

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