The Venture Bros. (Cartoon Network)

common sense media says

A reminder of how good cartoons can be for adults.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this violent, sexualized cartoon is in no way intended for children. It's a parody of a cartoon style that was popular in the late '60s/early '70s (particularly Jonny Quest), and as such will probably hold little interest for younger kids. The humor is usually either tongue-in-cheek or overtly absurdist, with clever dialogue and over-the-top situations. For grown-ups into smart writing, biting social commentary, and sharp animation, it's one of the funniest cartoons out there. Just wait until the kids are asleep.

Positive messages: Brock is a bodyguard with no boundaries and a deviant sexual appetite; Dr. Venture is a manic depressive with a nasty disposition.
Violence: Guns, bombs, swords, beatings, torture -- you name it. All animated, but still quite graphic.
Sex: Bare butts, partial breasts, implicit (and sometimes explicit) sex.
Language: "Damn," "hell," the occasional "son of a bitch," bathroom humor, etc.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Brock always has a cigarette clenched in his teeth; Dr. Venture is addicted to prescription painkillers and drinks a lot.

More on The Venture Bros.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why networks air cartoon series that aren't intended for kids. Why do people automatically tend to associate animation with children? Is that assumption as strong now as it used to be? What are the differences between cartoons made for kids and those aimed at adults?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In parody cartoon THE VENTURE BROS., which is part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim line-up, the titular brothers, Hank and Dean Venture (voiced by Christopher McCulloch and Michael Sinterniklaas, respectively), are a pair of bumbling, naive teenagers whose father, Dr. Venture (James Urbaniak), is a world-renowned super-scientist. Actually, he's the son of a world-renowned super-scientist, constantly cowering in his late father's shadow and trying to live up to the Venture name -- the more he fails, the more he retreats into a fog of prescription painkillers and booze. Brock Samson (Patrick Warburton) is a shadowy figure, a former government agent gone seriously homicidal, who has sworn to protect the boys at all costs. The Ventures' primary nemesis is The Monarch (McCulloch again), a megalomaniac intent on taking over the world while wearing a butterfly costume, who is assisted by Dr. Girlfriend (Doc Hammer), who has the body of a supermodel and the voice of a Bronx wrestler.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

For a certain segment of the population, there's simply no funnier cartoon on television than The Venture Bros. The jokes are fast and furious, the tone is very mature, and the animation recalls a bygone era when people actually cared about the look of cartoons. That said, with its edgy content and mature tone, this isn't one for the kids.

Early episodes were self-contained genre parodies, since the cartoon was initially seen as a short-lived effort. But as the series progressed and it started to look like there was long-term potential, some continuity began to creep in. Plot lines developed that required attention and, strangely, a sense of caring.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-MA
Network: Cartoon Network
Cast: Christopher McCulloch, James Urbaniak, Michael Sinterniklaas
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Cartoon Network

This review was written by Scout Davidson
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

ALunarLight
parent of 11 and 15 year old
 
johnny quest on acid
Got to love it. I only put the rating so high because younger kids might just drift off,violence and near sex seance is not for any one under 10 (my kids are pretty mature thought). it all builds up kind of like a soap opera on the cartoon front. Its a mix of Johnny Quest meets Failure, meets the best intentions of mice and men. It got good plot action and character development but if you can't keep up and kind out of the question.

4kidstv
adult
 
The language is explicit in many ways, you name it,they say it

no ur a towel
teen, 14 years old
 
Just....
...Awesome!

 
Incredible Show
The Venture Bros. is a fantastically funny cartoon, but for a fairly narrow slice of the American Viewing Public. Here's the checklist: Did you like Jonny Quest? Are you reasonably attuned to pop culture? Are you intelligent? If you answered yes to at least 2 of these questions, this show is for you. But if you watch in order (advised), be a little patient and pay attention. There is a lot of backstory to fill in and the characters actually develop through a long story arc. If you don't like it after episode #5, you probably got number 3 wrong on the old checklist... GO TEAM VENTURE!

 
A must for animation freaks
Though graphic, this show is intelligent and witty. A must for anyone who is into animated action/ comedy!!

ssrex
teen, 15 years old
 
The smartness of the show sort of tones down the overall content.

JamesRobertson
parent of and 7 , 11 , 14 , 17 year old
 

 
A reminder of how good cartoons can be for teens, too
In its second season, "The Venture Bros." shows no sign of weakening or slowing down. Amidst "Family Guy" and "South Park", this show is a welcome change of pace and humor (although the aforementioned shows are still funny). The content is described well by CSM, though the language isn't as much of a problem as in other shows (like in "South Park" when they said "sh*t" 169 times [the show counted]). I will admit that the show is an acquired taste, and not all people will find its humor appealing. Here is a little idea of what to expect from the show (at least from the actual Venture brothers): (while talking to someone in a jail cell) Hank: "You _______" Dean: "Hank! We never say bad words like that! Do you know how many baby angels you just killed?" Like I said acquired taste; although the doc, his bodyguard, and his evil twin/clone guy provide different humor, so you might want to watch the show anyways.

Halekulani
teen, 18 years old
 
:-P
Very very very pointless & hard to follow.

Shizuka Lyra
teen, 14 years old
 
If you are thirteen and older, dont mind a few grotesque things, AND GET THE JOKES, Its for you.
Alright people, 16, for real? The only episode where I felt my eyes were burning is a few parts, Powerless in the Face of Death, the first episode of season ttwo, and the only bad part was the naked clone thing, and the team venture part at the end. Seriously, when I grow up I'd rather my kids be watching South Park, Venture, Boondocks... etc. then growing STUPID on the high school musical or full house. Those shows do not even dive you a slight GLIMPSE into the REAL world. Seriously. GO TEAM VENTURE!

Reviewer X1
teen, 16 years old
 
"Everyone in my family watches this show."
My Brothers, (25,20) My Sister,(26) And Me, (13 1\2) And even my Mom, (5?) All watch Venture Brothers. maybe not in the same room, but we all watch it. I can't tell you what's all fair and good because it varies from family to family. But this is a pretty good show. It has an important storyline meaning it would help to watch it from the start. If you're not sure if you want your kids to see it, I recommend (Duh) watching a few episodes for yourself.

 
The Best Show on TV
Again, I am frustrated with the CS review--its inexcusable to have factual errors on the official review page (Dr. Venture is addicted to diet pills, not painkillers. Duh!) Regardless, absolutely the best show on TV today. Funny, gorgeously animated, surprisingly poignant, the Ventures are a terrific case study of failure as a family value! Again, I'm a liberal parent and treat my kids like humans rather than adorable idiots, so I let them watch this show. Despite the reviewers insistence that there is nothing to keep kids entertained, its my little (11 and 8) guys favorite show. The fighting, the jokes, the gadgets! They love the dorky, naive twins and constantly quote the show. Watching this as a family requires vigilance and the stomache to discuss whatever depravity might show up, but in the end, we have bonded via Team Venture, and I think that time shared wathing the Venture Bros. is more valuable than dodging issues of transexuality and homicidal mothers, but hey, its an individual thing, of course.

 
good show, but Keep the Kids in bed
I watched teh venture bros. since it first aired, and it is really good. However, teh mature themes and humoris too nuch for kids and teens. I recommend this to the adults who can understand the humor and can handle the violence, sex, and language that pops up.

NK17
adult
 
[adult swim]'s best
Usually TV-MA/TV-MA-V but lately It's aired with a TV-PG or TV-14-D-L-S-V rating so it's no kids under 11 Iffy for 12-15 OK for kids 16+

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