 | 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. |
Wonder Showzen
Common Sense Media says
Pitch-black puppet satire; no kids allowed!
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this darkly hilarious MTV2 series is absolutely not meant for children. A disclaimer before the show says, among other things, that "If you allow a child to watch this show, you are a bad parent or guardian." It's tongue-in-cheek, but accurate. The main characters look like Sesame Street-style puppets, but instead of education, they deal with sex changes, depression, drug use, politics, casual sex, and more. Other segments include graphic cartoons, a puppet who harasses strangers, and kid "reporters" who conduct confrontational interviews with adults (in one, a child's impersonation of the life of an elderly racetrack regular is "Gamble, gamble, gamble, die"). It's offensive, tasteless, and hysterical -- if you're a grown-up who likes your humor pitch-black.
What's the story?
WONDER SHOWZEN is peopled by fuzzy puppets who look like Sesame Street characters, but these puppets are strictly for adults only. Storylines for Chauncey, Him, Wordsworth, Sthugar, and the gang (many characters are voiced by show creators Vernon Chatman and John Lee) have them engaging in casual hook-ups, hunting down God so they can do battle with him, and trying to stop Mother Nature's sex change. Meanwhile, puppet-on-the street Clarence pesters unsuspecting people mercilessly ("Will you accept Jesus?"), cartoon segments feature characters like the expletive-spewing Potty Mouth and a team of hobo "superheroes," educational films mock old black-and-white tutorials, and innocent-looking children answer questions like "What is heaven?" with responses like "I'll never know" and "That's where drunk daddies drive to." And then there are the "Beat Kids" -- a rotating group of kid reporters who try to get a rise out of dazed grown-ups by peppering them with provocative questions.
Is it any good?
Wonder Showzen is the kind of series that makes viewers gasp as often as it makes them laugh. Whenever you think the show has gone as far as it can go, Chatman and Lee will dream up something even more audacious -- as they did in the first season's "Patience" episode. After viewers were subjected to an excruciatingly slow first 15 minutes, the entire thing ran backward, only to be followed by another version of the show in super-fast-forward mode.
For adults who appreciate cynical, pitch-black satire, Wonder Showzen is a dream come true. But younger children will be confused and upset by the things coming out of the furry, brightly colored puppets' mouths, and even some older teens may not be able to place the show's humor in the right context. It's absolutely a good idea to preview each episode before sharing it with children of any age -- and if you decide to keep it to yourself, enjoy ... and be sure to delete it from the TiVo when you're done.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes this show funny. Can envelope-pushing satire ever accomplish more than typical TV laughs? Does anything in the show shock you, as well as make you laugh? Why? Does mixing edgy content with innocent-looking puppets make it even more subversive? Is it OK for the producers to involve kids in the show? Do you think the kids know what they're saying -- or why it's funny?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Pure Adult Fun
I watched this show a number of times, overall, it's not bad. I gave it 5 stars for the adults who love it. Wonder Showzen is NOT really for children under 17 (I'm 14 1/2 or 15 and I don't mind, I ignore the random oddball stuff that the characters do). The animations are PRICELESS!!! It's a must watch for all!!! Better yet, take away the sexual content, god references, bad language (dub that), and other fiendish things to make it look better.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Racist show
Never seen it and I never will, but this sounds a terrible program! Not only is the content bad, but the show is also racist. It makes fun of people with religions and those with different races. It also makes fun of the people with disabilities (e.g Down Syndrome and Autism). It is NOT funny.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Come on. This show is not "pitch black" at all. I would find it suitable for ages 12 and up. Actually, anything on adultswim would be suitable for teenagers. No violence, a bit of sex/drug content and some bleeped out swearing. Kids above 12 should be allowed to watch no problem. As for the show, I find it very annoying and dull. It can be slightly funny, but there are too many jokes shown too quickly so it can really give you a headache. It has a pretty good concept (adult sesame street show) but it ultimatly fails at being interesting or funny.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This show owns Sesame Street!
This show is really funny, as this is my kind of humor. And it's not really as bad as they make it seem on the DVD covers and the disclaimer. Too bad there was only two seasons. And I am NOT brain dead.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
March 18, 2010
AGE
12 and under=NO 13-18=YES 18+=May Find Boring
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
March 18, 2010
AGE
12 and under=NO 13-18=YES 18+=May Find Boring
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
not funny mean
the show is horrible here is why violence not bad there is some blood lauguige bad kids curse one kid said i have to go take a bleep another child saids i wont burn a d-ck another child saids in h-ll and another child saids oh cr-p plus many more message awful somewone saids let you inner child laugh at the face of deph kids say mean things farting gamble gamble gamble die is off the house and many more i do not want anybody watch it it should not be on tv
Was this review useful?
|
|
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
