Parents' Guide to

Allen Gregory

By Matt Springer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Disturbing sexual humor in crass Jonah Hill animated comedy.

TV Fox Comedy 2011
Allen Gregory Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 4 parent reviews

gumballfanse
gumballfanse Parent
February 26, 2022
age 18+
Though this programme is aimed at kids primarily, it falls into the "Adult cartoon" category as this has content "not appropriate for kids"

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
xkrien
xkrien Parent
April 14, 2020
age 2+

Best show ever

It make me cry a lot! I rated this because i feel like everyone should watch this show! It made me cry tears of joy from beginning to end. GO WATCH THIS BEAUTIFUL SHOW!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

ALLEN GREGORY (voiced by Jonah Hill) is a 7-year-old boy genius for whom the term "precocious" doesn't quite seem strong enough. He's basically a fortysomething snob in the body of a little kid, and his father (French Stewart) caters to his every whim. Until, that is, money gets tight and he has to place his precious child into the public elementary school system. The show deals with Allen Gregory's very difficult time adjusting his high standards and eccentric behavior to the realities of childhood.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (15 ):

Allen Gregory is part of Fox's bedrock Sunday night animation block. After decades of series after series occupying these slots, from The Simpsons and Futurama to King of the Hill and Family Guy, there's a general tone that they all struggle to achieve. It's a tricky combination of the witty and the witless, and more often than not, the shows miss that mark entirely, even when they become wildly successful with an audience that prizes the witlessness more than the wit.

Allen Gregory has potential; there are some funny concepts, strong jokes, vivid characters, and a quirky animation style. Even the music has charm. But in its struggle to incorporate those witless, crass, and even shocking concepts that Fox viewers seem to require, it totally misses the mark. It's hard to find any humor in watching a 7-year-old child -- even an animated one -- engage in softcore sexual fantasies about his sixtysomething principal, complete with partial nudity of a grotesque parody of an elderly woman's body. Frankly, it's a bit nauseating.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the show's approach to sexuality. Were you bothered by any of the jokes?

  • Were you able to identify with Allen Gregory, even though he's such an unusual character? Are there any role models in this show? What are the messages expressed by the series and its characters?

TV Details

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