Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Some unfunny jokes in glitchy comedy, not for young kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Animal Control
What's the Story?
In ANIMAL CONTROL, a group of animal welfare officers answer the public's calls in Seattle. A self-styled lone wolf, Frank (Joel McHale, Community), bristles at the idea of having a new partner join his beat. But he's really offended to have to show the ropes to a rookie named Fred (Michael Rowland), who's a former pro-snowboarder. Will Fred charm his way into Frank's routine? Or is Frank too set in his ways to make room for a guy who might end up being cooler than him?
Is It Any Good?
An attempt to explore a new public-sector comedy, this series is quick-paced, but runs short on real laughs. It's almost as if the creators of Animal Control got together after a Parks and Recreation binge and started throwing around ideas: They're not cops, they're not firefighters -- they're animal control officers and they're bungling their way through the homes of Seattle.
The fast-paced banter among the officers has a hard time getting traction, and Joel McHale seems to be delivering punchlines to himself in this show. Some of the jokes are un-funny and even offensive (a joke quickly referencing the aftermath of a mass shooting is mumbled by Ravi Patel). Young teens will want to watch this one, but parents might be keen to suggest something else.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the humor in Animal Control. When is joking around funny? When is it offensive?
Characters in this show need to know enough about animals to be able to handle them in difficult situations. How does curiosity help them do their jobs?
A character sets up a prank on a co-worker and then records the results on his camera. At what point does playing a prank turn into bullying?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 16, 2023
- Cast : Joel McHale , Vella Lovell , Ravi Patel
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 21, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate