Parents' Guide to

Animals

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Animals observe, imitate humans in crude animated comedy.

TV HBO Comedy 2016
Animals Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

Created and voiced by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano, ANIMALS is an animated series about New York City animals and their human-style musings about life. From hipster mice to bedbugs struggling with divorce and depression, these Big Apple natives lead lives full of socially awkward moments, sexual escapades, midlife crises, and other big issues.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (3):

This irreverent series, which originally debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, anthropomorphizes animals to share comical, bitter, and often clueless thoughts about day-to-day life. The delivery of these reflections is purposely drab and dry, and the voices of well-known celebs, including Molly Shannon and Paul Scheer, also add to the banter.

The stories it tells aren't particularly unique or clever, and the flat delivery soon becomes stale thanks to its overuse. Some of what's featured is pretty crude, too. Nonetheless, there are some moments when you can't help but chuckle. If you like this sort of TV entertainment, no doubt you will appreciate what's being delivered here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the use of anthropomorphism on TV and in film. Can you think of popular shows that feature nonhumans acting like people? Why are the characters given those characteristics?

  • Edgy humor is often used to entertain and to make a point about communities or societies. Can this humor go too far? Who gets to decide if it does or doesn't?

TV Details

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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