Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Oddball humor is OK for teens ... but is it funny?
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 37 parent reviews
Based on 91 kid reviews
Kids say the show is hilarious but filled with inappropriate content, making it unsuitable for younger viewers, with many recommending it for ages 12 and older instead. The humor ranges from clever to crude, with an abundance of swearing, sexual innuendos, and graphic violence, particularly in later seasons, which often leads parents to question its appropriateness despite its comedic appeal.
- humor appeal
- age recommendations
- inappropriate content
- graphic violence
- character analysis
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE, the longest-running original series in Cartoon Network's late-night block, flies in the face of conventional comedy, Who would've thought that a milkshake, a meatball, and a container of fries could become rulers of their own cult domain? The show follows this trio of edible friends, who are supposed to be detectives but really aren't: Master Shake, a megalomaniacal milkshake (voiced by Dana Snyder); Frylock, a cerebral box of French fries (Carey Means); and Meatwad, a mild-mannered ball of ground beef (Dave Willis). The story lines are as absurd as the characters; for example, there's the time that Frylock decided to join a mountain biking club, never mind that as a levitating box of fries, Frylock has no legs and can't really ride a bike.
Is It Any Good?
Some parents might wonder why this show is funny at all, since it really doesn't make any sense. But maybe the randomness is part of its charm. As a programming choice for kids, ATHF isn't the best. After all, the language is loose, the story lines nonsensical, and the Aqua Teens' next-door neighbor, Carl (also voiced by Willis), is probably one of the worst role models on TV. That said, Frylock serves as an oddly comforting father figure whose passion for science and technology sets a positive example for younger viewers. Meatwad, too, usually displays some sense of moral outrage, though it rarely shields him from Master Shake's schemes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether a cartoon really needs a plot to be funny. Do you think Aqua Teen Hunger Force is funny?
The show also prompts questions about group dynamics among friends with distinct personalities. Why do some people become leaders who get to tell everyone else what to do -- and why do others become followers who get mercilessly pushed around? How many bad decisions does a person have to make before being ousted by disgruntled friends?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 30, 2000
- Cast : Carey Means , Dana Snyder , Dave Willis
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 24, 2022
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