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Bonding
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Bonding is a dark comedy that features strong adult sexual fantasy scenes that include bondage. Whips, paddles, and other pain-inducing items are visible (and sometimes used), and role playing includes fake kidnappings. There's also lots of cursing ("s--t," "f--k") drinking (beer, cocktails), and occasional vaping and marijuana use.
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Funny AF
What's the story?
BONDING is an adult-oriented short format series about a New York City-based dominatrix and her best friend working together. Tiff (Zoe Levin), a bright graduate student by day, is Mistress May, a full-service fantasy provider, at night. But when her best friend and aspiring comedian Pete (Brendan Scannell) needs to make more money than his job as a waiter offers, she offers to make him her assistant. There's never a dull moment, and they make an odd working couple, but the two manage to make it work while bonding as close friends.
Is it any good?
Raunchy and irreverent, the quirky series offers a comical and nonjudgmental look at a world that is designed to fulfill the unique sexual fantasies of clients without having sex with them. While the job is central to their lives, both Tiff and Pete (who identifies himself as a gay man) find themselves individually navigating their own goals and needs for personal fulfillment outside of this realm. Some of these moments are heartfelt, but the real draw of each of the show's approximately 16-minute installments are the humorous, and often awkward, lascivious scenes with clients. Give it a pass if you don't like crude sexual humor, but if you're comfortable with it, Bonding will probably make you laugh.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the way sex is portrayed in the media. At what age is it appropriate for audiences to begin watching more explicit on-screen sexual encounters? Parents: How can you manage this exposure?
Does Bonding portray a realistic look at what sex work is? Are there ways to keep sex workers safe and healthy?
TV details
- Premiere date: April 24, 2019
- Cast: Zoe Levin, Brendan Scannell
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Available on: Streaming
For kids who love dark comedy
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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.