Brum

TV review by Deirdre Sheppard, Common Sense Media
Brum Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

Yellow car saves the day in London town.

Discovery Kids Comedy 1991
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Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 2+

Based on 1 review

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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 this live-action show focuses on the importance of fulfilling civic duty and respecting other people's property. Although this series is suitable for all ages, parents might want to help viewers under 4 understand the difference between slapstick humor and violence.

Community Reviews

ariesgirl46
ariesgirl46 Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Brum Would NOT Be Missed if Taken Off the Air

My 5-year-old daughter starting watching this show at her grandparents' house, along with her 2 other cousins ages 3.5 and 2. They all seemed to like it; it was clearly geared to children, so initially, I didn't have a problem with it. It wasn't until I sat down and watched a bit of it with my impressionable 5-year-old, that I took issue with it. Ostensibly, the show is created with a civic duty in mind. Fine. But, there's something about the European sensibility that I don't like. The costumes that the "bad guys" are in, like the gorilla gettups and such, are scary-looking. The face masks only have cutouts for the eyes and makes them look utterly ominous. Overall, the show is supposed to be goofy and, I believe, slapstick (a la Monty Python). But, I'd strongly prefer my daughter to be camped in front of Sesame Street if it's lesson-learning through humor she's supposed to be gleaning from tv. (To say nothing of Discovery Kids channel COMMERCIALS!)
Brums old pal
Brums old pal Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

In support of my old pal Brum

I wanted to make it clear to the viewing public (those old enough to understand)that Brum is originally from Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire, in England. He spent his younger years with his family in a little motor museum located along the river Windrush (I'm sure some of you are familiar with Brum's home).There you'd find his Aunt Clarabelle (an old London Taxi),Uncle Morgan (a sporty little 3 wheeler...who was quite the chappy back in the 30's)and many others near and dear to little Brum.He was (and is) a cheeky little fellow. He use to sneak away from his museum home and visit the "Big Town"(actually the real city of Birmingham,UK)but he always used to come back.Some people confused his special get-away place with a make believe place called "London Town". Well, I'm here to tell you Brum's real, his home is real and you can visit him there too.Don't let Brum loose touch with his old home in the museum by the gentle river Windrush.His Aunt Clarabelle awaits him along with all his old pals like,Brough the Bike,Nippy,Madge,Bertram and Angela and all the rest.I think once every one undertsands a little about Brum's past they'll understand how important it is to reunite him with his family once again. After all,family and friendship are very important. Don't you agree? Kind regards to All, Brum's old Pal
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BRUM honks the horn when it comes to civic duty. Currently motoring about on Discovery Kids, Brum is a little yellow car with an eye for mischief -- in each episode, he escapes his garage and saves the streets of London from distress. The delightful Brit can accomplish anything by putting in his best effort. In one episode, for example, Brum rescues a dog who was stolen for his jeweled collar; another segment features the car returning a birthday cake to its rightful owner. Some of the villains may be scary for younger viewers, but any frightening elements are overshadowed by lighthearted humor.

Is It Any Good?

Brum's goal is to depict stories with humor. But since the show is live action, simple acts of humor could be mistaken for violence if parents don't explain them. For example, in the episode about the dog theft, the crook attempts to remove the jeweled collar with an overly large pair of garden shears. It's handled hilariously on screen, but it could be a perplexing message for kids.

Jazz music serves as the show's backdrop and is certainly a prime ingredient in its charm. As in a silent film, dialogue is almost nonexistent. There's a little bit of narration, but the plot is largely dependent on the characters' physical comedy. This quality heightens some of the humor, but the fact that the heroes and villains' actions aren't verbally explained could prove confusing for younger viewers. When watching Brum, expect loud costumes, catchy music, silly dancing, and comedic choreographed coincidences. Since it moves much faster than most kids' programming, Brum is a good fit for kids with shorter attention spans and for parents who can't always stomach the monotony of other kids' shows. Overall, it's a great pick -- just be sure to know when to fill in the gaps!

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why it's important to be a good citizen. When is it appropriate to help someone in need by yourself, and when you should you ask someone (like the authorities) to help? What should you do if you witness a crime? Why is it wrong to steal?

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