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Cedric

Name: Cedric
Item: Cedric
Rating: 2
Author: Emily Ashby

TV review by

Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 7+

(i)

Boy's mischief is funny, but he's a poor role model.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Educational Value

The show intends to entertain rather than to educate.

Positive Messages

The show hits the mark on making light of the coming-of-age process, but it relies heavily on Cedric's frustration and anger to get there. Despite his frequent outbursts and disobedience, he's rarely reprimanded in a realistic way, so his behavior never changes. Discord mars family time as well, with Cedric at odds with his elders and even a lot of bickering between the adults. A main character is Chinese, indicated by eyes of slanted lines and the fact that Cedric's grandfather calls her "that Chinese girl."

Positive Role Models & Representations

Cedric often bullies his friends for their help in his schemes, and he uses people only when it's convenient for him. He takes a selfish view of the world, rarely being willing to put himself out for someone else. His father and grandfather are constantly at odds with each other and argue boisterously in his presence, and when his behavior warrants it, there's yelling in Cedric's direction as well. When tempers calm, the adults in his life do manage to give some decent advice for his needs, and Cedric proves to have good intentions, but this is more the exception than it is the rule.

Violence & Scariness

Sexy Stuff

For an 8-year-old boy, Cedric thinks a lot about girls and flaunts crushes on both his teacher and a classmate. He pines over the fact that they're not as into him as he is into them, and his thoughts are consumed by plans to get their attention. He's been known to appear in scenes in his underwear.

Language

No swearing, but Cedric uses a lot of combative language toward his friends and toward grown-ups; "shut up," "I hate him," and name-calling like "idiot" and "dimwit" are common. Also "butt." There's no violence to speak of, but there are some surprising tones in the dialogue, as when a character speaks of someone considering "killing herself" over a romantic break-up.

Consumerism

The show is inspired by a comic series.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Cedric is told from the point of view of an 8-year-old boy coping with the woes of growing up, and the stories' tone matches the character's very temperamental nature. Just about everything irks him in some way -- from homework assignments to the fact that his comely teacher doesn't return his affections -- and he takes out his frustrations by bullying his friends and arguing with his parents. He's also pretty free with some marginal language, calling kids "dimwit" and "idiot," and telling them to "shut up" and that he hates them. The fact that none of his distasteful behavior warrants realistic consequences will rankle parents, and the frequent discord in his home hardly gives a positive impression of family life. The bottom line? The show does have a humorous take on the ups and downs of being a kid, but only when it's viewed through a lens of maturity that this age group typically doesn't have yet.

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What's the story?

CEDRIC follows the daily adventures of impish 8-year-old Cedric (voiced by Barbara Weber-Scaff), who's maneuvering the tricky waters of growing up. School's only interesting when his teacher, Miss Nelly, is pleased with his work (so, rarely), and it's frustrating that his intended, Chen (Sharon Mann-Vallet), doesn't seem eager to return his affections. Peer relationships are dicey as well, but his best friend, Christian (Jody Forrest), is usually there to help him face those challenges. And for all their faults, his family really only wants what's best for him. Cedric proves that nothing's ever easy when you're a kid, but there are some ups to offset the downs.

Is it any good?

Cedric is a French cartoon (with English dubbing) that brings to life the characters and stories of a popular comic series of the same name. Cedric's mischievous nature will ring true with anyone who's ever been --or been around -- an 8-year-old boy, but the nature of his antics are a little shocking from a parent's standpoint. He bullies his friends, obsesses over a girl, and has a pretty serious crush on his attractive teacher. He also talks back to his parents and grandfather and has little care for school or responsibility in general. All in all, he's hardly a gleaming role model for your kids.

The show itself isn't terrible, and the comic-inspired animation is a fun departure from today's laundry list of CGI offerings, but its humor requires a certain discernment that's lacking in kids in this target demographic. Cedric's chronic misbehavior doesn’t yield the kind of consequences your kids might expect based on their own experiences, so they might get the wrong message from material the show intends to be funny.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how Cedric's woes compare to kids' own. Kids: Can you relate to the issues he has with friends? Why are peer relationships sometimes complicated? Is it necessary to be friends with everyone around you?
How does Cedric feel about school? Kids: Do you ever feel like Cedric does about school? Who are some of your favorite teachers? What makes them so special?
Kids: What is peer pressure? Have you ever had to deal with a situation in which you were being bullied? Why is it difficult to stand up to this kind of pressure?