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Counterfeit Cat

Name: Counterfeit Cat
Item: Counterfeit Cat
Rating: 4
Author: Emily Ashby

TV review by

Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 7+

(i)

Funny buddy comedy has mischief, feline-flavored humor.

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Parents say

age 5+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 1 review

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We think this TV show stands out for:

Character Strengths

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

Max and Gawk are the yin to each other's yang. Although Max tends to be more needy and demanding and the other mostly just gives into his whims, their friendship is oddly satisfying to both and they demonstrate a great deal of teamwork. That said, their wacky adventures often cause problems for others but no consequences for them. Their interactions with peers sometimes raise issues such as popularity (and the lack thereof) and bullying, but mostly they reaffirm the friends' comfort in who they are.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Gawk is generally naïve to Max's selfishness and goes along with all his plans, even when it puts him out. Max usually thinks more about himself than he does about his friend, and Betty is ignorant to their mischief. Even so, the two friends always manage to work themselves out of whatever jam they're in, and they do it by sticking together.

Violence & Scariness

Lots of physical humor -- extensive falls, blunt force trauma, crashes, but all injuries are short-lived.

Sexy Stuff

Language

Rarely "butt." Some mild gross-out humor (Max has to lick Gawk's disembodied brain to keep it moist, for instance).

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Counterfeit Cat is an animated comedy about two best friends: a somewhat manipulative but mostly well-meaning house cat and his costume-wearing alien pal who passes for a feline himself. The two get into all kinds of bizarre adventures courtesy of one's power of persuasion and the other's sense of curiosity (and supernatural powers). Although its main intention is to entertain, the show does send some decent messages about self-confidence and friendship. Expect some mild gross-out humor but little else of concern.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written byUsrthea November 17, 2018

age 5+

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Teen, 14 years old Written byMesalie Guimond November 11, 2016

age 7+

This show it's nicely crafted that Counterfeit Cat Really Rocks!

That British-Canadian show it's humourous and awesome at the same time. It fits perfectly with Disney XD's current branding. I really love the 9-ye... Continue reading

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What's the story?

COUNTERFEIT CAT is the story of a rotund house cat named Max (voiced by Marc Wootton) and his best friend, Gark (Alex Kelley), an alien who wears a costume to pose as a feline and live with Max and his human, Betty (Kayvan Novak). With his undercover alien pal's powers at the ready, the possibilities are endless for mischievous Max and his big ideas, but since Gark is learning all this Earth stuff as he goes, he often leads them into real mayhem of one kind or another.

Is it any good?

Though furrier than your average buddy comedy, this story of mismatched friends is oddly enticing and never lacking in laughs. Its humor isn't exactly highbrow, but it's leagues above slapstick and holds special sentiment for viewers who notice the subtle fun it has with normal cat behavior, to which Gark aspires and Max usually falls short. Of particular enjoyment are the pals' interactions with the cliquish neighborhood cat gang and Betty's obliviousness to either the true identity of her imposter pet or the duo's antics.

Beyond basic comedy, Counterfeit Cat raises some issues that are timely discussion points for parents and their kids, especially concerning self-identity. Both Max and Gark seem to be looking for something outside of themselves, a quest that inspires many of their ill-fated adventures yet never really alters who they are. It's not a message that really jumps out of this silly sitcom, but if your kids do watch, it's a theme they can follow with your help.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the expectations of friendship in Counterfeit Cat. How far would you go to help or protect a friend? How can having friends around help us through difficult times?
Have you ever wished you could take on a new identity the way Gark does? How would doing so help you better understand another person's (or, in his case, cat's) experiences? Why is it important to respect other people's experiences?
Kids: What are your favorite characteristics you see in yourself? If you had the chance to change something, what would it be? Would you do it? What activities make you feel most comfortable in your own skin?
How do the characters in Counterfeit Cat demonstrate teamwork? Why is this an important character strength?