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Crash & Bernstein

age 8+
(i)

 

Funny puppet comedy needs a reality check from parents.
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What parents need to know

Educational value

This show intends to entertain rather than to educate.

Positive messages

A mixed bag. On one hand, there are moments in which Wyatt and his family influence the impulsive Crash for the better, and there's a sweet relationship that develops between the boys. On the other, the characters are slightly typecast (a frazzled single mom, a ditzy blonde teen, etc.), and Wyatt usually succumbs to pressure from Crash to do things he knows he's not supposed to do, often with disastrous results. Bathroom humor like boogers and body odor is common.

Positive role models

Wyatt's mom is a single parent who's often stretched to her limits by the needs of her four kids, but she hangs in there and manages to help put out the fires they (especially Crash and Wyatt) start. Although their actions sometimes are misguided, Crash and Wyatt share a fun friendship that allows each one to rub off on the other in some positive ways.

Violence & scariness

Physical humor and pratfalls, mostly involving Crash, but none amount to any injuries. Occasionally weapons like swords are part of the storyline, but not in a dangerous way.

Sexy stuff
Not applicable
Language

No cursing, but the characters use phrases like "I'll get my butt kicked." There's also name-calling like "jerk" and "loser."

Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Crash & Bernstein is a sitcom centering on the relationship between a 12-year-old boy and his new puppet surrogate brother with plenty of potty humor (boogers, body odor) and playground-style talk like "I'll get my butt kicked." The duo gets into a lot of scrapes, thanks to Crash's impulsivity, and the consequences they suffer are far less than what the real world would dole out. Wyatt's willingness to go along with his buddy's misguided plans encourages discussions about standing up to peer pressure and listening to your own conscience. On the plus side, the series centers on a strong family unit with a harried but devoted single mom, and both Crash and Wyatt have occasion to be positive influences on each other over the course of their relationship.

What's the story?

Wyatt Bernstein (Cole Jensen) is the lone boy among three sisters and their single mom, Mel (Mary Birdsong), and he longs for a brother to lean on when his household seems too girly. When his family takes him to Build-a-Bestie for his birthday, he creates the most masculine stuffed friend possible, and his greatest dream comes true when Crash (Tim Lagasse) comes to life and joins the family. Wyatt soon discovers that having a brother who's an impulsive, wise-guy puppet with big ideas and little sense of fear means that things can get even wilder than he ever imagined.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

CRASH & BERNSTEIN revives puppet comedy the likes of which we haven't seen since ALF crash landed in the Tanners' garage in the mid-'80s. Crash shakes up the Bernstein family in similar fashion, wreaking havoc on their sense of order and rattling Wyatt's routine in unexpected ways. The result isn't always happy, as the dynamic duo gets into a lot of sticky situations with Crash at the helm, but it's the kind of off-the-wall comedy that will appeal to kids, and boys especially.

This is one of those case-by-case shows that needs you to be mindful of your child's response to what he or she sees on TV. Since much of the show's laughs result from the characters' misbehavior, it's important that viewers understand the difference between fantasy and reality. If your son and his brother decide to remedy a lack of space in their bedroom by knocking down a wall, that will have more serious consequences than what they see Wyatt and Crash suffer from the same action. If your kids do watch, be sure you talk about how the characters' actions would be received in the real world instead of the TV universe.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about making good decisions. Why is it difficult to stand up to peers when they're doing something you know isn't right? Have you ever been in a situation like this? How did you handle it?

  • Kids: In what ways is Wyatt a good influence on Crash? Is the reverse true? What do they learn from each other? 

  • Does the fact that Crash is a puppet make this show funnier than it would be if he was a person? Is it easier to overlook his mistakes because of his nature? Why or why not? 

TV details

Premiere date:October 8, 2012
Cast:Cole Jensen, Mary Birdsong, Tim Lagasse
Network:Disney XD
Genre:Comedy
Topics:Brothers and sisters, Friendship, Puppets
TV rating:TV-Y7

This review of Crash & Bernstein was written by

Emily Ashby
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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Parent of a 8 and 8 year old Written byjenmom23 February 12, 2013
age 8+

Teaches bad lessons

My kids (8 yr olds) have been watching this for 2-3 episodes now and while I am not a huge fan of potty humor, I know there are far worse things. This seems cute on the surface, sort of a modern day Alf. Adventures of a boy and his sarcastic puppet brother...lots of slapstick antics (flying in and out of windows, tackling bad guys, etc) are possible because of Crash being a puppet rather than a person. However, last night we watched an episode that has caused me to not let my kids record this anymore. In order to get out of an annoying relationship with neighbors they boy, the puppet and the mother go to have a 'breakup' conversation. When the neighbos don't quite get the message Crash destroys an entire studio worth of their handmade pottery--in front of the mother--and to their laughter and delight. I kept waiting for the show to wrap up with an apology, a lesson or some sort of moral to the story but it didn't happen. There are no consequences and he is hailed as the hero for taking care of the problem. This is NOT a message moral parents want their kids to learn. Very disappointed and no longer leaving this show on my approved list.
What other families should know
Too much violence
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Parent of a 2 and 8 year old Written byAlamedaParent November 20, 2013
age 9+

Violent, brash, and awful—run screaming

Even in Disney XD's bizarro world of broad, inappropriate comedy, gender, ethnic, and racial stereotypes, and sexualized pre-teen girls, this show is a standout for its almost shocking awfulness. The entire concept of the show is a bit puzzling; it's a show that features adult situations, boy-girl relationships, and wildly inappropriate, at times violent behavior, but its main character is a puppet—who is this show for? Oh, and that puppet. Certainly the show goes out of its way to remind us that, hey, this is a puppet here, folks—don't do what he does. That's because they have to, as the puppet is relentlessly, almost psychotically awful, a rude, crude, aggressive, confrontational nightmare. But for me, the show's violence is the final straw. A recently aired episode features the puppet challenging a Rambo-like movie action hero to a fight. The adult actually accepted, the fight actually happened and, after what seemed like an eternity, it climaxed with said adult ripping the arms, legs, and head off the puppet—are you KIDDING me, Disney XD? This show is a sugary bowl of violence and deplorable behavior—there's nothing for kids here but empty calories. Avoid.
What other families should know
Too much violence
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Kid, 11 years old March 31, 2013
age 8+

Crash and Bernstein? 8+ Kinda Show.

I think it would be a good show for kids 8 and up. I believe this because in order to actually understand and it to be funny you have to know what they're talking about. Otherwise, it would be like a 2 year old watching channel 2 action news! To me, because I'm a 12 year-old-girl; it is miraculously unimportant and not very humorous, although to my 8 year-year-old brother it is very funny. He says it is his favorite show. They have positive messages as with the relationship with Crash and Bernstein is very brotherly like, and sends a message of family warmth and love. With the violence there are scenes where Crash is getting thrown around, "trying to stab lightning with a sword", which we know didn't go so well, tearing down walls, and other violent stuff. I hoped this review helped! Sorry if it didn't.
What other families should know
Great messages
Too much violence
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