Dave
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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 Dave is a comedy series in which satirical rapper Lil Dicky plays a fictionalized version of himself. The show follows Dave as he tries to build a career in the music business. A lot of the jokes revolve around sex (Lil Dicky's moniker is itself a play on words), including a lot of descriptions of genitalia and sexual acts. One of the major themes of the show is that Lil Dicky is a White artist in a predominantly Black genre, and the series frequently calls attention to Dave's biases while still trotting out some stereotypical jokes about rap music and hip hop culture.
Community Reviews
Pervasive crude sexual content
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What's the Story?
The title character in DAVE is also known as Lil Dicky, an aspiring rapper with a viral hit or two on his resume but not much else. As Lil Dicky struggles to get his music career off the ground, he's supported by his producer (Travis "Taco" Bennett), kindergarten teacher girlfriend (Taylor Misiak), day trader roommate (Andrew Santino), and fellow aspiring rapper GaTa (Davionte Ganter).
Is It Any Good?
Hip hop has been a monumental cultural force for nearly 50 years. so it's offputting to see this show indulge in a lot of the same easy jokes about rappers that have been made for decades. Expect jokes in Dave about thugs and gangsters and posses, and how everyone is absolutely astonished to find out a White guy can rap. The series is a lot more self-aware than it would have been even 10 or 15 years ago (one of the running jokes involves Lil Dicky's producer calling out ways he unwittingly stereotypes Black people), and it's clear from the guest stars that show up (including YG, Young Thug, J Balvin, Tierra Whack, Rae Srummerd, and a ton more) that, despite being labelled as a satirical rapper, Lil Dicky has some legitimate credibility in the industry. Still, there's a lot of tired material here alongside the stuff that feels contemporary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Lil Dicky. How would you describe the show's central character? Were you aware of Lil Dicky's career before Dave? How realistic do you think Dave is about Lil Dicky's experiences in the music industry? Is Lil Dicky a good rapper?
What is Lil Dicky's persona? How does he carry himself in his raps vs. his real life? How does his rap career affect his personal life?
How are rappers' careers portrayed in Dave? What seems realistic and unrealistic about these portrayals? How is the music industry portrayed?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 4, 2020
- Cast: Dave "Lil Dicky" Burd, Taylor Misiak, Davionte "GaTa" Ganter
- Network: FXX
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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