Deadbeat
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Druggy lead talks to dead people in a cloud of stereotypes.
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Deadbeat
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What's the Story?
Kevin "Pac" Pacalioglu (Tyler Labine) is a total DEADBEAT, an overweight slacker who's behind on his rent and counts his drug dealer (Brandon T. Washington) as his one and only friend. But Pac does have one special talent: a gift for gabbing with ghosts that brings freelance work as a medium-for-hire -- and elicits rage from a bestselling "psychic" (Cat Deeley) who becomes his nemesis.
Is It Any Good?
Deadbeat's creators have described the show's main character as a mix of the kid from The Sixth Sense and the Dude from The Big Lebowski. But if that was their intention, then they've really missed the mark -- because "The Dude," this guy is not. To us, Tyler Labine's take on Kevin "Pac" Pacalioglu is more like a poor man's Jack Black blended with a splash of Zach Galifianakis. But not remotely as funny as either of them.
Some viewers might find Deadbeat chuckle-worthy, and to each their own. But parents looking for binge-worthy fare for their teens should know that this exclusively streaming comedy is awash in iffy content -- from drug use and sex slang to borderline racist humor. The writing is woefully unclever, too, relying on far too many recycled stereotypes and resulting in a lifeless comedy that's low on laughs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Deadbeat's message (if it has one) and whether there's anything redeeming for kids. How does Pac measure up as a role model? Do all the "cons" of his personality outweigh the "pro" that he's trying to help (dead) people?
Does the fact that Deadbeat airs exclusively on Hulu allow it to do things other comedies can't? How would the series be different if it aired on network television?
Who's Deadbeat's intended audience? How can you tell?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 9, 2014
- Cast: Tyler Labine, Brandon T. Jackson, Cat Deeley
- Network: Hulu
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 10, 2023
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