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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 this sketch-comedy series is best for grown-ups. Some bits are quite funny, others miss the mark, and almost all of them try to find humor in the questionable antics of young adults who are under the influence of…something. There's plenty of drinking and drugs -- including marijuana and ecstacy, a good bit of cursing, a few sexual references and some graphic, though comical, violence.
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What's the Story?
Anyone familiar with the website Funnyordie.com should know what to expect from the sketch comedy series FUNNY OR DIE PRESENTS: a random collection of video skits, some hilarious, some mildly funny, some that just don't quite come together and many, many jokes about drugs, liquor, and sex. The videos are truly a mixed bunch; there's some historical humor, sci-fi parodies, a few gross-out accidents involving power tools, and even some spot-on political bits.
Is It Any Good?
The Funny or Die team has a sharp wit, but like any mixed bag, some of the items are stinkers. There's a heavy emphasis on drunken behavior, which will surely appeal to its intended audience of twentysomethings, and some people might think the slapstick gore crosses the line from enjoyably subversive to unpleasantly gross. But there are diamonds in the dross, including some biting political observations and some entertaining lunacy.
The website has strong ties to the entertainment industry (it's backed by Will Ferrell), so look for star cameos, including Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel and Fred Willard. It's not good for kids, and sometimes is just not good, but a few of the skits will definitely spark laughs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the drinking and drug use in this show. What's funny about people under the influence? What are the real-life consequences of the kind of drinking and drug use that appears on the show?
Talk about sketch comedy on TV. Who do you think this show is aimed at? How does it compare to better-known shows, like Saturday Night Live? Do you think this series is funny?
The series is based on a popular humor website, funnyordie.com. How does the show compare to the online videos? Do you think this Internet entertainment translates well to television? Which do you prefer, and why?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 19, 2010
- Cast: Fred Willard, Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Saturday Night Live
Legendary late-night show funny for teens and up.
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MADtv
Rude, crude SNL wannabe. Proceed with caution.
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Tosh.0
Comic's comments on wacky Web trends best for older teens.
For kids who love comedy
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