Jeff & Some Aliens
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Absurd animated series sends up clichéd sitcoms.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Jeff & Some Aliens
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
The setup for JEFF & SOME ALIENS is right in the show's theme song: "Three aliens came from the sky/The Galactic Council sent them and here's the reason why/Their mission is to study Earth's most average guy/To see if humans are worth saving or if everyone has to die." Jeff (Brett Gelman) and his alien roommates Sammy, Jimmy, and Ted (all voiced by Alessandro Minoli) may have some pretty unique problems -- one episode revolves around a murder Jeff must commit to avenge the accidental death of an alien dignitary -- but with a little tolerance and a few bizarre plot twists, they'll all live to see another day.
Is It Any Good?
This pleasantly absurd animated series doesn't rise to the comic heights of an Archer or a Bob's Burgers, but its skewering of sitcom clichés is pretty fun. Half-hour comedies have, of course, made plenty of comedic hay from the sorts of misunderstandings that can arise when people live together in a small space; Jeff & Some Aliens' hassles are just a little more bizarre, with the title character participating in intense intergalatic decathalons and reluctantly committing Azurian honor killings to restore interstellar balance instead of, say, arguing about whose turn it is to do the dishes.
There are more wry chuckles than thigh-slappers, but there are some fun gags that teens will get a kick out of.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the kinds of stories animation makes possible. What can be shown via animation that can't be shown (easily) in live-action comedies? What dramatic or comedic possibilities does the animated genre have?
Families can also talk about who this show is designed to appeal to. Do you think the fact that it's animated gives it more "kid appeal" than a live-action version? Do you think people often assume that anything animated is OK for younger viewers?
How would Jeff change if his roommates were witches? Criminals? New immigrants to America? What other "fish out of water" comedies can you name, and how are they like or different from this show?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 11, 2017
- Cast: Brett Gelman, Alessandro Minoli, Alicia Silverstone
- Network: Comedy Central
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 26, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate