Kenny the Shark
Shark tale OK, but offers little splash for kids.
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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 a young girl gets a huge shark as a pet and -- surprise, surprise -- mayhem ensues! The premise is so absurd that it's more weird than amusing. The shark is bumbling and insecure and constantly getting into trouble. The storyline, even for a cartoon, seems tired and overdone.
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What's the Story?
In KENNY THE SHARK, a young girl named Cat gets a shark for a pet. Apparently hers is a special shark that doesn't need to live in the water or to eat living creatures. Kenny the shark is also insecure and ends up getting into various scrapes from which he must be rescued by Cat.
Is It Any Good?
The stories focus on the usual issues of young children's programming -- self-confidence, bullies, being proud of who you are -- but there's nothing original about the presentation, except that they feature a shark. There are tiny smidgens of information about sharks and other sea animals, but hardly enough to make the program educational.
Kenny the Shark is also marred by an almost constant stream of on-screen promotions for other shows. Altogether, a barely coherent and largely unpleasant viewing experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how to deal with bullies and building up kids' self-confidence. What intrigues kids about this cartoon, compared to other, similar programs? Are the ridiculous situations over the top, even for an animated series?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 1, 2003
- Cast: Perry Wolberg
- Network: Discovery Family Channel
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Ocean Creatures
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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