Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
British comic's kooky characters aren't kid-friendly.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
British comedian Marc Wootton brings his penchant for split personalities to Los Angeles in LA LA LAND, a "pseudo-reality series" that finds Wootton playing three different people -- struggling actor Gary Garner, documentary filmmaker Brendan Allen, and celebrity psychic Shirley Ghostman -- and interacting with real Angelenos who have no idea that he's having fun at their expense. The series is partly adapted from Wootton's successful British series High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman.
Is It Any Good?
Wootton's La La Land characters don't smack you in the face with hilarity -- at first. But if you give them a chance, they start to grow on you, particularly the French-manicured Shirley Ghostman, who's hands-down the funniest of the three. In fact, Shirley deserves his own show (yes, his -- he's a gent), which would explain why Wootton's BBC show devoted entirely to Shirley's celebrity spirit-channeling was such a hit across the pond.
It's worth giving this one a shot, especially if you love British humor and watching unsuspecting Americans get caught in awkward moments. But Wootton's comedy is probably best appreciated by adults who can handle the ghost of Martin Luther King Jr. uttering, "I had a dream ... a wet dream," and know that it straddles a fine, fine line.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the differences between British and American humor. Would this series have been noticably different if it had been developed for British audiences? If yes, how so? Do you think the average American will find it funny?
How does the series play up stereotypes for comedic effect? Are there any that you find offensive?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 25, 2010
- Cast : Marc Wootton
- Network : Showtime
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 7, 2022
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