Parents' Guide to MAD

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Common Sense Media Review

By Will Wade , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Sometimes crude animated satire is sure to appeal to boys.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 32 parent reviews

Parents say the show features a blend of crude humor and pop culture references, leading to mixed opinions about its appropriateness for children, with some considering it suitable for older kids while others strongly disapprove of its content. Reviews highlight its reliance on potty jokes and parodies, with concerns over potential negative influences and outdated humor resonating throughout.

  • unsuitable for kids
  • crude humor
  • mixed reviews
  • outdated jokes
  • pop culture references
Summarized with AI

age 10+

Based on 209 kid reviews

What's the Story?

For decades, MAD magazine has set itself as an arbiter of pop culture impact; a TV show or movie isn't a certifiable hit if it hasn't been spoofed in the venerable comic's pages. The animated MAD series brings the magazine's classic send-ups from the pages to the screen, complete with crudely twisted titles (Avaturd), lowbrow potty humor, and nonstop quips. If there's a cheap laugh to be had at someone's expense, MAD will take it. The fast-and-furious comedy is clever, but it also aims low, with plenty of vulgar one-liners and a heavy focus on bodily functions.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 32 ):
Kids say ( 209 ):

MAD magazine has perfected its unique form of satire over the years: The jokes come so quickly that you hardly have time to notice that they're both outrageously unsubtle and amazingly witty. Just because the target audience seems to be tween/teen boys, there's no reason for the humor to be completely simplistic. The magazine, and the show, clearly have a finger on the pulse of the entertainment world, and, now, decades after its debut, MAD is still able to spot -- and tweak -- the "big moment" in popular culture.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about parody. Do you find the MAD-style spoofs funny? How do they compare to other satires?

  • Why do some people find bodily humor jokes funny while others think they're gross? How does humor "work"?

  • What does it indicate when a show or movie gets the MAD treatment?

TV Details

  • Premiere date : September 6, 2010
  • Network : Cartoon Network
  • Genre : Comedy
  • TV rating : NR
  • Last updated : October 9, 2025

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

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What to Watch Next

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