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Parents' Guide to

Mapleworth Murders

By Martin Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Pleasant, funny murder mystery parody feels dated.

TV Quibi Comedy 2020
Mapleworth Murders Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

MAPLEWORTH MURDERS follows the adventures of Abigail Mapleworth (Paula Pell), an author of murder mysteries who also happens to help police solve murder mysteries in her small hometown, New Woodstream. Aided by her Australian niece, Heidi (Hayley Magnus), Mapleworth tracks down clues and interviews suspects before the actual police department (made up of J. B. Smoove and 30 Rock's John Lutz) can get to them. But every time one town murderer is caught, another takes their place.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Most of Quibi's early offerings have relied more on star power than quality, and this is no exception. Though it provides a long overdue showcase for former SNL writer Paula Pell, the shows main draw is the cavalcade of comedy world guest stars who come through New Woodstream to get killed or interrogated. Many of these comedians (which include a lot of SNL and 30 Rock favorites) are naturally funny enough to make the dire material at least charming, but satirizing a TV show that peaked 30 years ago doesn't help. That, plus the fact that some of the cheaper punchlines are built around homophobia and sexism, makes Mapleworth Murders feel more antiquated than Jessica Fletcher's typewriter.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about murder mysteries. What are the murder mystery tropes that Mapleworth Murders makes fun of? Have you ever seen Murder, She Wrote? How does Mapleworth Murders parody Murder, She Wrote?

  • How many different detectives appear on Mapleworth Murders? How are they all different from one another? Who do you think is the most effective? How do you think Mapleworth has managed to solve so many murders in this small town?

  • What are some other parodies you're familiar with? What about satire? What's the difference between a parody and a satire?

TV Details

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