Parents' Guide to

Mike, Lu & Og

By Deirdre Sheppard, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Big adventures on a small island are OK for kids.

TV Boomerang Kids' Animation 1999
Mike, Lu & Og Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Joey93
Joey93 Adult
January 31, 2021
age 2+

Misconceptions?

I'm a kid from the 90's who has enjoyed this show, despite plot holes. I feel the show displays good morals with a powerful resolution that can reflect on our lives. For example the episode where Mike introduces money to the island only to see how it caused distress and anxiety to the locals. Or how og's gaming addiction had became harmful to the point that he was unaware the island was flooding. As for the comments about the creators generalising race, well the inhabitants were and in some cases still are British, and I feel it does not resemble islanders, instead a small mix of English and improvised culture that would understandably come from a few generations of living in isolation. Being from a non-US country myself I had always known cartoons are never meant to accurately reflect any culture, it was there for entertainment purposes, most kids can distinguish stereo types and reality for themselves.
hgwqhge03
hgwqhge03 Adult
September 19, 2013
age 2+

I could care less

in the 90s this was a short lived cartoon network show that was the least successful of the cartoon cartoons and the only to not win an award, it was boring and not entertaing I also thought the animation was bad and the characters annoyed me
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

MIKE, LU & OG takes place on a sparsely populated tropical island (vaguely implied to be Pitcairn Island) devoid of social development. The main characters include Micheline \"Mike\" Mavinksy (voiced by Nika Futterman), a foreign exchange student from Manhattan, and her native peers: Lu (Nancy Cartwright) and Og (Dee Bradley Baker). Og has a knack for conducting technological experiments with coconuts and empty cans, and Lu is a spoiled island brat who's convinced she's a princess. The two young islanders fill a void to Mike's boredom, and together the trio creates adventures both big and small.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

For example, in one episode, feisty Mike introduces the concept of TV to the island. Og scavenges all of the beach trash he can find and manages to build a widescreen set. The TV doesn't actually get any channels, but all of the islanders still become fixated with the "snow storm" on the screen -- offering a comic allusion to the idea that TV (whether working or not) ultimately has nothing to offer ... and that even the power of nothing can turn us into dysfunctional vegetables. In another episode, Mike teaches all of the islanders how to roller skate, which means she and her friends are kept busy building a rink and making skates. Mike is a flip-of-the-coin character -- she's always finding a project to tap into and is always eager to get the others involved, but she doesn't apply the same amount of drive to her studies. Mike loves the lack of education she's receiving as a foreign exchange student and ultimately shows no real motivation to attain any long-term goals.<

Parents should note that this series sits on the fence when it comes to stereotypes. All of the island characters wear grass skirts and nose rings and have no concept of modern civilization. Kids need to understand that each country has its own level of societal advancement so that they don't come away with the assumption that every island in the world is desolate and uncivilized. Parents need to take the time to explain the possible misinterpretation.When watching Mike, Lu & Og, expect innovative adventures. The music and the characters' costumes also add to the fun. Slight stereotypes and sometimes-whiny characters are the only potential causes for concern -- overall, it's not too shabby.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the power of imagination. If you lived on the island, what could you do to keep your mind occupied besides watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Internet? How can you use your imagination to entertain yourself and others? How can imagination help you be a more productive member of society?

TV Details

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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.

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