NTSF:SD:SUV::
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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 this short-form comedy series is full of outlandish, graphic violence involving a great deal of blood and flying body parts. The show is a parody of crime show procedurals like CSI and Law & Order -- every moment is played for laughs and plot points are exaggerated for comic effect. Expect frequent mild language ("hell," "damn"), plus stronger bleeped words ("s--t" and "f--k").
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What's the Story?
NTSF:SD:SUV:: stands for National Terrorism Strike Force: San Diego: Sport Utility Vehicle. If that doesn't give you an idea of what kind of show is being parodied, consider Trent Hauser (Paul Scheer), a maverick agent who spends each episode flipping off sunglasses and delivering clever one-liners. Every week, the NTSF:SD:SUV:: team has to solve some major crime and save the city of San Diego from certain corruption. It's a dead-on satire of the police procedural genre, pioneered by the Law & Order franchise, but today all over the dial, from CSI to NCIS and beyond.
Is It Any Good?
Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block continues to air some of the most edgy television on cable. NTSF:SD:SUV:: may not be the most provocative series they have to offer, but it definitely skirts the edge of good taste, especially when it comes to graphic violence. The show requires a firm dedication to a unique comic sensibility -- one that's manic, scattered, and more than a little tasteless at times.
Fans of cult comedies will find much to enjoy, from Paul Scheer's spot-on parody of such police show squares as David Caruso and Kiefer Sutherland to Kate Mulgrew's manic turn as an eyepatch-wearing division captain. The comedy is definitely best for older teens, and even then, parents should exercise discretion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how violence and comedy mix. Is it easy or hard to laugh at jokes that involve violence?
Does this show make you view cop shows any differently? Why or why not? What is the purpose of parody?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 22, 2011
- Cast: Kate Mulgrew, Paul Scheer, Rebecca Romijn
- Network: Cartoon Network
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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