Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slapstick cartoon offers little more than comic violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Oggy and the Cockroaches
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the show is a blend of nostalgia and humor, often compared to popular classics like Tom and Jerry, while some reviews appreciate its unique elements, such as incorporating history and mythology into the slapstick comedy. However, opinions are mixed, with some finding it less engaging or too similar to other cartoons, and many agreeing that it suits children but may not offer strong moral lessons.
- nostalgia factor
- slapstick humor
- historical elements
- mixed opinions
- suitable for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
OGGY AND THE COCKROACHES chronicles the precarious relationship between a mild-mannered cat named Oggy and his three mischievous cockroach housemates -- Joey, Dee Dee, and Marky -- who live to make his life miserable. On any given day, Oggy might be subjected to meal theft, home explosions, and general plundering by the pesky bugs, but, with the help of his scheming cousin, Jack, he manages to get in a few hits of his own on the irritating trio.
Is It Any Good?
Oggy and the Cockroaches takes the kind of black-and-blue power struggles first deemed hilarious in Tom and Jerry and dials them up a few notches with even more mean-spirited pranks. These three roaches are pests to the core, and their relentless badgering yields a show that's little more than a string of painful encounters between archenemies.
Sure, there's some creativity in how the mischief goes down (a cat's electrocution produces a perfectly cooked meal on a platter, for instance), and it's clear that the show's intent is to garner laughs rather than traumatize kids with any realistic violence. Ultimately, though, the bottom line is that it entertains strictly by playing up physical spats between common enemies, and it makes hard knocks something to laugh at, which sends some iffy messages to impressionable kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the characters play pranks on each other. Are any of them funny for the victim? How might you feel if you were the victim of some kind of teasing or bullying by a peer?
Do the characters seem like they're ever friends? Is it possible for friends to overcome major differences of opinion? What are some constructive ways to resolve conflict?
What do you think of the violence in this show? Is any of it realistic? Does the fact that it's mostly fantasy make it more suitable for kids to see?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 26, 1998
- Network : Online
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Animals ( Bugs )
- TV rating :
- 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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate