Oggy and the Cockroaches
Slapstick cartoon offers little more than comic violence.
Parents say
Based on 4 reviews
Kids say
Based on 12 reviews
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Oggy and the Cockroaches
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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 Oggy and the Cockroaches plays up slapstick comedy and physical violence among its mutually contentious characters to get laughs. An average episode has instances of characters being electrocuted, exploded, sliced into small shapes, run over by vehicles, burned, and dismembered, to name a few examples. Much like the classic slapstick of Tom and Jerry, none of the images is bloody, and all wounds heal in remarkable time, so there's never any consequence for the characters' actions. There's also some bathroom humor such as farting and other bodily functions.
Community Reviews
Don't listen to other reviews, this show is safe for all ages
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Bad Influences
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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: Bugs, Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: March 10, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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Tom and Jerry Tales
Almost the Tom and Jerry you remember.
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Tiny Toon Adventures
Young Looneys ramp up the fun but offer little substance.
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Pinky and the Brain
Clever toon is great fun for both kids and adults.
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