Oscar's Hotel for Fantastical Creatures
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The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Oscar's Hotel for Fantastical Creatures follows the bizarre happenings under the roof of an inn that caters to eccentric guests such as walking fish, talking paintings, and horse-headed men. The nonsensical story might fall flat if not for the remarkable visual effects and costumes from the Jim Henson Company and a superb ensemble cast that features film and Internet stars galore. Content-wise there's little that's truly concerning; violence (guns that shoot glitter, some dismemberment) is tempered by the psychedelic vibe, and strong language is minimal. That said, there's not a lot of value to the plot, so teens may have to be fans already of the show's YouTube stars to stay interested.
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What's the story?
OSCAR'S HOTEL FOR FANTASTICAL CREATURES is set in a one-of-a-kind guesthouse where bizarre and monstrous beings of all shapes and sizes keep the staff hopping. When business calls proprietor Oscar (Andrew Abelson) out of town, his put-upon 20-something assistant, Oliver (Chris Kendall), must take over and appease his motley crew of guests. There's no telling what strange adventures await him each day in a place where the surreal is the only reality.
Is it any good?
What this offbeat series lacks in substance it makes up for in visual entertainment value, thanks in large part to the Jim Henson Company's work on the characters' elaborate costumes. The show is trippy to watch and full of surprises, an oddly entrancing parade of one peculiarity after another that suits the disjointed, aimless story.
Besides the Henson creations, Oscar's Hotel for Fantastical Creatures is chock-full of familiar faces of YouTube fame, plus the likes of Alfred Molina, Patrick Stewart, and Elliott Gould. The ensemble cast does well with what it's given -- memorable characters and a story that's unhampered by the boundaries of reality -- to create a unique, somewhat odd fantasy series.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about special effects in film and TV. Are the costumes and puppetry an asset to this show, or do they detract from it in any way?
What would you say is this show's target audience? Do you think it's successful in appealing to this demographic? What do you look for in a movie or series?
Lots of the actors on this show have their own YouTube channels. What effect do you think the Internet has had on the entertainment industry?
TV details
- Premiere date: September 15, 2015
- Cast: Chris Kendall, Andrew Abelson, Alfred Molina
- Network: Online
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Puppets
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: November 11, 2020
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