Rated A for Awesome
Common Sense says
- Disney XD
- Kids' Animation
- 2011
Parents say
Kids say
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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 Disney short-form show blends wacky, kid-friendly comedy with strong social messages about being a good friend, being comfortable with who you are, and working as a team. Although the characters solve their problems on an unrealistically large scale (building a water park in their backyard when their sprinkler won't work, for instance), there's merit in their ability to identify and collectively take on an issue. Expect plenty of exaggerated content (their pet monkey is a key part of their plans, and parents aren't in the picture) as well as some mild bathroom humor (a visible butt crack and talk of pooping, for instance) to further lighten the mood, none of which interferes with the show's positive takeaways.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
What's the story?
RATED A FOR AWESOME follows the wacky expeditions of Les Awesome (voiced by Sam Vincent), his stepsister, Thera (Chiara Zanni), and their friends Lars (Colin Murdock), Noam (Brian Drummond), and the monkey Mr. Twitchy (Tabitha St. Germain). When life gets a little too mundane, this exuberant group of kids knows how to shake things up, and the results are both inspired and hilarious. In each 15-minute segment, the members of Team Awesome use their individual skills to solve an everyday problem like livening up a boring school performance or beating the heat in a unique way.
Is it any good?
This short-form Disney show is packed with comedy that kids will love, as well as worthwhile messages about friendship, teamwork, and staying true to yourself. In each story, Les and his friends must put their heads together to solve a problem that will ring true with kids, from dealing with irritating classmates to keeping cool on a hot summer day. While their methods are a stretch even for kids' big imaginations, their oversized adventures are all kinds of fun for viewers.
One of the best aspects of this cartoon is how it portrays friendship among its young characters, each of whom brings unique ideas and traits to the group and receives recognition for them. Far from skipping over meaningful dialogue, the kids acknowledge one another's good ideas, apologize when they've been unkind, and encourage each other to appreciate their unique qualities. There's some bathroom humor (visible butt cracks and mention of pooping, for instance) to entice kids, but even that does little to detract from the show's positive social messages.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about solving problems. Which of your characteristics come in handy when you're faced with a challenge? How does working as a team help solve problems? Are you a good team leader? Why or why not?
Kids: Which aspects of this show are exaggerated for comedy? Do you think it adds to the show's overall humor? Does any of it detract from the show?
What messages does the show want viewers to take away? Do you think sending positive messages is the show's main goal? Why or why not? How does it balance entertainment with educational? What other shows do that?
TV details
- Premiere date: June 20, 2011
- Cast: Chiara Zanni, Colin Murdock, Sam Vincent
- Network: Disney XD
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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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.
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