Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stab at "reality" is wrong for kids -- and really offensive.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Real Rob
What's the Story?
Sometimes, real life is funnier than fiction. And that's the premise of REAL ROB, a scripted reality-show spoof starring actor-comedian Rob Schneider as (who else?) Rob Schneider, a former Saturday Night Live player who found moderate fame in a string of big-screen comedies but is now pitching himself to star in a new show about ... himself. Trouble is, no one's buying it. And to top it off, his assistant (Jamie Lissow) is terrible. Schneider's real-life wife, Patricia, and daughter, Miranda, costar as themselves.
Is It Any Good?
Rob Schneider's character is meant to be an everyman: He's a husband, a father, and a moderately successful entertainer. But the problem is, he does a less than passable job playing himself. And his "comedy"? It's painfully unfunny, thanks to jaw-dropping stereotypes about Mexicans (they're good at breaking into things, will work for sandwiches, and can't be trusted!) and disabled people (they take FOREVER!) and tired observations about living with his own wife.
Even cameos by SNL alums such as Norm MacDonald and David Spade aren't enough to elicit actual laughs from this laughable attempt at a comedy comeback. So, real talk: You can skip Real Rob. As if Schneider's own résumé isn't reason enough to give you pause (the majority of his live-action films haven't been rated too highly), the fact that his on-screen stand-up act includes a bit about throwing only one stone at a woman for having sex before marriage -- but draws the line at the Taliban's practice of stoning her to death -- should help seal the deal.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Real Rob's title and discuss how "real" this take on Schneider's life actually is. How close does the comedy come to reality? Why bother to make a show seem "real" when it technically isn't? And what do celebrities have to gain by playing a version of themselves on-screen?
Why do comedies so often mine stereotypes for laughs -- and does it ever work? Where's the line between funny and offensive, and who gets to decide?
Does the fact that Real Rob is a streaming-only series affect the way it's written and produced? What would it look and sound like if it aired on network television?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 1, 2015
- Cast : Rob Schneider , Patricia Schneider , Jamie Lissow
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 13, 2022
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