Samantha!
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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 Samantha! is a Netflix Brazilian comedy series about a former child star trying rebuild her celebrity status that features some mature themes, and according to U.S. standards, lots of edgy content. There are some rude gestures and cursing (translated in the subtitles), and strong sexual innuendo, including references to infidelity and conversations about divorce. Women are shown in bottom-revealing outfits, on rare occasions bare breasts are shown. Drinking (beer, hard liquor) is frequent, smoking is visible, and alcoholism is occasionally discussed.
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What's the story?
SAMANTHA! is a Brazilian comedy about a former child star trying rebuild her celebrity status. In the 1980s Samantha Alencar (Emmanuelle Araujo) was the star of an iconic Brazilian children’s show. Three decades later her star is faded, and she’s taking any gig she can to support her kids Cindy (Sabrina Nonato) and Brandon (Cauã Gonçalves) and to keep her now-pathetic career alive. When her ex-husband, the former footballer known as Dodoi (Douglas Silva) is released from prison after a 12-year stint, it creates a major disruption. But the ensuing media frenzy creates puts her back in the limelight, and serves as motivation for her manager Marcinho (Daniel Furlan) to work a little harder on her behalf. Meanwhile, Samantha will do almost anything to become a major celebrity again, including changing her name to Samantha!, performing crazy stunts, and finding ways to be relevant in 21st century pop culture in hopes of reclaiming the fame she once enjoyed.
Is it any good?
This entertaining series, which is subtitled in English, delivers a solid plot and funny one-liners thanks to well-rounded characters created by outstanding Brazilian actors. While the narrative is steeped in contemporary Brazilian culture, the themes (and the humor) are universal, making it easy for non-Portuguese speakers to immerse themselves in the show.
There’s some silliness, but it manages to create laughable moments without ridicule. As a result, Samantha! offers a seamless story about a likable woman who, while possibly a little misguided, has the self-confidence and commitment to continue pursuing her dreams of stardom. If you’re looking for a fun series that has heart, this one is worth tuning into.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about child stars. How many of them grow up and remain celebrities? Why do you think it's so hard for them to keep their careers going?
What characteristics does a show or movie from another country have to have into order for it to be popular in the United States? What kinds of things does Samatha! feature that makes it successful in other countries?
TV details
- Premiere date: July 6, 2018
- Cast: Emmanuelle Araujo, Douglas Silva, Daniel Furlan
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: March 13, 2020
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