Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mundane comedy plays superficial characters for laughs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Some Assembly Required
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 28 parent reviews
Parents say the show elicits mixed reactions, with some enjoying its humor and lightheartedness while others criticize its rampant sexism and negative stereotypes. Many find it suitable for keeping the kids entertained, though numerous reviews warn against its poor role models and problematic messages, leading to a consensus that it's not appropriate for young viewers.
- funny entertainment
- negative stereotypes
- poor role models
- age inappropriate
- mixed reactions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 49 kid reviews
Kids say this show holds a mix of charm and silliness, often eliciting nostalgia from viewers who appreciated it during childhood, despite many adult critiques deeming it poorly acted and riddled with stereotypes. While some find its humor entertaining and suitable for younger audiences, others criticize it for its shallow characters and problematic content, emphasizing that parents should assess whether their children can discern the light-hearted intent from potentially harmful messages.
- nostalgic appeal
- mixed reviews
- shallow characters
- unsuitable for young kids
- humor vs. stereotypes
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When a twist of fate awards Jarvis (Kolton Stewart) the reins to Knickknack Toys, he hires a team of friends to help him run the business and create new products. There's tech wiz Piper (Charlie Storwick), fearless Knox (Dylan Playfair), trend-savvy Aster (Travis Turner), and beautiful Geneva (Sydney Scotia), with Jarvis' best friend, Bowie (Harrison Houde), rounding out the crew. But when former owner Candace (Ellie Harvey) infiltrates headquarters posing as the cleaning lady, Mrs. Bubkes, she tries to undermine their work and prove that these kids can't take the heat, thereby reclaiming the company she built. Can this group of teens prove they have what it takes to create marketable (and workable) products?
Is It Any Good?
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED plays up character stereotypes for laughs and to compensate for its otherwise mediocre content. It's obvious within minutes of watching which role each character is meant to play, from disparaging fashion critic Aster to dim thrill-seeker Knox. Worst of the bunch is Geneva, the team's resident dumb blonde who's never shy about showing off her intellectual shortcomings. Of course, only her female counterpart, Piper, seems bothered by it; the guys are all too happy to concentrate on her looks more than on her brain.
Even so, kids won't be turned off by this any more than they'll critique this Canadian show's other stumbling block: its complete dismissal of any resemblance of reality. Both qualities make for a lot of absurd situations and laughs, but they also send mixed messages about how relationships -- and success -- are forged in the real world. Granted, there's kid-size fun to be had in some of the team's toy creations (a harmonica that sounds like multiple instruments? Yes, please!), but if yours do tune in, be sure to point out to them the instances in which the characters' reality diverges from yours.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stereotypes. Are they always negative, or can there be positive stereotypes? Is it ever appropriate to judge a person on his or her appearance?
This show suggests that there are some jobs that could be done better by kids or teens than adults. Can you think of an instance in which that might be true? How could both sides benefit from cooperating to complete a task?
Kids: How would you improve on or reinvent your favorite toy(s)? As technology improves, how does our expectations of what entertains us change as well? What rules does your family have for screen time, and why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 19, 2015
- Cast : Kolton Stewart , Charlie Storwick , Harrison Houde
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Adventures
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 28, 2026
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