Super Mario Bros. Super Show

Pretty intense violence for a cartoon caper intended for young audiences: Mario and Luigi are often in mortal danger, i.e. perched on a cliff's edge or about to tumble into a waterfall. The brothers can also become "super," which means they can shoot gun-like bolts of lightning from their hands.

Guest stars like Elvira occasionally show off major skin.

No cursing, but a ton of insults, often quite rude, as when villain King Koopa calls some of his henchmen "powder puffs," or the brothers "faucet freaks."

Parents need to know that The Super Mario Bros. Super Show is a frenetic and rather tense animated series that has become a cult classic since airing between 1989 and 1991. Parents may object to the show's violence: brothers Luigi and Mario are often in mortal peril when opposing villain King Koopa, a scary reptile that may upset younger viewers. Luigi and Mario themselves are the subject of rampant Italian stereotypes, often shown eating pasta or pizza, or referring to same. Villain Koopa frequently refers to them using insulting language, often containing stereotypes: "Spaghetti saps!" The show's sole female character, Princess Toadstool, is usually depicted as passive and helpless; the need to rescue her from various picturesque locations usually drives the show's plot. Famous guest stars drop by on every show, some of whom may give parents pause, like the sultry horror host Elvira (and her heaving bosom). The show's quick pace, annoying synth game music, and "us against them" plots involving heroes and villains may also worry parents. However, the broad humor in both the live action and animated segments, and the show's pedigree (connected to a beloved video game franchise), may enthrall young viewers.