Talking Tom and Friends
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Popular app stars' Web show deals laughs, little substance.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Talking Tom and Friends
Community Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Sex, profanity, drugs, and violence. E q'nom t'bekur. Tv Skrapari Kssjs
It's a great show but with some flirting parts. (EW!)
What's the Story?
TALKING TOM AND FRIENDS is a Web series based on the characters from the popular companion apps. It follows the hijinks of an adventurous and inventive cat named Tom (voiced by Colin Hanks) as he launches a reality series filmed in his garage, where he also works with his friend Ben (James Adomian) to develop new apps. They're joined by his pop-star girlfriend, Angela (Lisa Schwartz); his nephew, Ginger (Maria Bamford); and his roommate, Hank (Tom Kenny). Cameras capture the curious, comical, and even mundane events of their days as these pals go about work and play and spill secrets in bathroom confessionals.
Is It Any Good?
Talking Tom and his cohorts have entertained many a kid by way of interactive apps in which the characters repeat a modification of what users say into their devices. Just as there's little depth to the virtual activity, there's not much below the surface of this series, but that certainly won't be a deterrent for kids who want to watch. Those who do will enjoy seeing Tom and his friends interact, and, with so many personalities, there are plenty of moments that will get them laughing. Also, if your kids haven't used the characters' apps yet, don't be surprised if this encourages them to seek them out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in the show compare to those in the apps. Does different animation make them more engaging or less so? Do you like their new voices? Are their personalities what you expected?
Kids: How real is reality TV? How might your life look if it was made into a TV show? Do these characters have any bad habits that are brought to light in this show?
What rules does your family have about screen time and device use? Are the rules different for kids and adults? How do cell phones and tablets make our lives easier? Is it fair to say that they have a negative impact on how people relate to each other?
TV Details
- Premiere date: December 23, 2014
- Cast: Colin Hanks , Tom Kenny , Maria Bamford
- Network: Online
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Animal TV Shows for Kids
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