Parents' Guide to

The Catherine Tate Show

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

British sketch comedy is fun for teens and up.

TV BBC America Comedy 2004
The Catherine Tate Show Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

In British sketch comedy series THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW, comedienne Catherine Tate stars as a multitude of outrageous characters whose various antics are fodder for the show's rib-tickling humor. The multi-talented Tate -- whose comedy style is reminiscent of Tracey Ullman -- plays a bevy of regular characters, including an overtly effeminate middle-aged man who scathingly responds to assumptions that he's gay with a condescending "How very dare you"; an uncouth woman who often finds herself in embarrassing situations; a crotchety elderly woman who hides a foul-mouthed, racist side; and an impertinent teen who's never without something to say (often along the lines of a bored "Am I bovvered?" -- which has become a huge catchphrase in England) about life's little travesties. Each episode includes about eight brief skits, with Tate bolstered by a revolving cast of supporting comics.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (7):

In addition to starring in the series, Tate also writes much of the material; the outcome is 40 minutes of very satisfying comedy -- especially for those who appreciate British humor (though Tate's talent allows her to transcend the cultural barrier). But check it out before letting your teens tune in, as the language can be strong and issues like sexuality are often at the heart of the humor.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about comedy in entertainment. How does the comedy in this series compare to others you've seen? How would you describe this comedy style? Is it funny to you? What parts were the most entertaining? Were there any parts that you just didn't get? How much does a person's culture affect their grasp of certain types of humor? What are some of your favorite funny shows or movies? What do you like about them?

TV Details

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.

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