The Hollow Men
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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 this ribald sketch comedy show includes lots of sexually oriented humor, much of it designed to be "offensively" funny. Expect explicit references to infidelity, masturbation, and sexual acts, including homosexual oral sex. Scenes include a man with a covered-but-obvious erection, as well as a man wearing underwear with garter belts. Characters drink beer, play poker, visit strip clubs, and act irresponsibly ... all in the name of comedy. Language includes plenty of body-part slang ("pecker," "balls," etc.).
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What's the Story?
THE HOLLOW MEN are four British guys who write and perform smart skits with decidedly bawdy themes, playing all the roles themselves -- including the female ones (they cheerfully don drag).
Is It Any Good?
If the show's concept sounds familiar, it should: Fans of Monty Python and The Kids in the Hall are very well acquainted with just this sort of thing. But even though The Hollow Men aren't breaking new ground, they're still witty and -- for fans of intentionally vulgar humor -- lots of fun to watch. Skits vary from simply silly and juvenile -- like one that shows all sorts of people drinking a soda that causes them to say "monkey spunk" -- to slightly more complex ones that comment on social issues like homophobia and consumerism (like a skit about marketing a Spam-like product to gay men).
Due to its mature concepts and sexually themed material, The Hollow Men isn't a good fit for younger viewers. Even parents of teens may want to preview some episodes to decide whether the show's style of humor is appropriate for their family -- though chances are there isn't too much here that most teens haven't already seen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about comedy. Aside from the accents, what makes non-American comedy different from that performed by U.S. comics? Do you think these differences make one group better than the other? How can you tell if comedy is good? What's the difference between intellectual humor and gross-out humor, and do you see them intersect sometimes? What do The Hollow Men have in common with other comedy troupes like Monty Python and The Kids in the Hall?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 10, 2005
- Cast: David Armond, Nick Tanner, Sam Spedding
- Network: Comedy Central
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Spoons
Ribald Brit sketch comedy serves up racy laughs.
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MADtv
Rude, crude SNL wannabe. Proceed with caution.
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Saturday Night Live
Legendary late-night show funny for teens and up.
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