Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
High-energy kid-focused Fallon spin-off OK any time of day.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Kids Tonight Show
What's the Story?
THE KIDS TONIGHT SHOW is exactly what it sounds like: a version of Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show hosted by and made for kids. The show is hosted by tween performers Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish), Dylan Gilmer (Young Dylan), Olivia Perez (In the Heights), and drumming prodigy Recker Eans. It's filmed on a fairly typical late-night set, with the addition of candy buildings to the backdrop's city skyline and a slide and ball pit for guests to make their grand entrances. Host Recker acts as the show's band, offering some epic drum solos in between segments. Each episode opens with a "monologue" of kid-friendly jokes and sometimes include kid-ified versions of Fallon's bits like "Thank You Notes." The four hosts then interview a celebrity guest. After the interview, the guest competes against the hosts in a fun game, filled with silly physical challenges and visual gags. There's a few recurring jokes -- like a button on the host desk that triggers funny sound effects and animations, and a "secret" word that triggers a dance party. The show is a condensed 17 minutes for kid attention spans, and every minute packs a fun-filled punch.
Is It Any Good?
It's unlikely any kids out there were actually clamoring for a late-night show, but this spin-off definitely brings a silly party to the genre. In The Kids Tonight Show, hosts are polished showbiz professionals who still manage to act relatively natural and have great chemistry with each other. The show has funny physical games in the vein of '90s Nickelodeon game shows that are sure to make kids giggle. Celebrity interviews, the most boring parts of adults' late-night shows, are mercifully short. The celebrity guests will be especially interesting to kids that are tuned-in to kid pop culture (i.e., of the Disney and Nickelodeon variety). Grown-ups might wish the stars were a little less self-promotional, but otherwise The Kids Tonight Show is a fun watch for kids and tweens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the celebrity guests come on the show to be interviewed and play games. Did you notice when they talked about the movie/TV show/etc. they're working on? Why do you think that was a part of the interview?
The hosts of the show are very talented kid performers. How do you think they learned the skills they needed to be able to host a show like this one? Do you think you would ever want to do something similar?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 14, 2021
- Cast : Dylan Gilmer , Mykal-Michelle Harris , Recker Eans , Olivia Perez
- Network : Peacock
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : December 13, 2021
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