Parents' Guide to

The Showbiz Show with David Spade

By Lucy Maher, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Witty SNL wannabe for older teens.

TV Comedy Central Comedy 2005
The Showbiz Show with David Spade Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

In Comedy Central's THE SHOWBIZ SHOW WITH DAVID SPADE, the actor and comedian skewers celebrities with wry commentary on Hollywood happenings. Set in a glossy, high-tech studio, each half-hour show opens with Spade (Just Shoot Me, Saturday Night Live) sitting at a news anchor desk, a la SNL's "Weekend Update" or Comedy Central's own The Daily Show. During this portion of the program, Spade recaps the week's celebrity-related events, adding his own often-sarcastic (and sometimes mean-spirited) commentary. After that come skits and segments in which Spade interviews guest stars and banters with special comedian correspondents.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Spade's jokes are subtle, and he's more apt to induce knowing giggles than snorting laughter. What's refreshing is the way he cuts through the fawning brand of entertainment journalism currently popular and makes fun of the celebs we're so obsessed with. The only drawback is that since the show airs weekly, his recaps seem stale by the time they air. Still, this is a smart program older teens will get and enjoy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the culture of celebrity that gives this show a reason to exist. Why is it so much fun to mock famous people? Are we just waiting for them to screw up so we can point our fingers at them? Also, what makes a joke a joke in the first place? When is it OK to poke fun at others? How do you know if you've gone too far?

TV Details

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