Parents' Guide to

The Underground

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Raw sketch comedy values shock over humor. Pass.

TV Showtime Comedy 2006
The Underground Poster Image

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

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age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

cinored
cinored Parent of 3-year-old
November 7, 2010
age 16+
I love it, waiting for a dvd or somthing to come out. I miss da show, wish i could be on there and show my skills as a actor. lol............

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What's the Story?

A half-hour sketch comedy show created and produced by Damon Wayans, THE UNDERGROUND ("Da Uh!" for short) is reminiscent of the groundbreaking 1990s hit In Living Color -- which was created by Damon's older brother, Keenan Ivory Wayans -- only it's half as long and at least twice as uncensored. Like In Living Color, The Underground intersperses a variety of envelope-pushing comedy skits with clips featuring street music and dance. The ensemble cast includes Aries Spears (MADtv) and Wayans' son, Damon Wayans, Jr. and the sketches range from poking fun at controversial political issues (including the war in Iraq and heightened airport security) to advertisements for genital-sporting pants. Many of the skits rely heavily on stereotyping as a significant source of humor.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Unfortunately, the prevalence of obscene language, nudity, and simulated sex acts (many of them extremely crude) in most sketches makes the show's political satire and social commentary difficult to appreciate. Plus, when it comes right down to it, a lot of the skits just aren't that funny, bad taste or no. As a result, anything positive that the show has to offer, including the celebration of urban culture, is undermined by its attempts to cross the lines of taste and purposely offend people of all walks of life simply because it can. It also makes the show a bad choice for kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about using stereotypes as a source of humor. Is it ever appropriate to use stereotypes? Where do you draw the line? Can people empower themselves by "reclaiming a stereotype" and making it their own? Families can also talk about taking humor too far. When does satire or parody become offensive? Urban culture, underground artists, and alternative dance forms can also be discussed.

TV Details

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