Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun books-inspired show intros kids to historical figures.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Who Was? Show
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 50 parent reviews
Parents say that while the show provides a fun and humorous way to spark interest in historical figures, many find it historically inaccurate and filled with crass humor that detracts from its educational value. The mixed reviews highlight concerns about its portrayal of historical events and figures, alongside praise for its ability to engage children and inspire curiosity and further research, ultimately suggesting that it is more entertainment than a rigorous educational tool.
- historical inaccuracies
- engaging for children
- humorous format
- mixed educational value
- encourages further research
- appeals to modern families
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say that this TV show effectively combines humor and educational content, making historical figures engaging for children, although some viewers express concerns regarding inaccuracies in the portrayal of these figures. While many appreciate its fun approach to learning and recommend it for kids aged 5 and up, a few critics highlight misrepresentation and feel that it can mislead young viewers about historical facts.
- engaging humor
- educational content
- historical inaccuracies
- fun learning
- suitable for kids
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE WHO WAS? SHOW is a sketch comedy series inspired by the biographical Who Was? books for kids and tweens. Each episode brings to life two historical figures seemingly unrelated to each other and draws comparisons between their stories and legacies. The young cast members use skits, jokes, songs, improv comedy, and animation to create a show within a show, all in spite of clueless input from their well-meaning but dim producer, Ron (Andrew Daly).
Is It Any Good?
With unexpected pairings like William Shakespeare and King Tut, Sacagawea and Blackbeard, and Pablo Picasso and The Wright Brothers, this series introduces historical figures and events in a fun and memorable way. You may have to dig into their pasts to find similarities between the subjects, but the show builds conceptual themes that relate to them and then has fun with all the many ways they're different from each other. In other words, The Who Was? Show dusts off seemingly dull players and topics from the past and makes them and their stories intriguing to today's kids.
Beyond the basics of when and where the subjects lived and what their important contributions to history were, there's not a lot of factual information to be had in this lighthearted show. It's highly entertaining, especially in parts that drop these vintage characters among modern trends like technology and dance parties, and its use of satire and hyperbole garner deserved enjoyment. Even so, The Who Was? Show can inspire curiosity about history and its players in a unique way that grade-schoolers will like.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the work of the historical figures featured in The Who Was? Show continues to impact the world today. How different would our lives be without their contributions? Do you think they realized the full impact of their work at the time?
What data do historians use to piece together the details of events from the past? How much of history is conjecture? What physical evidence exists to support biographical accounts of the subjects of this episode in particular?
What character strengths do you see in the historical figures portrayed in this series? Are you curious about some of them?
If you can't get enough of this show, or want a screen-free option, check out The Who Was? Podcast.
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 11, 2018
- Cast : Andrew Daly , Adam Hochstetter , Kirrilee Berger
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : January 2, 2026
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