Common Sense Media Review
The Lion King does Looney Tunes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 10 kid reviews
Kids say the show features beloved characters Timon and Pumbaa and provides entertaining humor, appealing primarily to children while delivering some valuable lessons. However, opinions are mixed, with some viewers criticizing the quality of humor and episodic content, as well as noting instances of cartoonish violence.
- funny characters
- mixed reviews
- cartoonish violence
- entertaining for kids
- quality of humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Lion King spin-off series TIMON & PUMBAA has its roots in classic American humor. With its wacky cartoon violence, similarity to the original Looney Tunes is unmistakable, and the three hyena characters are clearly an homage to the Three Stooges. Like the Stooges, these characters sometimes hit one another, usually in response to some perceived stupidity.
Is It Any Good?
Parents and older kids will find plenty of slapstick and pun-like humor, most of which is worked in well enough that a younger viewer won't require an explanation. There's plenty of wacky cartoon violence, but only the very youngest viewers might be bothered by it -- and then only until they get the way these cartoons work and accept a world where you can fall out of an airplane and emerge unharmed. Timon & Pumbaa is pure brain candy, with no lessons and no morals. It's Bugs and Daffy for the Lion King fan.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how TV Timon and Pumbaa are different from the characters in the movie. Parents might also bring up the series' joyfully ludicrous violence, as opposed to the apparently serious violence found in anime and action cartoons. Which do you like better, and why? Parents might also want to discuss the characters' tendency to hit one another when they're angry. Why is that funny on screen but not off?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 8, 1995
- Cast : Cam Clarke , Ernie Sabella , Quinton Flynn
- Networks : Disney Channel , Toon Disney
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 21, 2026
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