Parents' Guide to

Tom Goes to the Mayor

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Stereotypes + sexual references = for adults only.

TV Cartoon Network Comedy 2004
Tom Goes to the Mayor Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

mrjohnnny
mrjohnnny Adult
July 31, 2020
age 14+

Not that bad

So the content that CSM says is in the show is present...only in three episodes. CNE, Rebirth, and Pope Camp. The rest of series, content wise, is relatively tame. Some episodes have some minor bloody violence, but it’s very brief and quickly cut away. Others do have sexual references, but they’re not even as bad as shows like Family Guy. The character Joy can can swear quite a bit, with some bleeps, but the others keep their language at a PG/low PG-13 level. The art style can be off-putting at first, but you eventually get used to it. Overall, it really isn’t that bad, especially compared to what airs on Adult Swim now.

This title has:

Too much sex
Al Jackson
Al Jackson Adult
April 15, 2012
age 18+

This show is awful.

This show is horribly vulgar ans rude.It makes fun of Jesus,it has cursing,and it has drinking & smoking.THIS SHOW SUCKS!
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

TOM GOES TO THE MAYOR is an animated series about Tom Peters (voiced by Eric Wareheim), a self-proclaimed entrepreneur who's failed at every venture he's tried. Hoping to find success in the small, run-down town of Jefferton, he meets with the town's weird mayor (Tim Heidecker) to present some ideas that will make him -- and the town -- famous. Tom also relies on the mayor's dim receptionist Renee (Stephanie Courtney) and Jefferton's disinterested council members (Craig Anton, Ron Lynch) to get his ventures up and running. Unfortunately, his well-intentioned but rather half-baked projects -- like starting a health camp for boys sponsored by pipe smokers, or teaching kids about bear-trap safety -- usually end in chaos. And as if the pressure to succeed wasn't enough, Tom must also contend with his unpleasant wife, Joy (also Courtney), a morbidly obese woman and mother of three who takes every chance she can to express her disappointment in him.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Decidedly adult in both content and style, Tom Goes to the Mayor is based on an award-winning short film and contains some unique animation. But although it's become a cult favorite in some circles, it isn't as cleverly written as some other Adult Swim shows, relying less on creative plotlines and more on stereotypes about people living in small-town America.

But what earns the show its TV-MA rating is its over-the-top sexual innuendo, which ranges from subtle wordplay to lewd images (including a woman grabbing Tom's crotch) to strong references to oral sex, masturbation, and sadomasochism. As a result, while adults may find the show fun late-night viewing, it's definitely not for kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why some animated series aren't meant for kids. What are the differences between cartoons created for children (and even teens) and those created for adults? Can you think of any "kid" cartoons that seem better suited for older audiences? Why? Families can also discuss how the show uses small-town stereotypes to get laughs. Do you find that style of humor funny? Why or why not?

TV Details

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