Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Talk show tackles race and controversy with edgy humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
TOTALLY BIASED WITH W. KAMAU BELL features the comedian as he offers his thoughts about issues and events taking place around the country. The series, which is co-executively produced by Chris Rock, features Bell offering his biting commentary about race, religion, politics, and popular culture, as well as humorous interview sketches filmed at various locations around New York City. Video clips of recent news events are also shown. Towards the end of each episode, the cable-TV host interviews a special guest, including The Daily Show correspondent John Oliver, and comedians like Lewis Black and Wanda Sykes.
Is It Any Good?
Totally Biased contains some edgy -- but entertaining -- discussions about some controversial issues with a liberal bent. But while it generates some laughs, it lacks some of the high-quality writing and well-timed comments that cable shows like The Daily Show and Real Time With Bill Maher are known for. As a result, some of the humor falls a little flat, while other moments are just plain awkward.
It's not as risqué as some other late-night cable talk shows, but the host's unapologetically blunt discussions about race and ethnicity (which is sometimes punctuated by the use of the "N" word) may make some viewers uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the series is a platform for discussing these issues from a point of view that some feel is ignored by the media. There are some empowering messages here, but they will likely be best appreciated by more mature viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how television is used to talk about contemporary issues. Is a talk show an appropriate format to discuss controversial issues, like race or religion? Do you think a talk show host's job is to be an advocate for an issue or good role model for a community?
Is using stereotypes and/or racial epithets an appropriate way of discussing differences between various races and/or ethnic communities? What if a community embraces the stereotype as an acceptable way of describing themselves?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 9, 2012
- Cast : W. Kamau Bell
- Networks : FX , FXX
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
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