Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Energetic animated series tackles complex adult topics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Tuca & Bertie
What's the Story?
TUCA & BERTIE, a toucan (Tiffany Haddish) and a songbird (Ali Wong), respectively, are best friends and former roommates who still live in the same apartment building. Tuca is living on her own for the first time after getting sober, while Bertie has just moved in with her boyfriend, Speckle (Steven Yeun). The two best friends help and encourage one another as they deal with life issues like going up for a promotion and buying a house.
Is It Any Good?
Pulling from a bottomless well of energy (and supported by an incredible cast), this series frenetically switches art styles to land jokes and confront complex everyday issues. Creator Lisa Hanawalt is giving absolutely everything she has to her first series (she previously gave BoJack Horseman its signature look).
Early on, Tuca & Bertie can't quite decide whether it wants to be a colossal rush of classic sitcom story subversion, or just an endless stream of memes, but it's exciting to watch as it settles into itself and finds its own unique voice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the world of Tuca & Bertie. What does it mean that everyone is an animal? Why do you think a show for adults is presented this way?
What else happens on Tuca & Bertie that couldn't happen in real life? What do these surreal events mean? What do they add to the meaning of the story that wouldn't be there otherwise? What other stylistic choices do the creators make to help tell the story?
What kinds of difficulties do Tuca and Bertie encounter throughout their day? How do they deal with these problems?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 3, 2019
- Cast : Tiffany Haddish , Ali Wong , Steven Yeun
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : April 30, 2025
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