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Parents' Guide to

Ugly Americans

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Adult-oriented toon leans on sexual humor, grotesque gags.

TV Comedy Central Comedy 2010
Ugly Americans Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

EpicBro15
EpicBro15 Adult
March 12, 2012
age 15+

Great show for Mature viewers

The show is hilarious, not to much for little kids a lot of scenes of extreme graphic violence which I'm surprised is allowed to be aired with the TV-14 rating, also some indecent language, sexual situations are abundant, and the humor wont entertain kids. Keep the kids off this show more for mature sophisticated teens and adults. Its great to see more great animation of Comedy Central like Futurama and South Park.
Plague
Plague Parent
April 8, 2010
age 12+

Ugly Americans

Suprisingly funny. Not a Grade A show, but definitely watchable.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

UGLY AMERICANS charts the efforts of everyman social worker Mark Lilly (voiced by Matt Oberg) to help humans and other \"foreigners\" -- including zombies, demons, vampires, and werewolves -- to make the transition from freakish outcasts to ordinary Americans who earn a living and contribute to society like everyone else. But it's hard to keep a positive attitude when your clients have a tendency to give into their baser instincts. In the meantime, he's working things out with his zombie roommate, Randall (Kurt Metzger), and his demon boss, Callie (Natasha Leggero), and settling scores with a local law enforcement officer (Larry Murphy) who targets anyone who isn't a \"real\" American.

Is It Any Good?

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

For most people, Ugly Americans will be an acquired taste -- and might even trigger a gag reflex. After all, jokes involving a restaurant in Hell that serves unbaptized baby arm soup with a raspberry coulis or a rehabilitated zombie who takes a job washing windows at a brain storage facility (and ultimately can't control his cravings) aren't for everyone.

But those with a soft spot for the bizarre and an appreciation for hand-drawn details will probably feel differently about this uncommon horror-comedy. And it does have its moments, like when Mark advises a cereal-crunching Randall that he has a little something on his face, and Randall realizes, after wiping it off, that it was an actual piece of his face -- and a rather large one at that. But is it funny? Well...yes. But it's not for everyone.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how this show skewers some Americans' views of immigrants and other "foreigners," and how that critique could be applied to current events. Do you think making a point about prejudice and hypocrisy is the point of the show?

  • How does the show play up violence for comedic effect? Does it work? Why or why not?

  • Why go with an animated format? Could the same premise ever work as a movie or television show? Why or why not?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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