Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Film/TV studio mockumentary isn't funny; explicit content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Underdeveloped
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
UNDERDEVELOPED is a mockumentary in the style of The Office set in a fledgling independent movie production studio.
Is It Any Good?
This series sounds promising in theory but suffers from several fatal shortcomings, including subpar writing and acting. Underdeveloped live up to its name; it struggles with originality, with one character appearing heavily derivative of April from Parks and Recreation and another played by an actor who actually had a recurring role in The Office (David Koechner). The use of the mockumentary format is an overused trope, and this particular version relies heavily on humor centered around an abusive, sexist, and racist boss portrayed by Tom Arnold (True Lies). Unlike in Parks and Recreation and The Office, Arnold's clueless boss lacks any of the good intentions, naivety, or charm possessed by Michael Scott and Leslie Knope. The lack of chemistry among all of the characters in Underdeveloped hinders the storylines and, worse, makes many of them come across as mean-spirited and bigoted. There's just nothing worth sticking around for here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the boss's disrespectful portrayal of women as sexual objects and how attitudes like this play into dangerous power dynamics for working women.
Teens continue to seek out content about pornography as well as sex and contraception, and they often do so from magazines, films, TV, and online. Provide reliable, accurate information to help prevent confusion and anxiety.
As teens watch content that is more adult and use/play more adult media, they will take in more sexual, racial, and ethnic stereotypes. Be ready to talk about what teens are seeing. Ask (rather than tell) your kid what's problematic about stereotyped or demeaning representations. Encourage them to think about what's realistic and why particular portrayals may be harmful.
Consider opening up a conversation by asking your child whether they find any of the depictions on Underdeveloped unrealistic or demeaning. It can help to ask what they think about the use of stereotypes for humor and what it would feel like if characters behaved that way in real life. Encourage them to think about what's realistic and consider asking if any of the characters or situations seem more or less plausible to them and what types of representations they think are missing.
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 8, 2023
- Cast : Thomas Ian Nicholas , Kelly Arjen , Tom Arnold
- Networks : Tubi , Freevee
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 13, 2023
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