Television Review: The Amanda Show
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this show is mired in violent
cartoon humor, questionable social behavior (including
stereotypes), and strange gross-out punchlines that dilute the
appeal of star Amanda Bynes. Kids will find this show very
stimulating, though whether they're agitated or amused after
watching it is something to observe.
Families can talk about the difference between being funny and
being crude. Can a joke be successful without disrespecting the
participants? Does hitting someone in the head with a computer
console make for good laughs? How does it feel when someone
makes fun of another person's accent or cultural
background?
Amanda Bynes (who also stars in What I Like About You) headlines her own comedy variety show composed of skits like "Judge Trudy," a skewering caricature of the infamously sharp Judge Judy of daytime TV; "Moody's Point," a parody of teen dramas like Dawson's Creek; and various commercial spoofs.
Violence has a deeply rooted history in slapstick comedy -- The Three Stooges made it into an art form back in the 1940s. But for young viewers, violence like that found in THE AMANDA SHOW is disturbing precisely because it is the point of the skit, rather than a side note. This is certainly not a show to relax with, as it is so chaotic and loud that the effect is unsettling.
Some questions that are raised here have to do with desperation and parody. There is a sense in the show that nothing is sacred and nobody is safe from being ridiculed or being subjected to play violence. For adults this may be appropriate, but for young audiences, it's hard to know what is acceptable and what is off-color. What will people do for a laugh? What do we gain or lose when people are made fun of or hurt for laughter's sake? Is extreme anger funny or scary? How does it feel to watch family members yell and scream, even when it is supposed to be funny? The Amanda Show treats these issues as non-issues, which is exactly why parents should take the time to view this show with their kids.
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