Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun buddy comedy has cartoon violence, rude humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Oddballs
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In ODDBALLS, two hapless friends try to fix everyday annoyances. Instead, their absurd solutions end up turning small problems into epic disasters. The series is based on the successful YouTube channel TheOdds1Out, and creator James Rallison voices main character James. James, a bubble-shaped boy, lives in an RV with Max, a talking crocodile. They have other fantastical friends, including Echo, a girl who claims to be from the future. Each episode begins with James being pushed over the edge by something small, like a toaster that always burns toast. He decides to fix the problem in a grand way, like inventing a sentient toaster enhanced with AI to solve his toast problem. Inevitably, James doesn't anticipate all of the potential ways his plan could go wrong, and trouble ensues. In the hilarious toaster episode, what starts out as an adorable baby toaster turns into an angry machine that leaves a trail of injury and destruction in its wake. James and Max eventually abandon their plan and clean up their mess, only to start all over again by tackling a new problem in the next episode.
Is It Any Good?
Yes, it's yet another modern version of a tween-boy-skewing Saturday morning cartoon, but don't write off this show too quickly. Some adults may have preferred it if Oddballs didn't have all the typical slapstick violence of this genre. That said, it's hilarious and entertaining, and there are jokes thrown in to keep the grown-ups laughing too. Every episode tackles a salient real-life tween issue, like arguing with friends, being mature enough to have a phone, and becoming too old for the kid menu. James and Max are hapless, but they have good intentions and do apologize for the chaos they create. Grown-ups should note that many kids will be too busy laughing to remember that James and Max are leading by bad example. While Oddballs could be better about not having negative aspects detract from positive life lessons, it's a fun show that families can watch together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of the Oddballs episode. How do Max and James touch on real troubles kids have, even if they do it in a silly way?
Families can talk about the silly violence in Oddballs. Do you think it makes violence seem less bad to kids when the violence is funny? Why, or why not?
How is the Netflix version of Oddballs different from the YouTube version? Why do you think a major network made those changes rather than staying with the creator's original vision?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 7, 2022
- Cast : Kimberly Brooks , Julian Gant , James Rallison
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 17, 2023
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