Maya & Marty – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Maya & Marty

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2016

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Maya Rudolph and Martin Short's 2016 variety show that critics hated and nobody remembers—topical comedy has a shelf life, and this expired in 2017.

38%

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Maya & Marty

show

TV-14, 2016

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Maya Rudolph and Martin Short's 2016 variety show that critics hated and nobody remembers—topical comedy has a shelf life, and this expired in 2017.

38%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: Maya Rudolph and Martin Short are comedy legends, but this show was a flop when it aired and it's borderline unwatchable now. Topical sketch comedy has a brutal shelf life—jokes about 2016 celebrities and current events feel like archaeological artifacts. Critics hated it (38% on Rotten Tomatoes), it got cancelled after one season, and there's basically no reason to seek this out in 2025.

Audiences were kinder than critics, probably because Rudolph and Short are inherently likable, but even superfans would struggle to recommend this. The humor is dated, the references are obscure, and the whole thing feels like a time capsule nobody wanted to bury. If you're looking for family-friendly sketch comedy, there are dozens of better options that haven't aged like milk.

The WISE score reflects reality: it's not offensive or harmful, but it's also not worth your time. Let this one stay in 2016 where it belongs.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media pegs this at 13+, which tracks for variety sketch comedy with adult references and mild innuendo. But honestly, even teens won't care—this is a relic from 2016 that nobody asked for then or now.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Sketch comedy format with two respected performers known for silly, playful humor rather than mean-spirited content. However, topical/celebrity spoofs can veer into mockery, and without detailed episode breakdowns it's hard to assess tone consistency. Common Sense Media's age 13 rating suggests some edge but nothing deeply problematic.

Imaginative

Sketch comedy requires creative writing and performance, and Rudolph/Short are known for character work and absurdist humor. However, this is largely passive entertainment—spoofing current events and celebrities doesn't invite much viewer creativity or exploration. It's imaginative in execution but not particularly imagination-sparking for viewers.

Safe

Age 13 rating from Common Sense Media and the PG-adjacent vibe of network variety shows suggest no graphic content, though sketch comedy can include mild innuendo, celebrity roasting, and adult references. No major red flags for violence, gore, or sexual content, but topical humor may include political/social commentary that feels dated or confusing now.

Enriching

Variety sketch comedy offers entertainment value and showcases performance talent, but provides minimal cognitive growth, skill-building, or meaningful takeaways. Topical spoofs from 2016 are now badly dated (remember the 2016 election cycle jokes?), limiting both relevance and rewatch value. Musical performances add some cultural exposure but don't elevate the enrichment factor significantly.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Maya Rudolph and Martin Short are genuinely talented performers with strong sketch comedy chops
Variety show format includes musical performances alongside comedy, offering some range
Audience scores (76% RT, 6.6 IMDb) suggest it had some fans who enjoyed the silly, playful vibe
Network TV means no graphic content—safe for family viewing if you can find it

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What to Watch For

Topical humor from 2016 is painfully dated—election jokes, celebrity references, and trends that mean nothing now
Critics savaged it (38% RT) for good reason—even fans admit it was uneven and forgettable
Short-lived cancellation after one season means it never found its footing
Age 13+ rating suggests some adult humor and references that younger kids won't get (and older kids won't care about)

Conversation Starters

"Do you recognize any of the celebrities they're making fun of, or is this all ancient history?"
"What makes sketch comedy funny—and does humor from almost 10 years ago still work?"
"If you were doing a variety show now, what would you spoof or parody?"

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