Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, The Young Ones was genuinely revolutionary in 1982. It broke ground, influenced everything from The Simpsons to modern alt-comedy, and earned its cult status. The 8.2 IMDb rating isn't lying—comedy nerds love it.

But let's be real: in 2025, this show is borderline unwatchable for most families. The humor is aggressively 1980s British, the pacing feels glacial, and the constant slapstick violence mixed with suicide jokes hasn't aged well at all. One character's entire personality is wanting to kill himself, another just smashes things, and the 'comedy' often feels more exhausting than funny.

If you've got a 16-year-old who's deep into Monty Python and wants to understand British comedy history, fine—watch an episode together and use it as a time capsule. But for most families? There are better ways to spend 30 minutes. The historical significance doesn't make it good viewing in 2025, and the dark edge makes it genuinely inappropriate for younger teens, even if they could sit through it (they can't).

Age Fit

Best for 15-17 year olds who are into comedy history or British humor and can handle dark, dated satire. Even then, many modern teens will bail after one episode because the pacing and style feel ancient. Definitely not for anyone under 14.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

35

Four college students living in chaos with frequent slapstick violence (furniture smashing, bomb jokes), dark humor about suicide and self-harm, crude language, and aggressive punk-anarchist behavior. The tone is deliberately anarchic and abrasive, with one character whose 'only desire is to commit suicide' and another who 'smashes everything to pieces.' Not emotionally healthy modeling for younger viewers, though the absurdist satire has merit for older teens who can parse it.

Imaginative

78

Groundbreaking surrealist comedy that mixed slapstick, musical guest spots, and anarchic set-pieces in ways that influenced decades of British comedy. The show's willingness to break format, embrace absurdity, and create a 'surreal world' was genuinely innovative for early 1980s TV. However, the creativity is mostly passive viewing—it doesn't invite participation or building, just appreciation of its weird genius.

Safe

42

TV-14 rating with frequent slapstick violence, strong language, dark humor about suicide and mental health, political satire, and references to drug use. The violence is cartoonish but constant (furniture destruction, aggressive physical comedy). Parents should expect content that could be 'confusing or distressing' for younger viewers. No nudity or gore, but the relentless dark edge and crude humor make it unsafe for unexpected viewing by kids under 14.

Enriching

58

Historically significant as an 'iconic 80s sitcom' that pioneered alternative comedy and influenced generations of British humor. For older teens interested in comedy history or satire, it offers insight into political commentary and absurdist humor. However, the entertainment value is dated—the pacing, references, and style feel extremely 1980s. The crude humor and bleak jokes don't offer much cognitive growth beyond understanding satire, and modern teens may find it more confusing than enlightening.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Groundbreaking surrealist comedy that influenced decades of British alternative humor
Strong IMDB rating (8.2) reflects its cult status among comedy enthusiasts
Could spark discussions about satire, political commentary, and how comedy evolves across generations
For teens interested in comedy history, it's a genuine cultural artifact worth understanding

⚠

What to Watch For

Constant slapstick violence (furniture smashing, explosions) and crude physical comedy throughout
Dark humor about suicide, self-harm, and mental health that's played for laughs in ways that haven't aged well
Strong language and punk-anarchist attitudes that model aggressive, destructive behavior
Extremely dated 1980s references, pacing, and style that modern teens will likely find boring or incomprehensible
Not suitable for anyone under 14, and even then, preview first to gauge your teen's tolerance for bleak absurdist humor

Conversation Starters

"What did you think was actually funny versus just weird or uncomfortable? Why do you think people in the 1980s found this hilarious?"
"The show makes jokes about suicide and violence—how does that land differently now than it might have 40 years ago?"
"Which character's personality was the most over-the-top? Do you know anyone who reminds you of them, or is this just completely alien to real life?"
"If you were going to make a show about college students today, what would be different? What would stay the same?"

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