I've only watched a couple episodes, but it is so dead on so far from my experience. Set in 2000, I would have been the older brother. My sister is literally named Maya, was into Sylvanian animals, etc. She once cut her hair stupid and I laughed and my mom cut it into an embarrassing way. my ojiichan died some years before but we were told he would watch over us at all times. So yeah, masturbating? Is he judging us? It's so wild to see such a specific character I can relate to that I have never seen in any tv show or movie.
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Go-Between10 February 2019
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ginjaninja-439075 December 2021These people criticizing this and saying it is sexualizing kids are out of their minds and paranoid. You must have had a strange middle school and puberty. I grew up in the 80s and this shows the awkwardness and raging hormones that I experienced. And if you are saying it is sexualizing kids then I don't think you've watched it at all. You probably read something and regurgitated the propoganda. It's funny and an accurate depiction, of course exaggerated. Lighten up!
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drwp-919418 February 2019Everyone who complains about the age difference clearly isn't getting the joke. Remember body doubles exist and are used! The whole mentality of growing up at that time is there. They captured it. I'm 14 again watching this. Good stuff!
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renaissancebradley8 February 2019A story about two prepubescent girls played by two 30 year old actresses the medication I didn't know I needed. From the very first teaser trailer I felt we had pure comedy gold in our hands and the show did not disappoint. Whether it be watching Maya discover masturbation for the first time or Anna constantly getting blown off by her school boy crush all the stories told in this series are hilarious, cringeworthy and insanely relatable. This show is simply brilliant and the actresses really embodies their confused and hormonal younger selves. Sometimes to the point where I forget their 30 something year old women. Good Job girls, I personally can't wait for season 2!
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acompton-583099 February 2019Some of the things that happened on this show were exactly my experience as a tween. So thankful for the girls' perspective and being spared the typical trite portrayal of what is accurately demonstrated here as a brutally painful, awkward, and hilarious (in hindsight) time in life. Writing and acting really encapsulates what it's like to lose your childlike innocence as a young girl. Binged it in a day aka when's season 2??
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visubversa16 September 2020I am a 40 year old man. Why is this my new favorite show? I watch Colombo. I watch history documentaries one day, and Archer the next. But there's something about this show that my wife and I absolutely love. We were the freaks and geeks, but we had that one friend who was kept us level and made us who we are. I hope this show lasts for as long as possible.
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ninarose-0061814 February 2019What you think would be absurd and ridiculous, 31 year olds playing 13 year olds is so brilliantly executed, it's one of the most creative poignant and hilarious TV shows to date.
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LukeCustomer215 February 2020This is such an odd series but I have to say "truthful" and due to that -- hysterical. Personally I was kind of put off by the first couple of episodes but after a while you will be drawn in. For me this was even more on the nose as my long time best middle school and high school friend was Korean and I think most modern shows might not think of that dynamic with girls.
The show is unique in that they have thirtysomething year old women playing their 7th grade selves along with real life 13 year olds. To my shock, it works well. I suspect they did so because no modern little kid could really capture the creators of this show at 12. Also, some of the plots are very grown up and that might not be fully available to real kids.
Definitely worth watching. -
swain-6688515 February 2019The show can be a little weird at times, but overall it's a hilarious, laugh out loud nostalgia trip back to middle school with lovable characters, and fantastic lead performances. Make sure you have the time before you start the series, cause you're going to want to binge watch the whole season in one sitting. I absolutely loved this show! Season 2 can't come soon enough!
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blizzabb6 March 2019I originally gave this show a 6/10 but I'm going to bump that up to a 7/10. My first review was after watching 3 episodes but after watching the entire first season, I now realize I was wrong about what the show "was".
Its not just another comedy but instead an ode to the awkwardness and frustration of being a young teenager. While still achieving laughs, it can bring you back to the time you were naive, inexperienced, and uneducated about the world and society. People always like to say "it was so easy back then at that age. No real life problems. " I think pen15 does a great job of showing that those problems back then while seemingly inconsequential had deep seeded meaning that molded us into who we all are today.
Plus being a 30 y/o man, the show is def geared towards a female audience so maybe I had a hard time relating for my first review lol. But I think anyone from that time or anyone who can still relate, sympathize, or recollect their inner teenager will find something to enjoy about pen15. -
KOOLAIDBRO16 September 2020Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle play teenage versions of themselves where in the first episode they are starting their first day of 7th grade with dreams of how great it is going to be. I think most of us know how complicated this time of our lives were. I was literally laughing out loud at things and others I felt extremely uncomfortable which is part of the charm. The way they play off each other is fantastic and their interactions with the actual teens in this is where it really shines. The soundtrack of the late 90's and early 00's is perfectly placed and adds to the comedy. I accidentally started watching this and it is one of the best mistakes I've ever made. Being a man there are things that I can't relate to and I started to think that maybe it would be even that much more funny to women, but there's things like the boys trying to catch a booby shot on the restricted cable channel. Any male growing up before the internet was flooded with pornsites will understand this. This show is pure gold.
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willwatch17 March 2021Really enjoyed the first season. Look, you buy the premise or you don't. I did. Problem was Season 2. Not a drop in quality. But a change in tone. From a dark humored show skewering our often too-nostalgic memories to a more serious look. Doesn't quite work. Tough to pull off given that 2 adults are playing the early-teen leads.
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craigfiedler23 April 2019Think of it in this fact: if two grown men were the main characters mixed with a bunch of middle school girls, acting interested in them, talking about sex acts and what their vaginas look like (this is just some parts of the first episode, but grown women talking about boys), then everyone would be up in arms about this show and marching to have it cancelled. Cancel this show!
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mcleodjack13 February 2019I was bored and read on IMDB that this show was funny. A show about teenagers that's funny? No way. WAY! It's not your typical "Saved by the Bell" schmaltz. This is 7th grade, Biotch. I wouldn't let my 13 year old watch a show like this because it's for adults. But it sure brings back memories. The two girls could not be any funnier. Smoking, masturbating, first kiss, farts, mean girls, mean boys, starting your period and list goes on. You're brain dead if you don't laugh out loud.
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andie_lee30 October 2021No, I am not a bot or getting paid for my review as some users are claiming. I feel like the people who gave this show a low rating just do not understand it. The fact that the stars are in their 30s playing 7th graders is part of the humor.
I am the same age as the actresses, so I was in 7th grade in 2000. For me, this show was so relatable. So many of the conversations and events in this show happened to me at that age. My best friend and I were so much like Anna and Maya. Add in the music, clothes, cars, and slang and I was sent on a nostalgia trip. This was wonderfully done. I'm sorry that some people did not understand it. -
weirdedout9 February 2019A wonderful exploration of going through the most awkward years of your life in the 2000s. It's SO nostalgic as anyone who grew up in that era experienced these exact things! AIM episode on point. Now, to address the big issue people have, the fact that 30-year-olds are playing 13 year-olds. Get over it. Have you watched Wet Hot American Summer on Netflix? It's the same deal. And yes, I get that it can be weird to think of them pretending to have these relationships with these teenagers, BUT hear me out. 1, they have body doubles for anything necessary because obviously. 2, would you feel MORE comfortable watching an ACTUAL 13-year-old girl discovering masturbation or shaking her bare ass sexually in a thong in the mirror? HELL NO. You would be disgusted. It's far more inappropriate than their approach. So take a seat, and enjoy the nostalgia of awkward teen years, especially if you went to middle school in the early 2000s. It's a hilarious and wonderful period piece.
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zscox8 February 2019I was the same age at the same time. I will say that they say a lot of words that I never remember anyone saying. Like "it's chill"... I mean... who said what in 2000? The music is great and the actresses are hilarious.
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kennedyjohannsen9 February 2019Such a great show, totally real and relatable... Literally laughed out loud in every episode!!
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ibarro-614159 February 2019Apparently some of these reviewers need to go back to watching reruns of Frasier. For those looking for something new and brutally honest about those awkward years this could be the show for you!
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chefsalad8 February 2019I thought it started out a little awkward. By the end of the first episode I was hooked. It's dry, somewhat raunchy, yet tasteful humor. Almost like a "Strangers with candy" meets "Freaks and Geeks" for the 2000s
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MovieJunkie52 January 2022I must say that the fact the main actresses were in their 30s while the the rest of the cast was their own age (kids being kids, adults being adults) was a little distracting but it wears off after a couple of episodes.
After seeing every episode I understand why they casted 2 adults to play the role of two 13 years old. It's heavy, it portrays real-life lessons and struggles mainly for girls but it shades a light on boys difficulties as well.
Overall, it's a very good show. Mayas' impersonation of Jim Carreys' Ace Ventura was so relatable, I used to do the same eheh The show also made me appreciate the fact that I was able to grow up without this addiction to smartphones and the internet in general, life wasn't easier but it was much more appreciated :)
Finally, just wanted to say I really liked the script and the educational part is very important and one of the reasons I think everyone should see it. -
flout713 October 2020I've passed by this Show quite a few times while surfing around Hulu and said to myself, "what the hell let me give it a look". What a great decision that turned out to be. This show should also be categorized as a drama. Though it's absolutely a comedy first. These two ladies knock it outta the park. They are so convincing that some people could possibly be fooled into thinking that they are school-age girls. Silliness and goofiness are constant but there are some touching moments too. If you have a heart you're gonna root for these girls and maybe even feel protective. Maybe that's the 'Dad Gene' in me though unfortunately I am not one. It's a very unique show. Very quirky but there's realism as well. A lot of the supporting cast is decent too but these two girls steal the show. I recommend it highly for anyone including older dudes like myself. I've never reviewed anything on IMDb and I've been a member since 98... I was just so surprised and pleased by this show that I had to write a little something regarding this top not show. Check it out! I double dog dare you.
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natalie-gagliardo2 May 2019I know people like this show... And I get it... But I can't get past the fact that a 32 year old is playing a 12/13 year old. If she looked like a 7th grader... Or if it was a thing like the show was about how they were remembering 7th grade and imagining themselves NOW being back in 7th grade, I wouldn't care so much... But she looks 32... A 32 year old in 7th grade...
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ethompson-0832510 February 2019If two men has played themselves at 13 and then made a show about puberty, masterbation, dating, etc. using real 13 year olds as supporting actors, this show would never get these types of ratings. Made me super uncomfortable.
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yehuditu4 February 2021So spot on. Such a fantastic show. How you remembered all the small details of the year 2000 blows my mind. So relatable, even for an Australian girl. Phenomenal acting which really comes to light in season 2. Bravo