Netflix
“Big Mouth”, after wrapping up its eighth and final season, is set to outdo “Grace & Frankie” and match “Elite” in becoming the longest-standing Netflix Original scripted series. The adult animated sitcom, a brainchild of Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett, and animated by the experts at Titmouse, Inc., humorously navigates the highs and lows of puberty. At first glance, “Big Mouth” might appear as a crude joke about youngsters discussing the birds and the bees, but a closer look reveals a profound honesty in the way it delves into themes of sex, sexuality, hormones, shame, irrational fears, relationships, and growing up — even employing a literal Hormone Monster to embody these intense emotions.
Seven years since its debut, “Big Mouth” has addressed a broad spectrum of puberty-related subjects — ones often deemed too awkward or uncomfortable to discuss with family, teachers, or friends. Teens may ask a trusted adult about the origin of babies, but who can they turn to when a book stirs strange and unfamiliar feelings within them? Whether intentionally or not, “Big Mouth” is there for them.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Titmouse, Inc. studios where I was privy to an exclusive preview of season 8 and engaged in a casual conversation with Goldberg and writer Mark Levin. I shared that my 11-year-old niece is an avid fan of the show and appreciates how it offers her a platform to discuss her bodily changes with her parents and aunt (me). I wondered if the creators were mindful of the young impressionable audience when crafting their episodes.
It turns out, the “Big Mouth” team is acutely aware that they could potentially be stepping in to fill the sex education gap, and they’re committed to doing justice to those who most need this information.
The real joke is sex education in America
Netflix
As it stands, America lacks a federal standard for sex education. Legislative mandates vary dramatically from state to state, and even in those that do mandate some form of sex education, the necessary information can differ based on school districts. A study by the Guttmacher Institute reveals that less than half of teenagers who had engaged in penis-in-vagina sex reported receiving some form of formal sexual education before their first sexual encounter.
This isn’t surprising considering the United States Congress has established multiple federal grant programs to fund schools offering abstinence-only education. As of 2020, only 38% of high schools and 14% of middle schools teach all 19 topics identified as “critical” for sex education by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (per the Sexuality and Information Council of the United States). While kids today have the world at their fingertips and can theoretically look up anything they want to learn, they can’t know what they don’t know. Plus, attempting to research anything taboo often just brings up pornographic search results. Something needs to bridge the gap between a lack of comprehensive education and parents who are too uncomfortable to have these conversations. “They should just play ‘Big Mouth’ during sex education classes in year 6, I learned more during season 2 than the teacher ever taught me,” model Leomie Anderson shared in a viral 2018 post on X.
While it’s not “Big Mouth’s” obligation to pick up the slack, their empathetic and proactive approach to the subject matter has proven invaluable.
Big Mouth lets actual tweens and teens lead
Netflix
The creators of “Big Mouth” don’t just draw upon their own coming-of-age experiences for the stories. They also turn to actual tweens and teens to ensure the show resonates with today’s youth and accurately represents the continually evolving identities. A significant example is the introduction of Elijah, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, in season 6. While “Big Mouth” is a hormonally-charged (read: horny) show, Elijah is distinct — he’s asexual. The team consulted Shafia Zaloom, a leading expert on sexual consent education in the United States, and some of the students she works with. The teens questioned why the show didn’t have an asexual character yet, and “Big Mouth” recognized the need to fill this void.
They don’t always get it right. In one of the show’s most contentious episodes, season 3’s “Rankings,” a character explains she’s pansexual because bisexuality is “so binary.” To “Big Mouth’s” credit, this is how many people, including some LGBTQIA+ community members, understand the difference between the two identities — bisexuality equals “man and woman” while pansexuality equals “all genders”. However, the reality is far more nuanced, and why a person identifies as one or the other can differ individually. There isn’t a universal definition as both identities exist on a spectrum, and the creators were quick to acknowledge their error. As Goldberg stated in a post on X/Twitter (before he wisely left the app):
“We missed the mark here with this definition of bisexuality vs. pansexuality, and my fellow creators and I sincerely apologize for making people feel misrepresented. Any time we try to define something as complex as human sexuality, it’s super challenging, and this time we could have done better. Thank you to the trans, pan, and bi communities for further opening our eyes to these important and complicated issues of representation. We are listening and we look forward to delving into all of this in future seasons.”
This demonstrates the show’s writers’ deep concern for getting it right, recognizing that many look to “Big Mouth” as an educational resource. The truth is that many people, regardless of age, don’t comprehend the complexities of gender and sexuality and learn about other identities from the media they consume. The creative team is learning alongside the characters, and the show is all the better for it.
Big Mouth is a perfect show to be Netflix’s longest-running scripted series
Netflix
The enduring success of “Big Mouth” is multifaceted, with top-tier animation from Titmouse, Inc., and excellent music and writing. But if one element had to be singled out, it would be the inherent curiosity present in each episode. Puberty is a universal experience, but its effects and our feelings about it are far from standard. There is no such thing as a universal experience, and “Big Mouth” recognizes this and strives to spotlight all aspects of coming-of-age at one point or another. While the show may have begun as a platform for Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg to share humorous stories inspired by their tween years, it has since grown to become one of the most significant shows in animation history.
The raw and poignant commentary on the challenging (and occasionally repulsive) realities of growing up doesn’t just provide an ideal avenue for comedy, but it also offers viewers characters to empathize with — learning something about themselves in the process. Authentic depiction isn’t easy due to its messy and individual nature, but the over-the-top absurdity and fantastical elements create a safe distance between viewer and story, preventing the show from feeling like a series of “Very Special Episodes.”
Like many adult animated shows before it, “Big Mouth” is a show with a lot of heart and life lessons cleverly concealed within raunchy comments and pregnant pillows. The genuine emotional insight, the lifeblood of this overstimulated (and often aroused) heart, is sure to capture any audience’s attention. And unlike any other show of its kind, “Big Mouth” is also fostering more empathetic viewers by providing a legitimate education that dispels myths and misconceptions about others.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
