Poster for This Hour Has 22 Minutes

This Hour Has 22 Minutes (1993) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a weekly Canadian television comedy that airs on CBC Television. Launched in 1993 during Canada's 35th general election, the show focuses on Canadian politics, combining news parody, sketch comedy and satirical editorials. Originally featuring Cathy Jones, Rick Mercer, Greg Thomey and Mary Walsh, the series featured satirical sketches of the weekly news and Canadian political events. The show's format is a mock news program, intercut with comic sketches, parody commercials and humorous interviews of public… Sign up for the full guide

TV-14 • 1993 • 27 seasons

6.7
Average rating by Bontent members
Sign up for full access
Age
14+

This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a Canadian political satire series intended for older teens and adults with a strong grasp of current events. The show's content, which would warrant a TV-14 rating, includes frequent profanity (like "f--k" and "s--t") used for comedic effect, particularly in unscripted person-on-the-street segments. Sexual material consists primarily of innuendo, jokes about political sex scandals, and suggestive sketch… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Mark Critch
Mark Critch
TM
Trent McClellan
Aba Amuquandoh
Aba Amuquandoh
SM
Stacey McGunnigle
Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson
Sign up to get 40,000+ Bontent parent guides
Unlock ratings, reviews, recommendations and guides for all content types

Is This Hour Has 22 Minutes appropriate for kids?

This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a Canadian political satire series intended for older teens and adults with a strong grasp of current events. The show's content, which would warrant a TV-14 rating, includes frequent profanity (like "f--k" and "s--t") used for comedic effect… Read more — free account

Content severity in This Hour Has 22 Minutes Sign up for season-by-season breakdown

Substances Intense 10/10
Language Intense 10/10
Sex/Nudity Intense 10/10
Violence/Gore Intense 10/10
Mature Themes Intense 10/10

Sex and nudity in This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Sexual content is limited to mild innuendo and suggestive humor, often in the context of political satire or character-based comedy. There are jokes about relationships or human sexuality; for example, a character like Babe Bennett might discuss sex changes. There is no nudity or explicit sexual behavior. One episode mentions sexual harassment in the workplace as a topic.

Violence and gore in This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Violence is depicted in a purely comedic and non-graphic manner, typically as slapstick or exaggerated physical humor within sketches. This might include characters falling, bumping into things, or engaging in mock fights, all without any realistic injury or blood. The intent is always for laughs, not shock or alarm.

Language in This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Strong language is consistently present, including words like 'damn,' 'hell,' 'ass,' and occasional uses of 'shit' and 'bitch.' Characters, particularly in satirical sketches of politicians or everyday Canadians, use profanity to express frustration or for comedic emphasis. One episode features a character giving a middle finger salute, which is considered a strong visual gesture.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Substance references are frequent, primarily revolving around the ongoing Rob Ford crack cocaine scandal, including direct mentions of crack video and addiction. Characters are sometimes depicted drinking alcohol, particularly wine or beer, in social or comedic contexts, but without glorification of abuse. Some sketches may lightly mock intoxication or substance use in a satirical manner.

Mature themes in This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Major themes include political corruption, social inequality, and the impact of political decisions on everyday life, particularly in Canada and the US. Episodes tackle topics such as economic hardship, political divisions, and the nature of democracy with satirical commentary. While these are mature topics, they are handled with humor rather than graphic detail, making them accessible to older teens and adults.

Bontent Member Reviews

Register for free to join the conversation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Hour Has 22 Minutes appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests This Hour Has 22 Minutes is best for ages 14+. It's rated TV-14. This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a Canadian political satire series intended for older teens and adults with a strong grasp of current events. The show's content, which would warrant a TV-14 rating, includes frequent…

What age rating does This Hour Has 22 Minutes have?

This Hour Has 22 Minutes is rated TV-14. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 14+.

What is This Hour Has 22 Minutes about?

This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a Canadian political satire series intended for older teens and adults with a strong grasp of current events. The show's content, which would warrant a TV-14 rating, includes frequent profanity (like "f--k" and "s--t") used for comedic effect, particularly in unscripted person-on-the-street…

How many seasons does This Hour Has 22 Minutes have?

This Hour Has 22 Minutes has 27 seasons covered in this parent guide. Sign up to see a season-by-season breakdown.

Is there sex or nudity in This Hour Has 22 Minutes?

Our reviewers didn't note meaningful sexual content across This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

How violent is This Hour Has 22 Minutes?

Violence isn't a standout concern across This Hour Has 22 Minutes per our reviewers.

Is the language in This Hour Has 22 Minutes appropriate for kids?

Strong language isn't flagged across This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in This Hour Has 22 Minutes?

Drug, alcohol, and smoking depictions are minimal across This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

What mature themes appear in This Hour Has 22 Minutes?

Heavy thematic material isn't a defining feature of This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

Where can I read the full This Hour Has 22 Minutes parent guide?

Create a free Bontent account to unlock season-by-season notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your watchlist.

Sign up for access to 40,000+ parent guides.