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Big Mouth: Season 2 | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

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a late-20th-century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism that represents a departure from modernism and has at its heart a general distrust of grand theories and ideologies as well as a problematical relationship with any notion of “art

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'Big Mouth' Is The Filthy, Fearless Show I Needed As A Teen

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I wish I'd had this show as a teenager, but I'm glad to have it as an adult.

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Countless books, TV shows and movies have re-created the cringe-inducing traumas of adolescence, but perhaps none have been as simultaneously filthy and emotionally insightful as "Big Mouth."

The animated comedy, which recently returned to Netflix for a second season, puts a fictional spin on the decades-long friendship between co-creators Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg - a relationship that dates to the mid '80s, when they met as first-graders at their school in the suburbs of Westchester County.

Goldberg, who wore transitional lenses, immediately made an impression on Kroll. "He was that rare 6-year-old who looked like a serial killer," recalled the actor and comedian.

Backstage at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, Kroll was joined by Goldberg, series co-creators Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett and stars Jason Mantzoukas and John Mulaney for a boisterous conversation about "Big Mouth" and the close bonds at the core of the series.

As Kroll explained, he and Goldberg truly became inseparable in middle school, when they bonded over their mutual love of "Wayne's World," "The Grind" and "American Gladiators" and began hosting talent shows.

Not that they had everything in common. "Andrew was just like pounded with puberty and I was super late," Kroll said. "I went to a doctor and was medically diagnosed as 'smooth as a pluot.' Smooth as plum skin. I don't think I had any pubic hair until probably getting into high school and I was really short. I entered high school at 5 feet."

In contrast, Goldberg said he hasn't grown an inch since seventh grade. "I was 12 and then I was 40." He also had a peach-fuzz mustache his parents forcefully waxed from his upper lip - an incident that inspired an episode in the second season of "Big Mouth" - and spent a lot of time "worried that I was a sex fiend."

In the animated comedy, best friends Nick (Kroll) and Andrew (Mulaney) are seventh graders at vastly different stages in their development. Nick is a hairless pipsqueak, while tall and lumbering Andrew is deep in the throes of puberty - changes embodied in the Hormone Monster (also voiced by Kroll) named Maury, who looks like a deranged Maurice Sendak character, trails Andrew around and urges on his most depraved impulses.

"This show is a cathartic conversation about what we weren't talking about as children," added Kroll. "It was this weird thing where we were best friends, we shared so much, comedic sensibilities. Yet physically and emotionally, very different things were happening to both of us. And I think this show is an opportunity to illustrate the inability for kids to talk about what's happening to them - this feeling like 'I'm the only one this is happening to.' I think that's how puberty feels to a lot of people."

The show has taken raunchiness to surreal new heights - one particularly bonkers storyline involves a pregnant pillow - but it is also unusually thoughtful for a teen comedy. Its first season included an episode about sexual consent ("The Head Push") and a lesson in the female anatomy from a talking vagina voiced by Kristen Wiig ("Girls Are Horny Too").

It gives nearly equal time to female characters like Jessi (Jessi Klein), whose first period inspires an R.E.M.-esque musical number, "Everybody Bleeds," sung by a tampon that resembles R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, and who is soon visited by her own Hormone Monstress, Connie (Maya Rudolph). Her friend Missy (Jenny Slate) is a braces-wearing nerd obsessed with romance novels and actor Nathan Fillion .

The series boasts one of the most impressive ensembles in TV, including Richard Kind as Andrew's weak-stomached father, Fred Armisen as Nick's oversharing dad and Jordan Peele as the ghost of Duke Ellington, who lives in Nick's attic (long story). In its sophomore outing, "Big Mouth" takes even bigger risks, exploring body image and introducing a character called the Shame Wizard (David Thewlis). There are episodes devoted to the importance of Planned Parenthood and the body-positive magic of clothing-free Korean spas.

"Big Mouth" is the product of numerous long-standing relationships. Kroll and Mulaney frequently collaborate, hosting the Spirit Awards the last two years and starring together in "The Oh, Hello Show" on Broadway. They first met in fall 2000, when Mulaney, then a freshman, auditioned for the improv troupe at Georgetown - "College, not Prep," Mulaney clarifies, a timely reference to newly confirmed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Kroll, a senior, was the group's director and freshly returned from studying in Argentina.

"I thought he was from South America, because he kept referring to his time in South America. And he had an olive complexion," joked Mulaney, who joined Kroll in New York after college, where they started performing "Oh, Hello" downtown; he eventually landed a writing job at "Saturday Night Live."

Meanwhile, Goldberg was breaking into the business in L.A. One of his first jobs was assisting Levin and Flackett, who are married filmmakers ("Little Manhattan"), when he was in film school at UCLA. His wife also baby-sat their children, who now watch his kids. ("So, circle of life," Flackett said.) He also worked at "Family Guy."

A few years ago, he approached his former bosses with an idea for an animated series called "Bar Mitzvah Boys," about two Jewish boys in middle school. The idea evolved and they soon approached Kroll, who'd wrapped his Comedy Central sketch series "Kroll Show" and was winding down "The League" on FX, which costarred Mantzoukas. He'd bonded with Levin and Flackett during a serendipitous trip to Mexico City, where they watched Lucha Libre wrestling together.

The plan was always to make an animated series. Levin had been a writer on "The Wonder Years," and he said, "On that show, we only had two or three good years of Kevin Arnold before he aged out of it. We thought if it was an animated show, we wouldn't have to put these words in the mouths of real children. Also, Bart Simpson has stayed the same age for 25 years now. We can age them at the pace we want to age them."

Joked Kroll: "And like Bart Simpson, Nick Kroll is voiced by a lady." (In addition to Nick and the Hormone Monster, Kroll voices Coach Steve, a clueless gym teacher, and Lola, a wannabe mean girl.)

Another benefit of animation was that it could be used to embody the emotions that act on young people during puberty - e.g. the Hormone Monster, who was inspired by the experiences of Levin and Flackett's son, now 15, as he entered adolescence. The shaggy, double-horned creature is drawn as "a collection of penises," as Kroll put it, with a concave chest and a pot belly.

"He has a party body," Mulaney said. "Imagine if Ron Wood took his shirt off, you'd see that."

Rudolph - a friend of Armisen's from "SNL" - was an obvious choice to play Connie, said Kroll. "We were like, 'Who should be the Hormone Monstress? Should it be the most talented person... in... the... world?'" (These talents are on display in Season 2's Korean spa episode, in which Connie sings a Gloria Gaynor-esque disco number called "I Love My Body.")

"It really is a show entirely constructed of friends," Kroll said. "And Richard Kind."

Rating: TV-MA (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17)

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Netflix animated comedy 'Big Mouth' provides a new take on adolescence

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Countless books, TV shows and movies have re-created the cringe-inducing traumas of adolescence, but perhaps none have been as simultaneously filthy and emotionally insightful as "Big Mouth."

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Big Mouth: how Netflix's sex education comedy remains vital

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In its smart, witty second season, outrageous humor sits comfortably alongside an incisive look at teenage sexuality

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Adult-oriented animated programing is rarely praised for its tastefulness and maturity. In fact, the genre has garnered a reputation for baseless vulgarity due to the popularity of shows like "South Park" and Seth MacFarlane's television trifecta, which are notoriously crude and violent. While Nick Kroll's entry into the genre - "Big Mouth" - is often just as crass as its cable counterparts, its second season is one of the most shockingly progressive, grounded pieces of television released this year. This might come as a surprise to those who have caught a glimpse of the proudly uncensored subject matter, but if there is anything to take away from this refreshingly funny and honest series, it's to not judge a book by its cover.

Or a new student by her figure. The second season of "Big Mouth" deals primarily with the arrival of new student Gina (Gina Rodriguez), whose good looks and prematurely developed body attract the attention of every boy in school, including protagonists and best friends Nick (Nick Kroll) and Andrew (John Mulaney). The two, along with friends Jessi (Jessi Klein), Missy (Jenny Slate) and Jay (Jason Mantzoukas), are still coping with the embarrassing trials of puberty, no thanks to the guidance of their assigned monsters Maury (Nick Kroll) and Connie (Maya Rudolph). This season sees the introduction of a new manifestation of pubescent confusion added to the cast - the Shame Monster, voiced with whispery glee by David Thewlis. With the hormone monsters more or less allied with their respective preteen charges, the Shame Monster establishes fresh conflict by haunting the young cast in the wake of their every mistake and humiliation.

"Big Mouth" can come off as an unpalatable program, no thanks to its dull animation, fish-lipped character designs and unceasing torrent of body fluids that soak every episode. It is certainly far from perfect, but the show's second season finds its footing early on and manages to tell a compelling narrative about the trauma of puberty in a frank, endearing manner. Nothing is left to the imagination: We get to see every juicy bit of these characters' development from squishy preteens into awkward, troubled adolescents.

That journey might sound unappetizing given just how terrifying it may seem to relive puberty, but "Big Mouth" mines humor from every square inch of universally hellish middle school experiences. Creators Nick Kroll and Adam Goldberg are no strangers to comedy - Kroll is an experienced comedian and Goldberg previously wrote for "Family Guy" - and they pack every episode with enough gags to maintain its momentum even when the more childishly raunchy material fails to land a laugh. They smartly dip into every well of middle school mythos and pubescent anxiety instead of merely relying on pop culture references or mindless vulgarity, giving the show a refreshingly novel angle and a sharper sense of direction than most shows in the genre.

Where the show really shines is its talented vocal cast. The series is stuffed with absurd characters and situations that could easily fall flat, if not elevated by pitch-perfect delivery. Kroll is serviceable as a younger version of himself, but his real standout performance is as Maury, whose despicable, yet earnest suggestions are lent real credence by Kroll's gravelly delivery. Every line that John Mulaney reads is absolutely dripping with self-loathing, and his talent for making any turn of phrase sound delightfully ridiculous translates well to the world of voice-acting. Jordan Peele's turn as the ghost of Duke Ellington, the fatherly advice-dispensing phantom who lives in Nick's attic, is just as howlingly funny as it was last season. Wherever a bizarre premise emerges - often involving the anthropomorphization of some taboo item, such as a contraceptive or a pillow used exclusively for self-pleasure - a familiar voice is waiting to make the scene work and help bring the punchlines home.

Although the first season of "Big Mouth" was certainly forward-thinking with its candid portrayal of how puberty can affect both genders, this season pushes the envelope by devoting an entire episode to topics such as Planned Parenthood and safe sex. Framed as a "Saturday Night Live"-esque series of skits, the episode shows some real bite by dispelling the rumors surrounding these subjects and demonstrating how effective they can be in keeping society healthy and safe. It even ends with the characters assuring the audience they know they'll receive backlash on Twitter for "pushing their liberal-elite agenda". Throw in a musical sequence in which naked, middle-aged women show off their naked bodies to help young Jessi and Missy feel more secure about their own and a hearty dose of sex-positivity, and you get a surprisingly liberating story of growth, friendship, and adolescence that is just as crudely sweet and surreal as puberty itself.

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'Big Mouth' embraces the humiliation of puberty in its second season

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Adult-oriented animated programing is rarely praised for its tastefulness and maturity. In fact, the genre has garnered a reputation for baseless vulgarity due to the popularity of shows like "South Park" and Seth MacFarlane's television trifecta, which are notoriously crude and violent.

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What should I teach my high school-aged teen about sex and sexuality?

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Many schools teach sex education that includes information on abstinence, safer sex, birth control, and relationships- which is great. But nothing compares to the influence you have as a parent on a day-to-day basis. That's why talking about sex and sexuality at home is important even if your teen is getting the right facts at school.

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Puberty is the time when kids grow into young adults through physical and emotional changes. This doesn't happen all at once, but slowly over time. It's good to know about the changes that come along with puberty so you know what to expect.

When Does Puberty Start?

Most females will start puberty when they're 8 to 13 years old, and most males will start between 9 and 14. But it can also be normal to start earlier or later.

How Does Puberty Start?

Hormones from the brain trigger the start of puberty. Hormones are chemical messengers that tell the body what to do.

In males: The hormones tell the testicles to make the hormone testosterone and sperm.

In females: The hormones tell the ovaries to make the hormone estrogen and triggers the growth and release of eggs.

Other puberty hormones come from the adrenal glands, a pair of glands that sit at the top of the kidneys. These hormones lead to the growth of pubic and underarm hair, body odor, and acne.

What Physical Changes Happen During Puberty?

The physical changes that happen during puberty are different for males and females.

Males

For a male, the physical changes of puberty usually start with the testicles getting bigger. Dark, coarse, curly hair will sprout just above the penis and on the scrotum. The penis and testes will get larger, and erections happen more often. Ejaculation - the release of sperm-containing semen -also happens. Ejaculation during sleep is called a " wet dream " or nocturnal emission.

Later, hair will grow under the arms and in the beard area. And that first crack in the voice is a sign that the voice is changing and will get deeper. Some males get some breast growth (called gynecomastia). It usually goes away in 6 to 18 months.

Their body shape begins to change as their shoulders broaden and they gain weight and muscle. A growth spurt usually happens between ages 12 and 15. By age 16, most males have stopped growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.

Females

For most females, the first physical change of puberty is breast development. It starts with small, firm, tender lumps (called buds) under one or both nipples. The breasts will get larger over the next year or two. Dark, coarse, curly hair will appear on the labia (the folds of skin surrounding the vagina). Later, more hair will grow in the pubic area and under the arms.

Their body shape begins to change as their hips widen and they gain weight and body fat. Expect the first period ( menstruation) about 2 years after breast buds appear, usually between the ages of 9 and 16. Most females have a growth spurt about 1-2 years before their period starts. After they get their period, most females grow about 1-2 more inches before growth stops.

What Emotional Changes Happen During Puberty?

Just as those hormones change the way your body looks on the outside, they also change how you feel on the inside. While your body is adjusting to all the new hormones, so is your mind. During puberty, you might feel confused or have strong emotions that you've never had before. You may feel anxious about how your changing body looks. You might feel get upset or lose your temper more than usual.

It's easy to feel embarrassed or anxious when talking about these topics, but you need the right information. If you aren't comfortable talking to your parents, you might talk to your doctor, a school nurse, a teacher, or a school counselor.

What Else Should I Know?

Even though everyone goes through puberty, we all go through it a little differently. Some of your friends might have gotten curves, but you haven't yet. Maybe your best friend's voice has changed, and you think you still sound like a kid. But eventually everyone catches up, and the differences will even out.

Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to look. We are all unique, on the inside and the outside.

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Voice cracking? Clothes don't fit? Puberty can be a confusing time, but learning about it doesn't have to be. Read all about it.

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​During this time, many young people also become more aware of their feminine and masculine sides. Talking with your parents or pediatrician is a good way to get information and to help you think about how these changes affect you.

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State of Sex Education in USA | Health Education in Schools

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Do you know what the state of sex education in the U.S. is? Sex Education taught in the form of abstinence-only & comprehensive sex education. Learn more.

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I choose Episode 2 of Season 2 of the hit Netflix series, Big Mouth is a postmodern show that tackles the issue of sexuality amongst young people. Something many shows today won't do.