What is Common Side Effects's IQ Score?

Common Side Effects has an IQ Score of 146/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient framework, placing it in the Stimulating tier. The score breaks down to 40/50 Cognitive Stimulation, 30/50 Educational Value, and 40/50 Craft & Quality.

Is Common Side Effects educational?

Common Side Effects is moderate on educational value, 30/50 on TVI's rubric. Some learning happens, but it isn't the show's primary work.

How does TV Intelligentsia calculate IQ Score?

TV Intelligentsia's IQ Score is calculated as round((Cognitive Stimulation × 0.4 + Educational Value × 0.35 + Craft & Quality × 0.25) × 4), scoring titles from 0 to 200 across five tiers: Masterclass (≥160), Stimulating (≥130), Competent (≥100), Passive (≥70), and Numbing (<70). The framework is published at tvintelligentsia.com/methodology/.

Common Side Effects , IQ Score 146/200

Common Side Effects has an IQ Score of 146/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient rubric, placing it in the Stimulating tier.

By Jordan Robinson, MPH·Updated 2026-06-06·Methodology

animationcomedydrama

146/ 200

Stimulating

Consistently challenges the viewer and rewards attention

Score Breakdown

Cognitive Stimulation/50

Educational Value/50

Craft & Quality/50

IQ = round((Cognitive × 0.4 + Educational × 0.35 + Craft × 0.25) × 4) · How we score →

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Why you should trust this score

Methodology reviewed by Jordan Robinson, MD, MPH

Physician scientist. Master of Public Health, with substantial coursework in research methodology. Reviews the rubric and its application across the adult catalog.

Methodology

Published rubric, v1.2

Formula

round(C × 0.40 + E × 0.35 + Q × 0.25) × 4

Database scale

2,324 titles, version-controlled

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The TVI Take

Adult Swim's conspiracy-tinged animated series about a miracle mushroom pursued by Big Pharma. Strong world-building, moral seriousness about healthcare capital, and the kind of slow-burn serialized storytelling adult animation rarely commits to.

Created by Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely.

Where to Watch

Stream