Clone High
Clone High is an animated sci-fi sitcom that centers on a high school populated by clones of famous historical figures, secretly controlled by a government organization aiming to use them for their own agenda. The series, which includes an original season from 2002-2003 and revival seasons from 2023-2024, parodies teen dramas, focusing on the exaggerated romantic entanglements and social issues faced by the adolescent clones. Characters like Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc, Cleopatra, and JFK navigate typical high school struggles, albeit with an absurdist, satirical twist related to their historical counterparts. The show is known for its black comedy and irreverent humor, tackling sensitive topics with a satirical edge.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series includes prominent LGBTQ+ representation that has evolved across seasons. The original series featured openly gay foster parents for a main character, while revival seasons explicitly depict a bisexual main character in a same-sex romantic relationship. There are also instances where characters grapple with questioning their sexual identity.
JFK's foster parents, Wally and Carl, are a gay interracial couple who are recurring characters, established in the original series. In the revival seasons (Season 2 and 3), Cleopatra is explicitly confirmed as bisexual and enters a romantic relationship with Frida Kahlo, with their partnership developing over several episodes. Additionally, in Season 1, JFK experiences a 'sexuality crisis' when he becomes attracted to Joan of Arc disguised as 'John D'Arc,' believing 'John' to be male.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighRomance and sexual themes are central to the show's parody of teen dramas, featuring frequent suggestive dialogue, implied sexual activity, and characters with exaggerated physical characteristics. Content has intensified in the revival seasons, including more explicit discussions and visual gags.
JFK is consistently portrayed as a 'womanizing horndog', frequently making crass jokes about sexual encounters and attempting to engage in sexual acts with various characters, including Joan of Arc. The Season 2 episode 'Sexy-Ed' focuses on mandatory sex education, featuring 'abundant sex gags' and 'sensual sax solos.' This episode, and others, include scenes with 'naked animated characters whose critical bits are covered only by the smallest of censors.'
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are core thematic elements, consistent with the show's satirical take on high school dramas. Characters frequently challenge authority figures and societal norms, driving much of the comedic and dramatic conflict.
The main clones often display significant disrespect towards Principal Scudworth, who himself is constantly scheming to undermine the shadowy government figures that oversee the school. Gandhi's character in the original series is portrayed as a 'non-stop party machine' who actively goes against the peaceful legacy of his clone father, Mahatma Gandhi, a portrayal that led to significant controversy and the show's initial cancellation.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe series includes explicit satirical content that can be interpreted as anti-Christian. This includes the controversial depiction of a clone of Jesus Christ and direct comedic critiques of religion and religious figures.
The character Jesús Cristo, a clone of Jesus Christ, is depicted 'getting high on raisin smoking' and is shown wearing a Halloween halo while striking poses reminiscent of Jesus on the cross, used for comedic effect. In Season 2, Principal Scudworth attempts to establish Clone High as a Christian school to gain tax-exempt status, listing 'Christian rock' as the 'worst aspect' of religion. Additionally, Abe, while role-playing as God, lists 'disease, wars, and the phrase 'Let's circle back'' as God's mistakes.
Violence
MediumViolence in 'Clone High' is frequent, often exaggerated, and presented with a comedic, satirical tone. While mostly animated, some scenes contain graphic elements, blood, and body horror that can be intense and disturbing.
In the Season 1 finale, Principal Scudworth stabs John Stamos in the eye with a prom king crown. The character Ponce suffers a 'Cruel and Unusual Death' involving multiple injuries, lacerations, and ultimately drowning in his own blood inside a plastic bag. Additionally, Abe Lincoln repeatedly injures his face and mouth, including a scene where he is forced to eat glass with 'horrifying crunching sound[s]' in the 'Snowflake Day' episode.
Profanity
MediumThe series contains consistent use of mild to moderate profanity throughout its run, in line with its adult animated sitcom genre. Occasional stronger language is present, particularly in the later seasons.
A recurring character, Skunky-Poo, has the catchphrase 'Try and catch me, bitch!' In one instance, Mr. Butlertron uses the term '*beep*wad' in the episode 'A.D.D.: The Last 'D' is for Disorder.' Reviews of the newer seasons also note 'curse-fueled tirades' from characters.
Substance Use
MediumThe series depicts characters engaging in substance use, including underage drinking and implied drug use, often for comedic or satirical purposes. These portrayals frequently parody common tropes in teen dramas.
The episode 'Escape to Beer Mountain: A Rope of Sand' prominently features underage drinking, with Abe Lincoln involved in distributing non-alcoholic beer. Gandhi becomes addicted to 'X-Stream Blu,' a substance depicted like a recreational drug (later revealed to be pancake batter and blue house paint), leading to an addiction storyline. A clone of Jesus Christ (Jesús Cristo) is depicted 'getting high on raisin smoking.'
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe show utilizes cringe comedy, grotesque imagery, and some elements of body horror for satirical and comedic effect. While not a horror series, certain scenes can be visually intense or unsettling due to their graphic or disturbing nature.
In 'Snowflake Day,' Abe Lincoln is graphically injured multiple times, including a scene where he is forced to eat glass, accompanied by a 'horrifying crunching sound.' The school mascot, Geshie, has his guts and organs spill out when his zipper is pulled, and later engages in violent acts, biting the heads off animals. The character Marie Curie is depicted with 'major deformities' resulting from radiation exposure of her clone mother, leading to insensitive jokes about birth defects.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is a minimal presence of explicit witchcraft or occult themes. The show's premise of cloning historical figures is based on science fiction, not supernatural or magical practices. Any references to the supernatural are usually framed within character psychology or satire.
While Joan of Arc hears 'strange religious voices in her head' in an episode, this is presented as a psychological struggle related to her historical counterpart's legacy rather than actual witchcraft or occult influence. The cloning of Jesus Christ (Jesús Cristo) is a controversial element from a religious perspective, but it is attributed to scientific means within the show's fictional universe, not occult rituals.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
TV-14, recommended for ages 15 and older. The series contains mature themes, including frequent suggestive sexual content, some graphic violence, consistent profanity, and controversial religious satire. Its humor often relies on dark comedy and parodies of sensitive topics, making it more suitable for mature teenage audiences capable of understanding satire.
Additional Notes
The show's humor relies heavily on parody, satire, and black comedy, which may not be suitable for all audiences, particularly younger viewers or those sensitive to irreverent portrayals of historical and religious figures. The revival seasons (2 & 3) generally maintain and sometimes intensify the mature content found in the original Season 1.
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