Clone High

Clone High was an animated series that aired for one season (November 2002 - April 2003) on MTV and Teletoon. It has officially been on "hiatus" since March 17, 2003 [1] (http://www.clonehighusa.com/news/ARTICLES/Article_HTMLs/article_8_hiatus.htm). However, a Clone High DVD was announced in 2005 [2] (http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=785), but a release date has not been set. Clone High was created and produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who also wrote and did voices for the show. In the United States, the show was titled Clone High USA. It is arguably the first Bangsian fantasy cartoon.

Contents

1 Story 2 Controversy 3 External links 4 References

Story

Clone High was set in a high school that was secretly being run as an elaborate government experiment orchestrated by a sinister Board of Shadowy Figures. The school was entirely populated by clones of famous historical figures, with the intent that they would later used by the United States military, who would harness their greatness in battle. The principal of the high school, Cinnamon J. Scudworth, had his own plans for the clones, however (he was something of a mad scientist figure), and secretly undermined the wishes of the Board. Instead of using them as soldiers, Scudworth wanted the clones to staff a clone-themed amusement park. He was assisted by his robot/vice principal/de-humidifier Mr. Butlertron.

The main protagonists of Clone High were clones of Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc, and Mahatma Gandhi. Much of the plot of the show revolved around the attempts of Abe to woo the self-loving and promiscuous Cleopatra, entirely ignorant of the fact that Joan of Arc (presented as a liberal goth girl) is attracted to him. Meanwhile, John F. Kennedy (always named "JFK" in the show) is also attempting to win over Cleopatra.

Many celebrities, including Tom Green, Mandy Moore, John Stamos, Marilyn Manson and Jack Black, made guest appearances on the show (sometimes as themselves). There were also many amusing portrayals of famous historical figures, Genghis Khan, George Washington Carver, Marie Curie (who is deformed, due to radiation damage to her DNA), and even Jesus (who is portrayed as a latino named Jesús Cristo).

Much of the humor in the show comes from the large contrast between the personality of the clones and the actual values and legacy of the historical figures they are descended from. For instance, Gandhi is portrayed as a hyperactive jerk-with-a-heart-of-gold whose biggest dream is to be accepted by those around him, in contrast to his historical legacy of calm nonviolence. Abe Lincoln is similarly portrayed as weak and indecisive, completely lacking the resolve of the President whose DNA he shares. All of the clones are also given mis-matched foster parents who have little in common with them. Gandhi's parents are a stereotypical Jewish-American couple, while JFK is raised by a homosexual interracial couple; Joan’s step-dad is an elderly blind musician similar to Ray Charles, who fills the stereotypical ‘old wise man’ role found in most teen shows.

The show is also a parody of "issue" episodes of high-school themed comedies. For example, an episode centered around Gandhi being shunned by his school for having ADD because of misinformation about the disease, parodying "very special episodes" of TV shows which tackle AIDS awareness (it even included a special guest celebrity who tries to educate the students). Other episodes tackle drugs (smoking raisins), the environment, and drinking in a similarly ridiculous fashion. In a clear sign that it is parodying the high school genre, it even ends at prom--a stereotypical "high school show" ending. However, there were also many straight-out gags.

Said ending was a cliffhanger, ending with the entire cast, aside from Scudworth (and presumably the foster parents), deep-frozen, and Joan in bed with JFK.

Controversy

The show's portrayal of Gandhi sparked outrage in India where he is still very much revered. Clone High did not air there, but a news report on the show upset a great number of people. On January 30, 2003, approximately 150 protestors (including members of parliament) gathered in New Delhi and vowed to fast in response to Clone High. MTV offered a quick apology, stating that "Clone High was created and intended for an American audience" and "We recognize and respect that various cultures may view this programming differently, and we regret any offense taken by the content in the show."

External links

• Official website (http://www.clone-high.com/index.asp)
• Ye Olde Unofficial Clone High Interweb Whatever - A fan site (http://www.clonehighusa.com/)
• MTV.com Onair - Clone High (http://www.mtv.com/onair/clone_high/)
• Save Clone High petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/CloneH/petition.html)
• "MTV's Gandhi 'insult' outrages Indian MPs" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,12559,885845,00.html)
• "MTV Apologizes for Gandhi Goofing" (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,11218,00.html)

References

• Hiatus notice (http://www.clonehighusa.com/news/ARTICLES/Article_HTMLs/article_8_hiatus.htm)
• DVD press release (http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=785)