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 http://www.clonehighusa.com/news/ARTICLES/Article_HTMLs/article_8_hiatus.htm. However, a Clone High DVD was announced in 2005 http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=785, with a release date set for September 20. 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.

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 (an obvious parody of Mr. Belvedere, since he calls all the students "Wesley").

Related Topics:
High school - Government - Clones - United States military - Principal - Cinnamon J. Scudworth - Mad scientist - Amusement park - Robot - Mr. Belvedere

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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 is attracted to him. Meanwhile, John F. Kennedy (always named "JFK" in the show) is also attempting to win over Cleopatra.

Related Topics:
Abraham Lincoln - Joan of Arc - Mahatma Gandhi - Cleopatra - John F. Kennedy

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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).

Related Topics:
Tom Green - Mandy Moore - John Stamos - Marilyn Manson - Jack Black - Genghis Khan - George Washington Carver - Marie Curie - DNA - Jesus - Latino

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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 foster dad is an elderly blind musician similar to Ray Charles, who fills the stereotypical 'old wise man' role found in most teen shows.

Related Topics:
President - Foster parent - Stereotypical - Jew - Homosexual - Interracial couple - Ray Charles

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The show is also a parody of "issue" episodes of high-school themed comedies; in fact, every episode opens with a voiceover parodying the "very special episodes" of TV shows. Episodes center around various social issues, including Gandhi being shunned by his school for having ADD (because of misinformation about the disease), parodying 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.

Related Topics:
Parody - Very special episode - ADD - AIDS - Drugs - Prom

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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.

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