Clone High
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2008-07-11T00:25:54Z
99.252.246.81
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 224883351 by [[Special:Contributions/Joodlez|Joodlez]] ([[User talk:Joodlez|talk]]) unneccesarry additions to character summaries
{{infobox television |
| show_name = Clone High
| image = [[Image:Clone High Cast Promo.jpg|300px]] The main characters of Clone High: [[Mr. Lynn Butlertron]], [[JFK (Clone High)|John F. Kennedy]], [[Cleopatra (Clone High)|Cleopatra]], [[Abe (Clone High)|Abraham Lincoln]], [[Joan (Clone High)|Joan of Arc]], [[Gandhi (Clone High)|Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi]], and [[Cinnamon J. Scudworth]] (reclining.)
| rating = {{18+ (Canada, TV-14 (USA)}}
| format = [[Sitcom|Animated Sitcom]]
| runtime = 30 minutes
| creator = Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and [[Bill Lawrence (producer)|Bill Lawrence]]
| starring = [[Will Forte]]<br>[[Nicole Sullivan]]<br>Phil Lord<br>[[Michael McDonald (actor)|Michael McDonald]]<br>[[Christa Miller]]<br>Christopher Miller
| country = [[United States|USA]] [[Canada|CAN]]
| network = {{flagicon|USA}} [[MTV]] <br> {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Teletoon (Canada)|Teletoon]]
| first_aired = [[November 2]], [[2002]]
| last_aired = [[February 10]], [[2003]]
| num_episodes = 13
| list_episodes = List of Clone High episodes
| website = http://www.clone-high.com/
| imdb_id = 305011
| tv_com_id = 9316
|}}
'''''Clone High''''' (occasionally referred to in the U.S. as '''''Clone High U.S.A.''''') is an American [[List of animated television series|animated series]] that aired for one season ([[November 2002]] — [[April 2003]]) on [[MTV]] and [[Teletoon (Canada)|Teletoon]]. It has officially been on [[hiatus (television)|hiatus]] since [[March 17]], [[2003]].<ref>{{cite news | title=''Clone High'' on hiatus! No school for Scudworth! | date=2003-03-17 | publisher=CloneHighUSA.com | url=http://www.clonehighusa.com/news/ARTICLES/Article_HTMLs/article_8_hiatus.htm }}</ref> It can currently be seen in [[Canada]] on Teletoon and the [[digital cable]] station [[Razer]].
The series had run in its entirety in Canada on Teletoon before premiering in the United States on MTV. The last five episodes were never broadcast in the United States, while many have already seen them from online downloads.
==Synopsis==
''Clone High'' is set in a [[high school]] that is secretly being run as an elaborate [[military]] experiment orchestrated by a [[Federal government of the United States|government office]] called the [[Secret Board of Shadowy Figures]]. The school is entirely populated by [[Cloning|clones]] of famous historical figures, with the idea that they would later be used by the [[United States military]] who would harness their greatness in battle. The [[school principal|principal]] of the high school, [[Cinnamon J. Scudworth]], has his own plans for the clones, however, and secretly undermines the wishes of the Board. Instead of using them as soldiers, Scudworth wants the clones to staff a clone-themed [[amusement park]] (dubbed "[[Coney Island|Cloney Island]]"). He is assisted by his [[robot]]/[[School principal|vice principal]]/[[dehumidifier]] [[Mr. Lynn Butlertron|Mr. Butlertron]] (a parody of [[Mr. Belvedere]]) who calls everyone "Wesley".
The main protagonists of ''Clone High'' are the clones of [[Abraham Lincoln]], [[Joan of Arc]], and [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. Much of the plot of the show revolves around the attempts of Abe to woo the vain and promiscuous clone of [[Cleopatra VII of Egypt|Cleopatra]]. He is entirely ignorant of the fact that Joan of Arc is attracted to him. Meanwhile, [[John F. Kennedy|John F. Kennedy's]] clone (referred to as "JFK"), a macho, narcissistic womanizer, is also attempting to win over Cleopatra and has a long-standing rivalry with Abe.
Many celebrities, including [[Tom Green]], [[Andy Dick]], [[Mandy Moore]], [[John Stamos]], [[Marilyn Manson]], [[Michael J. Fox]] and [[Jack Black (actor)|Jack Black]], make guest appearances on the show (sometimes as themselves). In addition, there are many portrayals of famous historical figures, such as [[Julius Caesar]], [[Catherine the Great]], [[Genghis Khan]], [[Vincent van Gogh]], [[George Washington Carver]], [[Helen of Troy]], [[Gautama Buddha]], [[Juan Ponce de León]], [[Maria Sklodowska-Curie|Marie Curie]] (who is deformed, due to radiation damage to her [[DNA]]), and even [[Jesus Christ]] (who is portrayed as a [[Latin America|latino]] named Jesús Cristo always shown in shop class doing carpentry).<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:scudworth.jpg|thumb|left|A [[subliminal message]] featuring Scudworth from [[Raisin the Stakes: A Rock Opera in Three Acts]].]] -->
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 of the United States|President]] whose DNA he shares. All of the clones are also given mis-matched [[foster parent]]s who have little in common with them. Gandhi's parents are a [[stereotype|stereotypical]] [[Jew]]ish-American couple, while JFK is raised by a [[homosexuality|gay]] [[interracial couple]]; Joan's "foster grandpa" is an elderly blind musician similar to [[Ray Charles]] named Toots, who fills the stereotypical [[wise old man]] role (and the [[magical negro]] role) found in most teen shows, and who begins many of his declarative sentences with the words, "''Now, I may be blind, but I can see...''" followed by a wise-sounding observation that has little-to-nothing to do with anything.
[[Image:Thegrassyknollclonehigh.jpg|thumb|280px|right|The [[Grassy Knoll]], a nod to the [[John F. Kennedy assassination|JFK assassination]] [[Kennedy assassination theories|conspiracy theory]] about a second shooter, dubbed "[[Dealey Plaza#The "grassy knoll"|The Man on the Grassy Knoll]]". Notice the flag at half mast and JFK leaning over the car.]]
The show also includes humor based on the historical figures themselves. For example, the diner the clones frequent is called The Grassy Knoll, a nod to the [[John F. Kennedy assassination|JFK assassination]] [[Kennedy assassination theories|conspiracy theory]] about a second shooter, dubbed "[[Dealey Plaza#The "grassy knoll"|The Man on the Grassy Knoll]]". Other references seen are the flag at The Grassy Knoll being permanently at [[half mast]] and the car on the roof of the diner containing the original JFK's body leaning over the edge. There are pictures of assassinations hanging on the walls of the restaurant, such as the famous [[:Image:The Assassination of President Lincoln - Currier and Ives.png|Currier and Ives print]] of the [[Abraham Lincoln assassination|Lincoln assassination]]. Other historical figure-based humor includes offhand coincidental remarks to other students, such as Abe mentioning that the clone of [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] is so annoying because of "[[Napoleon complex|some kind of complex]]", or Gandhi telling a rude [[Catherine II of Russia|Catherine the Great]] to "[[Legends of Catherine II of Russia|get off her high horse]]".
The show is also a [[parody]] of "issue" episodes of high-school themed comedies; in fact, every episode opens with a voice-over parodying the "[[very special episode]]s" of TV shows. Episodes center on various social issues, including Gandhi being shunned by his school for having [[attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder|ADD]] (because of misinformation about the disorder), parodying shows which tackle [[AIDS]] awareness (it even included a special guest celebrity who tries to educate the students). Other episodes tackle [[recreational drug use|drugs]] (smoking raisins), the environment, and underage 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. Even the prom is a joke however, as we learn it is only the Winter Prom.
There was a [[running gag]] that creators Phil Lord and Christopher Miller wanted to include in the show “where Clone High – being an exaggeration of typical high schools in teen dramas – would have many proms throughout the year.” Planned proms included “an Early Winter Prom, a Late Winter/Early Spring Prom, a Mid-Semester Prom, a Post-Prom Clean Up Prom, etc.” The only surviving references to this joke are the Homecoming Prom in Episode 6, Homecoming: A Shot in D'Arc, and the winter prom in Episode 13, Changes: The Big Prom: The Sex Romp: The Season Finale.<ref name="pundog6">{{cite web | author=Pava, Adam | title=Episode Six: 'Homecoming: A Shot in the D'Arc' Notes | format=HTML | work=CloneHighUSA.com | url=http://www.clonehighusa.com/backstage/episode_notes/episode_six.html}}</ref> Another reference to the gag was deleted from Episode 8, A Room of One's Clone: Pie of the Storm.<ref name="pundog6"/>
*The genetic ancestors of all of the main five clones died of similarly irregular causes: three assassinations, one execution, and one suicide.
During the process of writing an episode, the writers would all get together to pitch jokes. Often, a writer would pitch an extension onto a joke, then another writer would pitch another extension, and so on, until it became what the writers called a '''wacky stack''', a joke so bloated and over-written it was no longer funny.<ref name="pundog2">{{cite web | author=Pava, Adam | title=Episode Two: 'Episode Two: Election Blu-Galoo’ Notes | format=HTML | work=CloneHighUSA.com | url=http://www.clonehighusa.com/backstage/episode_notes/episode_two.html}}</ref>(see [[Election Blu-Galoo#Deleted scenes|Episode 2, Election Blu-Galoo]])
The season finale is a cliffhanger episode, ending with the entire cast, aside from Scudworth and Mr.Butlertron, deep-frozen.
==Characters==
* '''[[Abe (Clone High)|Abe Lincoln]]''': A naïve yet nice guy, forever wrestling with the legacy of his clonefather, Abraham Lincoln.
[[Image:Clonehighcastmusical.jpg|thumb|right|The main 5 students of Clone High including (left to right) [[Gandhi]], [[Abraham Lincoln]], [[Cleopatra]], [[Joan of Arc]], and [[John F. Kennedy]], shown during a musical montage.|280px]]
* '''[[Joan of Arc (Clone High)|Joan of Arc]]''': A cynical, regretful, and angst-ridden goth clone of Joan of Arc with a crush on her best friend, Abe. Although she does not seem to be an obvious goth, she called herself one during a confession to Jesús Cristo in the third episode.
* '''[[Gandhi (Clone High)|Gandhi]]''': Buckling under the pressure of being a clone of [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi]], he has become a non-stop party machine instead, probably in an attempt not to think about it so much.
* '''[[Cleopatra (Clone High)|Cleopatra]]''': A sharp, sultry, seductive, cruel and manipulative clone of [[Cleopatra VII|Cleopatra VII of Egypt]].
* '''[[JFK (Clone High)|JFK]]''': A pretty boy, sex-obsessed captain of the football team and soccer team who believes he is doing a pretty good job of living up to John F. Kennedy, whom he calls, "''A macho, womanizing stud who [[Apollo program|conquered the '''MOON''']]!!''"
* '''[[Cinnamon J. Scudworth|Principal Cinnamon J. Scudworth, Ph.D.]]''': A deluded, self-aggrandizing megalomaniac who always wears rubber dish-gloves and has an annual psychological breakdown after which he attempts to kill [[John Stamos]].
* '''[[Mr. Lynn Butlertron]]''': A robot who is programmed with a highly sensitive compassion protocol (a parody of Mr. Belvedere). Also known as Mr. B. He inexplicably refers to everyone as "Wesley".
* '''Mr. Sheepman''': A kindly history teacher at Clone High, and the first mostly human clone with a little sheep DNA mixed into his genetic composition (a parody of [[Dolly (sheep)|Dolly the Sheep]]). His mannerisms are a parody of [[Don Knotts]].
* '''[[Secret Board of Shadowy Figures]]''': A secretive government organization who employs Principal Scudworth and is sponsored by [[Puma AG|Puma]].
==Episodes==
{{main|List of Clone High episodes}}
==Controversy==
The show's portrayal of Gandhi sparked outrage in [[India]], where he is 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, the 55th anniversary of [[Attempts to assassinate Mahatma Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi]]'s assassination, approximately 150 protesters (including [[Member of Parliament#India|members of parliament]]) gathered in [[New Delhi]] and vowed to fast in response to ''Clone High''.<ref>{{cite news | first=Ashok | last=Sharma | title=MTV's Gandhi 'insult' outrages Indian MPs | date=2003-01-31 | publisher=The Guardian | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,12559,885845,00.html}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news | first=Josh | last=Grossberg | title=MTV Apologizes for Gandhi Goofing | date=2003-01-31 | publisher=E! Online | url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=c520a80c-f8ba-4e92-9355-cbbf7c15647a}}</ref>
==DVD release==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="100" | DVD Cover
! Title
! Release date
! Episodes
|-
| colspan="5" bgcolor="#50A6C2" |
|- align="center"
| rowspan="2" | [[Image:Clone High Season 1 DVD.jpg|80px]]
| "Season 1"
| [[September 20]], [[2005]]
| 13
|-
| colspan="4" |
The DVD was released in Canada by [[Nelvana]] with the help of Teletoon. The DVD contains the complete first season, including the 2 episodes which did not originally air in the United States. [[Universal Pictures]] holds the rights to distributing the series on DVD if it is ever released in the US.
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.clone-high.com/ Official Website]
* {{imdb title|305011}}
* [http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=785 DVD press release]
* [http://www.clonehighusa.com Clone Home: Ye Olde Unofficial MTV Clone High USA Interweb Whatever]
* [http://www.mtv.com/onair/clone_high/ MTV.com Onair - Clone High]
* [http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2003/January/24/Arts_and_Entertainment1.htm UWO Gazette article about Clone High]
* [http://www.flakmag.com/tv/clonehigh.html Flak Magazine: Clone High]
* [http://www.saveclonehigh.com Help Save Clone High]
* [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204299415 A Very Special Clone High Group] on [[facebook.com]]
{{Clone High}}
[[Category:2002 television series debuts]]
[[Category:2003 television series endings]]
[[Category:2000s American television series]]
[[Category:Bangsian fantasy]]
[[Category:Canadian animated television series]]
[[Category:Fictional clones]]
[[Category:Fictional schools]]
[[Category:Fictional versions of real people]]
[[Category:MTV cartoons]]
[[Category:Parodies]]
[[Category:Television shows produced by Universal Studios]]
[[Category:Television series by Lionsgate Television]]
[[es:Secundaria de clones]]
[[fr:Clone High]]
[[pt:Clone High]]
[[simple:Clone High]]