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Famous Kids from History in Funny TV Show "Clone High"
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This image released by Max shows animated characters Abe Lincoln, voiced by Will Forte, right, and JFK, voiced by Christopher Miller, in a scene from "Clone High." (Max via AP)

Famous Kids from History in Funny TV Show "Clone High"

February 29th, 2024

"Clone High," an irreverent animated series making a triumphant return on the Max streaming platform, throws historical figures into the chaos and camaraderie of teenage life. Revived nearly two decades after its premature cancelation by MTV, the show reimagines iconic personalities like Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, John F. Kennedy, and Frida Kahlo as adolescents navigating the tribulations of high school. Created by Chris Miller alongside Bill Lawrence and Phil Lord, "Clone High" originally joined the ranks of adult animation like "South Park" and "The Simpsons" in 2003. However, its portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi as a frolicsome party-goer led to substantial controversy and contributed to its short-lived original run. Despite this, the series gained a cult following, prompting its creators—now established in the industry with successes like "Ted Lasso" and "The Lego Movie"—to reboot it, albeit with some changes. No longer featuring Gandhi, the show injects new historical figures such as Harriet Tubman and Christopher Columbus into its satirical universe. The premise explores the humorous notion that our revered historical icons were once insecure teenagers, just as prone to folly as anyone else. Voiced by a talented cast including Ayo Edebiri, Will Forte, and Mitra Jouhari, "Clone High" doesn't shy away from contemporary references and dark humor, touching on themes like cancel culture and the absurdities of religious schools, while avoiding punches at the expense of the less privileged—a reflection of the creators' more mature, inclusive approach to comedy. The show's unique blend of modern societal observations and historical farce caters to those looking for intelligent humor, as its creators passionately believe in the power of satire to comment on the idiosyncrasies of life. With its revival, "Clone High" promises to reignite its legacy with a knowing wink at our shared history through the lens of adolescent drama and clone-based hilarity.
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💭 Discussion Questions


1
. In what ways do you think 'Clone High' leverages satire to comment on modern societal issues and historical events through its animated narrative?
2
. How can the transformation of revered figures into high school teenagers in 'Clone High' offer unique perspectives on the trials and tribulations of growing up?
3
. Despite its initial controversy and cancelation, 'Clone High' has been revived with changes. What might be some reasons for its cult following and what do these changes imply about the evolution of comedy over the past two decades?

📖 Vocabulary


🌐 Cultural context


"Clone High" is an American TV series, playing on U.S. history and pop culture. The show's satire reflects American reverence and humor around historical figures, and the reboot suggests shifts in cultural sensitivity since its initial release.

🧠 Further reading


List of X-Men: Evolution episodes
X-Men: Evolution is an animated series from the United States which revisits the renowned superhero team, the X-Men, from the Marvel Comics universe. This version offers a fresh perspective by featuring many of the well-known characters as adolescents rather than as their usual adult selves. The show, which debuted on the Kids' WB network, enjoyed a successful run with a total of four seasons comprising 52 episodes, from November 2000 to October 2003. During its second season, there were instances of episodes being slightly out of sequence. Notably, the Marvel YouTube page suggests that the episode titled "Walk on the Wild Side" should be viewed as the tenth episode of that season, placing it prior to the episode "Shadow Dance," as evidenced by certain character features and events. Meanwhile, other episodes like "On Angel's Wings" and "Operation Rebirth" appear to be aired out of their intended order, despite being broadcast on their announced dates. For fans looking to delve further into the series or for those who wish to revisit the adventures, there are several online resources available. Marvel.com hosts a collection of X-Men: Evolution episodes, and TV.com provides a comprehensive list of episodes. Toon Zone has dedicated a section of its website to X-Men: Evolution, and another devoted fan has created a page complete with screenshots from each episode and custom avatars. The series is a significant part of the X-Men's animated legacy and is notable for its unique take on the classic superhero saga, transforming these larger-than-life characters into relatable teenagers. Whether new to the series or returning for nostalgia, X-Men: Evolution offers a distinctive journey into the lives and challenges of mutant heroes.

Satire
Satire is a creative genre that merges various art forms, including visual arts, literature, and theater. Its primary purpose is to critique and mock society's shortcomings, such as human vices, foolish behavior, abuses of power, and social issues. The ultimate goal of satire is to spur improvement by exposing these faults through humor and wit. At the core of satire is the use of irony, sarcasm, and a variety of other rhetorical devices, such as parody, exaggeration, and analogy. These tools help satirists subtly criticize and challenge the status quo by pretending to approve of it. This form of critique is not simply aimed at making people laugh but rather at provoking reflection and, ideally, social change. Satire has evolved through various mediums, including online memes, novels, plays, music, and television. Each medium offers a unique avenue for satirical expression, utilizing the popular culture of the times to convey messages that resonate with the public. The term "satire" has Latin roots; it is derived from the word "satur," which means "full." In the context of a "lanx satura," a phrase used in ancient Rome, it referred to a dish filled with a variety of fruits, symbolizing a rich mixture of subjects. Despite some historical debate over its precise origins, satire as a genre was acknowledged by the Roman writer Quintilian, who described it as a form of verse exclusively created by the Romans, distinct in its use of hexameter. Although he recognized similar works in Greek literature, what is now known as satire was not categorized as such in his time. However, nowadays, the origins of satire are often traced back to the Greek playwright Aristophanes.

2015 in British television
In 2015, British television witnessed a myriad of significant events, with certain shows making remarkable impacts on audiences. Among the array of programs, "Call the Midwife" proved to be a resounding success, with its fourth series consistently ranking within the top 20 most-watched shows of the year. Its appeal underscored the British audience's appreciation for engaging storytelling and robust characters. Notably, BBC One's "EastEnders" captivated viewers with a week of live episodes centered on the enthralling "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" mystery, which culminated in high viewership numbers. The year also marked a triumph for "The Voice UK," which celebrated its most-watched series to date. The opening six episodes garnered enough viewers to place the show within the top 50 television broadcasts, a testament to its popularity and the nation's love for talent competitions. In addition to these programming highlights, 2015 saw the introduction of new shows across various British networks, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and other channels. The television landscape also experienced development through the launch of new channels, the closure of others, and rebranding efforts that indicate the industry's dynamic nature. Moreover, a number of television series underwent changes in network affiliation, returning to the air after an absence or continuing their runs, spanning across various decades from the 1920s to the present decade. These continuations and returns reflect the longevity and evolving nature of television storytelling. While the year brought many beginnings, it also marked the conclusion of several shows, an inevitable part of the entertainment cycle that paves the way for fresh content. Additionally, 2015 was a year in which the television community mourned the loss of esteemed individuals whose contributions had significantly shaped the medium. Overall, the year 2015 was a landmark period for British television, characterized by memorable programming, shifts within the industry, and the cyclical nature of show debuts and conclusions, all