Parents' Guide to

Clarence

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Adventure Time alum's uneven show has quirky appeal.

TV Cartoon Network Kids' Animation 2014
Clarence Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 41 parent reviews

Tylomccool
Tylomccool Adult
April 5, 2020
age 5+

This cartoon is genius.

My kids are 5 and 8, both love Clarence, as do I ( their dad). On the face of it, it’s silly and a bit vulgar at times but over time you’ll grow to love the characters and genuinely like them. It’s hilarious with brilliant songwriting, nostalgic for adults who grew up in 80s/90s.
Brooklyn S.
Brooklyn S. Parent of 6 and 14-year-old
March 13, 2018
age 8+

Great Cartoon

This show is great. It may not portray the best role models, but it portrays reality on a child's eyes. Many of the things the characters do in the show many kids did when I was growing up, the town they live in isn't clean and perfect like many cartoons have but there's litter and other realistic details, none of the characters are perfect and they have have obvious flaws (Clarence's is blissful ignorance which allows him to reach out and try to connect with even the most flawed of characters). Looking at it from the view of a psychologist I would say some characters could be meant to represent certain mental disabilities such as OCD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADHD, etc.. this show teaches children what is normal about the real world other cartoons don't teach kids (gay parents, children who act different, a not so perfect world that is still enjoyable if seen through positive eyes). I give this cartoon an A+ in connecting with its viewers but it might not be good for younger children to watch who are very impressionable.
See all 41 parent reviews

What's the Story?

CLARENCE is the story of an optimistic young boy who sees big possibilities everywhere he looks. Being the new kid in town doesn't slow him down one bit, and his sunny personality soon wins over two best friends, uptight Jeff (voiced by Sean Giambrone) and offbeat Sumo (Tom Kenny). No matter what each day holds, Clarence (Skyler Page) is game for it, whether it's a trip to the local burger joint with his mom, Mary (Katie Crown), or an epic game of king of the mountain at the nearby park.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (41 ):
Kids say (116 ):

Adventure Time fans will want to check out Clarence, creator Skyler Page's follow-up project that's bound to please many with a similar design style and caliber of humor. The bizarre characters are oddly likable, and their various afflictions will appeal to kids' fondness for the absurd. What's more, it's even possible to find some decent substance in Clarence's unwavering optimism, which sees him through friendship troubles and contentious dealings with other peers.

But the overall result is a little uneven. Clarence's content isn't quite as edgy as Adventure Time's, but, in appealing to a slightly younger crowd, it still poses some questionable issues for kids. A rough-looking live-in boyfriend in Clarence's house might raise some queries from your kids, for one, and, because the show subtly mocks a number of unusual physical characteristics -- such as the main character's speech impediment and excessive weight -- it's important that your kids understand the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at him.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about role models. Do any of these characters stand out in a positive way? How do their actions make them good role models? Why is it important to have role models?

  • Kids: Do you like this show's use of crude humor? Does it always serve a purpose in the show, or is any of it for shock value alone?

  • Parents and kids can talk about what it's like to feel out of place. Do your kids have an easy time fitting in with new people? What are some skills they can use to break the ice in new settings?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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