Class of 3000 - TV-Y7
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: Cartoon Network Cast: Crystal Scales, André Benjamin, Small Fire
Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
Available on: 
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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this cartoon -- which was created by Grammy winner Andre "3000" Benjamin of OutKast -- features a racially and socio-economically diverse cast of kids. The main character is a worldwide music superstar who's searching for the fulfillment that fame hasn't brought him; his work with the kids both excites them and inspires him. The show is full of positive messages about creativity, self-respect, friendship, and the importance of a well-rounded education. While it's mostly devoid of iffy content, occasional cartoon violence and some scary characters (ghost-like creatures with snake tongues, for example) might be too much for very young viewers.
Families can talk about music and the arts. Why is it important to study the arts? Kids: How does music make you feel? What are your favorite instruments or songs? Parents can take this opportunity to encourage an interest in music by exposing their kids to concerts and musicals. Families can also talk about friendship. How do people become friends? What is it about your kids' friends that they like? How do friends resolve differences?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
Created by Grammy-winning musician Andre "3000" Benjamin of OutKast, CLASS OF 3000 introduces viewers to a group of gifted musical prodigies whose lives are instantly changed when an international superstar takes over as their music teacher.
Musician Sunny Bridges (voiced by Benjamin) has lived the high life for 10 years, performing all over the world and meeting more famous and influential people than he can count. But despite his fame, he's haunted by an inexplicable emptiness. His subsequent quest for true happiness takes him from the stage back to his hometown of Atlanta, where he unintentionally lands a teaching job at his alma mater, the Westley School for the Performing Arts.
Although he's never so much as created a lesson plan, laid-back Sunny has no problem relating to his students and inspiring their creativity in new ways. In no time, Li'l D (Small Fire), Tamika (Crystal Scales), Eddie (Tom Kenny), and the others are playing to a new beat; through their excitement, Sunny finds renewed inspiration for his own music.
Along with his musical expertise, Sunny doles out some sound advice to his students, drawing on his wealth of real-world experience. (Some of his mantras include "You never can know too much" and "The first sign that you've given into temptation is that you start to change.") Young viewers will be hard pressed to miss the many positive messages about friendship, education, and self-confidence that jump out of each episode.
Class of 3000 offers a rich cast of diverse characters, colorful animation, and fun (if sometimes somewhat far-fetched) storylines. Kids will enjoy the characters' interpersonal relationships and their admiration of their new favorite teacher. In addition to his creative responsibilities, Benjamin also contributes original songs and music videos to each episode (a tie-in album is available) -- the entire package may just leave your kids with a renewed interest in music.
Fans may also enjoy Shuriken School, The Replacements, and Ice-T's Rap School.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentAdult characters occasionally engage in very mild flirting. |
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ViolenceSome cartoon rough-and-tumble with long falls, explosions, and lots of flashy crash-bang scenes -- which never lead to injury. |
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LanguageName-calling (like "idiot") is as bad as it gets, and even that's rare. |
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Social BehaviorThe show features a cast of racially and socio-economically diverse characters who, despite their differences, bond through their love of music. The main adult character is an unlikely teacher whom the students respect and who offers nuggets of wisdom based on his personal experiences in the real world. |
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CommercialismEach episode includes a new song from the show's Grammy-winning creator, so kids will probably ask for the soundtrack. |
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