Class of 3000

 Review

Common Sense Media says

OutKast star inspires music students in fun 'toon.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

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.

  • The 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.
  • Some cartoon rough-and-tumble with long falls, explosions, and lots of flashy crash-bang scenes -- which never lead to injury.
  • Adult characters occasionally engage in very mild flirting.
  • Name-calling (like "idiot") is as bad as it gets, and even that's rare.
  • Each episode includes a new song from the show's Grammy-winning creator, so kids will probably ask for the soundtrack.

What's the story?

Created by Grammy-winning musician Andre "3000" Benjamin of OutKast, CLASS OF 3000 centers on a group of musical prodigies whose lives change when an international superstar takes over as their music teacher. Haunted by an inexplicable emptiness, famous musician Sunny Bridges (voiced by Benjamin) returns to his hometown of Atlanta and takes a teaching job at his alma mater, the Westley School for the Performing Arts. Laid-back Sunny really connects with his students, inspiring their creativity in new ways and giving them real-world advice. 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.


Is it any good?

 

Class of 3000 offers a rich cast of diverse characters, colorful animation, and fun (if sometimes somewhat far-fetched) storylines. Young viewers will be hard pressed to miss the many positive messages about friendship, education, and self-confidence that jump out of each episode.

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.


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What families can talk about

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?


This review was written by Emily Ashby
Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Saw it
This is the best cartoonnetwork show ever!(It's the only good one.)All of th eare shows are just plain (beep).

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
A GREAT AND INNOVATIVE SHOW
WHO SAYS THERE'S NO ORIGINALITY IN AMERICAN CARTOONS? CLASS OF 3000 IS A GREAT NEW SHOW CREATED BY ANDRE 3000 FROM THE GROUP OUTKAST. THOUGH SOME PARENTS MAY BE TURNED OFF ABOUT A KIDS SHOW WITH MUSIC BEING MADE B A HIP-HOP MEMBER, BUT THERE'S NO SWEARING OR SEXUAL INNUENDOS IN THE MUSIC. AT TIMES THE SHOW WILL ACTUALLY TEACH LESSONS THROUGH IT'S MUSIC. FOR EXAMPLE, A SONG CALLED "THE CRAYON SONG" TEACHES THAT ALL RACES "COLOR" THE WORLD (OR AS ANDRE PUT IT "THE COLORING BOOK). IT'S A FUN AND ODDLY INTERESTING SHOW. IT'S WORTH A WATCH, WATCH IT WITH YOUR KIDS AND TALK ABOUT THE LESSONS THE SONGS TEACH AND HOW THEY BLENDED INTO THE ACTUAL SHOW.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
great
i thought it was funny and racially diverse. Great show for fighting off racism.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Finally, a Cartoon that uses REAL Music!!!
Class of 3000 had to be one of the most unique cartoons I have ever seen!!! Why did I call it unique? My answer, it uses REAL music!!! Thank god for Andre 3000 Benjamin (Sunny Bridges) for making this cartoon!!! P.S.: In the very first episode, I spotted a clip from Quick Draw McGraw (good classic cartoon) in there. P.S.S.: Sunny Bridges looks a whole lot like Andre 3000 Benjamin!!!

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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Wonderful new show!
omg its soooo cool (especially eddie)

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Social Significance?
Sorry, but I watched the ad for this show and asked my kids: "who is the guy in the hat standing next to the car that looks like a cadillac while sexy women shake their butts nearby?" To me, this show looks like an episode of Starsky and Hutch featuring Huggy Bear and his "girls." My kids are not allowed to watch.

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Teen, 15 years old
February 27, 2009
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 

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Kid, 12 years old
May 29, 2010
 
good for all ages
I love it

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This review was written by Emily Ashby
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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