Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Adventure Time alum's uneven show has quirky appeal.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Clarence
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 39 parent reviews
Parents say this show has received a mixed response, with some praising its humor and positive messages, while others express concerns over its appropriateness for young viewers due to its crude humor and portrayal of problematic behaviors. Many appreciate the representation of diverse family structures and real-life issues, although others feel it lacks educational value and promotes negative behavior in children.
- humor and positivity
- mixed reviews
- appropriateness concerns
- representation matters
- negative behaviors depicted
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 117 kid 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?
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
- Premiere date : April 14, 2014
- Cast : Tom Kenny , Katie Crown , Skyler Page
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate