Clarence

Mondays, 7 p.m.

With their recent success of original series aimed at preteen and teen audiences—such as Adventure Time, Regular Show and The Amazing World of Gumball—Cartoon Network continues the demographic trend with Clarence. Created by Skyler Page, a former storyboard artist for Adventure Time, the charming suburban animated adventures seem geared toward the preteen side, with a cast of characters exploring freedoms—bike rides, trips to the arcade and grocery store—without facing any real dangers. The titular character is a young boy who is polite and overflowing with decency. Clarence consoles a passing bug that he’s there to watch not squash, and he apologizes to flora before using it as a projectile in a skirmish with the neighborhood kids. In his eyes, friends surround him wherever he goes. Clarence is at its best when the wizard-obsessed tyke is simple, kind and marches to the beat of his own drum, and when it avoids confusing Clarence’s friendliness with ignorance. The supporting cast offer nice characterizations, but with only a few episodes having aired, they’ve yet to grow beyond foils for Clarence’s infectious charisma. If Clarence sticks with simple tales about a simple boy, it could be another success for the network.