Many Clockwork Oranges
(part of my ongoing Unexpected Literary References series)
I was watching an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force the other day (yes, I spend my time wisely), and for the first time I made the connection between the data-injection scene in the “Super Trivia” the infamous video scene in Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s novel A Clockwork Orange (yes, I said “for the first time” implying that I’ve seen this episode many times. Like I said, I spend my time wisely). The infamous scene portrays Alex (played by Malcolm McDowell) strapped to a chair, forced to watch morally positive images in order to cure his devilishness. This got me thinking, there has got to be more references out there, sprinkled throughout cartoon-dom. And there are. And surprisingly, the entire gamut from adult-intended cartoons to those created specifically for children, honor this disturbing scene.
Though these references may not technically be a direct homage to the book, I’ll allow them considering that the book spawned the movie, which spawned the necessary cultural awareness to appreciate these various references. Enjoy.
If you know of any others, please feel free to mention them in the comments below.
| First, the image from which all the following scenes are born. |
 |
| And now, the followers: |
 |
| The Simpsons | “Dog of Death” (watch a clip of this scene here) |
 |
| Duckman | “I, Duckman” (watch the entire episode here) |
 |
| Invader Zim | “Parent Teacher Night” |
 |
| Teen Titans | “Mad Mod” (the villain in this episode, Mad Mod, is voiced by Malcom McDowell, the actor who played Alex DeLarge in the film version of “A Clockwork Orange”) |
 |
| Doug | “Doug’s Nightmare on Jumbo Street” (watch the entire episode here). This reference is likely more driven by the plot of this episode rather than as a nod to “A Clockwork Orange,” but still it looks fitting. |
 |
| Recess | “First Name Ashley” (watch the entire episode here) |
 |
| Aqua Teen Hunger Force | “Super Trivia” (watch the clip here) |
 |
| Robot Chicken | opening sequence |
 |
| Phineas and Ferb | “Phineas and Ferb Get Busted” |
 |
| Homestar Runner | “A Jorb Well Done” (watch the entire episode here) |
 |
| 30-Second Bunnies Theatre | “A Clockwork Orange” (watch the entire episode here) |
Though not a cartoon in Season 3 of LOST in the episode “Not In Portland” there was a definite homage to that scene from A Clockwork Orange (they even used the same cell number of 23.) LOST though was known for its many literary references.