The PJs (1999–2001)

Thurgood Stubbs lives with his wife Muriel in the housing project where he is the chief superintendent. The show, created by Eddie Murphy (who provides Stubbs' voice), follows the ... See full summary »

Creators:

Eddie Murphy, Steve Tompkins, Larry Wilmore

Stars:

Loretta Devine, Ja'net DuBois, Pepe Serna

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Loretta Devine	...	Muriel Stubbs (42 episodes, 1999-2008)
Ja'net DuBois	...	Mrs. Avery (42 episodes, 1999-2008)
Pepe Serna	...	Mr. Sanchez (42 episodes, 1999-2008)
Michele Morgan	...	'Juicy' Hudson (41 episodes, 1999-2008)
Marc Wilmore	...	Walter Burkett (41 episodes, 1999-2008)
Michael Paul Chan	...	Jimmy Ho (40 episodes, 1999-2008)
Shawn Michael Howard	...	Smokey (40 episodes, 1999-2008)
Kevin Michael Richardson	...	Mr. Hudson (40 episodes, 1999-2008)
Crystal Scales	...	Calvin (40 episodes, 1999-2008)
Cheryl Francis Harrington	...	Ms. Mambo Garcelle (Haiti Lady) (35 episodes, 1999-2008)
Jenifer Lewis	...	Bebe Ho (35 episodes, 1999-2008)
Eddie Murphy	...	Thurgoode Orenthal Stubbs (29 episodes, 1999-2001)
James Black	...	Tarnell (28 episodes, 1999-2008)
Mark Moseley	...	Thurgoode Orenthal Stubbs (2000-2001) (27 episodes, 1999-2001)
Cassi Davis	...	HUD woman (26 episodes, 1999-2008)
Phil Morris	...	Thurgood Orenthal Stubbs (17 episodes, 1999-2008)

Storyline

Thurgood Stubbs lives with his wife Muriel in the housing project where he is the chief superintendent. The show, created by Eddie Murphy (who provides Stubbs' voice), follows the adventures of the Stubbs family and the others in the building, animated through a process called 'Foamation.'

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Plot Keywords:

clay animation | philip j fry | sitcom | blaxploitation | race relations | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Animation

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

PJs: The Projects

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Television, Will Vinton Studios, Eddie Murphy Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (41 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Principle animation/photography was done at the now-defunct Will Vinton Productions in Portland, Oregon. Although injection molded foam characters had been in use for some time, this was the first time it was used for a series television show. This choice was an easy one, since character turnover and the less likelihood of damage to them if they were clay, as well as the tight production schedule made the production run smoother and more budget friendly. Will Vinton Prod. pioneered the Claymation and colored foam molding techniques. Like the Plasticine clay still used, the foam color is throughout, making repairs easier and less noticeable than in clay. If damage was severe to clay characters, a replacement was almost certainly needed, causing costly production delays and down-time. Foam core character could be made in quantities and various poses/facial expressions, so scene changes were fast and easier.

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Quotes

Haiti Lady: I'll bet the Devil himself couldn't make a better gumbo!
Thurgood Stubbs: [pleased] You think so?
Haiti Lady: I could ask.

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Connections

Referenced in Tak & the Power of Juju: Beautiful Girls/Bad Medicine (2008)

User Reviews

HUD Lady's kids?

I really liked the PJs also. It was a short-lived series that became the victim of the overzealous NAACP and the need for too many people in our society to be "politically correct". These days they give Oscars out for movies that portray much worse than the PJs - yet for some reason because its in a movie, and people pay for it, that's OK. Go figure. The PJs was one of the best pieces of work Eddy Murphy has produced, well-written, very funny, and the claymation style fits in perfect with the story concept. The part I remember most is when the HUD lady lists all her kid's names. Does anyone remember all of them? I only remember 3 - Chevron, Lasagna, and Doritos. I thought there was more of them. Thanks!