The Boondocks (2005– )

Based on the comic strip, Huey and Riley move away from the city and out to the suburbs with their irascible grandfather. Biting socio-political commentary ensues.

Creator:

Aaron McGruder

Stars:

Regina King, John Witherspoon, Cedric Yarbrough

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Regina King	...	Riley Freeman (46 episodes, 2005-2010)
John Witherspoon	...	Robert 'Granddad' Freeman (45 episodes, 2005-2010)
Cedric Yarbrough	...	Tom Dubois (45 episodes, 2005-2010)
Gary Anthony Williams	...	Uncle Ruckus (45 episodes, 2005-2010)
Jill Talley	...	Sarah Dubois (45 episodes, 2005-2010)
Gabby Soleil	...	Jazmine Dubois (45 episodes, 2005-2010)

Storyline

Based on the original comic strip Boondocks, Two young brothers (Huey and Riley) move away from their birth city to live with their irascible grandfather out in the suburbs. With one brother being socially and politically motivated and the younger brother a stereotypical black youth who likes rap music and culture etc Biting socio-political commentary ensues when they meet a whole cast of crazy exaggerated characters set in a mainly white middle upper class neighbourhood.

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Plot Keywords:

rap | hip hop | brother brother relationship | entertainment | based on comic | 

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Boondocks

Company Credits

Production Co:

Adelaide Productions, Rebel Base, Sony Pictures Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Reginald Hudlin helped develop the series, his involvement with the show ended in July 2005 (four months before its premiere) when he was named President of Entertainment for the B.E.T (Black Entertainment Television) network (the very channel that he and McGruder have often lampooned).

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Quotes

Huey Freeman: Vision? What do you know about my vision? My vision would turn your world upside down, tear asunder your illusions, and send the sanctuary of your own ignorance crashing down around you. Now ask yourself, Are you ready to see that vision?

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Connections

Featured in Behind the Boondocks: The Making of an American Classic (2008)

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Soundtracks

"The Boondocks Theme"
Composed by Aaron McGruder, Derryck Thornton, Asheru
Performed by Asheru

User Reviews

A biting, Leftist commentary on society

Aaron McGruder is an admitted militant liberal, and his comic strip has provided quite an insight into his world view on politics and the lack of political tactfulness. But the television show has effectively upped up the ante, making even starker commentary on society and the racist ills that have fallen on it.

Some may attack McGruder for attacking African American culture by using the profane language and in his depiction of Riley, but what he has effectively provided is a sensible argument toward the ills of all cultural settings. He's effectively illustrating what people EXPECT from black culture.

McGruder has always been very critical of the "hip-hop" culture, calling it feminine and useless. In my opinion, McGruder's commentary is almost as powerful as Spike Lee's "Bamboozled," where he basically states hip-hop culture is just another form of black-face to entertain suburban white people. While the television seems to border more along the lines of cultural inequities and absurdities as opposed to the full-on political commentary of the strip, he still hammers home a lot of good points. Years from now, people will look at this show as a daring look at junk cultural paradigms and laugh at the absurdity of it all.