The Hunger Strike

Last updated

"The Hunger Strike"
The Boondocks episode
The Hunger Strike (Boondocks).jpg
Leevil (right) and Rudlin (center) during a BET morning board meeting
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 14
Directed byDan Fausett
Written by Aaron McGruder
Rodney Barnes
Production code206
Original air datesMarch 16, 2008 (Teletoon)
June 10, 2008 (2008-06-10) (US, DVD)
May 29, 2020 (2020-05-29) (Adult Swim)
Guest appearances
CeeLo Green as Rollo Goodlove
Donald Faison as Wedgie Rudlin
Debra Wilson Skelton as Debra Leevil
Tavis Smiley as himself
Episode chronology
 Previous
"The Story of Gangstalicious 3"
Next 
"The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show"
The Boondocks (season 2)
List of episodes

"The Hunger Strike" is the fourteenth episode of the second season of the American animated television series The Boondocks , and the 29th episode overall. It was written by series creator Aaron McGruder, along with Rodney Barnes, and directed by Dan Fausett. The episode was set to premiere on Adult Swim on January 7, 2008, between '"The Story of Thugnificent"' and '"Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch" but aired United States on May 29, 2020. [1]

Contents

In Canada, the episode aired on March 16, 2008, on the network Teletoon at Night, with a disclaimer stating that "the views in this program do not reflect that of Teletoon Canada or its parent companies". The episode aired globally, and appeared on Netflix streaming in Canada, as well as on HBO Max in the United States shortly before its TV premiere. According to Aaron McGruder on an introduction video for the episode found on the DVD set, this episode was originally set to be titled "BET Sucks".

Plot

At the headquarters of BET, fictional president Debra Leevil, a parody of BET Holdings CEO Debra L. Lee with a personality resembling Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers films, presides over a board meeting to discuss the network's strategy for destroying black people. The issue of Huey Freeman is brought up. He is shown on CNN giving a press conference stating that he is on a hunger strike and that he will not eat until there is a public apology for creating BET, the network is shut down, and all the executive board members commit seppuku.

Riley joins forces with the charismatic Rev. Rollo Goodlove, voiced by rapper/singer Cee-Lo, who adds a flashy image to the fight against BET, by lobbying for a boycott of the network. Huey initially believes this to be a good idea, as a concert organized by Goodlove, and featuring his band, draws widespread attention and sparks a widespread boycott. However, Huey gradually discovers that Goodlove is primarily interested in drawing media attention to himself, through shameless merchandising, self-promotion, and outrageous behavior. Goodlove justifies his tactics by explaining that in order to reach the black community, he has to present its members with something they can relate to.

Leevil and the BET board eventually see a news broadcast in which Uncle Ruckus expresses his support of BET and its ability to ruin the minds of young black people. Taking inspiration from his words, they offer Goodlove a sitcom on the network. He accepts, betraying Huey and causing the boycott to fall apart. Huey ends his hunger strike and asks his grandfather Robert, "What do you do when you can't do nothing, but there's nothing you can do?". "You do what you can," Robert says.

Airing and BET

There have been rumors that this and a second episode, "The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show", were initially banned from airing in the U.S. due to threatened litigation from BET. [2] The episodes are said to specifically attack Reggie Hudlin, BET's president of entertainment from 2005 to 2008, and Debra L. Lee, president and chief executive officer of BET Holdings, the parent company of BET. [3]

Lee is portrayed as Deborah Leevil, a parody of the character Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movies, and Hudlin is portrayed as Wedgie Rudlin, a "culturally insensitive buffoon coasting on his Ivy League education." However, a Cartoon Network representative stated that BET had not contacted Cartoon Network regarding the episodes. [4] Sony Pictures Television, which produces the series, has not issued a statement on the matter.

Ironically, Hudlin was credited as an executive producer for the first two seasons of The Boondocks, though this was only a contractual obligation. Hudlin had no involvement with the show since the first pilot was rejected by Fox. [2] During the episode, the character Deborah Leevil relates the mission of BET within The Boondocks universe, stating:

Our leader Bob Johnson had a dream, a dream creating a network that would accomplish what hundreds of years of slavery, Jim Crow and malt liquor couldn't – the destruction of black people! [2]

On the DVD release of the second season, McGruder states "I was looking for changes and improvements, and I didn't see any.", referring to BET's programming. He decided to show his frustration using satire in The Boondocks, reasoning "I didn't see them. So I said, OK, it's fair game." [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Sealab 2021</i> American adult animated television series

Sealab 2021 is an American adult animated television series created by Adam Reed and Matt Thompson for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. Cartoon Network aired the show's first three episodes in December 2000 before the official inception of the Adult Swim block on September 2, 2001, with the final episode airing on April 24, 2005. Sealab 2021 is one of the only four original Williams Street series that premiered in 2000 before Adult Swim officially launched, with the others being Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Brak Show, and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BET</span> American basic cable channel owned by Paramount

Black Entertainment Television (BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting Black American audiences. It is currently owned by the BET Networks subsidiary of Paramount Global's CBS Entertainment Group. Originally launched as a program block on January 25, 1980, BET would eventually become a full-fledged channel on July 1, 1983.

<i>The Boondocks</i> (comic strip) American comic strip (1996–2006)

The Boondocks was a daily syndicated comic strip written and originally drawn by Aaron McGruder that ran from 1996 to 2006. Created by McGruder in 1996 for Hitlist.com, an early online music website, it was printed in the monthly hip hop magazine The Source in 1997. As it gained popularity, the comic strip was picked up by the Universal Press Syndicate and made its national debut on April 19, 1999. A popular and controversial strip, The Boondocks satirizes African American culture and American politics as seen through the eyes of young African American radical Huey Freeman. McGruder's syndicate said it was among the biggest launches the company ever had.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron McGruder</span> American writer and cartoonist (born 1974)

Aaron Vincent McGruder is an American writer, cartoonist, and producer best known for creating The Boondocks, a Universal Press Syndicate comic strip and its animated TV series adaptation.

<i>The Boondocks</i> (TV series) American anime-influenced adult animated sitcom

The Boondocks is an American anime-influenced adult animated sitcom created by Aaron McGruder for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. It is based upon his manga-influenced comic strip of the same name. The series premiered on November 6, 2005. The show focuses on a Black American family, the Freemans, settling into the fictional, friendly and predominantly white suburb of Woodcrest. The perspective offered by this mixture of cultures, lifestyles, social classes, stereotypes, viewpoints and racialized identities provides for much of the series' satire, comedy, and conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madea</span> Fictional character created and portrayed by Tyler Perry

Mabel "Madea" Earlene Simmons is a character created and portrayed by Tyler Perry. She is portrayed as a tough, street-smart elderly African-American woman.

Return of the King (<i>The Boondocks</i>) 9th episode of the 1st season of The Boondocks

"Return of the King" is the ninth episode of the first season of the animated television series The Boondocks. The episode was written by series creator Aaron McGruder and directed by Kalvin Lee, and originally aired in the United States on Cartoon Network's late-night programming block Adult Swim on January 15, 2006.

"A Huey Freeman Christmas" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American animated television series The Boondocks. It originally aired on Adult Swim in the United States on December 18, 2005. In the episode, protagonist Huey Freeman seizes complete creative control of his elementary school's annual Christmas play, but runs into trouble with administration when he wishes to portray Jesus as black. Meanwhile, Riley Freeman rekindles an old grudge he has against Santa Claus.

Huey R. Freeman is the main protagonist and narrator of The Boondocks syndicated comic strip written by Aaron McGruder, as well as the animated TV sitcom of the same name. Politically sapient and borderline militant, Huey, being a self-described revolutionary left-wing radical, regularly reflects upon current events as well as the plight of African-Americans as it relates to a greater American society. As presented by his logical and rational personality, Huey's character has often been described as "misanthropic" and "cynical". He's named after Huey P. Newton, one of the co-founders and leaders of the Black Panther Party. He is voiced by Regina King. In the original pilot, he was voiced by singer Alicia Keys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncle Ruckus</span> Fictional character from The Boondocks

Uncle Ruckus is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the American animated sitcom The Boondocks. Voiced by Gary Anthony Williams, he first appeared on television in the show's pilot episode on November 6, 2005. Created and designed by cartoonist Aaron McGruder, Ruckus gained substantial popularity after appearing in the 1996 comic strip of the same name.

The members of the DuBois familyTom (husband), Sarah (wife), and Jazmine (daughter) — are fictional characters and featured players in Aaron McGruder's Boondocks comic strip and animated TV series. They live across the street from the main characters, the Freeman family — Robert and his grandsons, Huey and Riley.

Seung-Eun Kim is a Korean-born American artist, director and animator. He is a three-time Emmy nominee, and three-time Annie Award nominee. Kim has worked in animation since 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show</span> 15th episode of the 2nd season of The Boondocks

"The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show" is the fifteenth and final episode of the second season of the animated television series The Boondocks, and the 30th episode overall. It was written by series creator Aaron McGruder, along with Rodney Barnes, and directed by Seung Eun Kim. The episode aired in the United States on May 29, 2020. Prior to the broadcast, the episode aired in Canada on Teletoon on March 16, 2008, and was released on DVD in the United States on June 10, 2008.

One Hundred (<i>Aqua Teen Hunger Force</i>) 12th episode of the 7th season of Aqua Teen Hunger Force

"One Hundred" is the twelfth and final episode of the seventh season of the animated television series Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and the 100th episode of the series overall. "One Hundred" originally aired in the United States on May 2, 2010, on Adult Swim. In the episode Frylock obsesses about the number 100 while Master Shake attempts to put Aqua Teen Hunger Force into syndication, until the episode abruptly turns into a parody of Scooby-Doo.

Pause (<i>The Boondocks</i>) 7th episode of the 3rd season of The Boondocks

"Pause" is the 7th episode of the third season of the American animated television series The Boondocks, and the 37th episode overall. Written by series creator Aaron McGruder, along with Rodney Barnes, and directed by Sung Hoon Kim, the episode originally aired on Adult Swim on June 20, 2010. The title refers to a practice used to remove any ambiguity after making a double entendre that may be possibly misinterpreted as a claim or implication of homosexual orientation. The phrase "no homo" may also be used instead of, or in addition to "pause".

"The Fried Chicken Flu" is the 13th episode of the third season of the American animated television series The Boondocks, and the 43th episode overall. It originally aired in the United States on Cartoon Network's programming block Adult Swim on August 1, 2010, and Centric on November 15, 2010. In the episode, the Freemans must survive in a post-apocalyptic world, after a virus originating from fried chicken erupts across the country.

<i>The Boondocks</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the animated television series, The Boondocks originally aired in the United States on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. Season three started on May 2, 2010, with "It's a Black President, Huey Freeman" and ended with "It's Goin Down" on August 15, 2010, with a total of fifteen episodes. The season debuted at 2.55 million viewers.

<i>The Boondocks</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the animated television series, The Boondocks originally aired in the United States on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. The second season features 15 episode, it originally premiered on October 8, 2007 with "...Or Die Trying" and ended with "The Story of Gangstalicious 2" on February 4, 2008.

<i>Black Jesus</i> (TV series) American live-action television sitcom

Black Jesus is an American live-action sitcom created by Aaron McGruder and Mike Clattenburg that aired on Adult Swim. The series stars Gerald "Slink" Johnson, Charlie Murphy, Corey Holcomb, Kali Hawk, King Bach, Andra Fuller, and John Witherspoon. The series premiered on August 7, 2014. On December 10, 2014, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 18, 2015. Its third and final season premiered on September 21, 2019.

References

  1. "TV Schedule for Cartoon Network - Adult Swim". TV Passport. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "'Boondocks' to BET: !*%#!". articles.latimes.com. June 4, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  3. Brodesser-Akner, Claude. "Net-Bashing 'Boondocks' Banned." Advertising Age, February 4, 2008. Retrieved on February 8, 2008.
  4. Brodesser-Akner, Claude. "Net-Bashing 'Boondocks' Banned." Advertising Age, February 4, 2008. Retrieved on February 8, 2008.