Facebook – Top 50 FAVORITE Animated Programs: 19

19: The Boondocks (2005/2010?/Cartoon Network)

I love this show. Every episode, every character. I love it. I didn’t want to like it at all, though. The concept of a show that follows a demographic I simply don’t fit in shouldn’t have appealed to me. But it only took one episode to have me rolling on the floor in laughter (“The Itis”) and from then on, I was a fan of cartoonist Aaron McGruder’s work, both in the form of this show and the base material in comic strip form. From the opening theme song to each and every awful thing uttered by the anti-African American (but still black as hell) Uncle Ruckus, I love this show.

Based on the Freeman family, an out-of-the-projects family consisting of extremist ten year old Huey, wanna-be-gangster Riley (call him ‘Young Reezy’), and the just-happy-to-have-money Grandad, Robert Freeman. They live in an upscale neighborhood, now, and have to deal with a wide variety of issues, most of them being of a satirical nature (often times ripping into African American culture: rap, horrible black-comedian films, use of the N word, etc.). The way the show balances out these seemingly delicate issues with insane amounts of comedy that even a very, very white person like myself can enjoy is a testament to its writing.

But one of the things I love most about the show is its use of music and its action sequences. Being based on Japanese animation styles, the show features fight sequences that are sometimes drawn out, but often times simply well choreographed. And the various fighting styles utilized by the characters tend to make things continuously interesting (any time Huey and Riley fight, for example). Pair this with an ever-awesome score, and you’ve got one of my all time favorite “adult-aimed” cartoons.

Favorite Episode:
While I love the shit out “The Itis” for its laugh-out-loud food names, its all about “Return of the King” in which history is rewritten and, instead of dying, MLK was in a comma, rather than killed. In this episode, he wakes up in modern times and the writing is so brilliant as he has to come to terms with the African American population today, compared to what his “dream” was to have it be. His final use of the N word is so awesome and profound, and simply beautiful.

Favorite Character:
Its gotta be Riley. I love a ton of characters (Tom, A Pimp Named Slickback, Gangstalicious, etc.) but anytime Riley gets ranting, its hilarious. I love that little shit.

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Added February 14, 2017
This shows final season wasn’t very good and suffers from the problems commented on in below, so many years ago. Far worse, I think, than it ever did; focusing too much on easy-to-target concepts.
Having said that, nothing will ever take away my enjoyment of those first two seasons because they are nearly flawless.