Syndicate Says 'Boondocks' May Not Return
 

#1
2/18/02
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2/19/02
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2/20/02
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Everyone knows how much I love THE BOONDOCKS or at least you should.:confused: :p Even though no one bought me the BOONDOCKS book for Christmas. Anyway on a listserve, we were talking about who we consider to be the most embarrassing Black person and it struck me that I wanted to know what my GC family thought as well.


#2
I read last week in the USA TODAY weekend magazine that Aaron McGruder is working with Reginald Hudlin to make the Boondocks into a movie. Here is the article:

Pop Culture
Reginald Hudlin and Aaron McGruder
Interview: Jan. 10, 2002

Ever since they met four years ago in New York, 40-year-old director Reginald Hudlin ("House Party," "Boomerang" and the upcoming "Serving Sara") has wanted to partner up on a project with Aaron McGruder, 27, creator of the hip comic strip "The Boondocks." Now they're finally collaborating on several endeavors: an animated version of "The Boondocks" for Showtime, an adaptation of Angela Nissel's "The Broke Diaries" and two screenplays. What took these guys so long to hook up? They're currently tackling many mediums — film, TV, the funny pages — and are unwilling to compromise their creativity, which has forced them to "walk away from more than a few prospects," Hudlin says. Here, the duo discuss black power in mainstream entertainment.


McGruder: When I was 16, "House Party" was my life in that, you know, I felt it was a very realistic portrayal of what young black kids are actually like as opposed to the Hollywood ghetto-ized version. There was a balance between a sort of universal humanity and culture nuance so that everything felt just right. Spike Lee's films were very heavily racialized and politicized but they didn't resonate with me as much as yours did. "Boomerang" was sort of a nice fantasy, like, "Wow, maybe I could work in an office with all women and have this gigantic apartment in New York City and still be hip and cool and not be the stereotypical whitewashed corporate Negro. I can be all those things: debonair, smart and successful."

Hudlin: When I showed my brother, Warrington [a filmmaker], "The Boondocks" books and he was reading them, he said, "You know, Aaron gives me hope for this generation." And it really is true because your work epitomized all the principles of my own personal aethetic code, which is that it is funny. It is political. It is human. And it is genuinely original. The characters are [real]. You're willing to have the protagonists be flawed characters. You are a genuinely courageous person, and willing to say what most people think, and says it in a very clever original way, which is why this strip is such a huge success. And I think the more people who get to hear your world view, the more people will be excited about it.

McGruder: And the strip is successful with an audience that it's not really targeted for. So when we make it to television and it's more accessible to a broader demographic of people and it is free from the inherent constraint of the newspaper medium, since we'll do primetime cable, it'll really only be more of what has made the strip successful in the first place.

Hudlin: It's been tough because we've been very uncompromising. You have a very unprecedented deal with newspapers, and we wanted to do whatever it took to maintain that creative integrity, because that's what has made the strip so successful. [Because you] make a very good living just doing the comic strip, which is a full-time career, when we decided to take it to another medium, we were more than willing to walk away from more than a few prospects before we would do something that would weaken the material.

McGruder: Maintaing the strip and getting accustomed to deadlines [seven strips a week, every week of the year for a five-year contract] was difficult at first. It's a never-ending creative endeavor, and I was just coming out of college and went right into this. It took a level of discipline that I hadn't really developed yet. But [the newspapers] never tried to tell me what to do creatively. Not once. And I'm very fortunate for that.

Hudlin: What I've really tried to do with my films is present black life [in a way we haven't seen before]. When I was a kid, I would watch movies like "American Graffiti," "Animal House" and "Risky Business." I didn't know why I couldn't have movies like that about my life, so that's what I've tried to change. I've tried to present "normal" black life in my work, not black life where we are reactive to white people and white institutions, where black people are mad all the time because of The Man or suffering because of The Man or sucking up to The Man — just leading their lives like normal people. When people tell me what they like about my movies, it is that aspect that they respond to, particularly in a film like "Boomerang" where there are so few images of professional black people who have a sense of humor, who have a strong sense of their cultural identity and at the same time are very good at their jobs. So to make a film that embodies those ideas, which are not explicitly political but are inherently very powerful, I think that those are the contributions that have made a major impact, and the fact that my work inspired someone as talented as Aaron is very satisfying.

McGruder: I came up with the idea for "The Boondocks" while I was in college [at the University of Maryland]. I was a big fan of "Bloom County" and "Calvin and Hobbes," and I decided to try something like that — a social satire targeting racial politics and popular culture.

Hudlin: I like to describe "The Boondocks" as "imagine if Chris Rock drew 'Peanuts.'"

McGruder: Well, I have no problem with Chris Rock, and I have no problem with "Peanuts."

Hudlin: Well, it's a funnier answer.

McGruder: As long as they like it, it's all good to me. I would describe it as a strip about angry black children. I try to question everything or spark the brain to go in a new direction. Pop culture needs to be more creative and balanced. I've been [especially] critical of contemporary black music. I'd like more variety. Not everyone has to sound like Jay-Z or DMX. It's not that everybody in music is bad. It's just that you don't want to have to listen to the same two or three people over and over and over again, because no matter how good they are you're going to get tired of them. As it becomes more creative, it'll become more balanced. There'll just be different styles, there'll be the natural evolution of black music, which I think has been artifically stagnated over the past half-decade or so by corporate interest.

Hudlin: The main thing is that you maintain your voice. To succeed in a variety of mediums, you can't get pigeonholed. As long as you do your homework and study another medium, why not try something new? I grew up admiring guys like Howard Hawks, who'd do a movie like "Red River," then he'd do a movie like "His Girl Friday," where you can have a real diversity of style. It's harder to have a career like that these days, so you just try to prove the point by doing. A movie like "House Party," which is a teen comedy, is different from a movie like "Boomerang," is more of a classic Rock Hudson-Doris Day romance, vs. "Great White Hype," which is more political satire, vs. "The Ladies Man," which is just a silly fun movie, vs. "Serving Sara," which we wanted to do that kind of classic romantic road comedy like "It Happened One Night."

McGruder: The hardest part has been not quitting. After I moved to L.A. [in 1999], Reggie constantly stayed on me to keep the strip going. And now all this Hollywood stuff is happening on our own terms.

Hudlin: Which is the way it should be. One of the biggest challenges of my career has been trying to overcome the myth that if something has a black cast or is centered in black culture that it is marginal. When you talk to studios, there's still a second-class attitude taken to a lot of black material unless there's a very, very large star attached. Over the years, there has been incremental change, but I can't say it's been much more than that, despite the fact that black pop culture is mainstream culture. If you look particularly at the hip-hop generation in film, in television, in music — many of the biggest stars are black. And that's an assumption we have to make no matter what we're working on.


— Moderated by New York-based writer Sara Anderson.

i love the boondocks too and would be first in line to see a movie, if it comes to that. also, i'm not ashamed to admit that i strongarmed the book from one of my stuents, months ago. it's a classic, that i won't loan to anyone.

as for the most embarassing black person, hmmmmmm, my vote goes to... the crematory guy in georgia.

I love Boondocks!
I have the book (if I do loan it---it's 24 hours only).
If they do make it a movie----I'll be there to see it.

Most embarassing?
I have to think about this one.

I discovered on Amazon last night that there are 2 books.

1. Fresh for '01 . . .You Suckas published May 2001

2. The Boondocks published August 2000

I will have both by week's end.:D :cool: :D

An obvious choice
 

Most embarrasing? Mike Tyson without a doubt.

Re: An obvious choice
 

Good choice, especially in view of Tyson's latest meltdown, which is played in heavy rotation on sports talk radio. :eek: :eek:

My runners-up would be Ohhhjjj (Orenthal Simpson), just because, and Ben Vereen. I still remember that he did blackface at President Reagan's inaugural in 1981.:mad:

I am absolutely in LOVE with the BOONDOCKS... can someone tell me what is up with the website though? The mailing list is shut down and the guestbook is all messed up....


www.boondocks.net

I access Boondocks every day via MY YAHOO -- I have a yahoo e-mail account and MY YAHOO lets you choose 3 comic strips to be on your MY YAHOO PAGE every day and #1 is BOONDOCKS. If you need further help, hit me up via PM. :D

My Picks
 

1. CITA & the mastermind(s) behind her
2. Mike Tyson
3. Gold teething wearing folks
4. Pants hanging off the @$$ men

Ward Connerly and Larry Elder
Any rapper who cannot articulate a basic subject/verb/predicate sentence without constantly reminding us to "know what I'm sayin".
Any unbetrothed pro athlete with multiple children that has a domestic violence charge.

MY PICK
 

without a doubt ODB is right up there. I mean come on, having MTV come with you to get your food stamps? :confused:

And let's not forget his rant of "Wu tang is for the children" Erykah Badu looked like she wanted to die right then and there.



QTE

Ms. Nessa Johnson of Richmond, VA gets my vote for MOST EMBARASSING BLACK PERSON............why you ask?

Because she has decided to join the UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...threadid=15731

i nominate Chante Mallard for the most embarrasing Black Person Award. This sista hit a homeless man with her car and left him stuck in the windshield as she drove home to chill with her man! read the CNN Article: http://www.cnn.com/2002/LAW/03/08/hi....ap/index.html

Thanks BLUTANG because I was gonna nominate her today.

I nearly fell out of my seat when I saw a picture of her and she was A SISTA!!!!!

OH LAWD, what is going on with black folks today:confused: :eek: :confused: ????????

My nominee is the parent that comes to school ready to raise hell with the teacher because they received a call from the Dean telling them that their child can't go on the class trip because of their awful behavior. Mind you, the teacher has been trying in vain to get the parent to come in for a conference and to pick up the child's report card. :mad:

Boondocks & JaRule
 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com...o/bo020816.jpg

In case it does not show @ some point: http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com...o/bo020816.jpg

How true how true how true. . .

LMAO
 

W-Freak? All Ja Rule all the time?

CTFU. CTFU. CTFU.

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/jump.gif

Re: LMAO
 

This thing here got my sides hurting from laughing sooo hard!!!
http://www.plauder-smilies.com/lach.gif

BWAHAHAHAHAHA
 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com.../bo030306l.gif


So back again for 2003. . . Most Embarassing Black Person

I am going to have to say Jay-Z for equating himself on the same level as MLK. :rolleyes: :confused:

Whitney Houston for her CRACK is WACK and SHOW ME THE RECEIPTS comments.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/14...1.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


it has not yet been released but you know I am so there when it is. :D

I LOVE THE BOONDOCKS!!!

The Boondocks Animated at Fox Source: Variety Tuesday, August 12, 2003

The Fox network has ordered a pilot for a postential animated series based on the edgy comic strip The Boondocks, by Aaron McGruder and seen in 350 newspapers nationwide.

The Boondocks, which McGruder debuted in April 1999, revolves around junior revolutionary Huey and his gangsta wannabe brother Riley, who move from the inner city to their out-of-touch grandfather's home in the suburbs.

Once given a greenlight, the series would likely be ready for launch in the 2004-05 midseason.

In addition to writing the pilot, McGruder and partner Reggie Hudlin continue to hammer out an animated feature treatment of the strip as well.

Yeah! (Raisin' my Fist)
 

This would be the bomb, but I wonder if "The Man" would actually ok this being put on TV in syndication (sp) without it being "lightened-up" a bit...

Re: Yeah! (Raisin' my Fist)
 

I am all for it as well, but you're right the probability of what we read everyday when it comes to Bush 'n' em making it to the TV is slim to none.

Oh and the book will be out on 9.23.03 :D

isn't it kind of ironic that The Boondocks would be on Fox since they're veeery conservative and Aaron McGruder always pokes fun at them anyway? I guess that's capitalism, go with what sells

I predict that Aaron McGruder will ANNIHILATE College Hill by the end of February in his 2004 Most Embarrassing Black Series.


I know I am embarrassed STILL.

The Boondocks comic strip is preparing us for their annual awards again. Who do you think will win the 2004 Most Embarrassing Black Person Awards???? So many choices, so many choices....

It's my most favoritest time of the year. :D

Let's see. . . .

Kobe

Janet

Michael

College Hill

Al Sharpton

The man who mailed himself home :o

So many to choose from

More nominees
 

LeBron James' Mother.
Allen Iverson's Mother.
Fiddy.
Vivvy A. Fox.
Lil' STD (bka Lil' Jon) and the Ying Yang Twins (sp?)

Right now I'm betting on
 

Kobe and Jayson Williams

I forgot about AI's mama naming them kids that way. . . lawd a mercy. :o

We have a plethora of embarrassing folks...

Rrr is still on my list
The NAACP
Kobe
50 (especially after the Grammy's)

I'm laughing at Ceasar bringing Huey a volume!

Can I nominate Mike Tyson again? That man is down to $5K in his bank account after making hundreds of millions of dollah. Also, for his clothing collection that puts women to shame:

http://thesmokinggun.com/archive/mgtpayment3.html

You leave him alone! At least he has 88 books in his collection! LOL : p (doesn't nearly rival the 197 shirts and the 700+ videos. :rolleyes:

Another MEBP nominee
 

This is also from the Smoking Gun. Check out this cat's mug shot.

http://thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art3/mccrarymug1.jpg

JUNE 24--Meet Jimmy McCrary Jr. Until Sunday, he was the pastor of the Morning Star Baptist Church in South Richmond, Virginia. His tenure there came to a messy end--congregants canned him in a 185-41 vote--as a result of his arrest earlier this year for prostitution. Initially, church members decided to allow McCrary, 46, to stay in the pulpit. But when the below booking photo surfaced, the congregation's support quickly eroded. Apparently, it would be okay for a guy to troll for a hooker--just as long as he's not the floozy wearing rouge and a wig. McCrary, who pleaded guilty to the prostitution rap, was hit with a 90-day suspended sentence and three years probation. A pretty woman he ain't. (1 page)

He only has 1 pair of shoes? Or did I look at that wrong?

Fiddy-six
 

You might have. Under "pairs of shoes," Mikey's listed as having 56 pairs of shoes.

aaaaaaaaaw hell naw at the drag queen hooka passa.:o :o :o :eek: