"...Or Die Trying (The Boondocks)", 10-08-2007

"The Boondocks" is one of those shows that I don't mind watching, but that I never watch twice. Perhaps I'd watch "Return of the King" again, but whenever Adult Swim offered one of its multiple chances to see "The Boondocks" in reruns, I just said, "oh hell, no", and switched the channel.

Most of the humor of "The Boondocks" is situational, and not the set-up/punch-line style of humor. Since most of the humor is found in the nature of the situations, once you're actually seen the action take place, the surprise is ruined for reruns. It's like watching an M. Night Shyamalan flick over again. However, the shows are great to watch -- on the first view.

The show's premise is that Robert Freeman (known as "Granddad"), an elderly African-American man, has moved to a lily-white suburb. He is the legal guardian of his two grandchildren, Huey and Riley. Huey is deep into advancing black causes and self-respect, and serves as the voice of reason. Riley, on the other hand, is swayed by gangsta rap and blindly follows whatever trend is popular in black culture.

Granddad and Riley happen to catch a commercial for "Soul Plane 2: The Blackjacking" while watching TV. This "movie", which features the talents of Mo'Nique (who provided a voiceover), Snoop Dogg (ditto) and Fifty Cent (nope) is playing at the local cineplex. Granddad and Riley immediately decide that this movie is Priority Alpha, and make plans to see it immediately.

Huey attends with a sense of trepidation -- his Granddad is the model of stingy when it comes to attending a movie. When mixed race little girl Jazmine (Huey often treats her cheerfulness with disdain) gets invited, Huey warns her that "this will be the worst day of your life". Sure enough, the quartet manage to not only sneak their way into the movie without paying, but bring their own food as well. This is all due to their Granddad having a grudge against the movie industry and his committed refusal to ever have to pay for a movie.

While Jazmine (who was forbidden to see "Soul Plane 2", her parents obviously fearing for her mental hygiene) is terrorized by several movie commercials comparing movie theft to felony murder, Riley brings a camcorder. However, it appears that the Freemans won't be able to watch the movie, as they are spotted by Uncle Ruckus, who is working as an usher. Ruckus is an absurd parody of the self-hating black, who loves anything white, and gets most of the funny dialogue in any "The Boondocks" cartoon. Ruckus is determined that these "Africans" are going to be caught and brought to justice.

But all the humor is found in the situations: Granddad forced to buy movie popcorn when Riley sneaks in a bag of microwavable popcorn. Huey's attempt to unionize the Cineplex workers. Jazmine's terror. Huey's disgust with the whole thing and his attempts to destroy the movie. And of course, the staff-nunchakus battle between Huey and Uncle Ruckus (you heard me).

It's the kind of show I would recommend to other people -- but one which I wouldn't go out the way to see again. Actually...come to think of it...this was a pretty good episode. Maybe that eighteen month hiatus is finally paying off.