The PJs

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The characters of the show 'The PJs'.

The PJs is an American adult animated black sitcom created by Eddie Murphy, Larry Willmore, and Steve Thompkins. The show uses one foam-rubber process "Foamation" stop motion as the medium. Lasted for 3 seasons with 13 episodes each, the first two season of the series aired on FOX from 1999 to 2000 while the last season is on The WB due to its high budget. The Pjs stands for the Projects, a common term for low-rent housing in the inner-city.

Plot

The show follows the adventures of the Stubss family and the others in the building, with Eddie Murphy as the voice character of Thurgood Stubss, the superintendent of the Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs projects. It centers around life in an urban Detroit housing project[1].

Controversy

Despite the strong rating, some viewed the show as a negative view of inner city life, and "Does not present an accurate and honest depiction of the African-American community. It present racially demeaning and offensive stereotypes" says Earl Ofari Hutchinson, director of the Coalition Against Media Exploitation[2]. Filmmaker Spike Lee has also known for its strong criticism regarding the show. "I'm not saying that we're above being made fun of and stuff like that, but it's really hateful, I think, toward Black people-- plain and simple," Lee said. Those involved with the show beg to differ, they don't dismiss the criticism but they do openly question whether that criticism represents a majority of African-Americans. The executive producer, Steve Tompkins said the show tried to satirize the bureaucracy and the social injustice and hypocrisy that keeps people in poverty[3]. The PJs is listed in an article by nytimes.com as one of the shows that serve up rich depictions of Black families that don't fall into stereotypes. Citing that the show was notable simply for depicting Black urban life on television[4].

References

  1. " The PJs ". Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  2. "Despite strong ratings, foes still protest 'The PJs' " . February 17, 1999. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  3. " Is Fox's 'The PJs' racist? Spike Lee says it is, but producers strongly disagree ". February 1, 1999. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  4. " From 'Proud Family' to 'The Boondocks': 11 Black Animated Series ". August 17, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.