The Hunger Strike
Encyclopedia
"The Hunger Strike" is a second season episode of the Adult Swim
animated television series The Boondocks
. It was set to premiere on January 7, 2008, between "The Story of Thugnificent
" and "Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch
", but has not aired in the United States. In Canada the episode was aired on March 16, 2008, on the network Teletoon
, with a disclaimer before the show stating that "the views in this program do not reflect that of Teletoon Canada or its parent companies". The episode also aired globally elsewhere. According to Aaron McGruder on an introduction video for the episode found on the DVD set, this episode was originally set to be called BET Sucks.
, fictional president Debra Leevil (voice of Debra Wilson Skelton) presides over a board meeting to discuss the network's strategy for destroying black people. The issue of Huey Freeman
is brought up, as 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
.
Huey 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 Granddad
, "What do you do when you can't do anything, but there's nothing you can do?" "You do what you can," Granddad says.
") have been banned from airing in the U.S. due to threatened litigation from BET. However, a Cartoon Network
representative stated that BET had not contacted Cartoon Network regarding the episodes. This, however, does not negate the possibility that Viacom
, BET's parent company (also the owners of Cartoon Network rival Nickelodeon
and Adult Swim
& TBS
rival Comedy Central
), may have threatened litigation against Sony. Sony Pictures Television
, which produces the series, has not issued a statement on the matter. The episodes are said to specifically attack Reggie Hudlin
, BET's President of Entertainment, and Debra L. Lee
, President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Holdings (parent company of BET.) 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."
Ironically, Hudlin retains an executive producer credit on The Boondocks, though this is only a contractual obligation; Hudlin has not had any involvement with the show since the first pilot was rejected by Fox. During the episode, the character Deborah Leevil relates the mission of BET within The Boondocks universe, stating:
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."
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
animated television series The Boondocks
The Boondocks (TV series)
The Boondocks is an American animated series created by Aaron McGruder on Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim, based on McGruder's comic strip of the same name...
. It was set to premiere on January 7, 2008, between "The Story of Thugnificent
The Story of Thugnificent
"The Story of Thugnificent" is the fifth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks and the twentieth episode overall...
" and "Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch
Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch
"Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch" is the sixth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks and the twenty-first episode overall...
", but has not aired in the United States. In Canada the episode was aired on March 16, 2008, on the network Teletoon
Télétoon (Canadian TV channel)
Télétoon is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel that specializes in animation programming. Télétoon is owned by Teletoon Canada Inc; a 50/50 partnership between Astral Media and Corus Entertainment...
, with a disclaimer before the show stating that "the views in this program do not reflect that of Teletoon Canada or its parent companies". The episode also aired globally elsewhere. According to Aaron McGruder on an introduction video for the episode found on the DVD set, this episode was originally set to be called BET Sucks.
Plot
At the headquarters of BETBlack Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
, fictional president Debra Leevil (voice of Debra Wilson Skelton) presides over a board meeting to discuss the network's strategy for destroying black people. The issue of Huey Freeman
Huey Freeman
Huey Freeman is a fictional character of The Boondocks syndicated comic strip written by Aaron McGruder, as well as the main character and recurrent principal narrator of the animated TV series of the same name...
is brought up, as he is shown on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
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
Seppuku
is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai. Part of the samurai bushido honor code, seppuku was either used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies , or as a form of capital punishment...
.
Huey 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
Uncle Ruckus
Uncle Ruckus, also known as Rev. Uncle Ruckus and Rev. Fr. Uncle Ruckus, as well as Uncle Rukus while serving at Robert Freeman's Soul Food restaurant "The Itis" , is a fictional character from the Boondocks comic strip and animated television series The Boondocks...
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 Granddad
Robert Jebediah Freeman
Robert Jebediah "Granddad" Freeman is a fictional character in the animated television show The Boondocks, as well as a regular character in a comic strip of the same name. He lives in the suburb of Woodcrest with his two grandsons, Huey Freeman and Riley Freeman...
, "What do you do when you can't do anything, but there's nothing you can do?" "You do what you can," Granddad says.
Airing and BET
There are widespread rumors that this show and a second episode ("The Uncle Ruckus Reality ShowThe Uncle Ruckus Reality Show
"The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show" is a second season episode of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks. It has not aired in the United States...
") have been banned from airing in the U.S. due to threatened litigation from BET. However, a Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
representative stated that BET had not contacted Cartoon Network regarding the episodes. This, however, does not negate the possibility that Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
, BET's parent company (also the owners of Cartoon Network rival Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
and Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
& TBS
TBS (TV channel)
TBS , stylized in the logo as tbs, is an American cable television channel owned by Time Warner that shows a variety of programming, with a focus on comedy. TBS was originally known as WTCG, a UHF terrestrial television station that broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia, during the late 1970s...
rival Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
), may have threatened litigation against Sony. Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television, Inc. is an American and global television production/distribution subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. In turn, the latter is part of the Japanese conglomerate Sony.-Background:...
, which produces the series, has not issued a statement on the matter. The episodes are said to specifically attack Reggie Hudlin
Reginald Hudlin
Reginald Alan Hudlin is an American writer and film director.-Biography:Hudlin is the son of Helen , a teacher, and Warrington W. Hudlin, Sr., an insurance executive and teacher...
, BET's President of Entertainment, and Debra L. Lee
Debra L. Lee
Debra L. Lee, Esq. is an American businesswoman. Currently, she is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Holdings, Inc., the parent company for Black Entertainment Television. She is the mother of two children and is affiliated with the Democratic Party...
, President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Holdings (parent company of BET.) Lee is portrayed as Deborah Leevil, a parody of the character Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil is a fictional character, played by Mike Myers in the Austin Powers film series. He is the antagonist of the movies, and Austin Powers' nemesis. He is a parody of James Bond villains, primarily Donald Pleasence's Ernst Stavro Blofeld . Dr...
from the Austin Powers
Austin Powers (film series)
The Austin Powers series is a series of action-comedy films written by and starring Mike Myers as the title character, directed by Jay Roach and distributed by New Line Cinema...
movies, and Hudlin is portrayed as Wedgie Rudlin, a "culturally insensitive buffoon coasting on his Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
education."
Ironically, Hudlin retains an executive producer credit on The Boondocks, though this is only a contractual obligation; Hudlin has not had any involvement with the show since the first pilot was rejected by Fox. During the episode, the character Deborah Leevil relates the mission of BET within The Boondocks universe, stating:
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."