The Trial of R. Kelly
Encyclopedia
"The Trial of R. Kelly" is the second episode of the Adult Swim
animated television series The Boondocks. It originally aired on November 13, 2005.
, Granddad and Riley
watching TV. Granddad switches the channel to The O'Reilly Factor
where Bill O'Reilly
talks about R. Kelly
's latest legal trouble revolving around a tape that he made of himself urinating on a 14 year old girl. Riley asks Granddad if they can go to the city and see the trial. Granddad declines, commenting that Riley's new Nikes cost enough that they can carry him the 40 miles to the courthouse just fine.
On the way to the courthouse, Riley and Huey encounter Tom Dubois (his first appearance in the show). Tom says that he hopes the boys aren't angry that he has to prosecute R. Kelly (Tom is the assistant district attorney). Riley, sporting a "Free R. Kelly" sign, gets into a spirited argument with Tom, bringing up possible reasons why finding R. Kelly guilty would cause more problems. He also brings up the alleged victim's personal responsibility, claiming that her free will (i.e. her decision to let R. Kelly pee on her) shouldn't mean the world missing out on R. Kelly's next album. Riley concludes by threatening to urinate on Tom's cat. Tom is left speechless, to which Huey comments, "You just got beat by an 8 year old..."
At the courthouse, there are two groups of protesters. The first has three people in suits resembling Cornel West
, Tony Brown
, and Dick Gregory
with well-phrased signs protesting the exploitation
of a minor. The second crowd has people grilling on barbecues, listening to R&B and holding crude signs with frequent misspellings demanding that R. Kelly be set free (e.g. "We Luv Yu R Kelly" and "Not Gilltee"). A news reporter asks one of the Kelly supporters (voiced by Crystal Scales
) why she believes he is innocent. The large woman licks barbecue sauce off her fingers and says, "'Cause he good!" The reporter turns to Riley and asks him why he supports R. Kelly. As Riley speaks, Huey yanks his brother off camera, instigating a riot between the R. Kelly protesters and supporters, which is finally ended when R. Kelly shows up in his Hummer limo.
Meanwhile, Granddad is spending the day in the park with Uncle Ruckus
playing checkers. They discuss the trial and its possible ramifications on black culture and society as a whole. Ruckus takes this opportunity to expand on his theory of white supremacy
. He mentions the Kobe Bryant
trial, and how white women are irresistible. He talks about this so intensely that he begins sweating.
In the courtroom, Tom Dubois presents his case — a well documented case backed up by a video tape of the act, testimony by the victim, and DNA evidence for good measure. R. Kelly's lawyer (played by Adam West
) presents a different view: All of that evidence is really "racism".
This argument, though preposterous, seems to appeal to the crowd and the jury. R. Kelly's lawyer continues to play the race card
every chance he gets. He points out that though R. Kelly may have urinated on a minor, the victim was black, which indicates that R. Kelly is sexually attracted to black women. Tom objects to this argument. Kelly's lawyer replies "Your honor, I'm trying to establish to the court that my client is a proud black man who loves his black sistas. Unlike District Attorney Dubois... who's married... to a WHITE WOMAN!"
Tom tries again and again to appeal to the common sense of the jury, but fails. Recognizing the hopelessness of the situation (he's lost favor with the crowd, the jury, and the judge), he begrudgingly rests his case, defeated. R. Kelly's lawyer stands up and says that there is nothing left to say, so he starts playing some R&B music. R. Kelly leaps on a table and starts singing and the whole crowd dances...all except for Huey and the Dubois family.
Huey switches off the boom box and angrily addresses the crowd. Despite Huey's impassioned plea for sanity, Riley quickly breaks the moods by booing and decrying Huey's arguments. The music is turned back on and R. Kelly is set free. Seeing Tom in full defeat, his wife Sara lovingly teases him about losing the case from messing around with white women. Huey does the only thing he thinks he can do in this situation on the ride home...He blames white people.
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. It originally aired on November 13, 2005.
Plot
The episode opens with HueyHuey 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...
, Granddad and Riley
Riley Freeman
Riley Freeman is a fictional character from the syndicated comic strip The Boondocks written by Aaron McGruder and its TV series adaptation...
watching TV. Granddad switches the channel to The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor, originally titled The O'Reilly Report from 1996 to 1998 and often called The Factor, is an American talk show on the Fox News Channel hosted by commentator Bill O'Reilly, who often discusses current controversial political issues with guests.The program was the most watched...
where Bill O'Reilly
Bill O'Reilly (commentator)
William James "Bill" O'Reilly, Jr. is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator. He is the host of the political commentary program The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, which is the most watched cable news television program on American television...
talks about R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
's latest legal trouble revolving around a tape that he made of himself urinating on a 14 year old girl. Riley asks Granddad if they can go to the city and see the trial. Granddad declines, commenting that Riley's new Nikes cost enough that they can carry him the 40 miles to the courthouse just fine.
On the way to the courthouse, Riley and Huey encounter Tom Dubois (his first appearance in the show). Tom says that he hopes the boys aren't angry that he has to prosecute R. Kelly (Tom is the assistant district attorney). Riley, sporting a "Free R. Kelly" sign, gets into a spirited argument with Tom, bringing up possible reasons why finding R. Kelly guilty would cause more problems. He also brings up the alleged victim's personal responsibility, claiming that her free will (i.e. her decision to let R. Kelly pee on her) shouldn't mean the world missing out on R. Kelly's next album. Riley concludes by threatening to urinate on Tom's cat. Tom is left speechless, to which Huey comments, "You just got beat by an 8 year old..."
At the courthouse, there are two groups of protesters. The first has three people in suits resembling Cornel West
Cornel West
Cornel Ronald West is an American philosopher, author, critic, actor, civil rights activist and prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America....
, Tony Brown
Tony Brown
Tony Brown may refer to:*Tony Brown , known as Tony Brown, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man*Tony Brown , Australian rules footballer...
, and Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory
Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory is an American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur....
with well-phrased signs protesting the exploitation
Exploitation
This article discusses the term exploitation in the meaning of using something in an unjust or cruel manner.- As unjust benefit :In political economy, economics, and sociology, exploitation involves a persistent social relationship in which certain persons are being mistreated or unfairly used for...
of a minor. The second crowd has people grilling on barbecues, listening to R&B and holding crude signs with frequent misspellings demanding that R. Kelly be set free (e.g. "We Luv Yu R Kelly" and "Not Gilltee"). A news reporter asks one of the Kelly supporters (voiced by Crystal Scales
Crystal Scales
Crystal Scales is an Actress, Singer, and Rapper. She voices the character Liberty "Libby" Danielle Folfax on the television show The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and lent her voice to the André 3000 Cartoon Network series Class of 3000 as Tamika Jones.-Filmography:*Scooby-Doo!...
) why she believes he is innocent. The large woman licks barbecue sauce off her fingers and says, "'Cause he good!" The reporter turns to Riley and asks him why he supports R. Kelly. As Riley speaks, Huey yanks his brother off camera, instigating a riot between the R. Kelly protesters and supporters, which is finally ended when R. Kelly shows up in his Hummer limo.
Meanwhile, Granddad is spending the day in the park with 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...
playing checkers. They discuss the trial and its possible ramifications on black culture and society as a whole. Ruckus takes this opportunity to expand on his theory of white supremacy
White supremacy
White supremacy is the belief, and promotion of the belief, that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds. The term is sometimes used specifically to describe a political ideology that advocates the social and political dominance by whites.White supremacy, as with racial...
. He mentions the Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
trial, and how white women are irresistible. He talks about this so intensely that he begins sweating.
In the courtroom, Tom Dubois presents his case — a well documented case backed up by a video tape of the act, testimony by the victim, and DNA evidence for good measure. R. Kelly's lawyer (played by Adam West
Adam West
William West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name...
) presents a different view: All of that evidence is really "racism".
Race card
Playing the race card is an idiomatic phrase that refers to exploitation of either racist or anti-racist attitudes to gain a personal advantage, typically by falsely accusing others of racism against oneself.-Usage:...
every chance he gets. He points out that though R. Kelly may have urinated on a minor, the victim was black, which indicates that R. Kelly is sexually attracted to black women. Tom objects to this argument. Kelly's lawyer replies "Your honor, I'm trying to establish to the court that my client is a proud black man who loves his black sistas. Unlike District Attorney Dubois... who's married... to a WHITE WOMAN!"
Tom tries again and again to appeal to the common sense of the jury, but fails. Recognizing the hopelessness of the situation (he's lost favor with the crowd, the jury, and the judge), he begrudgingly rests his case, defeated. R. Kelly's lawyer stands up and says that there is nothing left to say, so he starts playing some R&B music. R. Kelly leaps on a table and starts singing and the whole crowd dances...all except for Huey and the Dubois family.
Huey switches off the boom box and angrily addresses the crowd. Despite Huey's impassioned plea for sanity, Riley quickly breaks the moods by booing and decrying Huey's arguments. The music is turned back on and R. Kelly is set free. Seeing Tom in full defeat, his wife Sara lovingly teases him about losing the case from messing around with white women. Huey does the only thing he thinks he can do in this situation on the ride home...He blames white people.