The Boondocks - TV-MA

This cutting-edge cartoon is for adults only.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-MA
  • Network: Cartoon Network
  • Cast: Regina King, Cedric Yarbrough, John Witherspoon
  • Genre: Comedy
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that even though this show is a cartoon, it's meant for adults, hence its place in the Adult Swim lineup on the Cartoon Network. Younger kids will miss the sociological context that is critical to understanding both the humor and the insight in this cutting-edge show. The most potentially eyebrow-raising part of the show is the language. In nearly every episode there are multiple uses of the "N" word.

Families can talk about why this is the only black cartoon on TV other than Little Bill

Message

Social Behavior:

While each episode has a moral, it takes an entire episode of sketchy behavior to get there.

Consumerism:

More promotion of other TV shows than products.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Beer consumption mentioned, and allusions to drug use, but nothing explicit.

Violence

Opening sequence shows the young character pointing a handgun at the screen. Many references to children getting beaten.

Sex

Nothing explicit, but the innuendo is raunchy.

Language

Many uses of the n-word; many bleeped words.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Elisabeth Chaney

The premise of THE BOONDOCKS is that 10-year-old Huey, a self-proclaimed leftist revolutionary, and 8-year-old Riley, an aspiring gangsta, have gone to live with their grandfather, "Granddad," in the suburbs of Chicago. The boys, but more often Granddad, get into sticky situations, but at the end of each episode there's a moral, whether it's that a soul food diet is dangerous, or that it isn't right to lie to people, especially TV executives.

Is it any good?

4
The Boondocks began as a critically acclaimed, award-winning newspaper comic strip and became so popular that it was picked up as a TV show by the Cartoon Network. It's featured in their Adult Swim line-up, as its controversial material is meant for adults only.

It's certainly not meant for everyone, and is definitely not meant for kids, but its edgy humor may appeal to many adults and older teens.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 15 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/13/08 by Castellanos Adult contributor

Hilarious Show, be wary of language

The Boondocks is very, Very funny and has never disappointed me. But while the show is very funny, it's a very adult suggested T.V. show. The boondocks show isn't like the comic strip. While many comic strips are in the show they are laden with drinking to excess, prostitutes (called hoes), pimps, graffiti, street fighting, fear of anal rape, and many more things. There is very strong language, which include a*s, D**n, S**t, b***h, b*****d, p***k, f**k, and the n-word. All characters swear and (with the exception of huey) make unwise decisions (some are very racist, some are very reckless). I cannot really recommend an age for this show, because it all depends on how mature your child is. If you child knows all these swear words, the n-word, and about the subject material, the the show is fine. Make sure that is your kids don't understand all the references, then guide them through the episode and tell them that really no one in the show is that good of a role model (especially not Uncle Rukus)
4


Posted on 05/26/08 by masterman234 Kid contributor, age 10

hmmm good yet expplicit

omg great show its awsome and sooooo funny but the language is extremly explcit and pervasive and sexual diolouge is regular drugs are referenced
4


Posted on 03/28/08 by childsplay176 Kid contributor, age 16

A very funny show...

This show is like an all-black South Park. That said, it's not for children. It has some violence and a LOT of bad language. However, each episode has a moral and that's why I recommend it to older teens.
5


Posted on 03/18/08 by Lumpy Kid contributor, age 13

What its really like being black...(13)

this hits every point of being black in america. i know i have a huey n a riley in my house. let me show the real meaning of this series. riley is a stero typical black kid in a white neighbor hood. hes violent crazy homophobic sexist. but hes real tough loves to make money loves music and likes to be the "man". huey is less sterotypical but the realist of what it is. hes racist brusque fast loves action and loves to get on his soap box all pissy and rant about what he ant gettin. and white supremsy and such... but hes loving to his family loves his brother wants to make a change extremely intelligent to the point that hes a terroist. funny as hell (they both are) and loving thats why we watch.
4


Posted on 01/11/08 by libbylouswho Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 07/28/07 by Robo yankee Adult contributor

its makes fun of hanna montana

5


Posted on 08/31/06 by DreamCatcher68 Kid contributor, age 16

Amazing.

Being a big fan of the comic strip, I love this show, although I think the strip is a teensy bit better. Yes, there's the n-word and some bad behavior, but the anti-racist message that this show sends is a good one. Yes, it makes fun of white people, but it makes fun of black people too, and overall, it's clever and humorous. Being white and growing up in an area with lots of racial discrimination (against whites and blacks) I know exactly what this show talks about. You must be mature and open-minded to watch this. Don't just blow it off because of a little language.
4


Posted on 08/07/06 by moviemogul 2.0; also fomerly moviemogul Kid contributor, age 15

Good adaption, but I still think the comic is better-- and funnier

0


Posted on 06/27/06 by Ed of Shadow Adult contributor

UGLY!

GUN! This show is f'd up. This show is screwed in the head racist. This show was racist to white people. But that Uncle R person should say that because it was like racist in the first few episodes. They use the N word in the cartoon and white gets mad because they cant say it. Oh my god... dont watch this screwed in the head show. The new White did not do anything to the new Black.
5


Posted on 06/04/06 by zaydogg Kid contributor, age 13

all it is language...

...but they're just words, its everyday talk. Oh yeah, most of the bad words are BLEEPED out. The word NI**A is just about every sentence by this kid named Riley (future gangsta 8 yeras old) and Granddad. the social behavior is iffy. huey freeman is way obsessed with government issues.

See all 15 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/13/08 by Castellanos Adult contributor

Hilarious Show, be wary of language

The Boondocks is very, Very funny and has never disappointed me. But while the show is very funny, it's a very adult suggested T.V. show. The boondocks show isn't like the comic strip. While many comic strips are in the show they are laden with drinking to excess, prostitutes (called hoes), pimps, graffiti, street fighting, fear of anal rape, and many more things. There is very strong language, which include a*s, D**n, S**t, b***h, b*****d, p***k, f**k, and the n-word. All characters swear and (with the exception of huey) make unwise decisions (some are very racist, some are very reckless). I cannot really recommend an age for this show, because it all depends on how mature your child is. If you child knows all these swear words, the n-word, and about the subject material, the the show is fine. Make sure that is your kids don't understand all the references, then guide them through the episode and tell them that really no one in the show is that good of a role model (especially not Uncle Rukus)
5


Posted on 07/28/07 by Robo yankee Adult contributor

its makes fun of hanna montana

0


Posted on 06/27/06 by Ed of Shadow Adult contributor

UGLY!

GUN! This show is f'd up. This show is screwed in the head racist. This show was racist to white people. But that Uncle R person should say that because it was like racist in the first few episodes. They use the N word in the cartoon and white gets mad because they cant say it. Oh my god... dont watch this screwed in the head show. The new White did not do anything to the new Black.
5


Posted on 03/14/06 by Hustle and Flow Adult contributor

true to life

The Boondocks is a great show that is meant for older people. Yes you can watch it with your kids and discuss it with them. As issues arise during the show. To make sure they understand, the points that are being made. It will have you laughing and clapping through out the show. It is a wonderful change from the Simpsons.
5


Posted on 02/06/06 by Mhaille Adult contributor

Great starting point for smart political conversations

Definitely complex enough that younger kids will miss the message, but much like the comic strip it's both controversial and very intelligent. Watch with them, and talk about it.
0


Posted on 01/26/06 by xxxn Adult contributor
5

Posted on 01/24/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

for older teens this is a great show

This isn't your "average" cartoon. It's for grownups and it's nice to see this cartoon strip make a neat jump to the TV. If you know boondocks and love boondocks, you will love this show.
See all 7 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 8 reviews.

4


Posted on 05/26/08 by masterman234 Kid contributor, age 10

hmmm good yet expplicit

omg great show its awsome and sooooo funny but the language is extremly explcit and pervasive and sexual diolouge is regular drugs are referenced
4


Posted on 03/28/08 by childsplay176 Kid contributor, age 16

A very funny show...

This show is like an all-black South Park. That said, it's not for children. It has some violence and a LOT of bad language. However, each episode has a moral and that's why I recommend it to older teens.
5


Posted on 03/18/08 by Lumpy Kid contributor, age 13

What its really like being black...(13)

this hits every point of being black in america. i know i have a huey n a riley in my house. let me show the real meaning of this series. riley is a stero typical black kid in a white neighbor hood. hes violent crazy homophobic sexist. but hes real tough loves to make money loves music and likes to be the "man". huey is less sterotypical but the realist of what it is. hes racist brusque fast loves action and loves to get on his soap box all pissy and rant about what he ant gettin. and white supremsy and such... but hes loving to his family loves his brother wants to make a change extremely intelligent to the point that hes a terroist. funny as hell (they both are) and loving thats why we watch.
4


Posted on 01/11/08 by libbylouswho Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 08/31/06 by DreamCatcher68 Kid contributor, age 16

Amazing.

Being a big fan of the comic strip, I love this show, although I think the strip is a teensy bit better. Yes, there's the n-word and some bad behavior, but the anti-racist message that this show sends is a good one. Yes, it makes fun of white people, but it makes fun of black people too, and overall, it's clever and humorous. Being white and growing up in an area with lots of racial discrimination (against whites and blacks) I know exactly what this show talks about. You must be mature and open-minded to watch this. Don't just blow it off because of a little language.
4


Posted on 08/07/06 by moviemogul 2.0; also fomerly moviemogul Kid contributor, age 15

Good adaption, but I still think the comic is better-- and funnier

5


Posted on 06/04/06 by zaydogg Kid contributor, age 13

all it is language...

...but they're just words, its everyday talk. Oh yeah, most of the bad words are BLEEPED out. The word NI**A is just about every sentence by this kid named Riley (future gangsta 8 yeras old) and Granddad. the social behavior is iffy. huey freeman is way obsessed with government issues.
4


Posted on 03/16/06 by linglingrocks218 Kid contributor, age 13

Good show but only for people 15+

This show is very good but is not suitable for people under 15. It does have a lot of language and violence and some sex in it.
See all 8 kids reviews >
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