The Boondocks originally had an underground following, though, by the end of the series it had a mainstream audience. An audience that comes to enjoy the in-your-face comedy that revolved around real-life issues in the African American community. It was never accidentally controversial but, instead, was disappointed when it wasn't.
It was the series that spoke truth to power and delved into societal issues that other mainstream shows wouldn't even dream of touching. With news of a reboot, fans of the show are grateful that it is finally free, after spending years in television purgatory. Till its return, let's discuss 10 things you probably missed in the original.
10 The Boondocks: Season 3 Series Finale
The Boondocks was a surprising hit for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Few expected it to last past its first season but by the time it reached season 3, the creators thought the show was living off of borrowed time.
The final episode of season 3 "It's Goin' Down" was supposed to be the series finale and it did everything in the episode to go out with a bang, parodying Fox's 24, complete with a government takeover of the neighborhood, as the Jack Bauer character has a final confrontation with Huey. However, soon afterward, Cartoon Network green-lit Season 4.
9 The Boondocks: The R. Kelly Prediction
While The Simpsons has gained fame by predicting uncanny happenings in the future, it doesn't stand alone with eerie, yet, correct predictions. Three years before the actual trial of R. Kelly which took place in 2008, The Boondocks parodied what would happen if he went on trial for his sexual misconduct with minors.
In the series, even when R. Kelly is faced with insurmountable evidence showing he was guilty of the crime, the jury finds him innocent, for no other reason than he a celebrity. Three years after the episode aired, a real-life jury did the same.
8 The Boondocks: Uncle Ruckus Theme Song
Uncle Ruckus, the self-hating, racial epithet throwing neighbor of the Freeman family is by far the most controversial figure in the series, as he constantly denigrates black culture and those who celebrate it. So it isn't surprising that the creators of the show would want him to have the appropriate music to go along with his nasty and repugnant disposition.
When deciding on his theme song, the creators chose a variation of Jabba The Hutt's theme song from Star Wars. Turns out, he couldn't have had a more fitting entrance song.
7 The Boondocks: Celebrities Who Auditioned To Voice Characters
Over its four years run The Boondock's had a considerable number of popular figures to add their voices to the show as guest characters and, also, as show regulars.
Many of these voices, fans might have missed altogether. Characters such as Busta Rhymes, Katt Williams and Samuel L. Jackson all made voice appearances on the series. As interesting as the voice casting was, it should be noted that many other celebrities were not chosen for parts or just had their voice casting cut out completely due to time restraints. Here's looking at you Ja Rule.
6 The Boondocks: Characters Based Off Of Politicians
The Boondocks never shied away from spouting its opinion over social and political issues of the day. Some of these opinions might have been construed as controversial, while some are just hard truths that needed to be said by someone.
The characters Ed Wuncler III and Gin Rummy were actually based off of the real-life political figures George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld. Wuncler's nickname "W" is George W. Bush's nickname, while Rummy's last name resembles that of Rumsfeld. Both were intended to be Easter eggs for fans of the show.
5 The Boondocks: Boondocks' Meaning
While the show The Boondocks isn't shy about stating its agenda. The show's title has a meaning that few fans have probably noticed. The word Boondocks originates from the Tagalog word "bundok" which when translated into English means mountain.
The word's origins when it comes to American culture stems all the way back to the Phillipine-American War, where the word was brought back home, by those serving during the skirmish. Like so many words before it, the word became a slang word that described a rural or suburban area.
4 The Boondocks: Children Voice Actresses
Fans of the series know the Dubois family very well. Tom Dubois, the cowardly, yet, sympathetic lawyer, who was the butt of many of Robert Freeman's jokes was married to Sarah, the repressed white housewife who had a fetish for rappers.
Their daughter, Jazmine was a naive but innocent girl who challenged Huey Freeman's long-held beliefs about peoples' true nature, posing a counterbalance to his normally conspiracy-riddled mentality. The voice of Jazmine comes from Gabby Soliel and later Kiarah Pollas, who, both were 10-years-old when taking on the voice of the young Dubois girl.
3 The Boondocks: Uncle Ruckus Spin-Off
Uncle Ruckus, the racially bigoted neighbor to the Freeman's, who was in self-denial about his racial ethnicity was surprisingly enough a fan favorite on the show. So much so, that the creators sought to do a live-action film or possibly even a spin-off of The Boondocks with him as the main character.
The show's creator, Aaron McGruder started a Kickstarter project, hoping to raise enough funds to give the project credibility. While he raised well over half the funds asked for, the project still came up short and plans on both the movie and spin-off were canned.
2 The Boondocks: Riley and Huey Are Voiced By The Same Actress
The Freeman brothers could not be more different. So it is a bit surprising that both Huey and Riley share the same voice actress. Regina King was brought in to voice Riley but, at the time of her hiring, a voice for Huey had not been decided on.
King agreed to fill the role until another voice actor could be hired but the creators of the show enjoyed her work so much, they offered her the chance to play both brothers. At first, King refused wanting no part in voicing Huey but, she eventually relented, agreeing to the part.
1 The Boondocks: Executive Producer Voiced Thugnificent
Thugnificent was Riley Freeman's idol, a man who perpetuated everything he thought he was destined to be. While Riley's grandfather believed the rapper, who had just moved into the neighborhood, to be the bane of his existence, with his loud parties and bad influence over his grandson.
What many fans might not be aware of is that Thugnificent is voiced not by a rapper but by the show's executive producer, Carl Jones. Jones, also, is the voice of another prominent Boondock's character, The Booty Warrior. While lending his voice talents to the show, he also, produced 35 episodes.
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