Black Jesus (TV series)
{{Short description|American live-action television sitcom}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Black Jesus title card.png
| genre = Sitcom
| creator = Aaron McGruder
Mike Clattenburg
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Gerald "Slink" Johnson
- Charlie Murphy
- John Witherspoon
- Kali Hawk
- Corey Holcomb
- Andra Fuller
- Andrew Bachelor
- Angela E. Gibbs
- Antwon Tanner
- Valenzia Algarin
- Dominique
}}
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = Jonathan "Jon" Jackson
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 3
| num_episodes = 31
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Aaron McGruder
- Mike Clattenburg {{small|(seasons 1–2)}}
- Rusty Cundieff {{small|(season 3)}}
- Robert Wise
- {{nowrap|Meghann Collins Robertson}}
- Norm Aladjem
- John Bravakis
- Stu Schreiberg {{small|(seasons 1–2)}}
- Keith Crofford{{efn|name="EPWS"|Crofford and Newman are executive producers for Williams Street.}}
- Walter Newman{{efn|name="EPWS"}}
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Mark Costa{{efn|Costa is producer for Williams Street}}
- Debbie Hayn Cass {{small|(seasons 1–2)}}
- Kyle Clark {{small|(season 3)}}
- Slink Johnson{{efn|Slink Johnson is credited as co-producer}}
}}
| cinematography =
| editor = Jean Crupper {{small|(season 3)}}
| runtime = 20 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
- 5 Mutts
- Triage Entertainment
- Mainstay Entertainment {{small|(season 3)}}
- Williams Street
}}
| channel = Adult Swim
| first_aired = {{Start date|2014|08|07}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2019|11|30}}{{cite web |title=Shows A-Z - black jesus on adult swim |url=http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch/black-jesus/ |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=August 27, 2021}}
}}
Black Jesus is an American live-action sitcom created by Aaron McGruder (creator of The Boondocks) and Mike Clattenburg (creator of Trailer Park Boys) that aired on Adult Swim. The series stars Gerald "Slink" Johnson, Charlie Murphy, Corey Holcomb, Kali Hawk, King Bach, Andra Fuller, and John Witherspoon. The series premiered on August 7, 2014. On December 10, 2014, the series was renewed for a second season,{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/adult-swim-renews-black-jesus-755698 |title=Adult Swim Renews 'Black Jesus,' 'Mike Tyson' and 'Mr. Pickles' |first= Michael |last= O'Connell |work= The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 10, 2014 |access-date=December 12, 2014}} which premiered on September 18, 2015.{{cite web |first= B. G. |last= Henne |url=http://www.avclub.com/article/and-third-day-black-jesus-arose-its-season-two-tra-225095 |title=And on the third day, Black Jesus arose with its season two trailer |date=September 9, 2015 |publisher= | work= avclub.com |access-date=September 10, 2015}} Its third and final season premiered on September 21, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/adult-swim-samurai-jack-2016-tv-upfront-1201772156/|title=Adult Swim Revives Samurai Jack As Network Courts Linear, Online Viewers|first=Brian|last=Steinberg|date=May 12, 2016|access-date=March 23, 2018}}
Premise
The scripted live-action comedy features Jesus Christ living in modern-day Compton, California, on a mission to spread love and kindness throughout the neighborhood with his small group of followers.{{cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |title='Boondocks' Creator Brings 'Black Jesus' to Adult Swim (Exclusive) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/boondocks-creator-brings-black-jesus-687190 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 10, 2014 |publisher=Lynne Segall |access-date=May 9, 2014}}
Cast
- Gerald "Slink" Johnson as Jesus Christ
- Charlie Murphy as Victor "Vic" Hargrove (seasons 1–2)
- John Witherspoon as Lloyd Hamilton
- Kali Hawk as Maggie (seasons 1–2)
- Corey Holcomb as Boonie
- Andra Fuller as Fish (seasons 1–2)
- Andrew Bachelor as Trayvon (seasons 1–2)
- Angela E. Gibbs as Ms. Tudi
- Antwon Tanner as Jason (main seasons 1–2; recurring season 3)
- Valenzia Algarin as Dianne (main seasons 1–2; recurring season 3)
- Dominique as Shalinka (recurring seasons 1–2; regular season 3)
- Jamar Malachi Neighbors as Ambro
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
|color1 = #02A0E4
|link1 = #Season 1 (2014)
|episodes1 = 10
|start1 = {{Start date|2014|8|7}}
|end1 = {{end date|2014|10|9}}
|color2 = #FBEC5D
|link2 = #Season 2 (2015)
|episodes2 = 11
|start2 = {{Start date|2015|9|18}}
|end2 = {{end date|2015|11|27}}
|color3 = #61B9D4
|link3 = #Season 3 (2019)
|episodes3 = 10
|start3 = {{Start date|2019|9|21}}
|end3 = {{end date|2019|11|30}}
}}
=Season 1 (2014)=
{{Episode table |background=#02A0E4 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=20 |director=18 |writer=23 |airdate=14 |viewers= 10 |country=US |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Smokin', Drinkin', and Chillin'
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|8|7}}
| ShortSummary = When Jesus and his "homies" fail to buy some marijuana, they decide to grow it in a neighborhood garden.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Fish and the Con Man
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Mike Clattenburg & Aaron McGruder
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|8|14}}
| ShortSummary = Jesus and the crew find their garden but get into trouble with the local Mexican gang, who demands money from them.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = The Shit Heist
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|8|21}}
| ShortSummary = The gang is out of money after paying off the Mexican gangsters, so they steal some manure from a boarding stable.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = I Gave at the Playground
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Mike Clattenburg & Aaron McGruder
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|8|28}}
| ShortSummary = The gang holds a yard sale to help Boonie pay his child support.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Fried Green Tomatoes
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|9|4}}
| ShortSummary = The gang's weed plants fail to grow, but the garden is full of tomatoes.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Love Thy Enemy, Part 1
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Mike Clattenburg & Aaron McGruder
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|9|11}}
| ShortSummary = The crew start producing a green tomato sauce.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = The Other Shoe Drops
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|9|18}}
| ShortSummary = Trayvon discovers someone has been pouring bleach into the garden.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Love Thy Enemy, Part 2
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|9|25}}
| ShortSummary = Vic and Lloyd's work leads to problems at the complex.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Gangsta's Paradise
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|10|2}}
| ShortSummary = The gang stages an online benefit concert.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = WTFWBJD
| DirectedBy =Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|10|9}}
| ShortSummary = While Jesus is on the run from authorities, Fish tries to lead the gang so they can keep the garden. Meanwhile, Lloyd sues Vic.
| LineColor = 02A0E4
}}
}}
=Season 2 (2015)=
{{Episode table |background=#FBEC5D |overall=5 |season=5 |title=20 |director=18 |writer=23 |airdate=14 |viewers= 10 |country=US |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = No Room for Jesus
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|9|18}}
| ShortSummary = Jesus returns from the mental hospital, and is concerned about Fish, who may have taken part in criminal activities.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Jesus Gonna Get His
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|9|25}}
| ShortSummary = The gang fights the corrupt preacher of the Church of Jesus Christ in Compton.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 13
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = False Witness
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|2}}
| ShortSummary = Vic thinks the gang has committed a terrorist act.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 14
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Hands of God
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|9}}
| ShortSummary = Jesus and Ms. Tudi raise money by offering holy foot massages. Tudi thinks Fish's "gift of sexiness" might raise more money.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 15
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Tasty Tudi's
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|16}}
| ShortSummary = Fish obtains a no-limit EBT card from a city employee.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 16
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Taco Sundays
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|23}}
| ShortSummary = The gang sells fish tacos from a food truck. Jesus loses his phone.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 17
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Thy Neighbor's Strife
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|30}}
| ShortSummary = Vic is attracted to Lloyd's wife. Meanwhile, the gang shoots a music video.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 18
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Never Say When
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|11|06}}
| ShortSummary = Lloyd gets a job advertising liquor.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 19
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Janky Cable
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|11|13}}
| ShortSummary = Vic tries to ruin the gang's opportunity to watch the big fight on free cable.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 20
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Good for Nothing
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|11|20}}
| ShortSummary = Lloyd's wife wants a divorce.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 21
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11
| Title = A Very Special Christmas In Compton
| DirectedBy = Mike Clattenburg
| WrittenBy = Aaron McGruder & Mike Clattenburg
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|11|27}}
| ShortSummary = Jesus makes a Christmas wish to no longer be divine.
| LineColor = FBEC5D
}}
}}
=Season 3 (2019)=
{{Episode table |background=#61B9D4 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=20 |director=18 |writer=23 |airdate=14 |airdateR={{cite web |title=Black Jesus – Listings |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/black-jesus/listings/ |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=March 16, 2021}} |viewers=10 |country=US |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 22
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = The Compton Carter
| DirectedBy = Dale Stern
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Aaron McGruder|t= Aaron McGruder and Rusty Cundieff}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|09|21}}
| ShortSummary = Jesus returns from jail to discover his running buddy Boonie has relocated from their old Compton Gardens apartment complex to the "New" Compton Gardens, where Lloyd is building manager.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 23
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Vatican Guys
| DirectedBy = Rusty Cundieff
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Aaron McGruder|t= Aaron McGruder and Rusty Cundieff}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|09|28}}
| ShortSummary = After discovering the leaked video of Jesus performing a miracle, the Vatican sends two secret Vatican agents from Italy to Compton to kidnap "the Black Jesus" and determine if this oversized black guy is really the Son of God.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 24
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Parole Officer
| DirectedBy = Tina Mabry
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Aaron McGruder and Mike Clattenburg|t= Aaron McGruder}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|5}}
| ShortSummary = The parole officer for Jesus, a friendly white dude that just wants to make the world a better place, witnesses proof of Jesus' divinity, has a spiritual upheaval and decides to stop going to work and follow Jesus.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 25
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Operation SHUT'EMDOWN
| DirectedBy = Tina Mabry
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Aaron McGruder and Mike Clattenburg|t= Aaron McGruder and Rusty Cundieff}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|19}}
| ShortSummary = AmBro, the head of security at The New Compton Gardens, has formed a militia to scare off drug dealers in the hood. In a show of force, his troops take over the street for a day, which screws up a drug deal the gang planned for that day.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 26
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Boonie Christ
| DirectedBy = Rusty Cundieff
| WrittenBy = Rusty Cundieff
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|26}}
| ShortSummary = Jesus lets Boonie have the power of Christ so he can see how difficult being the Son of God really is. While Boonie is trying to figure out how to make his new powers work for him, Jesus takes a skip day for himself.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 27
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = The Compton Crusader
| DirectedBy = Luke Matheny
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Aaron McGruder and Mike Clattenburg|t= Aaron McGruder}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|2}}
| ShortSummary = There's a vigilante in Southwest Compton, and he's taken matters into his own hands. Jesus has to stop him before he goes too far.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 28
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Hair Tudi
| DirectedBy = Heath Cullens
| WrittenBy = Alyson Fouse
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|9}}
| ShortSummary = Ms. Tudi miraculously scores a small business loan, and now she can open "Tudi's Wigs, Weaves, and Whatnots". The Korean Bitch Mafia isn't happy the store is on their turf, and that means war.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 29
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Boonie Comes Up
| DirectedBy = Heath Cullens
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Hugh Moore|t= Hugh Moore and Rusty Cundieff}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|16}}
| ShortSummary = Boonie thinks he has been possessed by the soul of a dead gangster and begins acting like a serious badass. That day, Lloyd serves Jesus papers - he's taking him to "Homie's Court" for making him sober, and to settle up for $600.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 30
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = God's Team
| DirectedBy = Luke Matheny
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Robert Eric Wise, Christopher Powell and Chip Hall|t= Christopher Powell and Chip Hall}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|23}}
| ShortSummary = Jesus suddenly finds himself as the coach for the Compton Devils junior high football team. His agenda to spread love and kindness is at odd with winning at all costs, and we see his struggle play out in the big game.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 31
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = The Real Jesus of Compton
| DirectedBy = Dale Stern
| WrittenBy = Rusty Cundieff
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|30}}
| ShortSummary = The gang talks Jesus into starring in a variety show after a sleazy producer promises them fame and fortune. It's a disaster from start to finish, but Jesus is determined to get Pop's good word out as a result.
| LineColor = 61B9D4
}}
}}
International broadcast
The series premiered in Australia on June 8, 2015, on The Comedy Channel,{{cite web |url=http://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Foxtel-Blog/Foxtel-in-June-200-new-shows-including-Orange-Is-The-New-Black/ba-p/74188 |title=Foxtel in June: 200+ new shows including Orange Is The New Black, True Detective, Suits, PLL, Wimbledon and more |date=June 1, 2015 |work=The Green Room |publisher=Foxtel |access-date=June 4, 2015}} and in Canada on April 1, 2019, on Adult Swim.{{cite web|url=https://imissbionix.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/canadian-adult-swim-channel-gets-launch-lineup-app-gets-discontinued/#more-3948|title = Canadian Adult Swim Channel launch lineup revealed, app gets discontinued|date = March 22, 2019}}
Reception
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the first season received an average score of 73, which indicates "generally positive reviews", based on five reviews.{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/black-jesus |title=Black Jesus – Season 1 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=September 7, 2014}} Brian Lowry of Variety gave the series a positive review, saying: "Black Jesus is funny in part because it ventures so eagerly into areas most producers and networks, worn down by years of calls for sponsor boycotts and bad publicity, have simply decided it’s easier to avoid."{{cite web |first= Brian |last= Lowry |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/reviews/tv-review-black-jesus-1201276024/ |title="Black Jesus" TV Review on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim |publisher=Variety |date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=August 15, 2014}} Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times gave the series a positive review, saying: "I'm not saying it's particularly deep, and it is filled with language that cannot be reproduced in this newspaper, but it's good-natured and, compared with a lot of what's on television, the comedy is gentle and hopeful."{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-black-jesus-review-20140806-column.html |title=Review: 'Black Jesus' on Adult Swim has good-natured stoner humor |newspaper=Los Angeles Times | first= Robert| last= Lloyd |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date= July 28, 2023}} Soraya Nadia McDonald of The Washington Post said: "Like his earthly counterparts, Black Jesus doesn’t have a perfect track record, but he gets the big concepts and leads by example. If anything, it seems McGruder is trying to tell his audience that if Jesus is just like us, maybe it’s not so much of a stretch for us to be just like him."{{cite news |last=Nadia |first=Soraya |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/08/black-jesus-may-drink-smoke-and-curse-but-hes-still-messiah-ish/ |title='Black Jesus' may drink, smoke, and curse, but he's still Messiah-ish |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=August 15, 2014}} James Poniewozik of Time stated: "You might expect McGruder, given his Boondocks history, to be out for pointed religious satire, but Black Jesus is really more of a stoner hangout comedy with a heart."{{cite news |author-link=James Poniewozik| first= James |last= Poniewozik |url=https://time.com/3086811/review-black-jesus-adult-swim/ |title=Review of Black Jesus on Adult Swim |magazine=Time|date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=August 15, 2014}}
As the series shows Jesus using several curse words, smoking marijuana, and drinking alcoholic beverages, several pastors called for its removal from broadcasting.{{cite news| url= http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/08/05/black-jesus-stirs-controversy-among-pastors-youth/13643427/| title= 'Black Jesus' stirs controversy among pastors, youth| first= J. D.| last= Gallop | work= Florida Today |date= August 6, 2014 | publisher= | access-date= July 28, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|3589872}}
{{Adult Swim original programming}}
{{Williams Street}}
Category:2014 American television series debuts
Category:2019 American television series endings
Category:2010s American black sitcoms
Category:2010s American satirical television series
Category:Adult Swim original programming
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Religious comedy television series
Category:Portrayals of Jesus on television