The good news for many “Boondocks” fans came when word of a fourth season was on the horizon. The bad news? Creator Aaron McGruder would not be involved.
While the reasoning behind his departure remains a mystery (after all, he devoted more than 20 years to the comic) McGruder seems to shed light on how he came to the decision. Earlier this week, he took to Facebook to formally bid farewell to his creation and promote his latest series with Adult Swim, “Black Jesus.”
He stated:
“As the world now knows, The Boondocks will be returning for a fourth season, but I will not be returning with it. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Sony and Adult Swim for three great seasons.
I created The Boondocks two decades ago in college, did the daily comic for six years, and was showrunner on the animated series for the first three seasons. The Boondocks pretty much represents my life’s work to this point. Huey, Riley, and Granddad are not just property to me. They are my fictional blood relatives. Nothing is more painful than to leave them behind.
To quote a great white man, ‘Hollywood is a business’. And to quote another great white man, ‘Don’t hold grudges.’
What has never been lost on me is the enormous responsibility that came with The Boondocks – particularly the television show and it’s relatively young audience. It was important to offend, but equally important to offend for the right reasons. For three seasons I personally navigated this show through the minefields of controversy. It was not perfect. And it definitely was not quick. But it was always done with a keen sense of duty, history, culture, and love. Anything less would have been simply unacceptable.
As for me, I’m finally putting a life of controversy and troublemaking behind me with my upcoming Adult Swim show, BLACK JESUS.”
“Black Jesus” is a half-hour, live-action scripted series that will place Jesus in present-day Compton, Calif. where he’s on a mission to spread love and kindness throughout the area with his small group of followers. “Boondocks” actor John Witherspoon is set to star alongside Gerald “Slink” Johnson, Charlie Murphy, Corey Holcomb, Kali Hawk, Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor and Andra Fuller.
The show is slated to premiere this year.