Black Jesus: Smokin', Drinkin', and Chillin'

August 11, 2014 5:33 AM - Season 1, Episode 1

Aaron McGruder (The Boondocks) and Mike Clattenburg (Trailer Park Boys) team up to explore what would happen if Jesus was back and living in Compton, CA.

Down on their luck, Black Jesus and his followers attempt a drug deal to raise some funds.

The episode can be watched here if your cable provider is supported.

posted by Anonymous (10 comments total)

As a culture jamming one-shot it was pretty funny. Who would think to remix Cheech & Chong with the New Testament? Except maybe Cheech & Chong; did they ever do a bit like this? I wouldn't be surprised. But I can only hear 2 or 3 notes in the comedy so far. It'll need more than that to stay in my BT feed. Time will tell.
posted by scalefree at 6:38 AM on August 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

I don't know where Aaron McGruder is going. He did a bunch of things I thought were really well done with the early Boondocks work, and then somewhere along the line with all the pressure to create new strips, the fallouts with publishers and comedy central and whatever else has been going on in his life, he's been a part of nonsense like this. I don't need it. I don't need more stereotypical nonsense to fight my way out of. It would be like if after Nation of Millions, Flav did all the rapping. It's like, whatever happened to that insightful guy that seemed to get it?
posted by cashman at 8:46 AM on August 11, 2014

Huh. I thought it was gently hilarious, especially that they were clear that he performs miracles, he's not a con-man doing tricks. They had a bunch of little theological/biblical references that were delightful. Not quite the presentation of Christ and probably blasphemous in that sense, but the spirit of love and grace came through. It was a lot kinder than I expected.
posted by viggorlijah at 11:06 AM on August 11, 2014

I didn't like it and I was thoroughly bored. But I also hate Boondocks so I didn't expect otherwise.

Plus that whole thing where he can't get you food or money but he has love and grace and all that nonsense, instead. Yesssss. Because that has worked out so well for the all deeply religious poor people in the world.

(But the Trailer Park Boys is an awesome, entertaining series. Go watch that instead.)
posted by Ik ben afgesneden at 6:49 PM on August 11, 2014

I'm with scalefree: it was pretty funny, but fairly limited, and I'm unsure how it will hold up.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:35 PM on August 11, 2014

Caught part of it again. I know what it reminds me of now: it's like those sketches on 90s hip hop records. Like one of the better ones, but still.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:24 PM on August 12, 2014

cashman: “It's like, whatever happened to that insightful guy that seemed to get it?”

I agree with this. There were some kinda funny moments, but I don't see what the point is.
posted by ob1quixote at 1:30 PM on August 16, 2014

Yeah, after two episodes, I'm a solid "meh" on this. So far, nothing groundbreaking to elevate it from it's mildly amusing premise (Jesus is back, he's black, and he talks a good game, but he's a mooch).
posted by filthy light thief at 7:54 PM on August 18, 2014

I just got around to watching this, and I think it is different than that. It seems like it is an actual biblical retelling. All the poor, the weak and the destitute believe in him, while the people in power (the police, Charlie Murphy) take him for granted. Sure, he takes some liberties with his followers/homies, but they are all still better off for believing in him.

Also, and the whole reason I am writing this comment, yid-nac? Can I assume the meaning is Yiddish cognac? That's funny to me. Plus, the marble gun is made with a telephone receiver. If you don't think that is funny, then you are no friend of mine. But, I still love you. By default.
posted by Literaryhero at 6:36 AM on October 4, 2014

Oh, but the whole "I'm not resisting, I surrender!" bit might have been funny in August, but I am pretty sure no one would find it funny now. Actually even then it would have been a little too true to actually be humorous.
posted by Literaryhero at 7:16 AM on October 4, 2014