Pause (Boondocks)
Encyclopedia
"Pause" is the eighth episode of the third season of the Adult Swim
original series The Boondocks
. It aired on June 20, 2010. The title refers to a blue collar
African-American cultural practice used by some self-identifying heterosexual speakers to remove any ambiguity
after making a double entendre
that may be possibly misinterpreted as a claim or implication of homosexual orientation. The phrase "no homo
" may also be used instead of or in addition to "pause".
plans to audition for the leading male role in Ma Dukes Finds Herself a Man, the latest play by Winston Jerome. Jermone is a superstar African-American playwright, director, and actor whose work, as Huey
later describes, is formulaic, Christian-themed, and mostly centers around an outrageous gun-blasting matriarch named "Ma Dukes" (played by Winston himself, in drag). As a former struggling actor in his youth, Robert is excited at the opportunity, and declares his intent to give Winston "everything I've got"; Riley
advises him that he has to say "no homo" in addendum because, to Riley, "everything I've got" sounds suspect
.
Robert eventually passes the audition and meets Winston himself, who is revealed to be a devout, closeted
evangelical Christian who claims Jesus Himself personally inspired him to write. Winston offers him the part of Ma Dukes' love interest and invites him to his compound and inner circle, on condition that he accept Jesus as his savior and renounce Ice Cube
and all of his work. At the compound, Winston makes a grand entrance, descending on a golden elevator while singing "It's All Right to Cross-Dress for Christ"; from there, Robert quickly realizes Winston leads a cult-like organization
, forbidding the compound residents from contacting their family.
Forced to abandon his family, Robert suffers through grueling rehearsals and evades frequent advances by Winston, whom later reveals that Robert has to kiss him in the play's final act. Despite this, Robert remains hopeful that the play will payoff with fame, riches, and "white women". Huey and Riley eventually attempt to rescue Robert from Winston's cult, but are unable to persuade Robert to leave even though it means kissing Winston on stage; Robert uses a metaphor of contestants on the reality TV show Fear Factor
"eating monkey testicles" for a large prize to make his point.
Two weeks later, the play premieres to a packed house, with Huey and Riley attending. Following the performance, Robert expects to be showered with adulation from attractive women, but to his chagrin finds that Winston Jerome's female fans are obese middle-aged housewives. Winston later offers Robert the lead in the film version of Ma Dukes Finds Herself a Man, but flatly demands sexual favors in return. Finally fed up, Robert angrily leaves Winston's dressing room and returns home with Huey and Riley (though not without enduring more "no homo" taunts from Riley, who videotaped the play).
. Jerome's character Ma Dukes (whom he portrays by crossdressing) and the play at the beginning are parodies of Tyler Perry's character Mabel Simmons—known as Madea—and his plays and films.
Jerome asks Robert to renounce Ice Cube
"and his work", singling out the 1995 film Friday
. This is a reference to Robert's voice actor John Witherspoon
, one of whose most successful roles was in Friday and its sequels.
It should also be noted that the scene in which Robert enters the compound and sees Winston Jerome in skimpy leather clothing is an allusion to The Rocky Horror Picture Show
.
.
Leonard Pierce of The A.V. Club
graded the episode a B+, writing that although the episode felt at times "directionless" it nonetheless featured "a bunch of good laugh lines, a dynamite ending, and an increased role for some characters that have been neglected of late".
LGBT
-interest website AfterElton.com contributor "snicks" reviewed the episode, finding that while it started strong it "goes off the rails in the final act" with the jokes becoming more predictable and less funny. snicks singles out the exchange in which Riley explains the use of "pause" and "no homo" to Granddad as "perfectly sum[ming] up the absurdity of the usage of "no homo," especially among insecure straight athletes and hip-hop stars, who Riley emulates". That sequence, along with the Rocky Horror Picture Show parodies and the episode's creators' willingness to skewer Tyler Perry as a "pandering closet case...are as biting and funny as anything seen on South Park
. In fact, this episode is very remniscent of that show's "Trapped in the Closet" episode which went after Tom Cruise
."
Tyler Perry was infuriated by "Pause", contacting Turner Broadcasting executives and threatening to re-evaluate his relationship with the company. When "Pause" aired, Perry had two series broadcast on Turner networks, Tyler Perry's House of Payne
and Meet the Browns
on TBS
.
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
original series The Boondocks
The Boondocks (TV series)
The Boondocks is an American animated series created by Aaron McGruder on Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim, based on McGruder's comic strip of the same name...
. It aired on June 20, 2010. The title refers to a blue collar
Blue-collar worker
A blue-collar worker is a member of the working class who performs manual labor. Blue-collar work may involve skilled or unskilled, manufacturing, mining, construction, mechanical, maintenance, technical installation and many other types of physical work...
African-American cultural practice used by some self-identifying heterosexual speakers to remove any ambiguity
Ambiguity
Ambiguity of words or phrases is the ability to express more than one interpretation. It is distinct from vagueness, which is a statement about the lack of precision contained or available in the information.Context may play a role in resolving ambiguity...
after making a double entendre
Double entendre
A double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
that may be possibly misinterpreted as a claim or implication of homosexual orientation. The phrase "no homo
No homo
The phrase no homo is a slang term. It parenthetically asserts that the speaker of such is not homosexual and is usually used after an utterance that may have given that impression.-History:...
" may also be used instead of or in addition to "pause".
Plot
RobertRobert Jebediah Freeman
Robert Jebediah "Granddad" Freeman is a fictional character in the animated television show The Boondocks, as well as a regular character in a comic strip of the same name. He lives in the suburb of Woodcrest with his two grandsons, Huey Freeman and Riley Freeman...
plans to audition for the leading male role in Ma Dukes Finds Herself a Man, the latest play by Winston Jerome. Jermone is a superstar African-American playwright, director, and actor whose work, as Huey
Huey Freeman
Huey Freeman is a fictional character of The Boondocks syndicated comic strip written by Aaron McGruder, as well as the main character and recurrent principal narrator of the animated TV series of the same name...
later describes, is formulaic, Christian-themed, and mostly centers around an outrageous gun-blasting matriarch named "Ma Dukes" (played by Winston himself, in drag). As a former struggling actor in his youth, Robert is excited at the opportunity, and declares his intent to give Winston "everything I've got"; Riley
Riley Freeman
Riley Freeman is a fictional character from the syndicated comic strip The Boondocks written by Aaron McGruder and its TV series adaptation...
advises him that he has to say "no homo" in addendum because, to Riley, "everything I've got" sounds suspect
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
.
Robert: I gon' really let him have it. Show him my stuff. Give that man everything I got.
Riley: Pause.
Robert: Pause? Pause what?
Riley: You said somethin' gay, so you gotta say "no homo" or else you a homo.
Robert: But what did I say gay?
Riley: You said you was gon' give this dude everything you got. No homo.
Robert: That's not gay. I said I was gon' give the man everything I got.
Riley: Pause, Granddad. If it sound gay, its gay and you gotta say "no homo". How I know you not a homo, Granddad, if you don't say "no homo"?
Robert: I'm not sayin' "no homo".
Riley: Okay, you a homo.
Robert: Stop callin' your granddaddy a homo!
Riley: Then say "no homo"!
Robert: I don't wanna say "no homo"! Imma homo yo' ass, if you don't stop sayin' pause!
Riley: . . . . Pause.
Robert eventually passes the audition and meets Winston himself, who is revealed to be a devout, closeted
Closeted
Closeted and in the closet are metaphors used to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex people who have not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity and aspects thereof, including sexual identity and sexual behavior.-Background:In late 20th...
evangelical Christian who claims Jesus Himself personally inspired him to write. Winston offers him the part of Ma Dukes' love interest and invites him to his compound and inner circle, on condition that he accept Jesus as his savior and renounce Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
and all of his work. At the compound, Winston makes a grand entrance, descending on a golden elevator while singing "It's All Right to Cross-Dress for Christ"; from there, Robert quickly realizes Winston leads a cult-like organization
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
, forbidding the compound residents from contacting their family.
Forced to abandon his family, Robert suffers through grueling rehearsals and evades frequent advances by Winston, whom later reveals that Robert has to kiss him in the play's final act. Despite this, Robert remains hopeful that the play will payoff with fame, riches, and "white women". Huey and Riley eventually attempt to rescue Robert from Winston's cult, but are unable to persuade Robert to leave even though it means kissing Winston on stage; Robert uses a metaphor of contestants on the reality TV show Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
"eating monkey testicles" for a large prize to make his point.
Two weeks later, the play premieres to a packed house, with Huey and Riley attending. Following the performance, Robert expects to be showered with adulation from attractive women, but to his chagrin finds that Winston Jerome's female fans are obese middle-aged housewives. Winston later offers Robert the lead in the film version of Ma Dukes Finds Herself a Man, but flatly demands sexual favors in return. Finally fed up, Robert angrily leaves Winston's dressing room and returns home with Huey and Riley (though not without enduring more "no homo" taunts from Riley, who videotaped the play).
Cultural references
The character Winston Jerome is a parody of playwright and filmmaker Tyler PerryTyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
. Jerome's character Ma Dukes (whom he portrays by crossdressing) and the play at the beginning are parodies of Tyler Perry's character Mabel Simmons—known as Madea—and his plays and films.
Jerome asks Robert to renounce Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
"and his work", singling out the 1995 film Friday
Friday (film)
Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr...
. This is a reference to Robert's voice actor John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon (actor)
John Witherspoon is an American comedian and actor who has had roles in over 28 movies and 20 television shows. Mostly known for the "Friday" series, he has been acting for over three decades and starred in shows such as Hollywood Shuffle , Boomerang...
, one of whose most successful roles was in Friday and its sequels.
It should also be noted that the scene in which Robert enters the compound and sees Winston Jerome in skimpy leather clothing is an allusion to The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the 1975 film adaptation of the British rock musical stageplay, The Rocky Horror Show, written by Richard O'Brien. The film is a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s. Director Jim Sharman collaborated on the...
.
Production
The script for "Pause" was written over a year before it finally aired. In the original script, McGruder made little effort to disguise Perry's identity, using a name very similar to Perry's legal name for the character before, under network instruction, changing it to "Winston Jerome". McGruder had wanted "Pause" to be the season opener but it was moved.Critical reception
Greg Braxton of The Los Angeles Times cited "Pause" as "one of the sharpest public criticisms of [Tyler] Perry" and situated it alongside other critiques of Perry's work from African American filmmakers like Spike LeeSpike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
.
Leonard Pierce of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
graded the episode a B+, writing that although the episode felt at times "directionless" it nonetheless featured "a bunch of good laugh lines, a dynamite ending, and an increased role for some characters that have been neglected of late".
LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
-interest website AfterElton.com contributor "snicks" reviewed the episode, finding that while it started strong it "goes off the rails in the final act" with the jokes becoming more predictable and less funny. snicks singles out the exchange in which Riley explains the use of "pause" and "no homo" to Granddad as "perfectly sum[ming] up the absurdity of the usage of "no homo," especially among insecure straight athletes and hip-hop stars, who Riley emulates". That sequence, along with the Rocky Horror Picture Show parodies and the episode's creators' willingness to skewer Tyler Perry as a "pandering closet case...are as biting and funny as anything seen on South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
. In fact, this episode is very remniscent of that show's "Trapped in the Closet" episode which went after Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
."
Tyler Perry was infuriated by "Pause", contacting Turner Broadcasting executives and threatening to re-evaluate his relationship with the company. When "Pause" aired, Perry had two series broadcast on Turner networks, Tyler Perry's House of Payne
Tyler Perry's House of Payne
Tyler Perry's House of Payne is an American comedy-drama television series created and produced by playwright, director, and producer Tyler Perry. The show revolves around a multi-generational family living under one roof in Atlanta, Georgia led by patriarch Curtis Payne and his wife Ella...
and Meet the Browns
Meet the Browns (TV series)
Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns is an American sitcom created and produced by playwright, director, and producer Tyler Perry. The show revolves around a senior family living under one roof in Decatur, Georgia led by patriarch Mr. Brown and his daughter Cora Simmons. The show premiered on Wednesday,...
on TBS
TBS (TV channel)
TBS , stylized in the logo as tbs, is an American cable television channel owned by Time Warner that shows a variety of programming, with a focus on comedy. TBS was originally known as WTCG, a UHF terrestrial television station that broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia, during the late 1970s...
.