The Proud Family (2001–2005) User Reviews

Very Different Feel From Episode to Episode

[JayWolfgramm · 6/10 · 19 February 2023]

When people think back to this show, most remember it as a down to Earth slice of life family show. The show would be more comparable to "Hey Arnold" with everyday issues as opposed to "Kim Possible" having to save the world. And for the most part, this show could fall into that category. There would be issues like: throwing a party and not wanting your parents to find out, overcharging your credit card or wanting more allowance.

But then there would be these out of nowhere plot threads that nobody would mention ever again. Like, remember that Penny Proud has a physic link with a tiger? I guess because Kayla Pratt is in Dr. Dolittle her powers just transfer over to this show. Speaking of powers there is an episode where she gets superpowers from eating some Halloween proud snacks. There is also Al Roker who once made all the parents of the world disappear or the talking baby that antagonizes Oscar. This show got really weird.

OK, the story lines would sometimes be all over the place, but how was the quality? Likewise, all over the place. From the animation, the voice acting the characters everything varied depending on what episode you were on. The show did its best when it was focusing on more small-scale problems with some extra twist.

I do remember enjoying the show when it was on. But now it's available on streaming, I don't recommend a binge watch, just cherry pick some of the better episodes.

Get a grip, people. It's not THAT bad!

[Damonfordham · 7/10 · 4 February 2009]

My nieces and nephews enjoy this, and having grown up on Fat Albert, Bullwinkle, Hoppity Hooper, etc. myself, I think it's kind of amusing.

Admittedly, Penny (the usually appealing Kyla Pratt) can be annoying at times (with her constant shrieking of "DADDY") and the father (Tommy Davidson) is just a bit TOO stupid. And the show tries a bit too hard to be clever and slap happy (a nerdy character is named "Myron Lewisnsky" and a bratty Latina is named "LaCiegnica Boulevardz" after a street in Los Angeles. Uncle Bobby (Cedric the Entertainer) is cursed with a horrible voice that poorly imitates Larry Blackman of Cameo fame (AAAooow!!!). Producer Bruce Smith is no Jay Ward or Matt Groening (of Bullwinkle and Simpsons fame to non-hardcore cartoon fans). Not everyone can do this kind of comedy well. This show's mix between kid and adult humor sometimes goes off of the mark.

With that said, the show is pretty funny when you don't take it too seriously. Stereotypes? Please, given the choice I would rather the kiddies watch this than anything on BET (Booty Entertainment Television). I have yet to see gang banging, dope dealing, prostitution, or gross sexuality or profanity here. As foolish as this family and group of friends can get at times, it's clear that deep down, they have a fondness for each other and every now and then you get a good belly laugh.

All cartoons do not necessarily have to be morality plays and filled with life lessons (although the Rosa Parks episode was charming in a way). That's the PARENTS' job. It's OKAY to leave your brains at the door sometimes and just laugh. I think that is what THE PROUD FAMILY is all about.

Not sure who the target audience is here kids of the 00s or 20s

[alexjackson-61016 · 6/10 · 5 April 2022]

The problem with trying to modernize or bring back a series about kids from almost 20 years ago is that kids are just different then when they what they were in that time. They are trying to thread a needle to have the characters be the same as they were in the 2004 and tackle modern issues of 2022. And they. Either they don't behave or act like the kids of those days or or are different. The new characters also fall flat because well 00s kids aren't 22 kids and the new kids feel out of place with these characters from two decades ago. If they wanted to do this right it should have had the girls be parents of young teens themselves. This would have allowed them to he the characters they were and get across the ideas that the writers wanted to do. This just falls flat.

Chill!

[J-Fields2594 · 8/10 · 13 August 2012]

Alright, some of these reviews are irritating me.

Seriously, how is the show racist or stereotypical? Its a regular freaking Disney Show. There is nothing stereotypical about it. Its not like any of you actually know to the tee on how every single race act. What part of Penny's character is ghetto? The use of slang? I am eighteen, and trust me, everyone from every race uses slang. Most of the reviewers would not know that, since most are most likely pass the age of thirty and think of themselves to be "Critics".

Suga Mama and Oscar's characters are made to be "Funny", this is a animated Disney Show. This is not The Cosby's, its not suppose to be realistic, what Disney show(real or fake) is realistic? Even Stevens? No, Lizzie Maguire, No. Thats So Raven, No. And the list goes on, a lot of you all sound ignorant, to be honest. The show is very funny, in my opinion. It even has some morals every once and a while. Though the show is no longer on air, i still believe it is a great show to buy for DVD and show your children. At least give it a try, listening to people who feel the need to judge the show as if it was a Oscar movie or something, won't get you anywhere.

Some OK, Some EH!

[computerfreak652 · 18 July 2003]

The Proud Family is a TV show that ranges a viewers liking for it. One episode may be made extraordinarily while others.. just make you want to turn off your television. Many have had this experience before, and may not know what to do. It's a good show to watch when you have nothing else to do.

The actors and actresses on this show goes just as up and down as a viewers liking for it. Kyla Pratt who plays the main character, Penny Proud, is an okay actress, however, in many of the episodes of The Proud Family, her acting can be very poor. One instance: In an episode she has to cry, it is very fake. Yes, it is hard to fake crying in a cartoon, but at least she could make it a little more convincing. The cry should make a viewer know it's fake, but make it hard to believe.

Another thing.. Dijonay. She is usually the main reason why viewers turn off the television while this show's on. What is up with her? She is not a good friend and doesn't deserve any. She backstabs Penny as well as her other friends, and doesn't lose a day of sleep over it. Her character makes the show worse. If any character had to be dropped from the show, it would be Dijonay.

Rating: 5/10 - Half and half because a viewers interest in this show ranges!

Teach your children stereotypes and call it multiculturalism

[misswoo · 4/10 · 23 May 2006]

Such a shame so many talented people see fit to contribute to racial stereotypes. Brainy Asians, spoiled Hispanics, and Ghetto-talking, rap-loving African Americans and white kids who wanna-be.

Penny Proud would say "check it out, yo!" And if you allow your kids to watch this show in no time they will be imitating the urban jive as well.

Is there anything wrong with this? Yes, when it masks as multiculturalism. Unfortunately, Disney is only interested in stereotypes.

Wouldn't it be nice to see an African American family who are NOT Ghettoized? Anyone remember The Cosby Show? Apparently Disney does not.

BEST SHOW EVER SHOW'S KIDS TO BE THEMSELVES

[Prophetik · 10/10 · 1 July 2018]

I loved this show growing up it was the best, people can say what they want i loved it

Could they have found any more obnoxious stereotypes?

[theeclipse-2 · 1/10 · 17 February 2007]

There are only a few Disney channel shows that I do not allow my kids to watch, and this heads the list of them. Chief among my complaints is that the only member of a household that it's still politically correct to lampoon is the fathers, and BOY does the proud family capitalize on this. The show portrays the husband and father of the house and a imbecilic moron who provides no purpose whatsoever aside from producing a paycheck. The mother, on the other hand, is seen as the driving force behind the household, she's competent and her character's entire shtick is proving how irrelevant her husband is to the household. Aide from this fact, the show is blatantly racist to the point that I can't watch it without being disgusted. Every single obnoxious black stereotype is covered here in perfection. The entertainment industry still seems to not get that the success of the Cosby Show was partly due to that fact that nobody WANTS to see every single television black family as slang-slinging, hip-hop listening, ghettofied bags of what the entertainment industry perceives as 'blackness'.

A Great Show that has flaws

[GravityLoudHouseLover1 · 8/10 · 11 September 2023]

Hello Everybody Today I'm Reviewing a show I grew up with watching on The Disney Channel The Proud Family. I love this show as a kid & even now I still enjoy watching it but it's not a perfect show. The show sometimes has Mean Spirited characters & episodes. I like Oscar Proud but he constantly abuse by his Mother Sugar Mama & I really Hate the episode Twins to Tweens where Penny Wish Bebe & CeCe were older & Al Roker turn them into teenage & Everyone acts out Character & Mean to Penny. Her friends treat her like trash in that episode. Anyway I Like The Proud Family it's part of My Childhood but it's has Flaws & So I give this show as 8/10. Anyway Bye.

One of the Most Awful Kids' Shows I've Ever Seen

[kevin-jauregui07 · 1/10 · 2 September 2008]

If there's anything that "The Proud Family" should be proud of, it's the fact that it's one of the most disgusting and racist children's shows in existence. How this show even got the green light is beyond me. Even for it's target audience, which is supposed to be pre-teens and teenagers, the stereotyping in this show is unbelievable.

Many, if not all, of the African American characters in this show are portrayed as rap lovers who always talk in slang. Some of them, including Penny's father and Dijonay, her best friend, are also incredibly selfish and don't care about others unless their lives depended on it. The whites are portrayed as wannabe gangsters but are generally shut down because of this. Other stereotypes are clear and noticeable (Asian Americans being hard-working, Latin Americans being rich and some only speaking Spanish) to the point where you can't tell if this is a Disney Channel show or not.

Oscar is one of the worst characters ever conceived for a television show. How Trudy can stay married to him is unbelievable when he keeps looking at other women and making his own family look miserable. Like the other men on this show, he is self-centered and weak-willed in front of women. Even his own mother, Suga Mama as everyone calls her, beats him up on a regular basis.

I clearly remember an episode where the children at Penny's school were sent to live in other people's houses, allegedly to learn about other cultures. Penny was sent to live with a devout Muslim family during Ramadan, which let loose some of the worst religious stereotypes I've ever seen on television. Even the title of the episode "Culture Shock" was, ahem, appropriate as it displayed Penny's ignorance about the religion.

To say that "The Proud Family" is a wholesome show for children is a disgrace. The Disney Channel should be ashamed that such a racist and stereotypical show made it on the air.

Not So Bad.. Lighten Up!

[snoops · 14 October 2011]

I cannot believe some of these reviews.. C'mon, it's a CARTOON! I'm sure some of these same people watch "The Simpsons", and consider it a "classic". Not to mention "King of The Hill" and "Family Guy". Is this really any worse? The only difference is this is on Disney, and they are on FOX.

Sure, Oscar Proud is childish, whiny, and immature. So, is Homer Simpson. Even one of my favorites, Fred Flintstone, was not too bright, but we still love him. Just like Wilma was the wiser of the two within the marriage, so is Trudy. As for the white kids, I don't see Zoey bending over backwards to fit in. They accept her for who she is. In regards to the other characters, yes they can be silly and annoying- just like real people. Are any of the kids on this show more pathetic than Bart Simpson?

People still want to go back to "The Cosby Show", the "perfect" example of what every African-American show should be. There have been complaints about it too, how it's "too white", "unrealistic", and two of the children are "too light". It seems every TV show of color is destined to be criticized and torn down beyond belief, more so than their white counterparts.

Very relatable show

[djcarter-926-246180 · 10/10 · 5 March 2019]

Many inner city (black) youth looked forward to watching this show every week. It's funny and relatable.

Some people are correct about the stereotypes on the show. Like how Dijonay is the only dark skinned (and plus size) friend and she just happens to chase a man who doesnt want her. Sugar Mama also chases a man who doesn't want her. Penny and Lacienega are both very sassy and Zoey (the only white girl) is socially awkward.

I do think we need more shows like this because the Prouds were somewhat disfunctional but they still ended the episode with love and respect for each other. No matter what people think about the show, you have to admit that their is a great message behind it. Family and friends always stick together (I know that sounds corny)

The Most Annoying Cartoon on TV!

[the_moody_youngest · 1/10 · 3 September 2006]

I hate this show. It's annoying, arrogant, racist, and totally stupid. The only reason why they kept it on so long is because Bruce W. Smith is arrogant and he thought he was doing a good job. It is unrealistic and has irritating characters!Penny is annoying and a total brat. Dijonay is SUPER annoying and is an idiot. Zoey is dumb and has an annoying voice. I can't stand Trudy for every reason. Oscar annoys me. LaCieniga is a spoiled bratty ho that needs to shut the heck up. An everyone else D-U-M-B!Oh and Suga Mama, UGH! This show shouldn't have stayed on this long because it was EXTREMELY STUPID! I give it a 1/10, I hate it and it Bruce W. Smith needs to get a life!

Can't you laugh a little? Like Damn...

[shayshayjayno · 10/10 · 1 February 2018]

I am a 17 year old black girl from Columbus, Ohio and all I have to say is all of you who are speaking negatively about this show need to take a SERIOUS CHILL PILL. Like seriously. As a kid, I loved the show and the "negative stereotypes that were going to completely ruin the way our youth would interact with one another" haven't affected me one way or another. Honestly, I grew up in an inner-city school meaning I had friends from all different backgrounds. The show didn't at all affect the way we interacted and even looking back now we can reminisce on good memories of watching the show and how funny it was. The characters were obviously overly stereotyped for HUMOR, not to be perfect role models or representatives for different groups people. Laugh a little and stop being so serious and analytical of this show.. Now if you REALLY want a show that should have never been made take a look at Gravity Falls.... *cough cough* illuminati... anti-Christ...evil spirits... Seriously, Open your eyes and Move your neck a little...

One of my least favourite animated shows

[TheLittleSongbird · 1/10 · 29 June 2011]

Before I have the gun pointed at me, I adore animation, some of my favourite films and shows are animated. But there are some animated films and shows I dislike, hate even. The Proud Family is one of my least favourite animated shows, alongside Shaggy and Scooby Doo:Get a Clue!, ChalkZone, Johnny Test and The Cleveland Show.

The animation in my opinion is lacking, the character designs are unappealing, the colours are dull and the backgrounds are static. The music doesn't fare much better, the theme tune is forgettable and the accompanying music is little more than loud and annoying.

The writing is unfunny and forced most of the time, the pacing of the episodes are dull, the episode ideas are clichéd and predictable and the characters are either racial stereotypes, annoying or both. In regards to the annoying characters, I am particularly looking at Dijonay, who I certainly wouldn't want as my friend.

The voice work is largely inconsistent. I agree Kyla Pratt can be okay, but she can be really poor too such as with the crying, which is once too often with The Proud Family. Overalll, I dislike this show and consider it one of my least favourites. 1/10 Bethany Cox

If you don't know our culture, SHUT UP!

[kulykimba · 10/10 · 26 June 2020]

I'm sitting over here absolutely baffled about these ridiculous comments. Something seems to tell me that the majority of these negative comments are coming from individuals who are who know absolutely nothing about black culture and black comedy (you know who I'm talking about). "Those people" will find any reason to ridicule and critique anything black and successful. Every African-American I know absolutely loves this show! Hands-down one of the best Disney cartoons ever. Kudos to Disney for displaying a proud black family that can laugh together, argue and still come together for peaceful resolve while keeping it all wholesome.

It's kinda like the boondocks... but not funny

[chfhrhx · 2/10 · 17 February 2023]

The voice, the character design, the themes, we've all seen them before in an adult cult classic cartoon called the boondocks, only unlike the boondocks this cartoon is serious. It's target demographic isn't adults. But the inflammatory and divisive themes in the cartoon are too serious for children...

This has already set up this cartoon for lots of poor side by sides, and will likely not hit cult classic status as the boondocks did. Laughing is medicine in this world, and it's sad that Disney seemingly has forgotten this. Being too serious all the time is only making people more angry and upset with one another...

Oh well.

"Fat Albert" it's not, but neither is it "Bebe's Kids."

[Victor Field · 31 March 2002]

An original production from the Disney Channel, "The Proud Family" isn't far removed from live-action sitcoms like "Moesha" - in fact, with all the stock characters present and correct (stable mum, slightly silly dad, energetic grandma, bratty youngsters, stuck-up rich girl, clique of friends, etc) and de rigeur plotlines about finding out who your real friends are, staying true to yourself etc., etc., once you take away the cartoon element you're left with a watchable but unsurprising family show.

But Penny, the teenage girl around whom most of the action revolves, is quite appealing (unlike Brandy Norwood); and though it does come with the message baggage it's less oppressive than some - mainly because it's funny enough to make the morals bearable. (And Destiny's Child fans note the terrific trio doing backup on the title song - sung by Beyonce's sister Solange.) It won't change your life, but this is more proof that the Mouse has moved beyond repackaging their old characters.

Favorite childhood show

[francoischristana · 10/10 · 7 August 2021]

As a child, my sister and I would rush home to watch the new episode of the Proud Family. At the time, it was the only black cartoon tv show you seen on Disney channel. There were many entertaining episodes such as LPDZ, poetry competition, Penny getting a credit card, Johnny Lovely, and etc .. I heard they are bringing the cast back can't wait !

I actually love this show :]

[hinata_shygirl · 10/10 · 3 December 2012]

After reading most of the negative comments, I feel like this world isn't the same. Okay, to start off, YES, it does have stereotypes, and YES, I understand why some parents wouldn't want their children to watch this. But when you think about, kids are already watching things they shouldn't even watch. Now, I know that this show has stopped airing on Disney Channel for quite some time, but you can easily find this show on YouTube. This show does have its morals and what not, but you can actually get a good laugh. This show what targeted for pre-teens and teenagers, and as a young teenager, I find this to be one of my favorite shows. Most of the critics and users here don't have that same "inner child" as they did 30 years ago. I feel like this show did it's job. If you don't like it, then don't watch it.

Forgive me if I did not use proper grammar. I am not thinking straight.

Have a good day.

I Love this cartoon!!

[yolandacspeedebuyers · 10/10 · 14 April 2019]

I watch this cartoon grandma is hilarious this is a nice cartoon for the kids to watch......I hope they come up with new ones

Far too trendy and behind-the-times for its own good.

[San Franciscan · 27 May 2003]

The New Disney continues to get more and more calculated with its material by the minute.

Honestly, the only new animated television show they've managed to produce during the past several years that is genuinely good is "House of Mouse". Other than that, the "marketeers" and ridiculous focus groups are getting more and more out of hand. Now to be fair, this is pretty much the case with all of Hollywood and not just the current Disney studio: the current contempt for audiences is producing more pap here in the United States than ever before. I keep hoping that maybe things will eventually turn back around, but the marketers in this country have simply too firm a vice-grip on creators.

But unfortunately, Disney's new animated stuff is also showing just how calculated and out-of-touch the studio really is, as "The Proud Family" is a show which looks, feels and is written like something out of the eighties instead of something current.

Despite its good intentions, there is precious little to be said for this show, which comprises of a ton of wildly cubist limited/abstract designs that were all the rage back during the eighties and were already greviously worn out way back when "Hammerman" and "A Pup Named Scooby Doo" had ripped them off from Bakshi's "Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures", and major major references to trend-following and clothing styles also out of said long-past era, each and every single one of them audience-appeal-programmed to the max. Adding to the problem is the fact that all of the voice acting is wildly overplayed in the "Just The Ten Of Us" mode; only "Sugar Mama" provides any respite. Now and again, the plots will actually begin to write something remarkably tender for a show so determined to be cool, but unfortunately Disney smothers everything with too much political correctness (and by that, I mean a strong "Let's not show TOO MUCH emotion between friends here, otherwise it will be uncool and nerdy!" bias) before you can savour the show's sentiments for very long.

I actually found the TV station's advertising for the show far more entertaining that the show itself. One ad which featured a brief interview with the voice for "Sugar Mama", for example, is a delight and fun to watch all on its own.

All in all, though, "The Proud Family" is about nothing more than the current Disney quest for trend-following, audience-hopes and lots of money money money. Virtually every laugh, every gag, every loud shriek of "Party over HERE!" and jagged design line and abstract character creation and rap music guest seems calculated to induce tweens everywhere to stare in rapture and go, "HOOOO, YEAH!" ...and to spend more money on Proud Family merchandising and videotapes. In other words, "The Proud Family" is "Rainbow Brite" with funky illusions to style and a hip-hop soundtrack.

Og

[seethachymiso · 10/10 · 9 October 2019]

Back in the day this was the jam and where everything else was also very easy. I miss those days.

Should be and Could be Still on Air

[view_and_review · 8/10 · 20 March 2024]

There is no reason "The Proud Family" should not still be on the air. It was funny, creative, and it was a cartoon. Cartoons can go on forever as long as the actors' voices hold up, and they usually do.

The show featured Penny Proud (voiced by Kyla Pratt). She had a motley crew of friends and a father who was always losing. Her father, Oscar Proud (voiced by Tommy Davidson Jr.), was the owner of a company that produced Proud Snacks. I think that was the only thing he did right. He was married to Trudy (voiced by Paula Jai Parker), and his mother, Suga Mama (Jo Marie Payton (known for her role on "Family Matters)), lived with him.

Every character was intriguing and amusing. A show with the framework it had and the established cast of characters it had could've just added to the cast for freshness and kept on going. Even though it's off the air I have my young kids watch it.

I don't get it....

[mpkinney-56365 · 8/10 · 16 January 2020]

...and by "it" I mean the reviews that say this show is racist or bad for children to watch. I watched this show as a kid and loved it, I've re-watched it as an adult and still love it. Are there some character stereotypes played for comedic effect? Sure, it's a cartoon. Fact is, black culture is different than other cultures - and that's not a problem or something that should be minimized; rather, it should be acknowledged and deemed as okay and acceptable. Growing up watching this, I loved being able to watch a show that I could relate to a little bit more than the other cookie cutter shows with all white kids. Some if you are offended by the kids being into rap music? Or using slang? LOL. Give me a break. You are part of the problem and don't even realize it. It really makes me wonder how many of the people leaving these types of reviews are actually black themselves...