The PJs: How a stop-motion sitcom captured life in an urban public housing project
In short: Created by Eddie Murphy, Larry Wilmore, and Steve Tompkins, The PJs was a groundbreaking adult animated series that used laborious stop-motion animation to depict life in the Hilton-Jacobs projects. Despite its high production budget and critical recognition, the show faced a turbulent broadcast history across two different television networks.
Debuting on Fox in January 1999, The PJs was a unique experiment in adult animation. Produced by industry veterans Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, the series was notable for being Disney's first foray into the adult animated genre. The show centered on Thurgood Stubbs, the superintendent of the Hilton-Jacobs projects, whose attempts to manage his community were often thwarted by his own impatience, health issues, and a dilapidated building that seemed to defy repair. The series was defined by its distinct visual style, requiring over two months to produce each of its 43 episodes due to the intricate stop-motion process.
The show's production was as complex as its animation. Eddie Murphy provided the voice for Thurgood, though actor Phil Morris was occasionally hired to record lines in a separate booth when Murphy was unavailable, allowing producers to swap the audio if needed. The supporting cast featured a colorful array of residents, including Muriel Stubbs, the voice of reason, and the cynical senior citizen Mrs. Avery. The series frequently explored the frustrations of navigating underfunded bureaucracy, represented by the faceless HUD receptionist who famously dismissed Thurgood’s requests with a sharp 'Next!'
Despite winning three Emmy Awards and one Annie Award, the series struggled with high production costs and declining ratings. After two seasons on Fox, it moved to The WB in 2000, where it concluded its run in May 2001. While its initial critical reception was mixed—holding a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on eight reviews—it remains a significant artifact of late-90s television. Today, the series is available for streaming on platforms like Peacock, preserving its legacy as a gritty, humorous look at urban life that occasionally crossed over with other animated icons like Futurama and The Simpsons.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The PJs
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