The PJs (1999)
Eddie Murphy's groundbreaking stop-motion animated comedy that took a sharp, satirical look at life in a big-city public housing project.
The PJs - Series Information
- Original Title: The PJs
- First Air Year: 1999
- Last Air Year: 2001
- Created by: Larry Wilmore, Eddie Murphy et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 43
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- First Air Date: January 10, 1999 (United States - TV-14)
- Networks: FOX, The WB
- Production Companies: Imagine Television Studios, Will Vinton Studios, Eddie Murphy Productions, Touchstone Television, Warner Bros. Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
The PJs - Plot
Thurgood Stubbs lives with his wife, Muriel, in the Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs housing project, where he is the superintendent. This animated comedy follows the adventures of the Subbs and their friends, while taking a satirical view of the ups and downs of life in a big-city housing project.
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The PJs - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Larry Wilmore
- Eddie Murphy
- Steve Tompkins
Main Cast
- Eddie Murphy
- Loretta Devine
- Cassi Davis
- Pepe Serna
- Crystal Scales
- Shawn Michael Howard
- Jenifer Lewis
- Michael Paul Chan
- Ja'net DuBois
- Cheryl Francis Harrington
Writers
- Les Firestein
- Saladin K. Patterson
- Bill Freiberger
- Jim Patterson
- Steve Tompkins
Executive Producers
- Eddie Murphy
- Ron Howard
- Steve Tompkins
- Tom Turpin
- Brian Grazer
The PJs - FAQs
Who voices Thurgood Stubbs in The PJs?
Eddie Murphy voices Thurgood Stubbs, the lovably flawed superintendent at the heart of the series. Murphy also co-created the show and served as executive producer, making The PJs very much his passion project from the ground up.
What animation technique does The PJs use?
The PJs was produced using Foamation, a distinctive stop-motion technique developed by Will Vinton Studios. Characters and sets were crafted from foam latex, giving the show a uniquely textured, tactile look that set it apart from traditional cel or computer animation of the era.
Where can you stream The PJs today?
The PJs is currently available to stream for free with ads on Tubi TV. It's one of the easier ways to revisit this cult animated comedy without a subscription, making it accessible to anyone curious about this underappreciated gem from the late 1990s.
Was The PJs controversial when it first aired?
The show sparked debate upon its 1999 debut, with some critics and community advocates arguing it relied on stereotypes about Black urban life. Others, including many fans, praised its sharp satire and affectionate portrayal of public housing residents. The controversy ultimately kept the series in the cultural conversation.
How many seasons and episodes does The PJs have?
The PJs ran for three seasons and 43 episodes in total. Season 1 had 14 episodes, Season 2 expanded to 17, and Season 3 wrapped things up with 12 episodes. The series aired from January 1999 through 2001 across FOX and The WB.
Who created The PJs animated series?
The PJs was co-created by Eddie Murphy, Larry Wilmore, and Steve Tompkins. The trio brought together Murphy's comedic vision, Wilmore's sharp writing sensibility, and Tompkins' television experience to craft a satirical animated world rooted in big-city public housing life.
What network originally aired The PJs?
The PJs premiered on FOX in January 1999, where it aired for its first two seasons. The series then moved to The WB network for its third and final season before concluding in 2001.
What is the content rating for The PJs?
The PJs carries a TV-14 rating, meaning it's intended for viewers aged 14 and older. The show features adult humor, satirical social commentary, and situations that may not be suitable for younger audiences, consistent with its late-evening animated comedy format.
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