Don't call "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder" a reboot. It's a revival, according to South Side native and executive producer Ralph Farquhar. A revival that premiered on Disney+ on February 23.
"The Proud Family" animated series centers on Penny Proud, the eldest child of Oscar and Trudy Proud. Per Farquhar, the Proud series is "an irreverent look at black family life through the eyes of a very current 14-year-old Black girl"—that life includes the twin siblings BeBe and CeCe Proud; Grandmother Suga Mama Proud, who is Oscar's mother; Uncle Bobby Proud; Neighbors and friends. The show ran on Disney Channel from 2001–2005, with "The Proud Family Movie" ending the series' original run.
In "Louder and Prouder," we raise pride with family as puberty has settled among Penny and her friends — growth spurt and all. The Oscars aren't facing all the effects that growing up entails. But Penny is doing her best with the help of her mother and grandmother, and friends Dijonne Jones, Zoey Hauser, LaCinega Boulevardez, and Michael Collins. This season, proud neighbors Maya and Francis "KG" Leibovitz-Jenkins join the fun with their parents, Barry and Randall Leibovitz-Jenkins (voiced by Zachary Quinto and Billy Porter, respectively).
“The big thing we wanted to focus on in this first season was the LGBTQ consciousness that we all have achieved in the coming 20 years since we first premiered,” Farquhar said. "It was very clearly something back then that we weren't encouraged to talk about."
As a result, the Michael character received "a major overhaul and upgrade," he said.
"We voiced it with an authentic voice, EJ Johnson. I've known EJ since he was a kid, so I knew he was this kid, and would bring him to life," Farquhar said. "In the character design, you see how we brought him to life to accept his existence and who he really is and it's not like 'This is a special episode about Mike being gay. Michael is Michael I know EJ, it's interesting to hear him talk about it. He has said that he is bringing up a belief in Michael that he lacked in himself as a child, and that he wants every The kid will have, that's what you're getting with Michael. He keeps it real, he's confident."
Fans of the show can expect to see Penny with a boyfriend named Karim, who is played by Asante Blackk ("This Is Us") and according to Farquhar, he plays the role of the perfect boyfriend of all women. and embodies an impossible standard to live by. People.
“We pride ourselves on having something for everyone,” Farquhar said. “We have references going fast and furious from both ends. We have a Solange reference. The crowd over 35 'What was that about?' going to be like when Penny goes: 'Who is the Prince?' He's real too. So, it goes both ways. KG is voiced by A Boogie Wit da Hoodie (artist Julius Dubos). I defy a parent who knows who that is? I don't know either, but I've got a lot of young writers and actors and directors who know."
It's been over 15 years, but the Proud family is back and it's thanks to the persistence of Farquhar and co-executive producer Bruce Smith for a revival in Hollywood.
"Bruce and I always thought, we should still be in the air," Farquhar said. “It was some of the things that kept us going. When we first did the show, social media was not what it is today. I have done a lot of live action shows which are very popular hit shows but this is where I get a lot of comments from people. To be honest, it was a lot of adults, I'm talking grown-ups with no kids, saying 'I love that show.' The Proud Family occupied the space they made, and it didn't. It told us that there is still room for the show, the show is needed... and no one is providing it. So we kept coming back."