September 21, 2001 – The Disney Channel Original Animated Series The Proud Family Premieres
“Stop all that whining, girl! Your name is ‘Proud,’ not ‘Punk!’”
On September 21, 2001, the Disney Channel Original Animated Series The Proud Family premiered. Although the first animated DCOS, it was not animated by Disney Television Animation, but by Jambalaya Studios and Y.R. Studio and distributed by Buena Vista Television. The series garnered good reviews from critics, and won several awards, including an Annie Award in 2004 for Outstanding Character Design in an Animated Television Production. The series ran for 3 seasons with 54 episodes, as well as an animated movie. The series was created by Bruce W. Smith, and the theme song, “Here Comes Penny Proud,” features the talents of Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child. The series starred Kyla Pratt as Penny, Tommy Davidson as Oscar, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay, Orlando Brown as Sticky, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega, and Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey.
The first episode, “Bring it On,” starts with cheerleading tryouts, with Penny’s best friend Dijonay as the captain. There’s only one position open, and the candidates are less than stellar. Penny is the shoe-in for the open part, until Dijonay’s old friend LaCienega tries for the role. She impresses everyone with her gymnastic abilities, and it turns out that LaCienega and Penny are tied for the open spot. Torn between the two, Dijonay decides to have a cheer-off. Back at Penny’s house, her father Oscar spies a moving van across the stree and starts spying on the new neighbors, much to the frustration of his wife Trudy. Oscar’s mother Suga Mama has already met the neighbors and invited them over for dinner, and Penny blanches when she finds that LaCienega is the new neighbor. Trudy tells Penny she should try and get to know her better, but Penny doubts it.
The two families meet, although Penny doesn’t buy LaCienega’s nice act
As the Boulevardes family comes over for dinner, Oscar and Felix bond over big screen televisions, while LaCienega sucks up to Trudy. Trudy buys into LaCienega’s act, and Penny is told to try and be her friend. When Penny tries again at school the next day, LaCienega snaps at her and tells her to shove off. Penny decides to sit with the Gross Sisters, the bullies of the school. When Penny admits that she wishes that LaCienega would go away, the Gross Sisters decide to help Penny out with her wish. Penny arrives home and complains that she won’t make the squad, as Dijonay is picking LaCienega. Suga Mama advises Penny to get a gimmick. Penny’s friend Sticky warns Penny that the Gross Sisters have rigged the stage to become a giant CD, and will cause LaCienega to fly off the stage. Reluctantly, Penny heads over to the school to stop their plan. Unfortunately, Penny accidentally sets off the trap, and pushes LaCienega out of the way, becoming the victim herself. Everyone watches as Penny is sent flying off the stage.
Later, Penny is seen limping onto the field on crutches, and LaCienega refuses to thank her for rescuing her. Dijonay apologizes to Penny after seeing LaCienega’s true colors, and tells her that Penny will always be her best friend. The episode ends with Oscar and Felix being caught by their wives in Felix’s home theater, as they pretended to be on a camping trip to get away from their “nagging wives.”
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