This summer, Disney TV Animation released its latest series, Primos. The show was intended to be a piece of Mexican representation in animation, yet virtually everyone has derided it since its original announcement for its apparently poor representation. This led to a series of massive delays before it would finally see the light of day.
However, the show finally aired, and the reception was warmer than expected. Despite this surprising turn of events, the show’s reputation remains turbulent, as Disney did its best to listen to feedback before airing. Here is a breakdown of how Primos became one of the most divisive cartoons in recent memory.
Primos: A New Series
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Primos is the latest entry in Disney TV Animation’s pantheon of animated series. Natasha Kline, a veteran of South Park and fellow Disney series Big City Greens, directed the production. Primos (Spanish for cousins) stars Mexican-American tween Tater during what was supposed to be the best summer ever. Unfortunately for her, twelve cousins come to stay with her, creating drama and comedy as the two cultures clash. Similar to Nickelodeon’s The Loud House, each cousin had a gimmick or defining personality trait, such as Lotlot being into the macabre or Lita being a rock star.
Kline created the show to retell her own experiences as a Mexican-American growing up with her extended family. While animation is usually reserved for exaggerated adventures and the fantastical, seeing it used for such a grounded slice-of-life story is a breath of fresh air in the current meta. Additionally, as a Disney alumnus herself, she has the experience needed to lead a show such as this. Despite the evident passion behind the series, the first impressions from the internet wouldn’t be as kind to it.
The Controversies and Delays
Despite the confidence placed in the series as a piece of representation, the first look was immediately faced with a wave of backlash. Many viewers, especially Hispanic audiences, called it stereotyped and insensitive. Examples include naming the town “Terremoto Heights” (earthquakes are a severe issue in Mexico), using offensive slang for the name of a child character, using the “warm filter” to signify it was a Hispanic setting, and other assorted stereotypes littered throughout the series. A controversial video from Tater’s VA chastising the critics didn’t help matters.
While representation will always be important in children’s media, doing it right is equally necessary. Undoubtedly, the most infamous element was the theme song’s lyric “Oye Primos.” This was problematic as the correct wording was “Oigan Primos.” Given the show’s billing as a piece of Mexican representation, many found this especially insulting. Interestingly, Kline herself said this was intentional, as English was not Tater’s first language. However, given its context, it can send the wrong message to some.
The sudden, swift backlash to the intro caused the show to be delayed several times. The show immediately went completely dark as fans were given almost no news for a whole year. At one point, the pilot was announced to air after the film Big City Greens: Spacecation in June. However, it was quietly removed from the schedule before it could happen. Many were even left wondering if the show would simply vanish entirely without seeing the light of day or even be reduced to a tax write-off.
The Reception to Disney’s Shows
Eventually, Disney released the first episodes of the series in July. Before the official release, Disney worked hard to change several elements, such as renaming the city “Hacienda Hills.” Despite the waves of criticism towards the show, the reception towards the first few episodes was surprisingly positive. Many critics praised the show for its heartfelt moments and strong themes of familial relations. Others also considered the show a solid piece of representation through its cultural themes and accurate details.
Additionally, the animation has the polish expected from Disney, with gorgeous backgrounds. As stated above, this was a very personal series to its creator. Ironically, the surprisingly positive reception to the show mirrors the show’s themes and the main protagonist slowly getting used to her arriving family. Sadly, the damage was already done with the series’ original controversy.
Given its unceremonious release, its ultimate cancellation is not out of the question. As shown by Disney’s treatment of even beloved shows such as The Owl House, this is a dire possibility. Ultimately, Primos serves as a strong example of the necessity of diversity in media, along with just how important first impressions are. At the very least, animation fans can know there are many other great cartoons with strong Hispanic representation, such as El Tigre, Victor & Valentino, and Casagrandes.
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