Nickelodeon has been under pressure from social media users to pull down its animated preschool show Made by Maddie which was scheduled to premiere September 13 on Nick Jr. The beef people have with the show is its similarities to another animated family by Mathew A. Cherry, his Oscar-winning Hair Love.
On Friday, the kids’ network announced its decision to remove the show in a statement.
“Made by Maddie is a show we acquired several years ago from Silvergate Media, a renowned production company we have previously worked with on other series,” the network said.
“Since announcing the show’s premiere date this week, we have been listening closely to the commentary, criticism and concern coming from both viewers and members of the creative community.
“In response, and out of respect to all voices in the conversation, we are removing the show from our schedule as we garner further insight into the creative journey of the show. We are grateful to Silvergate Media for all of their work. And we hold Matthew A. Cherry and the wonderful and inspiring Hair Love in the highest regard.”
People took to social media after the teaser for Made by Maddie was released and the comparison between the show and Sony Pictures Animation’s Hair Love is striking.
“In both series, the fathers have shoulder-length hair, the mothers have natural curls, and the little girls wear pink bows or headbands,” Deadline reported.
Hair Love follows an African-American father learning his way around his daughter’s hair while his wife is being treated for cancer in the hospital.
Made by Maddie is created by Paula Rosenthal and produced by Silvergate Media. In the series, 8-year-old Maddie who lives in New York uses her imagination and ‘design ingenuity’ to churn positive results, with the “perfect fashion fix.”
Meanwhile, the producer of Made By Maddie is denying any connection to Hair Love.
“Silvergate Media has been working on the series for the last five years,” Waheed Alli, CEO of Silvergate Media, said in a statement to media outlets, “and throughout the production has taken steps to ensure a diverse production team and an appropriate voice cast lending their expertise and talent.”
