Nickelodeon removes children’s TV show Made by Maddie following backlash for ‘plagarizing’ Hair Love

Nickelodeon will remove its animated series Made by Maddie following outrage that the children’s show was plagarizing the Oscar-winning animated short Hair Love.

Matthew A. Cherry’s Hair Love is about a black father attempting to style in his daughter’s hair that released last August and won an Oscar in February.

Nickelodeon says it is pulling the show that was announced September 1 and was supposed to air September 13, claiming it’s not a rip off of Hair Love and was acquired several years ago. 

The two have similar illustrations of a black family with a young daughter and pet cat. In both series, the fathers have long hair hair, the mothers sport natural curls, and the little girls wear pink bows or headbands. 

‘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,’ a Nickelodeon spokesperson said to Variety Friday.

‘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,’ the statement added.

Nickelodeon paid its respects to Hair Love in announcing the axed show for the moment.

‘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,’ the spokesperson said.

Silvergate says it began developing the show in 2015, well before Hair Love’s Kickstarter launched in July 2017. 

Made by Maddie was a program geared toward pre-schoolers and tells the story of eight-year-old Maddie around New York City ‘as she uses her imagination and design ingenuity to turn every problem into a positive with the perfect fashion fix.

Made by Maddie was created by Paula Rosenthal. 

Social media users slammed Made by Maddie after Nickelodeon released a teaser at the start of the month and people accused the network of plagarism. 

‘This series idea is so cute and I know it will make a lot of little girls happy… but this is still plagiarism…? Like, why not just hire black creatives like @MatthewACherry…?’ one Twitter user said.

‘PLEASE tell me you’re going to do something about this. I legitimately thought Hair Love was getting an animated series. That alone should tell you enough,’ another added. 

Some Twitter users shared photos from Made by Maddie side by side with Hair Love stills showing the eyebrow-raising similarities. 

Hair Love creator Cherry also shared a tweet with a confused emoji. 

Replying to one Twitter user he said they did have a animated series in the works. 

‘We are getting a series and this wasn’t it,’ Cherry said. 

HBO Max had ordered its own 12-episode animated series based off of Cherry’s characters called Young Love, the Hollywood Reporter said in July. 

‘Instead of hiring black creatives nickelodeon has a white woman steal Hair Love as if we wouldn’t f***ing notice? I appreciate the representation in the cartoon Made By Maddie but stop letting white people be in charge of black stories please,’ one Twitter user slammed.

‘@NickJr We don’t support plagiarism. YOU DIDN’T DREAM THIS OR DRAW IT.  #BlackCreatorsMatter You thought you were going to steal from #MatthewCherry right in our faces & we weren’t going to say anything??! #NickJr there’s nothing new abt stealing Black labor to turn a profit,’ another added.