Adult-animated shows are rising in popularity. Channels like FX, Comedy Central, and even Netflix are releasing new cartoons, mainly comedies. Dramas don't seem to be catching on, with the exception of "BoJack Horseman". So, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite adult-animated comedies, some of which can be considered the building blocks for this increasing trend.
1. "South Park"
Trey Parker and Matt Stone first revealed their crude humor and poorly-drawn children all the way back in 1997. For the first five or so seasons, they wrote episodes based on their own ideas, as opposed to their more current episodes which parody pop culture and politics.
Eric Cartman is possibly the poster child for adult animated comedies - he's fat, disrespectful toward other cultures, makes strange fat-kid sounds, and is an absolutely vulgar human being. He's the epitome of a spoiled American child, with a mother that caters to his every desire. Cartman is just one of the many characters on South Park worth mentioning, and influencing many other shows today, where some of the more important characters are basically pieces of sh*t.
2. "Rick and Morty"
This first aired in 2013 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, a channel known for its abnormal shows. Rick is the mad-scientist-grandfather of the Smith family, Morty being his stupid and nervous grandson. They go on adventures throughout the dimensions, often finding themselves in trouble with the intergalactic law, or unleashing horrible monsters into our world.
"Rick and Morty" manages to intertwine comedy, drama, and miscellaneous disturbing elements into each episode. Another great character is the father of the smith family, Jerry, a failing, awkward husband that's just as dumb as his son.
3. "Archer"
Combining the suaveness of James Bond and the conscience of a pro-lifer outside of Planned Parenthood, Sterling Archer shocks us with his ability to bed every woman he meets (all of which are Victoria's Secret-level beautiful), his crazy cat-like reflexes, and his alcoholism.
Archer's overbearing mother and her team of idiotic and sexually-perverted spies complete this show with never-ending bits of absurdity.
4. "The Simpsons"
To wrap the list up, we have Matt Groening's pride and joy, "The Simpsons," which has been airing since 1989, making it the longest-running cartoon. It's actually considered an honor for a celebrity to be asked to make an appearance on the show.
"The Simpsons" manages to combine both comedy and drama throughout the episodes, approaching politics, pop culture, coming of age issues, financial difficulties, marriage, and death. "The Simpsons" remains an icon of American television and remains on the air to this day.
Runners up:
"Family Guy," "King of the Hill," "The Boondocks," and many others.
