With 2016 coming to a close it is time to take a look back on our favorite animated comedies. With how bad 2016 has been for some individuals we could all use a couple hours of laughter. While this list would be different for other people I tried to stay impartial and base the following list on trend popularity. If you have a different top five recommendation? Leave a comment below.
5: The Simpsons : 27 seasons, first air date December 17th 1989
While the Simpson's are only number five on this list they are no doubt the grandfather to most other modern adult animated comedies. Starting back in 1989 the Simpsons created, by Matt Groening, dominated the top animated adult comedy on TV. Despite falling a few ranks during a twenty seven year run time they still manage to be one of the best. Including the birth of some iconic characters including Homer and Bart Simpson. The cast of Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Maggie and all other characters in Springfield will have more chances of rising back to the top of list with two new seasons being ordered by Fox. These two more season will put the Simpson's at the thirty year mark a achievement no other animated show has yet to do.
4: South Park : 20 seasons, first air date August 13th 1997
Falling in at number four is the second longest lasting adult animated comedy with South Park. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park has had great success with a very different art style. In the beginning South Park was created with construction paper and each shot was taken one frame at a time. This gave South Park a very flat two dimensional look making it stand apart from other modern animated comedies. In addition South Park has been no stranger to talking about very serious modern issues in relation to culture, politics, or other world affairs. This most recent season in fact was centered around a character named Mr. Garrison who acted and dressed very similar to that of Donald Trump. While South Park has managed to claim the number four spot their next season is supposedly the last one. We have one more magical year with the four boys Kyle, Kenny, Stan, and Cartman to show us the true meaning behind all the shenanigans we have known to occur in South Park Colorado.
3: Bob's Burgers : 7 seasons, first air date January 9th 2011
Created by Loren Bouchard, Bob's Burgers really stands out on this list on the way their comedy is portrayed. While Bob's Burgers is intended and built for a mature audience, the show is able to bring adult humor to the viewers without resorting to crude or inappropriate formats typically used in most adult animated comedies. While some curse words are used on the show their is a definite difference compared to other animated comedies. A good reason for this is the characters themselves, three of which are very young around middle school to high school age. While both South Park and The Simpsons have young characters Bob's Burgers likes to tackle modern issues with a poor restaurant owning modern family and have creative scenarios arise and allow each characters personality to be used to create humorous outcomes. A good example of this would be the character Louise, the youngest of three children, who constantly is looking for ways to get into trouble and get under people's skin. With her iconic bunny ears she always wears Louise's antics include that of selling tickets to a nude beach to young kids, making other kids sell artwork to old people for money, and getting her father trapped inside a museum.
2: Rick and Morty : 2 seasons, first air date December 2nd 2013
Rick and Morty is the youngest show on this list by a decent margin. South Park and The Simpsons each have over 20 seasons. Being the new kid on the block in terms of animated comedy may be part of its success. This heavy science fiction plot and unusual lead characters duo Rick and Morty are product of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. This show has heavily captures young adults for comedic one liners and ridiculous character designs. Mr. Meeseeks and Dr. Xenon Bloom (voiced by John Oliver) notably come to mind.
1: Archer : 7 seasons, first air date September 17th 2009
Number one comes in with the foul mouthed appalling James Bond wannabe named Archer. It's creator Adam Reed said after reading a few 1960's James Bond novels, "Like OK, what if this guy was just the biggest dick ever?". With that Archer had become the new Bond only drunker.. and hornier.. and full of drugs. Also a few hookers. Okay a lot of hookers, let's be honest, more than half the cast are sex obsessed alcoholics. Who happen to be secret spies for the worst intelligence agency in the United States. Well until later on when they became international weapon dealers! Fun fact the voice actor of Archer in this show is also the same voice actor for Bob in Bob's Burgers.
