If we're talking animanted "adultsty" shows I guess I'd rank them this way.. 1.) The Simpsons (Seasons 3-9ish are the gold standard of American comedy) 2.) Venture Bros (subtle, but so, so awesome) 3.) Futurama (Never really given a chance, hit its stride after a shaky first season) 4.) King of the Hill (An acquired taste, People from Texas can really appreciate it) 5.) Family Guy (So good then it came back and really got stale) 6.) South Park (Scathing, and deliberately crude and over the top, but perhaps the best satirical cannon of work of our time)
1. Simpsons - pioneer, opened the door for all the others... 2. SP - one of the more inventive ones out there for sure... 3. Futurama - really, given the small sample size (through no fault of their own), the shaky first season and the horrid movies bookending greatness kind of tends to make it seem less awesome than it was... 4. KOTH - consistent, but maybe it's just being in TX that made this show awesome and relatable... 5. Family Guy - they came back after the cancellation with a huge chip on their shoulder...and it didn't do them any good, IMO... Z. American Dad - doesn't even belong on this list
If we're talking RIGHT NOW, I gotta go with: 1. VENTURE BROS - this show is on a tier all its own at the moment and I'm actually kinda mad it wasn't included in the poll, lol. The Monarch, henchmen, Hank, Dean, Dr Venture, Quizboy, Orpheus.. etc. Just pure greatness. I can NOT wait for the new season! 2. FG/SouthPark - Tied for me (cop out, I know). These two shows tend to coast more often now compared to how great they were in ealier seasons, but every now and then both can knock one out of the park (CIP, Family Guy's season premiere Sunday was AWESOME. Especially loved the different animation sequences) 3. Futurama- I just love the fact that this is an animated comedy with a heart, AND a somewhat continuous storyline. It's pretty meuch what the Simpsons used to be. 4. American Dad- This show is actually decent on a more consistent basis than South Park and Family Guy IMO, but it lacks that home run ability or potential. The lack of cutaways and having a continuous story arc each show allows it to play out more like classic Family Guy episodes, but sans the great cast of characters. 5. Simpsons - If we're talking all time, this show tops the list EASILY, but lately, it barely can elicit a chuckle from me. They just seem to be recycling the same ideas over and over at this point. Sure, the other shows are also rehashing concepts first done on the Simpsons (as South Park so famously pointed out), but at least they aren't doing it with the same exact cast of characters. Also, the jokes here come across a little tame, kinda like your parents trying to be cool by making pop culture references. Unranked - KOTH - This isn't because I don't/didn't like the show, but I just have hardly seen it for the past 5-6 years. Its timeslot was horrible for me. I did enjoy the earlier episodes though. Honorable mention - The Boondocks - Only show besides VB that can have me laughing to the point of tears at times. Can't list it because I figure ranking one Adult Swim show that wasn't included in the original poll is enough (shout out to Aqua Teens and Frisky Dingo though!). Also, it seems to be something of an acquired taste. I've learned from talking with others that growing up in an African American culture allows me to better identify with the personalities on the show. They seem more real and less like caricatures (this is kinda like white people with Friends and Seinfeld I suppose. lol).
Indeed. And big props to the shows creators for not keeping the cast "stuck in limbo" and letting them grow up and age. Some tidbits about the upcoming season. •Season 4 premier episode: "Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel" Title we knew, news is that it's the premiere. •After Season 4 there is the possibility, and it's all up in the air, of Venture Bros. specials and/or a "long form". This may or may not include a movie. •Al Pacino will be the voice actor for the Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch's child! Not sure if that last one is true!
I've gotta go with South Park. No other show on television does a better job explaining and exposing things like South Park. And no other show has Randy Marsh
