Not Your Usual Cartoons

We usually associate cartoons to children. But once The Simpsons arrived, adult cartoons suddenly became popular, as depictions of pop culture, sexual references and toilet humor became centerpieces amongst them. Here are five of the most memorable animated programs on television.

1. The Simpsons

Creator: Matt Groening

Debut: December 17, 1989

Producer: 20th Century Fox, Gracie Films

Now the longest-running animated show in history, The Simpsons became famous not only for Homer Simpson's iconic 'D'oh!', but also the influential opening sequence featuring the ever-changing chalkboard and couch gags. As the program's popularity grew, so did the accolades. In the show's tenth anniversary, they were awarded a star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and as of the 23rd and current season, they have won 27 Emmy Awards. Their popularity also translated into the big screen, where 2007's 'The Simpsons Movie' earned nearly $100,000,000 worldwide. Their widespread use of pop cultural references and parodies helped pave the way for other animated sitcoms that have likewise earned popularity among adult audiences.

2. South Park

Creators: Trey Parker & Matt Stone

Debut: August 13, 1997

Producer: Comedy Partners, Parker-Stone Studios

Currently the second longest primetime animated series, and the highest rated cable TV program, South Park is famous for both the right and wrong reasons. Viewers enjoy South Park because of its crude language, dark and surreal humor, and its intentionally primitive animation techniques. Critics, however, deride South Park for its vulgar references to religion, pop culture and politics, profanity, violence (particularly the frequent 'deaths' of main character Kenny McCormick), and even racism and sexual innuendo. Nevertheless, it has earned four Emmys and Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny a place in pop culture history.

3. Beavis and Butt-head

Creator: Mike Judge

Debut: March 8, 1993 (revived October 27, 2011)

Producer: MTV Networks

Known for its critically crude and humorous criticisms on society, Beavis and Butt-head debuted at a time when teenagers dressed like their grunge counterparts from Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and when the music was abrasive and raw. It quickly became a hit on MTV during its four-year run in the mid-90s, due to its hand-drawn animation approach that was as relevant as the rise of punk and alternative rock. The format is simple: two 15-minute episodes, intersected by critiques of music videos (or in the revival, clips from other MTV reality series). The program was briefly retired to make way for Judge's other project 'King of the Hill', which ran from 1997-2010, after which Judge returned to creating Beavis and Butt-head in time for its return in the autumn of 2011. 

4. Family Guy

Creator: Seth MacFarlane

Debut: January 31, 1999 (revived May 1, 2005)

Producer: 20th Century Fox, Fuzzy Door Productions

Seth MacFarlane's creation debuted in 1999 to high viewership, but it slowly declined due to competition against higher-rated series in its timeslot. Fox cancelled the series in 2002, but was revived in 2005 as a result of high DVD sales and syndicated rerun ratings on cable TV. The show became a ratings hit since. What made the show popular is because of cutaway gags that humorously reference pop culture, as well as the unusual depictions of a baby and a dog (Stewie and Brian Griffin, respectively) talking in an adult human voice. The success of Family Guy soon led to the creation of another MacFarlane-produced animated series, American Dad!, which we'll discuss in the final portion.

5. American Dad!

Creator: Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman

Debut: February 6, 2005

Producer: 20th Century Fox, Fuzzy Door Productions, Underdog Productions

Another MacFarlane creation which has steadily earned high viewership and critical acclaim, American Dad! focuses on situational humor and non-sequitur approach to comedy. Like The Simpsons, American Dad! features a constantly changing opening sequence (originally a newspaper headline, now Roger the Alien's costume changes). The program's similarity with Family Guy in terms of characters also contributed to the program's popularity, though some marked differences remain (e.g. Peter Griffin's gang with Glenn Quagmire, Joe Swanson and Cleveland Brown is similar to Steve Smith's own gang with Snot, Toshi and Barry). American Dad!'s relaxed tone also made it a hit with viewers.

The tradition of animated programming was changed forever thanks to The Simpsons. Now children are no longer watching, even adults too. Even after 20 years, viewers can still relate to watching these programs full of pop cultural parodies and unusually humorous tones. Now what's in store for the next 20? We'll see.