Animated sitcom
This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Lack of new examples of the genre.(May 2023) |
An animated sitcom is a subgenre of the
History
Early history
The Flintstones, which debuted in 1960, is considered the first example of the animated sitcom genre.[5][6] A similar cartoon, The Jetsons, which took place in the future rather than the past, followed in 1962.[5] Marc Blake argued it started the "science fiction sitcom sub genre".[7]
Animated sitcoms have been more controversial than traditional cartoons from the onset. The Flintstones was originally oriented at parents, as an animated version of
From 1972 to 1974, Hanna-Barbera produced Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, an adult-oriented sitcom in the style of All in the Family.[16][17] The series dealt with subjects such as feminism and the generation gap.[18]
The Simpsons and expansion of the genre
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a number of animated television programs appeared which challenged the
John Evershed, formerly showrunner on
Others stated that it was not until the early 1990s that "cartoons specifically for adults" rather than children, did not come to "mainstream prominence" until after the success of The Simpsons, with Fox later airing King of the Hill and Family Guy both of which "generated massive audiences."
Beavis and Butt-Head, which began airing in the early 1990s, another sitcom, was also controversial. This was due to its portrayal of brief nudity, profanity and violence. Although the series was intended for adult audiences, it was shown in the afternoons, and multiple parents claimed that their children had imitated the show's characters. After an incident, MTV responded by moving the series to a later airtime and adding disclaimers to future episodes stating explicitly not to imitate the actions of the characters, as well as removing all references to fire from the episodes.[38] As Beavis and Butt-Head began entered its last season in 1997, a new adult animation began airing on MTV which was titled Daria. It would praised for its "progressive characters", sense of humor, and ability to capture absurdity of teen life in suburbs.[24] Beginning around the same time was South Park. It became an "icon for anti-censorship and free speech"[23] and was called "one of the most controversial shows on television."[39]
In May 1995, another adult animated sitcom began airing on
21st century
In the 2000s
In March 2000, the first few episodes of
In June 2000,
While the pilot of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law first aired as a sneak peek on Cartoon Network on December 30, 2000,[52] the series officially premiered on Adult Swim on September 2, 2001, the night the block launched.[53] It ended on July 22, 2007, with a total of 39 episodes, over the course of four seasons. Later, in October 2018, a special, entitled Harvey Birdman: Attorney General, premiered,[54] and a spin-off, Birdgirl, was ordered in May 2019.[55] Some described the series as funny, entertaining, zany, and amusing.
From August to October 2002, the final few episodes of The Oblongs, another adult animation, would air on Adult Swim after The WB did not air the last five episodes of the series. The latter, which some called a "stray gem in the early 2000s," was noted for the romance between a married couple, Bob and Pickles Oblong, who had a healthy relationship where both would "constantly support each other."[24] In 2008, Usha M. Rodrigues and Belinda Smaill argued that bro'Town was a "home grown animated sitcom" that is comparable to The Simpsons.[56]
Archer was said to be a "standard bearer" for adult animation and an "eclectic comedy" and praised for its "tight, fast-paced, and ever impressively intelligent dialogue," with a "power couple": Sterling Archer and Lana Kane.
In the 2010s
In June 2011, two scholars analyzed
Jeff & Some Aliens, an animated sitcom aired on Comedy Central from January to March 2017.[75][76] The plot surrounds three aliens who travel to Earth to find the most average person to test and understand humans. Most episodes revolve around Jeff having a problem that the aliens can fix with a strange device.[77] In December 2017, the series was canceled after one season.[citation needed] It was described as being "a witty and fun stoner alien romp" which is a comedy akin to Rick and Morty.[65]
Other animated sitcoms include
Some critics noted that The Simpsons is not the only model for such animation, due to new shows coming to TV and streaming platforms like BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, Rick and Morty and Undone, which some call a boom at the time that "high-quality adult animation shows" are being produced in France, Japan, and in other parts of the world, a new group of creators is pushing existing boundaries.[32] Even so, fans of The Simpsons turned Hulu into a popular streaming hub.[84]
Critics praised Tuca & Bertie and Solar Opposites for their take on
Certain comedians have created their own animated sitcoms. This includes the ongoing series, Duncanville, is airing on FOX, co-created by Amy Poehler, Mike Scully, and Julie Thacker.[87] Poehler said the series is inspired by The Simpsons.[88] Another animated sitcom on Fox, Bless the Harts, starred Kristen Wiig, and was created by former Saturday Night Live staff writer, Emily Spivey.[89]
A September 2018 report by AT&T, using Google Trends, identified the most popular animated sitcoms in each U.S. state.[90][91] They found that South Park is popular in Colorado, The Simpsons is popular in Oregon and Massachusetts, Family Guy popular in Connecticut, and King of the Hill popular in Kentucky and Tennessee.[27] The report also stated The Simpsons and South Park are the two most popular animated sitcoms, while Rick and Morty is among the "most watched cable television series."
In 2019, it was announced that a writer for Disenchantment, Shion Takeuchi, would be heading her own upcoming Netflix show titled Inside Job,[92][35] with Alex Hirsch as an executive producer,[93] With a woman named Alma as the protagonist, Takeuchi said she hoped it would "push the boundaries" of adult animation.[32] Hirsch was also quoted as noting that adult animation is changing, saying that it can be something that is "sophisticated, dramatic, beautiful and nuanced" rather than "crass and cruel."
2020s to present
In January 2020,
In February 2020, Fox released an animated sitcom produced by Seungyong Ji and Jordan Grief titled Duncanville, focusing on the story of a kid who "daydreams of making it big without having to wear a suit and tie to do so."[97]
In September 2020, Magical Girl Friendship Squad began airing on SYFY.[98] In interviews the same month, series creator Kelsey Stephanides hoped that the series would expand the "types of new animated stories" with more variety in adult animation,[99] allowing for "different ways" to do adult animation in the future.[100]
In December 2020, Hoops was cancelled by Netflix after its first season received low ratings and negative reviews.[101][102] Hoops was described as "puerile comedy ... perfect for Trump's America,"[103] not funny,[104] and "crude, rude, and aimless."[105]
On January 15, 2021, the first part of season 2 of Disenchantment was released on Netflix.[106] In February 2021, it was announced that Tyler, the Creator had teamed up with Lionel Boyce and Davon 'Jasper' Wilson to develop an animated comedy named Shell Beach.[107] In March 2021 it was reported that King of the Hill would be revived, with characters aging 15 years from the end of the series.[108]
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