The Animated Sitcom. From low to even lower. (cartoons, south park, tv show) - Shows, stars, ratings... - City-Data Forum

JJG · 02-16-2007, 02:51 PM

We all know what an animated sitcom is. The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, King of the Hill..... The Simpsons was the one that started it all. The shows give us alot of laughs. Also, they're criticized for their low brow humor, prophanity, and being "too preachy and up it's own a** with mesages". They're great shows, but do they go too far? Over the years South Park has been under fire for jokes about Steve Irwin and poking fun at religous images and beliefs. Family Guy is highly considered to be one of the worst T.V. shows, ever. Family Guy is funny, but that show as plenty of low brow and even tasteless humor in just the first 5 minutes. It has even been criticized by South Park and The Simpsons, themselves.
Now The Simpsons had their critics when the show was young, but not really as much as the shows, now.

Are animated sitcoms morally bad for society, or is it just a bunch of old people over reacting because they miss their politically incorrect cartoons from the 1940's that were supposedly the "good toons" ?

writergirl · 02-16-2007, 04:27 PM

Hi JJG! Personally, I don't care for the humor of these sitcoms. I don't think they are appropriate for children. But as far as morally bad for society...probably not any more so than most regular sitcoms, or even dramas for that matter. Television content just isn't very wholesome these days.

Mark S. · 02-16-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJG

Are animated sitcoms morally bad for society, or is it just a bunch of old people over reacting because they miss their politically incorrect cartoons from the 1940's that were supposedly the "good toons" ?

Animated sitcoms are like any other TV show: they have to be judged individually and not as a genre.

King of the Hill is one of my all-time favorite TV shows. But I grew up in that culture, so maybe I just get all the in-jokes.

The Simpsons is classic TV. Some of the best satire ever written. Futurama too.

South Park is occasionally hilarious and brilliant, but more often than not it's just obnoxious.

I've never watched Family Guy. Even the previews look obnoxious.

BlueWillowPlate · 02-16-2007, 04:36 PM

If it wasn't for South Park, King of the Hill, Simpsons etc, the occasional Scrubs rerun and The Daily Show and Colbert Report, I probably would not watch any TV whatsoever.

I prefer the other animated sitcoms I've mentioned to the Family Guy, but that's not to say I've never giggled at TFG. I've enjoyed Futurama, too.

I'll take animated sitcoms over "reality" TV any day.

gizmo980 · 02-17-2007, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by writergirl

Hi JJG! Personally, I don't care for the humor of these sitcoms. I don't think they are appropriate for children. But as far as morally bad for society...probably not any more so than most regular sitcoms, or even dramas for that matter. Television content just isn't very wholesome these days.

To be fair, these animated sitcoms aren't intended for children... which is why most have a rating of PG-13 (or whatever the TV equivalent is) and up. South Park is rated 17+, so it's quite clear that show isn't made for kids!

I personally love South Park and The Simpsons, but I'm not a fan of Family Guy. Not because it offends me or anything, I just don't find it that entertaining. Futurama was another good one, King of the Hill is sometimes fun to watch... and we can't forget about Beavis and Butthead - a true classic!

Don't know if you'd consider that a "sitcom", but it was freakin' hilarious anyway.

JJG · 02-17-2007, 03:40 PM

There all funny. Personally, I think South Park is the funniest, eventhough I live in Texas and KotH is on top down here. But anyway, these shows really aren't intended for people under 17. I think there ok, just as long as parents don't complain about the shows and say that they're the reason why their kids are cursing at them. I HATE that.
But these shows are great because they can make you think sometimes. South Park and The Boondocks especially.

sprtsluvr8 · 02-23-2007, 12:19 AM

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Originally Posted by JJG

There all funny. Personally, I think South Park is the funniest, eventhough I live in Texas and KotH is on top down here. But anyway, these shows really aren't intended for people under 17. I think there ok, just as long as parents don't complain about the shows and say that they're the reason why their kids are cursing at them. I HATE that.
But these shows are great because they can make you think sometimes. South Park and The Boondocks especially.

I love Southpark...and several other Adult Swim shows (Aqua Teens, Squidbillies, Frisky Dingo). As the last post stated, these shows are meant for adults, per the title 'Adult' Swim. Southpark is in it's 10th season, so it is apparently pretty popular.

There isn't much that can shock me anymore, but these shows do it at times. They make fun of everyone - no one is safe from Southpark's sarcasm. I could be offended by some of the things they say or do, but I choose to approach these shows as comedy. They aren't being serious, but they are making fun of people and situations with sarcasm and shocking honesty. If you approach these shows with a serious, over-sensitive attitude, you'll have a big problem with them. I vote for laughter over big problem any day.

sprtsluvr8 · 02-23-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cil

If it wasn't for South Park, King of the Hill, Simpsons etc, the occasional Scrubs rerun and The Daily Show and Colbert Report, I probably would not watch any TV whatsoever.

I prefer the other animated sitcoms I've mentioned to the Family Guy, but that's not to say I've never giggled at TFG. I've enjoyed Futurama, too.

I'll take animated sitcoms over "reality" TV any day.

Same here...add the sports channels, history channel and occasional old sitcom reruns and that's all the t.v. I watch. There are so many choices in t.v. that you never really have to watch anything you don't want to watch.

BlueWillowPlate · 02-23-2007, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprtsluvr8

They make fun of everyone - no one is safe from Southpark's sarcasm.

Yes, they are equal-opportunity insulters, which to me is a credit to their comedy. I'm cereal!

JJG · 02-23-2007, 05:27 PM

There all very funny shows. But they teach you things as well. I actually learned things from watching The Simpsons that wasn't taught to me untill 7th grade. The Simpsons is my favorite show, mainly because I litterally grew up with the show.

South Park has the best satire...hands down.

Family Guy is great at random comedy.

The Boondocks' satire is mainly for blacks, but alot of people can learn from watching the first 5 minutes of a single episode.

And King of the Hill is one of the best representations of Texas life, eventhough most of it is based on small town life.