The Greatest Animated TV Comedies of All-Time

Most people under the age of 50 grew up watching cartoons. And while we may have grown up, our love of animated TV shows never died, even if our tastes became a bit more sophisticated. Here is a look at seven of the best animated comedy series in television history. These shows are not only funny, but also extremely well-written.

7. Space Ghost Coast to Coast

The premise of SGC2C was an ex-superhero was given his own talk show, alongside his arch-nemesis, forced to work with him as punishment, and have him interview real celebrities in heavily edited and awkwardly funny interviews. It barely qualifies since it used real celebrities as interviewees and each episode was only 11 minutes long, as opposed to the normal 22 minutes for an animated show. But this show was pure genius in understanding how to take an awkward situation and make it funny without making the situation uncomfortable.

6. Dr. Katz

Dr. Katz, the story of a professional therapist and his son won't be remembered for its outstanding animation work. The show was done in Squigglevision, which made all the characters look like they were constantly shaking. But what Dr. Katz will be remembered for is the amazing list of guest stars that appeared on the show just as their careers were starting to take off. Some guests on the show included A-list stars like Jon Stewart, Conan O'Brien, Ray Romano, and Ben Stiller. The show also had some of the more respected names in the world of stand-up comedy on the show like the late Mitch Hedberg, Steven Wright, Louis C.K., and Jim Gaffigan.

5. The Venture Brothers

The Venture Brothers isn't the most conventional choice, given that it airs on Cartoon Network late at night, but what it lacks in mainstream appeal, it makes up for in hilarity. What started as a satire of classic adventure cartoons like Jonny Quest has blossomed in just two and a half seasons into one of the most well-written shows on television. Creators Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick have created their own little world with a Dickensian cast of well-developed characters, and writing that is both smart and funny.

4. South Park

The show may be crudely drawn, and the dialogue even cruder, but it's hard to argue with the success the show has had. It's certainly not a show for everyone, but will always be able to find an audience in the younger demographics. The fact that it is still on the air after 10 years on Comedy Central is nothing short of a miracle, considering the average show on Comedy Central tends to have the life expectancy of about a month. The shows poor animation allows for a quick turnaround with production, and allows them to get the show on the air very quickly. This has allowed the show to tackle more current events in the shows trademark satirical form, which is something no other cartoon has ever been able to master.

3. The Critic

The Critic, starring Jon Lovitz as the voice of film critic Jay Sherman is one of the most under-appreciated shows of its time. The show was created by many of the same people that made The Simpsons great, and they brought that same wit and satire to The Critic. It was also one of the first times the country was exposed to the writing talent of film producer Judd Apatow, who wrote two episodes for the show, and was consulting producer on 22 episodes. The show featured some incredibly unique and funny characters like Duke Phillips and Franklin Sherman. The show's premise of a film critic who hates everything gave the writers carte blanche to go after the world of Hollywood with their poison pen.

2. Futurama

Futurama may have been a show about life in the year 3000, but it was also a little bit about the past, and very much about the present. Mixed amongst the science fiction setting of the future were a good number of jokes about the 70s and 80s(Richard Nixon's Head becomes President of Earth in the year 3000), and a strong message of environmentalism(Al Gore, whose daughter worked on the show, used Futurama in An Inconvenient Truth).The show was created by Simpsons creator Matt Groening, but like the Simpsons, Groening knew when to delegate to a staff of excellent writers. Futurama was equally adept at using low comedy and high comedy to get laughs. But what really separated the show from others was the ability to really tell a story. Episodes weren't just an amalgam of jokes stuck crammed together to form a weak plot. The stories they told, especially towards the end of the shows run, were absolutely beautiful.

1. The Simpsons

This almost goes without saying. The Simpsons is a television institution of over 20 years, and really, anything in the field of animated adult-themed comedy is based off of what the Simpsons started. The shows heyday, when the likes of Conan O'Brien were churning out amazing episodes, are still incredibly funny, even today, and could stand up against any show on television. Some critics have argued that the show has lost a step or two in recent years, though it is easy to understand why., After 420 episodes, The Simpsons have provided their spin on nearly every story to be told. The Simpsons is the longest-running cartoon show in television history, and has to be considered one of the most influential and best television shows of all-time.