Why the Venture Brothers is the Best Cartoon on Television

The narrator boasts the title of the episode. "Escape to the House of Mummies Part TWO!" A montage of clips shows briefly what has happened last episode. Then the theme song plays and the credits show the actors who voice the animated show The Venture Brothers. Seemingly a perfectly normal introduction on the exterior. Except there was no "Escape to the House of Mummies Part One" and despite the preview clips shown at the end of the episode, there is no part three either. And just like that one can instantly tell they are watching anything but a normal show.

In an era where comedic animated shows aimed at mature audiences are at a premium, the Venture Brothers rises to the top in creativity. While other shows like Family Guy and the Simpsons use the same shtick for each and every episode, Venture Brothers has no problem changing the formula and throwing common sense into the wind. And while the above description of the show may make it seem like another random Adult Swim cartoon with no direction, it is exactly the opposite.

With most animated shows in the same vein as Venture Brothers continuity is used rarely if ever. This cartoon, however, boldly keeps all storylines in harmony throughout different episodes and even seasons. Someone who hadn't watched the first season would not be able to jump right into the second season. And maybe everyone doesn't want to have to see each episode to fully enjoy a show. But for those who are tired of shows driven more by obvious humor than wit will surely enjoy the Venture Brothers.

The show itself revolves around two brothers who try to solve mysteries and have adventures as the normal "animated teenager" did in past decades. Their father is an aspiring super-scientist following in a long line of super-scientists. And the entire family is plotted against an evil supervillain who dresses as a monarch butterfly. The twist? They are all terrible at what they do. Almost every character on Venture Brothers deals with failure in some way, usually with hilarious results. And oh yeah, the show also pokes fun at a number of popular culture icons.

Venture Brothers is not for everyone. It is sometimes so random that the jokes go over my head. But more often then not, it provides a great alternative to the same-old mediocrity in cartoons that seems to be spreading these days. With a year left before the third season airs, you will have plenty of time to catch up. If you are as tired of Family Guy and the Simpsons as I was, check it out. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.