What's the appeal?

[Dane Tesston]

Hello, Escapist!

Like just about everybody on the net, I watch Adult Swim. In fact, I was there when they first went on the air, with the balck and white footage of old people at the pool and the "Robot Jones" announcer voice. I was there when they had anime and american animation in equal portions, and seen how they've gone to favor the "sunday menu". Which brings me to my point. First, allow me to admit that I do enjoy Robot Chicken and the thrid season of Moral Oral. But it's the other show's I don't get.

Squidbillies, Aqua Teen, Delocated, and the rest. Yes, I can see the HOW they can be funny, but I don't FIND them funny. Of course, I'm a serious minded guy, so maybe I'm not getting the point. Maybe they're not supposed to make sense.

What do you say, my fellow net treaders? Is it a valid question I ask, or should I just lighten up?

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Like just about everybody on the net, I watch Adult Swim.

I am in a cable blindspot, so I don't get Cartoon Network.

Or any other cable channels. Add to that the fact I hardly watch television. Add to that, the fact that when I do it's usually just a PBS channel.

 

[Julianking93]

I too have watched Adult Swim since the beginning but I actually have no fucking clue why Squidbillies and all those other shows are supposed to be funny.

It's just too weird to me.

As for your question, yes I'd say it's a valid thought as I think the same way, so at least you're not alone in your opinions.

I only ever watch Adult Swim for Family Guy and Metalocalypse now.

 

[the_bearpelt]

I find them annoying as all get-out as well.
Hell, I thought I was the only one!

 

[DalekJaas]

I have never heard of 'adult swim' or anything you mentioned. Sounds like a porn site.

 

[Dane Tesston]

This has what to do with gaming now?

Aw shit, your right. There wouldn't happen to be a way to change that, would there?

 

[CRoone]

I think it's a valid question. I tried to watch those other shows, but I just didn't find them appealing. Most of the stuff they used as humor was stuff I found tasteless, crass, or just incomprehensible.

I don't know if this would help, but I think that a lot of these shows are *trying* to be as demented as possible. Maybe it's a Post-Modern thing: nothing makes sense because nothing is supposed to make sense, and the senselessness is an end in itself, rather than a somewhat-confusing means by which to express something meaningful after all. I find the whole Post-Modern philosophy and aesthetic to be rather pointless, to be honest. Maybe that's the point, but that just makes me feel like I wasted my time trying to understand it.

Either that, or these shows were made for Potheads, as a friend of mine suggested over a game of Nine-Ball Pool. I don't know. I figure that if I've watched a whole show and didn't get - or didn't at least LIKE - one good joke, then it's probably a show that I won't bother trying to understand any further. I gave each of those shows the benefit of the doubt, and sat through an episode each. None of them really merited a second glance, and I haven't given them one since.

Robot Chicken is okay, though. I watch that one sometimes, when I manage to catch it.

 

[Jark212]

Well stoners are their core demographic. That alone should explain everything...

 

[Miumaru]

I like most of the shows, but Venture Bros is my favorite. But what I love about Adult Swim most of all, its willingness to try out these crazy shows. The live action episode of ATHF sucked. But few would give such a shot on any other channel, or even to the show in the first place. I love AS because they put faith in what others will not, and it has saved some good shows. Family Guy, Futurama, Oblongs...
Some bad is worth the good it makes.

 

[crudus]

Anyone who is taking it too seriously won't find the humor in it. :x

This is true for all of Adult Swim at this point. Every show is ridiculous in its own way which is what makes it funny. King of the Hill is funny because of how ridiculous the characters are. ATHF is ridiculous because of the lack of plot and the ridiculous situations. Those are the only too shows I watch and find the others incredibly stupid, so those are the only ones I can comment on.

 

[Vilcus]

Yea... most of the shows are garbage. There are some funny ones, but most just seem to draw humor from raw stupidity and nothing else, which doesn't work (at least for me). Doesn't bother me though, seeing as I just don't watch those shows.

Also, why is this in the Gaming Discussion section?

 

[Steppin Razor]

It's simple really - they're just not funny to you. It's fine not to enjoy the fucked up beyond all belief series out there.

I can say that ATHF is a show that is just so weird, outrageous and usually makes no sense to where it's funny. Anyone who is taking it too seriously won't find the humor in it. :x

.>

Spoiler

Man I love that series.

 

[CloggedDonkey]

I really don't like the stuff on there now. It's either family guy or something else stupid, and they got rid of their one saving grace, Futurama. King of the Hill is okay, and is actually subtle with most of it's social commentary (even having some pretty touching scenes between Bobby and Hank), but it can be kind of boring, where Family Guy is about as subtle with it's social commentary as a man running into a shopping mall, stark naked, with the words "FUCK THE POLICE!!!1!" painted in neon pink on his ass, and is about touching as Gears of War, but, like both of those, it's not boring. It's not funny or relevant, but it's not boring.

Well, okay, there are a few funny jokes. Such as, before the starting of an episode, there was some bad build up, but it leaded to the phrase "the worst we've got are Jemima witnesses." This is not funny, but the woman at their window suddenly appearing and saying "would ya'll like some pancakes?" delivered actually really funnily. This was the only good joke that episode. I'll stop now before I make a wall of text, but I think my point stands.