Animated sitcom

File:Bill Hanna Joseph Barbera 1965.jpg (right) and Joe Barbera (left) in 1965; Hanna and Barbera were the co-creators of The Flintstones.]]

The Flintstones, which debuted in 1960, is considered the first example of the animated sitcom genre.{{cite web|url=http://www.retroland.com/cartoon-sitcoms/#.Tv_Ws_Lm6ls|title=Cartoon Sitcom Face-Off|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612224813/http://www.retroland.com/cartoon-sitcoms/#.Tv_Ws_Lm6ls|archive-date=June 12, 2012|date=June 12, 2012|website=Retroland|access-date=April 28, 2021|url-status=dead}} A similar cartoon, The Jetsons, which took place in the future rather than the past, followed in 1962. Marc Blake argued it started the "science fiction sitcom sub genre".{{cite book |last=Blake |first=Marc |date=2011 |title=How NOT to Write a Sitcom: 100 mistakes to avoid if you ever want to get produced |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6qPSpNwvn4sC&pg=PT89 |location=United States |publisher=A&C Black |page=89 |isbn=978-1408130896}}

Animated sitcoms have been more controversial than traditional cartoons from the onset. The Flintstones was originally oriented at parents, as an animated version of The Honeymooners, though it was primarily popular with children.{{cite web|last=McRobbie|first=Linda Rodriguez|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/26157/brief-history-flintstones-vitamins|title=A Brief History of Flintstones Vitamins|work=Mental Floss|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206121655/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/26157/brief-history-flintstones-vitamins|archive-date=February 6, 2021|date=October 21, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite book |last=Blake |first=Marc |date=2014 |title=How To Be A Sitcom Writer: Secrets From The Inside |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=62G_BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT120 |location=United States |publisher=Andrews UK Limited |page=120 |isbn=978-1408130896}}{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=Jon E. |last2=Stempel |first2=Penny |date=1996 |title=Cult TV: The Essential Critical Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EBQbAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Animated+sitcom%22 |location=United States |publisher=Pavilion |pages=156, 255 |isbn=1408130890}} David Bennett argued that when it was originally released, it was aimed at an adult audience, and called it the "direct ancestors" of current adult animation, because it covered adult subjects.{{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=David |date=October 6, 2020 |title=Yabba dabba do! How The Flintstones set the stage for the adult animation boom |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/08/yabba-dabba-do-how-the-flintstones-set-the-stage-for-the-adult-animation-boom |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008102612/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/08/yabba-dabba-do-how-the-flintstones-set-the-stage-for-the-adult-animation-boom |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |access-date=November 2, 2020 }} Bennett stated that it specifically influenced The Simpsons, along with animations on Adult Swim and Netflix. His argument was confirmed by the fact that The Huckleberry Hound Show, created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, became a "surprise hit with adult audiences."{{cite news|last1=Vilas-Boas|first1=Eric|first2=Maher|last2=John|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/most-influential-best-scenes-animation-history.html|title=The 100 Sequences That Shaped Animation From Bugs Bunny to Spike Spiegel to Miles Morales, the history of an art form that continues to draw us in.|date=October 5, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=Vulture|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008092535/https://www.vulture.com/article/most-influential-best-scenes-animation-history.html|archive-date=October 8, 2020|url-status=live}} Even though some argued that The Flintstones later influenced The Simpsons,{{cite web|last=Werts|first=Diane|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-18-ca-45034-story.html|title=More animated sitcom than cartoon, the Fox series has mixed belly laughs with heart, character and satire during its groundbreaking run, nearing 250 episodes.|website=Los Angeles Times|date=December 18, 1999|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429013513/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-18-ca-45034-story.html|archive-date=April 29, 2021|url-status=live}} other scholars said that although the show caused a boom in primetime animation and "subverted conventional TV", the result would be driving animation out of primetime "for almost three decades".{{cite book |date=2003 |title=Prime Time Animation: Television Animation and American Culture |editor1-last=Stabile |editor1-first=Carol A. |editor2-last=Harrison |editor2-first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3USAr6i1e0C |location=United States |publisher=Psychology Press |pages=44, 155 |isbn=9780415283267}} Despite this, scholar John Libbey argued that the show utilized "subversive qualities of animation."{{cite book |last=Libbey |first=John |date=2006 |title=Animated 'worlds' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UquGAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Animated+sitcom%22 |location=Berkeley, California |publisher=University of California |page=100 |isbn=0861966619}}

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.{{cite book |last1=McNeil |first1=Alex |title=Total Television: A Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to 1980 |year=1980 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=0-14-004911-8 |page=755 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.retrojunk.com/details_tvshows/1378-wait-till-your-father-gets-home|title=Wait Till Your Father Gets Home Description|work=Retro Junk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731001732/https://www.retrojunk.com/content/child/description/page/5298/wait-till-your-father-gets-home|archive-date=July 31, 2020|url-status=live}} The series dealt with subjects such as feminism and the generation gap.{{cite book |last1=Jerome |first1=Fiona |last2=Dickson |first2=Seth |title=Classic TV: The Friends, The Foes, The Fighters of Crime, The Good, The Glam, and The Famous Last Line |year=2006 |isbn=1-4027-3672-X |page=16 |chapter=Before The Simpsons |publisher=Main Street |location=New York }}

File:Matt groening, kelsey grammer, nancy cartwright, julie kavner, james l brooks, harry shearer, yeardley smith.jpg

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a number of animated television programs appeared which challenged the Standards & Practices guidelines, including The Simpsons,{{cite book |last=Cohen |first=Karl F |title=Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Blacklisted Animators in America |year=1997 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc |location=North Carolina |isbn=0-7864-0395-0 |chapter=Breaking the rules in the 1990s |pages=144–146 }} Beavis and Butt-Head, The Critic, The Brothers Grunt, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Rocko's Modern Life, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, SpongeBob SquarePants, Duckman, and All Grown Up!.{{cite web |last=Mangan |first=Jennifer|title="Modern Life Not Meant For Kids" - Chicago Tribune |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=November 2, 2020 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/283626453|id={{ProQuest|283626453}} }}{{cite book |last=Cohen |first=Karl F |title=Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Blacklisted Animators in America |year=1997 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc |location=North Carolina |isbn=0-7864-0395-0 |chapter=Breaking the rules in the 1990s |pages=143–144 }} In 1987, The Simpsons shorts debuted on Fox's The Tracey Ullman Show. This show aired in prime time, meaning it was not self-censored as much as programs intended to air on Saturday mornings. As such, the show would have brief nudity and mild language, while dealing with mature themes and subjects such as death, gambling addiction, religion, and suicide. The first full-length episode, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", debuted on December 17, 1989. It is the first American animated sitcom not to have a laugh track, unlike other animated sitcoms prior. It remained the sole English-language mainstream adult-oriented animated sitcom until the 1990s, which saw the debuts of Beavis and Butt-Head, King of the Hill, South Park, Daria, Family Guy and Futurama. Some scholars argued that Matt Groening emulated the sci-fi genre shown in The Jetsons.{{cite book |last=Dobson |first=Nichola |date=2018 |chapter=TV Animation and Genre |title=The Animation Studies Reader |editor1-last=Dobson |editor1-first=Nichola |editor2-last=Roe |editor2-first=Annabelle Honess |editor3-last=Ratelle |editor3-first=Amy |editor4-last=Ruddell |editor4-first=Caroline |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uDN1DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA186 |location=United States |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |page=186 |isbn=978-1501332609}} Futurama would be complimented for its "intelligent, scientifically accurate, and humanized" approach to adventures, romances, and parodies of sci-fi. This included the growing relationship between Fry and Leela and an "alien relationship" (Kif and Amy).

John Evershed, formerly showrunner on Happy Tree Friends and current founder of Mondo Media, argued that the "enduring popularity" of this genre is a result of The Simpsons, a massive "animation franchise," and said this proves "the time-tested formula" of the genre works, even though it was "controversial" when it was released.{{Sfn | Evershed | 2021 | p = 10, 12-13, 74, 78}} Evershed also said that the show made clear that animation is "more than just kids content."{{Sfn | Evershed | 2021 | p = 55}} Others also argued that the show marked a turning point in U.S. attitudes "toward cartoons written primarily for adult audiences" The Simpsons would later win the Guinness World Records award for "Longest-running animated sitcom (by episode count)."{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/418771-longest-running-animated-sitcom-by-episode-count|title=Longest-running animated sitcom (by episode count)|website=Guinness World Records|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220204332/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/418771-longest-running-animated-sitcom-by-episode-count|archive-date=December 20, 2019|url-status=live}} Chris Turner, author of Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation, argued that culture and events of 1990s "can all be understood through a Simpsons prism."{{cite news|last=Caldwell|first=Rebecca|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/excellent-an-animated-sitcom-guy/article18275585/|title=Excellent. An animated sitcom guy|website=The Globe and Mail|date=October 25, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429005820/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/excellent-an-animated-sitcom-guy/article18275585/|archive-date=April 29, 2021|url-status=live}} Some critics argued that The Simpsons was responsible for "popularizing adult animation" while influencing "satirical cartoons" like South Park and Family Guy.{{cite web |last1=Pell |first1=Roxie |date=October 30, 2020 |title=Simpsons Creator Matt Groening Joins Instagram To Share New Cartoons |url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-creator-matt-groening-joins-instagram/ |url-status=live |work=Screen Rant |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031031534/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-creator-matt-groening-joins-instagram/ |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=November 2, 2020 }} Others even said that The Simpsons opened the "door for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim" and praised it for being "extremely unique and ... constantly evolving."{{cite web |last1=Horst |first1=Carole |title=Why Animation Aimed at Adults Is the Fastest Growing Toon Trend |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/spotlight/why-animation-aimed-at-adults-is-fastest-growing-toon-trend-1234630642/ |website=Variety |access-date=November 2, 2020 |date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706152741/https://variety.com/2020/film/spotlight/why-animation-aimed-at-adults-is-fastest-growing-toon-trend-1234630642/ |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/animated-series-characters-great-on-the-simpsons/ |title=10 Characters From Other Animated Series That Would Be Great On The Simpsons |last=McIntosh |first=Cody |date=November 24, 2020 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=November 29, 2020 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129150419/https://screenrant.com/animated-series-characters-great-on-the-simpsons/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |url-status=live }} Andrew J. Crow of Time magazine noted the influence of The Simpsons on adult animation, with Family Guy, King of the Hill, and Bob's Burgers, among others, featuring some version of the same structure, while "non-family-based shows" have drawn from "Matt Groening's hyper-referential style, irreverence and slapstick humor."{{cite magazine|last1=Crow|first1=Andrew J.|url=https://time.com/5752400/adult-animation-golden-age/|title=Adult Animation Is Pushing New Boundaries. A Look Inside Its Evolution from The Simpsons to BoJack Horseman|magazine=Time|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601154706/https://time.com/5752400/adult-animation-golden-age/|archive-date=June 1, 2020|url-status=live}} He quoted Alex Hirsch, creator of Gravity Falls, as describing adult animation as an "arms race of different ways to copy The Simpsons." Two of Hirsch's friends from CalArts, Pendleton Ward (creator of Adventure Time) and J. G. Quintel (creator of Regular Show) were also inspired by The Simpsons. In 1989, The Simpsons began airing on Fox Broadcasting Company in prime time, becoming a massive hit among American audiences. In response, ABC, CBS and NBC each developed animated series to air in prime time, but none of the shows were successful.{{cite book |editor1-first=Carol A. |editor1-last=Stabile |editor2-first=Mark |editor2-last=Harrison |title=Prime Time Animation: Television Animation and American Culture |year=2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0-415-28326-4 |pages=79–80 |chapter=The second prime time animation boom }} One series, Capitol Critters, focused on subjects such as gun control, interracial violence and political corruption.{{cite book |last1=Lowry |first1=Brian |title=Variety Television Reviews 1991–92 |year=1994 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=0-8240-3796-0 |chapter=Capitol Critters }} In his review of the series, Variety critic Brian Lowry wrote that he felt that the series' approach was "muddled", and that "the bland central character and cartoonish elements ... will likely be off-putting to many adults, who won't find the political satire biting enough to merit their continued attention. Similarly, kids probably won't be as smitten with the cartoon aspects or look". The series was cancelled after one month. The Critic was somewhat more successful, but achieved low ratings because of ABC's sporadic scheduling, and was cancelled by the network. Fox picked up the series, but cancelled it four months later. While Fox allowed The Simpsons to portray animated depictions of human buttocks, ABC would not allow similar scenes to appear on The Critic.

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." As animation critic Reuben Baron described it, for a long time, "adult action/drama cartoons" were scarce on television, with only a "few cult hits and flops in the '90s", with almost nothing in the 2000s and more in the 2010s.{{cite web|last1=Baron|first1=Reuben|url=https://www.cbr.com/adult-animation-primal-undone-bojack-horseman-rick-and-morty-bobs-burgers/|title=Adult Animation Is Better Than Ever - So Why Does It Draw Ridicule?|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=CBR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202122153/https://www.cbr.com/adult-animation-primal-undone-bojack-horseman-rick-and-morty-bobs-burgers/|archive-date=December 2, 2019|url-status=live}} Some critics called Duckman, based on a comic of the same, a "Simpsons-inspired sitcom" which had a pilot in 1991 and premiered in 1994 on the USA Network as part of the "network's Saturday night programming."{{cite web |last1=Kendall |first1=G. |title=Duckman: How One of the '90s Edgiest Cartoons Was Forgotten |url=https://www.cbr.com/duckman-edgiest-cartoon-90s-forgotten/ |magazine=Comic Book Resources |access-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215235327/https://www.cbr.com/duckman-edgiest-cartoon-90s-forgotten/ |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |date=December 15, 2020 |url-status=live }} The show features humans, animals, and hybrids of both intermingling, with "every design intentionally exaggerated and distorted", looking like the original comics, with theme music from Frank Zappa and set its sights on "1990s incarnations of political correctness and censorship", making it, a critic argued, a precursor to Family Guy and BoJack Horseman. As for King of the Hill, some noted it had the a great example of "young, adolescent love" within adult animation, specifically between Bobby and Connie. The show was also described as a "force for adult animation."{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/king-of-the-hill-changes-since-season-1/ |title=King Of The Hill: 10 Ways The Series Changed Since Season One |last=Cubillas |first=Sean |date=November 26, 2020 |website=CBR |access-date=November 29, 2020 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127091132/https://www.cbr.com/king-of-the-hill-changes-since-season-1/ |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |url-status=live }} In 1999, Family Guy debuted on Fox. The series was cancelled twice in the first three years, but became one of the network's longest-running series. It would later be praised for its humor, "cynical commentary, and sci-fi adventures"{{cite web|last1=Cabilas|first1=Sean|url=https://www.cbr.com/best-adult-animated-series-imdb/|title=Top 10 Adult Animated Series (According to IMDb)|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=CBR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004121918/https://www.cbr.com/best-adult-animated-series-imdb/|archive-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live}} while having a sincere but tragic and real relationship between Brian and Pearl Burton.

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.{{cite book |last=Cohen |first=Karl F |title=Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Blacklisted Animators in America |year=1997 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc |location=North Carolina |isbn=0-7864-0395-0 |chapter=Beavis & Butt-head and the S&P Rules |pages=146–148 }} 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. Beginning around the same time was South Park. It became an "icon for anti-censorship and free speech" and was called "one of the most controversial shows on television."{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/animated-series-characters-great-for-south-park/ |title=10 Characters From Other Animated Series That Would Be Great On South Park |last=McIntosh |first=Cody |date=November 24, 2020 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=November 29, 2020 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125231206/https://screenrant.com/animated-series-characters-great-for-south-park/ |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}

In May 1995, another adult animated sitcom began airing on Comedy Central. It was titled Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, featured the voice talents of Jonathan Katz, Jon Benjamin, and Laura Silverman,{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |page=167 }} won a Peabody Award in 1998.[http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/dr.-katz-professional-therapist 58th Annual Peabody Awards], May 1999. and was animated in a crude, easily recognizable style produced with the software Squigglevision in which all persons and animate objects are colored and have constantly squiggling outlines, while most other inanimate objects are static and usually gray in color.{{cite news|title= Television Review; Meet the Small Family, A Year After the Divorce|work= New York Times|date=April 26, 1999|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/26/arts/television-review-meet-the-small-family-a-year-after-the-divorce.html?scp=9&sq=Dr.%20Katz,%20Professional%20Therapist&st=cse|access-date=November 2, 2020 | first=Ron | last=Wertheimer}} Some critics stated that this series offered "plenty of cleverness and humor for those who looked", with funny lines, a unique style, and centered around "therapist discussions with real celebrities".{{cite web|last1=Lagoia|first1=Stephen|url=https://screenrant.com/forgotten-adult-animated-comedies-worth-watching/|title=10 Forgotten Adult Animated Comedies Worth Watching|date=April 4, 2020|work=Screen Rant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918205331/https://screenrant.com/forgotten-adult-animated-comedies-worth-watching/|archive-date=September 18, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 2, 2020}}

In March 2000, the first few episodes of God, the Devil and Bob aired on NBC, with nine episodes unaired.{{Sfn | Erickson | 2005 | p = 378-379}} The series didn't return until 2011, when the nine remaining episodes aired, from January to March 2011, on Adult Swim.{{cite web |url=http://boards.adultswim.com/t5/General-Adult-Swim-Discussion/Schedule-Update-11-22-10/m-p/57605239#U57605239 |title=Schedule Update - 11/22/10 - Adult Swim Message Boards |publisher=Boards.adultswim.com |access-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312085845/http://boards.adultswim.com/t5/General-Adult-Swim-Discussion/Schedule-Update-11-22-10/m-p/57605239#U57605239 |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.adultswim.com/schedule/onair.html |title=Schedule |publisher=Adult Swim |date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006084336/http://www.adultswim.com/schedule/onair.html |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }} Some said this was because Christian groups, like the American Family Association, had boycotted the network, and 17 NBC-affiliated stations agreed, leading to the show being stopped only after four episodes had aired.{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Kieran|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/god-the-devil-and-bob/|title='God, the Devil and Bob' Was a Misunderstood Animated Sitcom|date=September 29, 2020|website=Film School Rejects|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223082448/https://filmschoolrejects.com/god-the-devil-and-bob/|archive-date=December 23, 2020}} Even so, some religious leaders in the United Kingdom supported the show, and critics like Caryn James called it "a little risky" but "relatively benign" when compared to South Park, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City which aired at the time.{{cite web|last=Ojumu|first=Akin|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/apr/29/features.review57|title=The Devil has the best toon|date=April 29, 2001|website=The Guardian|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004125029/https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/apr/29/features.review57|archive-date=October 4, 2020|url-status=live}}

In June 2000, Kevin Smith criticized ABC over its animated sitcom, Clerks: The Animated Series, telling EW that they delivered the content but that ABC, and their corporate owner Disney Company, reneged on their promises, and called the show "dead" even though there were six episodes that had not aired.{{cite magazine|last=Jenson|first=Jeff|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/06/07/kevin-smith-rails-against-abc-over-his-new-animated-sitcom/|title=Kevin Smith rails against ABC over his new animated sitcom|date=June 7, 2000|magazine=EW|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403085006/https://ew.com/article/2000/06/07/kevin-smith-rails-against-abc-over-his-new-animated-sitcom/|archive-date=April 3, 2020|url-status=live}} Six episodes of the show, based on Kevin Smith's 1994 comedy of the same title, were produced, but only two episodes aired before the show was cancelled by ABC.{{Sfn | Erickson | 2005 | p = 202-203}}{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=126–127 }}

While the pilot of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law first aired as a sneak peek on Cartoon Network on December 30, 2000,{{Cite web |title=The Daily Ghost Planet : The Past! |url=http://lustforlunch.com/dgp/oldnews.htm#morestealth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011220040853/http://lustforlunch.com/dgp/oldnews.htm#morestealth |archive-date=December 20, 2001 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |publisher=Lustforlunch.com}} the series officially premiered on Adult Swim on September 2, 2001, the night the block launched.{{Cite web |date=2007-07-12 |title=Harvey Birdman Finale on Adult Swim |url=http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=20398 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016122540/http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=20398 |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |publisher=Animation World Network}} 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,{{Cite web |title=Harvey Birdman: Attorney General Preview | Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law | Adult Swim - YouTube | website=YouTube | date=September 18, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC0zgOJq7CU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920081813/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC0zgOJq7CU |archive-date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=November 2, 2020}} and a spin-off, Birdgirl, was ordered in May 2019.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=May 9, 2019 |title='Harvey Birdman' Spinoff With Paget Brewster Greenlit at Adult Swim |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/harvey-birdman-spinoff-paget-brewster-greenlit-at-adult-swim-1209017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509170109/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/harvey-birdman-spinoff-paget-brewster-greenlit-at-adult-swim-1209017 |archive-date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} 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." In 2008, Usha M. Rodrigues and Belinda Smaill argued that bro'Town was a "home grown animated sitcom" that is comparable to The Simpsons.{{cite book |last1=Rodrigues |first1=Usha M. |last2=Smaill |first2=Belinda |date=2008 |title=Youth, Media and Culture in the Asia Pacific Region |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_JMUAQAAIAAJ |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |pages=168–169 |isbn=978-1847184603}}

File:Dan Harmon (28546541015).jpg, one of the creators of Rick and Morty, in July 2016]]

Adult animation became more popular, premiering critically acclaimed shows such as Drawn Together, Family Guy, American Dad!, Archer, Bob's Burgers, Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman, F Is for Family, and Big Mouth. Some argued that animated sitcoms have formed some of the "most enduring and valuable franchises in the history of television," in terms of shows like Family Guy and South Park.{{Sfn | Evershed | 2021 | p = 10}} These shows, and their subsequent franchises, were said to be part of a shift in the early 2010s toward adult animation, with darker and "more intricate animated comedies" such as Bojack Horseman and Rick and Morty released, with the latter reaching nine million viewers after the first season.{{cite news|last=Chapman|first=Taj|url=https://www.thegazelle.org/issue/155/features/the-rise-of-nihilist-animated-sitcom|title=The Rise of the Nihilist Animated Sitcom|date=March 19, 2019|website=The Gazelle|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429002413/https://www.thegazelle.org/issue/155/features/the-rise-of-nihilist-animated-sitcom|archive-date=April 29, 2021|url-status=live}} Drawn Together, a parody of The Real World, which follows the misadventures of the housemates in the fictional show of the same name and uses a sitcom format with a reality TV show setting, was followed by a direct-to-video film and series finale titled The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie!.{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=166–167 }} Another antimated sitcom was

Brickleberry which aired on Comedy Central from 2012 to 2015. It was created by Waco O'Guin and Roger Black, executive produced by O'Guin, Black, and comedian Daniel Tosh. It was later described as one of the "more vulgar adult-animation offerings" of the 2010s, with Kaitlin Olson only staying "for the first season as the female lead," voicing a "recently transferred Yellowstone ranger named Ethel."{{Cite news|last1=Wells|first1=John|title=Kaitlin Olson's 10 Best Roles, Ranked According To IMDb|url=https://screenrant.com/kaitlin-olson-best-roles-imdb/|date=November 14, 2020|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=Screen Rant|language=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116170110/https://screenrant.com/kaitlin-olson-best-roles-imdb/|archive-date=November 16, 2020|url-status=live}} It was also said that show had a divided reception from critics but received favorably by audiences, who appreciated the show's "shameless sense of offensive humor and fast-paced writing."

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/archer-ways-it-changed-since-pilot/ |title=Archer: 10 Ways The Series Has Changed Since The Pilot |last=Cubillas |first=Sean |date=November 18, 2020 |website=CBR |access-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126162930/https://www.cbr.com/archer-ways-it-changed-since-pilot/ |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |url-status=live}} American Dad! was praised for breaking away from the "cynicism and formulas of its adult animation contemporaries" with the romance between Stan Smith and Francine said to be a wonderful romantic pair akin to Archie and Edith Bunker.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/american-dad-best-holiday-specials/ |title=American Dad: 10 Best Holiday Specials, Ranked |last=Cubillas |first=Sean |date=November 21, 2020 |website=CBR |access-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201126162331/https://www.cbr.com/american-dad-best-holiday-specials/ |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |url-status=live}} Bob's Burgers was described as a welcome addition to the "Sunday lineup," with passionate relationship between Bob and Linda Belcher while maintaining a large audience.{{cite web|last1=Cabilas|first1=Sean|url=https://www.cbr.com/best-romances-adult-cartoons-animation/|title=10 Best Romances In Adult Animation|date=February 11, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=CBR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629203702/https://www.cbr.com/best-romances-adult-cartoons-animation/|archive-date=June 29, 2020|url-status=live}} In November 2020, the show was approaching its 200th episode.{{cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title= 'Bob's Burgers' Team on the Road to 200th Episode Milestone for Fan-Favorite Animated Series |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/features/bobs-burgers-loren-bouchard-200th-episode-1234823342/ |website=Variety |access-date=November 12, 2020 |date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112205724/https://variety.com/2020/tv/features/bobs-burgers-loren-bouchard-200th-episode-1234823342/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |url-status=live}} and that Some reviewers called Drawn Together a "bizarre and highly entertaining series" which has a unique style of humor and "level of self-parody."{{cite web|last1=Mendelsohn|first1=Jon|url=https://www.cbr.com/short-lived-adult-animated-shows-you-may-have-missed/|title=Short-Lived Adult Animated Shows You May Have Missed|date=August 2, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=CBR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930221606/https://www.cbr.com/short-lived-adult-animated-shows-you-may-have-missed/|archive-date=September 30, 2020|url-status=live}} Some reviewers would point to how the "foxhole humor" in Bob's Burgers has kept it going, and even argue that the humor in the children's animation, Animaniacs was "far more adult" than the original series in the 1990s.{{cite web |last1=Betti |first1=Tony |title=HTV Review: "Animaniacs" Returns And Still Pushes Zany To The Max 22 Years Later |url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/11/16/tv-review-animaniacs-returns-and-still-pushes-zany-to-the-max-22-years-later// |website=The Laughing Place |access-date=November 16, 2020 |date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116171908/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/11/16/tv-review-animaniacs-returns-and-still-pushes-zany-to-the-max-22-years-later/ |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Stevens |first1=Ashlie D. |title=How "Bob's Burgers" uses "foxhole humor" to keep the American dream alive after 200 episodes |url=https://www.salon.com/2020/11/15/bobs-burgers-loren-bouchard-200th-episode/ |website=Salon |access-date=November 16, 2020 |date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115170255/https://www.salon.com/2020/11/15/bobs-burgers-loren-bouchard-200th-episode/ |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |url-status=live}} Later in 2020, the reboot of Animaniacs, an all-ages animation had an episode pulled which included a real sex hotline number, with the series no stranger to adult humor as the showrunner, Wellesley Wild, is a "veteran of adult animation" as he worked on Family Guy in the past.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/animaniacs-reboot-accidentally-airs-phone-number-for-a-sex-hotline/ |title=Animaniacs Reboot Accidentally Airs Phone Number for a Sex Hotline |last=Jennings |first=Collier |date=November 27, 2020 |website=CBR |access-date=November 29, 2020 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129145548/https://www.cbr.com/animaniacs-reboot-accidentally-airs-phone-number-for-a-sex-hotline/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 }}

In June 2011, two scholars analyzed queer characters and themes in animated sitcoms, arguing that they create "space for queer resistance," analyzing themes, and text, in the animated series Family Guy.{{cite journal |last1=Dhaenens |first1=Frederik |last2=Van Bauwel |first2=Sofie |date=June 23, 2011 |title=Queer Resistances in the Adult Animated Sitcom |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1527476411412397 |journal=Television & New Media |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=124–138 |doi=10.1177/1527476411412397 |access-date=April 28, 2021|hdl=1854/LU-1251875 |s2cid=145513253 |hdl-access=free }} They also argued that analyzing the show using postmodern thematic analysis, it creates "deconstructionist instances" that, in their view, "expose and subvert the hegemony of heteronormativity."

Allen Gregory had a short run in 2011 and was cancelled after the first season.{{cite web|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|title=Fox Boss Offers Renewal Updates on House, Fringe, Terra Nova and More!|url=http://tvline.com/2012/01/08/fox-house-fringe-terra-nova-renewals-cancellations/|date=January 8, 2012|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029005152/http://tvline.com/2012/01/08/fox-house-fringe-terra-nova-renewals-cancellations/|archive-date=October 29, 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} This series featured Richard and Jeremy De Longpre, the fathers of the title character, Allen. Jeremy is a former social worker who had a loving wife and family, although this changed after Richard became one of his clients.{{cite web|last1=Bianco|first1=Robert|title='Allen Gregory': Nasty, brutish and hopefully short-lived|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/story/2011-10-27/allen-gregory-fox/50966052/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105040353/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/story/2011-10-27/allen-gregory-fox/50966052/1|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 5, 2012|website=USA Today|date=October 28, 2011|access-date=November 2, 2020}} Richard was attracted to Jeremy to the point where he started stalking him and his family until Jeremy finally agreed to be his husband. It is said that Jeremy is actually heterosexual but left his wife and children for Richard, who offered him an easy, no-maintenance life as his trophy husband.{{cite report |date=2011 |title=Where We Are on TV: 2011–2012 |url=http://www.glaad.org/files/where_are_we_on_tv_2011.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |page=8 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005092908/http://www.glaad.org/files/where_are_we_on_tv_2011.pdf |archive-date=October 5, 2011 }}

The following year, from January to December 2012, Unsupervised, an adult animated sitcom ran on FX.{{cite news|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/FX-Sets-Premiere-Dates-Justified-Archer-Unsupervised-37345.html |title=FX Sets Premiere Dates For Justified, Archer And Unsupervised |newspaper=Cinemablend |publisher=Cinemablend.com |date=November 28, 2011 |access-date=November 2, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/482547-Upfronts_2012_FX_Focusing_on_Launching_New_Dramas.php |title=Upfronts 2012: FX Focusing on Launching New Dramas | Cable Television News | Broadcast Syndication | Programming |publisher=Multichannel.com |date=March 30, 2012 |access-date=November 2, 2020}} Although it was cancelled in November 2012 after one season, it was praised by critics as a coming-of-age story, with two clueless and ridiculous protagonists, while having "realistic looking backgrounds," contrasting with show's look in general.

Jeff & Some Aliens, an animated sitcom aired on Comedy Central from January to March 2017.{{cite web|author=Whitney Friedlander |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/jeff-and-some-aliens-comedy-central-triptank-animated-series-1201526718/ |title='Jeff and Some Aliens': Comedy Central Orders 'TripTank' Spinoff Series |publisher=Variety |date=June 24, 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2020 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-jeff-and-some-aliens-review-20170111-story.html |title=Animated 'Jeff & Some Aliens' is in familiar 'out there' territory |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 10, 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2020}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/jeff-and-some-aliens/#ftag=PPM-18-10caf1d|title = Jeff & Some Aliens | Comedy Central| date=January 10, 2017 }} In December 2017, the series was canceled after one season.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} It was described as being "a witty and fun stoner alien romp" which is a comedy akin to Rick and Morty.

File:Street-art Luci - Clermont-Ferrand.jpg, seen at Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne in November 2018]]

Other animated sitcoms include Paradise PD, Tuca & Bertie, The Boondocks, and Momma Named Me Sheriff.{{Sfn | Evershed | 2021 | p = 22, 30}}{{cite web|last=Marrian|first=Lorinda|url=https://screenrant.com/animated-sitcoms-better-than-family-guy/|title=10 Animated Sitcoms That Are Better Than Family Guy|date=April 10, 2020|website=Screen Rant|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418081045/https://screenrant.com/animated-sitcoms-better-than-family-guy/|archive-date=April 18, 2020}} Some series are on streaming platforms, as is the case with Disenchantment, Final Space, Solar Opposites, Central Park, the short-lived series, Hoops, and Q-Force.{{cite web|last=Seddon|first=Dan|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33390851/netflix-series-hoops-nsfw-trailer/|title=Netflix releases sweary teaser for adult animation Hoops, starring New Girl star|date=February 27, 2020|website=Digital Spy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724030739/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33390851/netflix-series-hoops-nsfw-trailer/|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Paz|first=Maggie Dela|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/trailers/1126201-central-park-trailer|title=Central Park Trailer: First Look at Apple TV+'s New Animated Sitcom|website=ComingSoon|date=March 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601073408/https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/trailers/1126201-central-park-trailer|archive-date=June 1, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Kleinman|first1=Jake|url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/hoops-review-netflix-jake-johnson|title=Hoops review: Netflix finally made a terrible adult cartoon|date=August 19, 2020|work=Inverse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922191146/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/hoops-review-netflix-jake-johnson|archive-date=September 22, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 2, 2020}} This positioned Netflix as a leader of adult animation content. The creator of Bojack Horseman, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, said that the show is about "ourselves looking outwards" and argued that the voice actor for Bojack, Will Arnett, can find the comedy in anything.{{cite web|last=Croot|first=James|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/96317433/bojack-horseman-inside-the-worlds-mostpopular-adult-animated-sitcom|title=Bojack Horseman: Inside the world's most-popular adult animated sitcom|date=August 30, 2017|website=Stuff.co.nz|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000534/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/96317433/bojack-horseman-inside-the-worlds-mostpopular-adult-animated-sitcom|archive-date=November 12, 2020|url-status=live}} Nasdaq argued that shows like Disenchantment were "original content" which had helped Netflix "dominate the online video streaming market," and said that demand for original content will allow Netflix to expand its base of subscribers.{{cite news|author=Zacks|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/netflix-nflx-set-to-air-matt-groenings-animated-sitcom-2018-08-16|title=Netflix (NFLX) Set to Air Matt Groening's Animated Sitcom|website=Nasdaq|date=August 16, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210429014801/https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/netflix-nflx-set-to-air-matt-groenings-animated-sitcom-2018-08-16|archive-date=April 29, 2021|url-status=live}} This allowed Netflix to gain allegiance of smaller, but more fervent, fanbases, which garnered a wide viewership.

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. Even so, fans of The Simpsons turned Hulu into a popular streaming hub.{{cite web |last1=Travers |first1=Ben |title='The Simpsons' Was the Key to Animation Domination on Fox — Now It's Hulu's Turn |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/the-simpsons-fox-animation-domination-hulu-emmys-1234570947/ |website=IndieWire |access-date=November 2, 2020 |date=July 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019154914/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/the-simpsons-fox-animation-domination-hulu-emmys-1234570947/ |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |url-status=live}}

Critics praised Tuca & Bertie and Solar Opposites for their take on humor and comedy. Shaurya Thapa of Screen Rant argued that Tuca & Bertie offered "a fresh and realistic take on the sitcom formula" while{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/hbo-animals-best-adult-animated-shows-series/ |title=HBO's Animals & 9 Other Underrated Adult Animated Series |last=Thapa |first=Shaurya |date=November 23, 2020 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126163043/https://screenrant.com/hbo-animals-best-adult-animated-shows-series/ |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |url-status=live}} Rafael Motomoyer of Collider argued that Solar Opposites not only mixes "crude humor and knack for violence ... with a long-standing tradition of animated sitcoms" centered on a family, but it gives a "new take on the typical American family."{{cite web|last=Motamayor|first=Rafael|url=https://collider.com/solar-opposites-sitcom-hulu/|title=How 'Solar Opposites' Is Evolving the American Animated Sitcom Tradition|website=Collider |date=May 12, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902090258/https://collider.com/solar-opposites-sitcom-hulu/|archive-date=September 2, 2020|url-status=live}} Some described The Boondocks as profound, comedic, smart, silly, has social commentary on class relations, racism, and with a unique animation style. Some said that Apple TV+'s Central Park was one of the best shows of 2020 and described it as the network's "first foray into adult animation."{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Jason |date=December 12, 2020 |title=The 10 Best New TV Shows of 2020 |url=https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/the-10-best-new-tv-shows-of-2020/ |url-status=live |work=Adweek |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209115834/https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/the-10-best-new-tv-shows-of-2020/ |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 }}

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.{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Victoria|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/feature-previs-animated-sitcom-nina-helene-hirten-talks-duncanville|title=From Feature Previs to an Animated Sitcom: Nina Helene Hirten Talks 'Duncanville'|website=Animation World Network|date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125201803/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/feature-previs-animated-sitcom-nina-helene-hirten-talks-duncanville|archive-date=November 25, 2020|url-status=live}} Poehler said the series is inspired by The Simpsons.{{cite web|last=Flood|first=Alex|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/duncanville-amy-poehler-2635423|title='Duncanville': Amy Poehler introduces her new animated sitcom that's inspired by 'The Simpsons'|website=NME|date=March 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429004739/https://www.nme.com/blogs/duncanville-amy-poehler-2635423|archive-date=April 29, 2021|url-status=live}} Another animated sitcom on Fox, Bless the Harts, starred Kristen Wiig, and was created by former Saturday Night Live staff writer, Emily Spivey.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/bless-the-harts-things-didnt-know-kristen-wiig-cartoon-show/ |title=Bless The Harts: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Kristen Wiig Cartoon Show |last=Cubillas |first=Sean |date=November 20, 2020 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120015649/https://screenrant.com/bless-the-harts-things-didnt-know-kristen-wiig-cartoon-show/ |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |url-status=live}}

A September 2018 report by AT&T, using Google Trends, identified the most popular animated sitcoms in each U.S. state.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-america-favorite-animated-sitcoms-20180920-photogallery.html|title=The most popular animated sitcoms ranked by state|website=Chicago Tribune|date=September 20, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011025530/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-america-favorite-animated-sitcoms-20180920-photogallery.html|archive-date=October 11, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://siouxcityjournal.com/coffee_break/iowa---what-is-your-most-popular-animated-sitcom/article_639b1312-182e-5ce2-982a-2c57e30886ef.html|title= Iowa - What is your most popular animated sitcom?|website=Sioux City Journal|date=September 24, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125142310/https://siouxcityjournal.com/coffee_break/iowa---what-is-your-most-popular-animated-sitcom/article_639b1312-182e-5ce2-982a-2c57e30886ef.html|archive-date=January 25, 2021|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite report |last1=Fuller |first1=Cara |date=September 27, 2018 |title=Your State's Favorite Animated Sitcom |url=https://www.attsavings.com/resources/entertainment/your-states-favorite-animated-tv-show/ |publisher=AT&T |access-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225075739/https://www.attsavings.com/resources/entertainment/your-states-favorite-animated-tv-show/ |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |url-status=live}} 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,{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/seewhatsnext/status/1120735907575816192|title=The first animated series #GravityFalls alum @shhhhhionn will create for Netflix under her overall deal is a workplace comedy called "Inside Job" set in the shadow government where every conspiracy theory is true and one woman struggles to keep the chaos under wraps.|date=April 23, 2019|user=seewhatsnext|number=1120735907575816192}} with Alex Hirsch as an executive producer,{{cite magazine|last1=Aquillina|first1=Tyler|url=https://ew.com/tv/alex-hirsch-gravity-falls-pranks-trump-voter-fraud-hotline/|title=Alex Hirsch pranks Trump's voter fraud hotline as his Gravity Falls characters|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 7, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107172421/https://ew.com/tv/alex-hirsch-gravity-falls-pranks-trump-voter-fraud-hotline/|archive-date=November 7, 2020|url-status=live}} With a woman named Alma as the protagonist, Takeuchi said she hoped it would "push the boundaries" of adult animation. 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."

In January 2020, TZGZ, Syfy's new adult animation block, ordered six 15-minute episodes of the series, which would later become Magical Girl Friendship Squad.{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=May 13, 2020|title='Magical Girl Friendship Squad': Quinta Brunson & Anna Akana Lead Ensemble Cast Of Syfy's TZGZ Anime-Inspired Comedy|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/magical-girl-friendship-squad-quinta-brunson-anna-akana-lead-ensemble-cast-syfys-tzgz-anime-comedy-1202930296/|url-status=live|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605045347/https://deadline.com/2020/05/magical-girl-friendship-squad-quinta-brunson-anna-akana-lead-ensemble-cast-syfys-tzgz-anime-comedy-1202930296/|archive-date=2020-06-05}} At the same time, the short form version, Magical Girl Friendship Squad: Origins, began airing on the same late-night programming block.{{cite web |title=Magical Girl Friendship Squad: Origins [promo clip] |url=https://www.facebook.com/SYFY/videos/470088237255552/ |website=Facebook |publisher=SYFY |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200712221257/https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=470088237255552 |archive-date=July 12, 2020 |date=January 9, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last1=Milligan |first1=Mercedes |title=SYFY Greenlights 'Devil May Care', 3 More Pilots for Adult Toon Block TZGZ |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/syfy-greenlights-devil-may-care-3-more-pilots-for-adult-toon-block-tzgz/ |website=Animation Magazine |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616214646/https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/syfy-greenlights-devil-may-care-3-more-pilots-for-adult-toon-block-tzgz/ |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |date=May 13, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

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."{{cite web |url=https://pioneerscoop.com/2020/11/18/duncanville-will-we-get-a-season-2-of-animated-sitcom-series/ |title=Duncanville: Will We Get A Season 2 Of Animated Sitcom Series? |author=Steven |date=November 18, 2020 |website=Pioneer Scoop |access-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201126153036/https://pioneerscoop.com/2020/11/18/duncanville-will-we-get-a-season-2-of-animated-sitcom-series/ |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |url-status=live}}

In September 2020, Magical Girl Friendship Squad began airing on SYFY.{{Cite news|title='Magical Girl Friendship Squad': Anime-Inspired Series Led By Quinta Brunson Sets Syfy Premiere Date, Preview|url=https://shadowandact.com/magical-girl-friendship-squad-anime-inspired-series-led-by-quinta-brunson-sets-syfy-premiere-date-preview|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|newspaper=Shadow and Act|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926002804/https://shadowandact.com/magical-girl-friendship-squad-anime-inspired-series-led-by-quinta-brunson-sets-syfy-premiere-date-preview|archive-date=September 26, 2020|url-status=live|last1=Mangum|first1=Trey}} 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,{{cite interview |last=Stephanides |first=Kelsey |interviewer=Kay-B |title=INTERVIEW: MAGICAL GIRL FRIENDSHIP SQUAD creator Kelsey Stephanides on the new Syfy animated series |type=Online |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-kelsey-stephanides-magical-girl-friendship-squad/ |format=Online |publisher=Comics Beat |date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926004046/https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-kelsey-stephanides-magical-girl-friendship-squad/ |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |url-status=live }} allowing for "different ways" to do adult animation in the future.{{cite interview |last=Stephanides |first=Kelsey |interviewer=Jackson Murphy |title=INTERVIEW: Kelsey Stephanides Invite You To Join "Magical Girl Friendship Squad" |type=Online |url=https://www.animationscoop.com/interview-kelsey-stephanides-invite-you-to-join-magical-girl-friendship-squad/ |publisher=Animation Scoop |date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=November 2, 2020 }}

In December 2020, Hoops was cancelled by Netflix after its first season received low ratings and negative reviews.{{cite web |last1=Ausiello |first1= Michael |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Hoops Cancelled at Netflix |url=https://tvline.com/2020/12/08/hoops-cancelled-netflix-season-2/ |url-status=live |work=TVLine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208225010/https://tvline.com/2020/12/08/hoops-cancelled-netflix-season-2/ |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 }}{{cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |date=December 12, 2020 |title='Hoops' Canceled at Netflix After One Season (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hoops-canceled-netflix-1234848791/ |url-status=live |work=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211002652/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hoops-canceled-netflix-1234848791/ |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 }} Hoops was described as "puerile comedy ... perfect for Trump's America,"{{cite news |last1=Jeffries |first1=Stuart |title=Hoops review – puerile animation is perfect for Trump's America |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/21/hoops-review-netflix-cartoon |website=The Guardian |date=21 August 2020 |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-date=31 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831185552/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/21/hoops-review-netflix-cartoon |url-status=live }} not funny,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/reviews/hoops-tv-review-jake-johnson-netflix-1234741579/|title='Hoops' Review: Netflix's Unabashedly Ridiculous Cartoon Wastes Jake Johnson's Comedic Voice|website=Variety|first=Caroline|last=Framke|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=August 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824110849/https://variety.com/2020/tv/reviews/hoops-tv-review-jake-johnson-netflix-1234741579/|url-status=live}} and "crude, rude, and aimless."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/hoops/s01|title=Hoops: Season 1 (2020)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 26, 2020}}{{cbignore}}

On January 15, 2021, the first part of season 2 of Disenchantment was released on Netflix.{{cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Bean's Quest Continues in 'Disenchantment' Pt. 3 on January 15 |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/beans-quest-continues-in-disenchantment-pt-3-on-january-15/ |url-status=live |work=Animation Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216135157/https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/beans-quest-continues-in-disenchantment-pt-3-on-january-15/ |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |access-date=December 16, 2020 }} 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.{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Tyler, The Creator & 'Loiter Squad' Duo Lionel Boyce & Davon Wilson Team Up For Animated Comedy 'Shell Beach' In The Works At Fox |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/tyler-the-creator-loiter-squad-animated-comedy-shell-beach-fox-1234697225/ |work=Deadline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220044755/https://deadline.com/2021/02/tyler-the-creator-loiter-squad-animated-comedy-shell-beach-fox-1234697225/ |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Samuel|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/animated-sitcom-king-of-the-hill-is-close-to-a-revival|title=Animated sitcom King of the Hill sounds close to a revival|website=TechRadar|date=March 2021|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317203453/https://www.techradar.com/news/animated-sitcom-king-of-the-hill-is-close-to-a-revival|archive-date=March 17, 2021|url-status=live}}

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• {{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 }}
• {{cite report |last1=Evershed |first1=John |date=2021 |title=The "Great Adult Animation Boom" is in Full Swing |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5daf57aecd04c82eed72aa1a/t/6076430a9db1587982b6b68e/1618363151224/Adult+Animation+White+Paper+2.pdf |publisher=High Concentrate, LLC in Squarespace |access-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428222722/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5daf57aecd04c82eed72aa1a/t/6076430a9db1587982b6b68e/1618363151224/Adult+Animation+White+Paper+2.pdf |archive-date=April 28, 2021}}

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