Speaking of SpongeBob - 10 Best Animated 'Toons

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Posted by Dave on September 27, 2002 at 11:43:02

For you animation fans - my list of top ten 'toons currently running:

1. SpongeBob Squarepants - Surely the most insidious 'toon of all time... how this one got below Nickolodeon's radar as a kid's show is beyond me. There is a HUGE gay subtext running thoughout almost every episode along with mixed sexual innuendo and some pretty outrageous bathroom humor (ever notice how Mr. Krabs is always sitting on the toilet during an emergency?). Hilarious characters (Plankton is my personal fave), great music and gorgeous background art. The "Nautical Nonsense" DVD is a must-own for Bikini Bottom fans (skip the Halloween DVD, it's average at best).

2. Aqua Teen Hunger Force - What can you say about a team of fast-food superheros living in the New Jersey 'burbs? Funky and essential viewing. Personal fave: The Mooninites ("We will spank you with our moon rocks!).

3. Courage the Cowardly Dog - Off the wall storylines and the best backround art of any 'toon. Fantastic music. Personal fave: The Goose God. Please bring these out on DVD!

4. Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law - Unbelievable homage to all those crappy Hanna-Barbera cartoons of the sixties and early seventies. Personal fave: The Banyon Custody Case. ("What's your first name, last name and occupation?" "Frogman, frogman and frogman.").

5. Powerpuff Girls - I fell in love with Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup the instant they opened a can of whup-ass on the villans of Townsville. Background art is an incredible tribute to early Hanna-Barbara animation and illustrates just how far this minimalist outline style was ahead of its time. Some great tributes to Marvel characters (Mojo Jojo is based on "The Leader" from the Hulk; nice episode with a Galactus character too). Personal fave: the award-winning "Dy-Na-Mo" battle with the giant Fish-Balloon.

6. Beavis and Butthead - Gone but not forgotten (sorry, just had to include this one). Wickedly funny, especially the video sections.

7. Simpsons - 'Nuff said.

8. Futurama - Funnier and even more creative than the Simpsons IMO, and sadly underappreciated. The Robot City episode was an instant classic.

9. SeaLab 2020 - Best taken in small doses. Can be a bit pedantic at times, but when the storylines work they are laugh-out-loud funny.

10. South Park - Just keeps getting better and better. The current story line with Butters as the evil genius out to conquer the world is hilarious. Favorite character: TIMMY!!!

Honorable Mention - This one is a puppet show, not animation, but I'm including it here because I loved it so much - the six-episode homage to Gerry Anderson's "Thunderbird", MTVs "Super Adventure Team." This one came and went quickly back in 2000 and I'm kicking myself because I never taped it and haven't been able to find copies anywhere. If you haven't seen it and are a fan of Thunderbirds you'll never know what you missed - including the episode where the SAP met "Washing Machine Man... but you can call me Crazy Barry." If anyone knows where to find this on video please let me know!

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Topic - Speaking of SpongeBob - 10 Best Animated 'Toons - Dave 11:43:02 09/27/02 (18)

My favorite SpongeBob moments... - A Fan 15:40:22 10/04/02 (0)

What about "Ren and Stimpy"....................... - danj 22:42:58 10/01/02 (0)

Pinky and the Brain! - darkstar 05:01:42 09/30/02 (4)

I always loved the Falcon.... - Mrs. Piggy 16:15:06 09/30/02 (2)

Re: I always loved the Falcon.... - darkstar 05:27:26 10/01/02 (1)

Well you know... - Mrs. Piggy 15:05:05 10/01/02 (0)

You're thinking of "Fractured Fairy Tales" (nt) - Dave 08:35:07 09/30/02 (0)

Overlooked, but excellent: - The Killer Piglet 21:41:45 09/27/02 (0)

Excuse me, but someone forgot Family Guy.... - Mrs. Piggy 20:48:13 09/27/02 (2)

Coming from Ms. Piggy, high praise indeed! (nt) - Dave 08:08:21 09/28/02 (1)

Did anyone ever tell you you are a cutie pie!;o)-nt - Mrs. Piggy 13:23:44 09/29/02 (0)

Speaking of SpongeBob - David Mester 16:27:43 09/27/02 (2)

Re: Speaking of SpongeBob - Dave 08:07:20 09/28/02 (1)

Re: Speaking of SpongeBob - marantzman 19:59:05 09/28/02 (0)

The Tick. - TAFKA Steve 14:39:40 09/27/02 (2)

Re:"You're not Jewish. You're, well, bluish" - marantzman 19:55:25 09/28/02 (1)

"Nature is one call you can't put on hold."--Thrakazog - TAFKA Steve 08:13:18 09/29/02 (0)

It's amazing how I've become an "expert" on cartoons - mvwine 11:55:12 09/27/02 (0)

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