Let's Get Animated!

It's funny how when your little, cartoons such as Tiny Toons or Muppet Babies or even Bobby's World were just side-spliting funny. Sure, a pie in the face was a great gag. Squeaky shoes? HIL-ARI-OUS! Not to mention funny words like Mukluk, Walla Walla Washington, or Lake Titicaca (tehehehehe). But now that we are older and wiser (well, definitely older anyway) those skits don't stand the test of time. Sure they're cute, they can even make you nostalgic for afternoon lunches after school sitting in front of the TV before beginning your homework. (Can someone hand me a hankey?) But with age also comes a more refined sensibility, and a greater appreciation for the true art of comedy. Currently, some of the most comedically adult shows are animated. Right of the bat, I can point to Family Guy as a show that consistently pushes the envelope, while still maintaining the funny. Alright, I'll admit, Family Guy isn't the epitome of sophisticated humor (Dick and fart jokes abound!), but I think I can safely say that it has far surpassed the highest level that the Simpson's ever reached in its hayday. For sophisticated adult-oriented humor I'll present (Exhibit A) the Boondocks. Now, I was a little late to the party on this one. I heard about it from some friends of mine, they'd constently talk about how funny and racey it was, and so I finally decided to give it a try. I never read the comic strip, although I knew it existed, so I really didn't have any expectations. I can honestly say that I was blown away. Here's a show that delves into the deep social infrastructure of our society, and exposes the racial prejudices of suburban America. (In other words, its a funny show about Niggas!) It is a strange combination of anime style animation, and hip-hop urban culture. Now, I ain't sayin' she's a Gold Digger, but this show ain't pulling any punches. Perhaps at first glance it comes across as nothing more than 22 minutes of racial stereotypes run amok, and you'd be right, but there is something more that distinguishes this show from all others of this type. At the end of every episode I feel like I've learned something valuable as well as laughing along the way. I think the fact that the show is told through the perspective of two young boys makes it easy to dismiss their racial insensitivity as symptoms of youth and innocence, but it also makes their social commentary that much more powerful. They are not afraid to tell it how it is, and are also not afraid of the consequences. Adults think too much, and their fear leads to inaction, and that is why things go unresolved. Everyone is too busy brown-nosing everyone else, and our world becomes one big lie full of Yes-men. That being said...it's a damn funny show. I highly recommend it. You'll laugh, but maybe you'll also learn something along the way...Nigga!