Toon In

The first petition I ever signed was the one that my brother and I created in 1989 imploring our parents to let us watch The Simpsons. Tragically, our democratic machinations were quashed; nonetheless, I have since developed an abiding affection towards animation for grown-ups. Here are, in my opinion, the five greatest examples of this art form (and if golf is a sport, then cartoons are totally art):

5. The Simpsons — The progenitor of the modern wave of animated sitcoms, The Simpsons remains not only one of the most relevant and important airing American television shows, but also, somewhat amazingly, funny.

4. Daria — The protagonist is an awesomely sarcastic Geek the Girl in this sadly-shelved show which is still cuttingly mirth-inducing ten years later.

3. American Dad — Perhaps blasphemously bumping its older brother Family Guy (which needs to start being funny again), American Dad is a fun combination of goofy humor and cultural critique. With a German fish.

2. Home Movies — I've been trying to put my finger on why I like this show so much for years, but all I know is that when I found out it was re-airing on Adult Swim I did a jig.

1. South Park — Crass, irreverent, utterly unpolished. Clearly my type.

Honorable mentions go to Futurama and King of Hill — robots and rednecks, respectively. Actually, I propose they have an old school rumble. I've got ten bucks on Peggy Hill.