TVSquad

While it's no small feat to create an animated series kids will love, or one adults will love, it's especially amazing when someone is able to create something that both kids and adults can get a kick out of. SpongeBob SquarePants is a perfect example, and so is pretty much everything Craig McCracken has had a hand in, from Dexter's Laboratory (which he didn't create, but did work on) to The Powerpuff Girls to Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, which, by the way, will kick of its fifth season later this month (April 28 at 7 p.m. EST on Cartoon Network to be exact). I've praised Foster's plenty of times already, but I'll say again that if you like cartoons and haven't checked this one out yet, you should. The unique creatures and design of the show give it a kind of "storybook" feel, and there's plenty of subtle jokes for adults and slightly older kids. I loved the episode when a sculpture of Grandma Foster is broken, causing Bloo to point out in one scene that "a bust this big needs ample support." What makes McCracken's work so admirable is that he's able to combine elements that are both jokey and heartwarming. The result is a show both myself and my three-year-old niece can enjoy. As "simplistic" as the show may seem, that's actually quite an accomplishment.