For many longtime TV Squad readers the name Adam Finley could only be associated with one thing: the wide world of animation. Adam was passionate about animation, covering many shows for us here as well as reporting on anything and everything happening in the industry. So it's only right that the award for Excellence in Animation be named after him.There's all kinds of possibilities for contenders here. I'd give a nod to both Star Wars tributes -- Family Guy and Robot Chicken -- and South Park definitely stretched their animation style with 'Major Boobage,' but I didn't think the episode was all that good. Aqua Teen Hunger Force had some good episodes this season (personal favorites include the VeggieTales parody and that crazy trilogy that opened the season).
But I've by no means watched all the best in animation this year, so I call out to you, dear readers. Which episodes or shows do you think set the bar or even raised it in this past year? Are The Simpsons out of their prime and not worthy of TVS recognition? How about King of the Hill or American Dad? The new The Mr. Men Show is retro-tastic, simple, but still cleverly awesome! Too many to handle! Help me TVS Readers, you're my only hope!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-21-2008 @ 1:26PM
B said...
Three words: Bender's Big Score
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5-21-2008 @ 1:29PM
upoh05 said...
Agreed on Bender's Big Score.
If you decided to go with any Simpsons Episode, go with the Eternal Sunshine one...it was pretty awesome.
King of the Hill was kinda weak this year, But American Dad was pretty cool again.
Family Guy...no comment.
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5-21-2008 @ 1:45PM
Graham said...
Well, right now there are two animated shows that I really enjoy:
Bleach -- Excellent voice acting, interesting plot, and cool fights that don't last quite as long as Dragon Ball Z
Death Note -- Does the end justify the means? It's a mystery with a lead protagonist that you root for and hate yourself for doing it. Excellent voice cast that just brings the right subtle emotions to the characters. It plays out like a mystery with both sides playing each other like a Chess game.
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5-21-2008 @ 2:11PM
mrbenn said...
the Family Guy Blue Harvest/Star Wars episode was one of the finest and funniest things I have seen on television in years. Superbly observed and funny as hell with it
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5-21-2008 @ 3:25PM
Ganesh said...
The best animation (and frankly one of the best storylines on TV right now) is on the Nickelodeon show "Avatar". Sure, it's made for kids, but the characters are great to watch and the story is compelling. This is from a guy who loves The Wire, Lost and BSG-- much grittier entertainment but still not as good as Avatar.
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5-21-2008 @ 3:35PM
Ed said...
Bender's Big Score.
Why?
Because it's a triumph that, even if there is no home on TV for a funny, intelligent and consistent comedy, then the DVD format is strong enough to sustain cult shows. This bodes well particularly when you factor in the additional Internet-video market, which is finally starting to mature.
The movie/4-parter wins for remaining true to it's origins, with a storyline that interweaved it's past episodes with new character developments, and giving it's salivating die-hard fans a whole solar system of references, call-backs, and in-jokes - heck it even went back in time and screwed with previous plotlines (perhaps wrongly, in some fan's eyes, but I'd call it more than successful.
Not only that but it gave people new to the show some great one-liners and a a funny if complicated story.
You could make many complaints - some people disliked the Lars storyline for various reasons, some didn't like Seymour the dog's episode being messed with, some could see plothole's or found it too convulated. In a time when the last two Family Guy movies have been good-to-okay, and when The Simpson's movie wasn't mindblowing, I think it's time to give a previously dead-and-buried show a little applause and a slap on the back.
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Honourable mentions: If I was judging by recent seasons, I would give it to South Park. Often funnier than The Simpsons (For your consideration: Their two 24 parodies), and giving us what The Simpsons gave us back in it's heyday: Fantastic social commentary and satire, wrapped up in a crude and hilarious package. It's the only animation which strikes me as relavent. If you want to tell me Family Guy is funnier, that's fine, but but I submit South Park's satire is worth it's weight in gold on TV at the moment.
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And if Futurama shows it's success commercially, maybe we can see the return-to-form returns of over cancelled-two-quickly shows, in particular the greatest ever sitcom, Arrested Development.
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5-21-2008 @ 3:36PM
shmuffin123 said...
Family Guy, though I'm diggin the Mr. Men Show!
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5-21-2008 @ 3:40PM
larry said...
American dad the episode stanny slickers II:the legend of ollie's gold. the scene where stan finds the gold and shows everybody is nothing less then classic
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5-21-2008 @ 4:16PM
Nick said...
Can we make an exception and put "Venture Bros." here? I know it's been a while, but they're coming back. Seriously, they are.
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5-21-2008 @ 7:37PM
Imp said...
I totally agree - Venture Bros is fantastic and has to be on here!
5-21-2008 @ 4:23PM
nattyff said...
DEATH NOTE!!! hands down the best, the story is great, specially for dexter fans!!! :)
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5-21-2008 @ 5:17PM
Zachary said...
I am trying to raise awareness for Frisky Dingo. It is my second favorite show after Venture Bros but it is terribly under-appreciated. It's hard to pick the best episode because the whole season is almost like a single 2-hour episode in 11 minute chapters.
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5-21-2008 @ 10:44PM
Nick said...
Yes, Frisky Dingo is completely underrated. A great match of high brow and low brow humor.
That said, this begins and ends with the Venture Brothers. It's not just the best animated show on TV, it's the best COMEDY on TV.
5-24-2008 @ 10:56AM
Bill said...
Frisky Dingo! Great, great show.
5-21-2008 @ 9:51PM
Naila said...
Avatar: The Last Airbender
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5-21-2008 @ 10:53PM
Zachary Carr said...
I agree about Frisky Dingo being underrated and I think the same thing about American Dad, which I think is alot better than Family Guy. Another one thats deserves consideration is Assy McGee, very funny stuff. Of course South Park is always good as well as the Simpsons, Benders Big Score, ATHF, and King of the Hill. TOO MANY CHOICES!!!! MIND EXPLOSION!!!!!!!!
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5-21-2008 @ 11:33PM
HunkieChan said...
avatar
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5-22-2008 @ 1:14AM
pantrygirl said...
Venture Bros.
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5-22-2008 @ 12:56AM
nickmagoo said...
METALOCALYPSE!!!!!! hilarious, gory, awesomely savage music with awesomely ridiculous lyrics...what more could you ask for?
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5-22-2008 @ 6:59AM
Argus said...
Avatar
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