Adult animation has given us some of the most quoted lines in TV history. This One Gotta Go card puts four giants side by side: The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy and Rick and Morty. Each one has a huge fan base and a style all its own.
You keep three and cancel one forever. Think about the show you still rewatch, the one you quote without meaning to and the one you have quietly stopped watching. Then make your pick and see which fans in your group speak up first.
The Simpsons vs South Park vs Family Guy vs Rick and Morty
A. The Simpsons
The Simpsons premiered as a full series in 1989 and became the longest running American scripted primetime show. Its classic seasons are legendary. The case against it is that the show has run for so long that some fans feel the newer seasons do not match the early magic.
Keep it if: You can quote classic Simpsons episodes from memory and think the show shaped TV comedy as we know it.
B. South Park
South Park is famous for turning around episodes fast, so it can react to news and pop culture almost in real time. That makes it sharp and topical. It also makes it crude and divisive, and some people find the humor too much.
Keep it if: You love comedy that takes on current events with no fear, and you still laugh at the early episodes.
C. Family Guy
Family Guy built its style on cutaway gags that jump to random scenes in the middle of a story. Fans love the absurd jokes, while critics say the show leans on the same tricks over and over. If the cutaways wore thin for you, this is a fair cut.
Keep it if: You love random, fast jokes and know exactly which cutaway gag makes you laugh every single time.
D. Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty mixes sci-fi adventures with dark humor and big ideas. Its fans are passionate, but the show has had long waits between seasons. If you are a casual viewer, it might be the hardest one to keep up with and the easiest to cut.
Keep it if: You love clever sci-fi stories, you rewatch episodes to catch the details, and you are fine waiting for new seasons.
Our take
We would cut Family Guy. It has plenty of great moments, but The Simpsons has the legacy, South Park has the speed and Rick and Morty has the big ideas, which gives each of them something the others cannot match. The most fun debate tends to be The Simpsons against South Park, because both have been running for decades and both have shaped how TV comedy works. Ask everyone to name their favorite episode before they vote.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which animated show has the most dedicated adult fans?
- What is the best season of The Simpsons?
- Which animated show would make the best live-action movie?
- What animated series would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Animated TV Shows: quick answers
What is the longest running animated TV show?
The Simpsons is the longest running American animated series and the longest running American scripted primetime series. It began as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show before launching as its own series in 1989, and it has continued for more than thirty seasons.
How does South Park make episodes so fast?
South Park is known for producing many episodes in about a week, which lets it react to current events. The creators use a fast animation process and write close to the air date. This quick turnaround has become part of the show's identity.
