As network television grows continuously more banal (aren’t we all sick of “The O.C.’s” lame plot twists by now, anyway?) more and more college students are turning to the not-so-hidden gem of Adult Swim. Whether it is getting a much needed “Family Guy” fix or brushing up on some obscure anime, Adult Swim is establishing itself as a comedic staple in the restless nights of many college students, and even with those 20-somethings who haven’t grown too cynical of oddball sophomoric humor.
But Adult Swim is no longer that hidden gem you tell your friends at home about, rather it has escalated to the point of a phenomenon. In an experiment conducted by Time Warner, Adult Swim began to be rated separately from its parent network, Cartoon Network, as of March 28. But with its rising popularity, it should not be a surprise that “Following its first day (March 28) as a separately rated individual network, Adult Swim ranked #1 in total day ratings and delivery with adults 18-34 and 18-24 among all ad-supported cable networks, according to Nielsen Media Research,” according to timewarner.com. Also not surprisingly, “Family Guy,” “Futurama” and the Adult Swim original “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” scored in the top 10 in their respective time slots.
But looking into the crystal ball, what is the future of Adult Swim? Will it always be the bastard child of Cartoon Network or will it break away from its parent channel and ultimately surpass it to become the master of all television cartoon comedy? While it is still up in the air whether it will be a separate Adult Swim network, the experiment to split the Neilson ratings is the first step toward Adult Swim moving out. And if its popularity continues to skyrocket, well then, it is only inevitable.
For the true Adult Swim fans, or those that are simply curious about the phenomenon, the Adult Swim college reps are holding an Adult Swim screening Wednesday, April 27, at the Memorial Union Terrace. The show begins at 8 p.m. (or sunset) and will last until around 10 p.m., providing for two full hours of Adult Swim goodness. The event is free, will be featuring music by DJ PRIZM, and will have games with Adult Swim-themed prizes like Frisbees, Meatwad beach balls, cups and air fresheners. Also, don’t be surprised to see the Adult Swim college reps dressed in full cartoon attire of their favorite Adult Swim characters.
As for the actual content of the screening, there will be two never-before-seen episodes of “Tom Goes to the Mayor” (episode named “Rebirth”) and “Harvey Birdman” (episode named “Booty Noir”). The reel will also contain classic episodes of the bread-and-butter original Adult Swim cartoons of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” and “Sealab 2021,” along with the new cartoon to the Adult Swim lineup developed by Seth Green, “Robot Chicken.”
Most exciting, though, is the premier of a brand-new cartoon, which will launch in late September, called “Perfect Hair Forever.” The show’s premise centers on the adventures of a young, bald boy in a mystical land as he seeks perfect hair. While this is the only new show being premiered at the Madison screening, Adult Swim has a slew of other new shows that are almost ready for subsequent viewings, such as “The Boondocks,” “Stroker & Hoop,” “Squidbillies” and “12oz Mouse.”
Adult Swim’s success might come from just this, its ability to make tons of consistently funny new shows. While it introduces new shows every season, it also keeps its more popular shows, like “The Venture Brothers” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.”
Whether you are a fan or not, the genius idea of Adult Swim is conspicuous. Everyone with a television watched cartoons as a child and, therefore, it should have been obvious that adult-themed cartoons would be a hit. Surely though, almost every person can find a show on Adult Swim that he or she will like, from the more odd “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” to the classic “Family Guy,” to the more serious anime series. And in the end, that is the genius of it. There is something for everyone.
