Cartoons were first created in order to influence young television watchers. Today, cartoons such as American Dad, The Simpsons and Family Guy are geared more toward older audiences.
Number One: American Dad, created by Seth MacFarlane. American Dad first aired in 2005 on Fox. Even though it is a cartoon, it is considered to be created for older audiences because of its adult themes. The hit show has been on air for 12 seasons, and it is currently being broadcast on TBS and the Cartoon Network. The main characters include the Smith family (Stan, Francine, Hayley, and Steve), Roger, Avery Bullock, and Klaus Heisler.
Number Two: The Simpsons, created by Matt Groening. The Simpsons is the longest-running American sitcom in television history. It has aired on the Fox network for 26 seasons. The show has spawned video games, a film, and an amusement ride at Universal Studios. The series is set in Springfield (presumably Ohio), and the characters include Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson. Other notable characters include Moe Szyslak, Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, and Nelson Muntz.
Number Three: Inspector Gadget, created by Andy Heyward and Jean Chalopin. The series is about a clumsy detective who always seems to solve the case with guidance from Penny and Brain. The cartoon first aired in 1983, and it was on air for two full seasons. Inspector Gadget’s nemesis, Doctor Claw, was never seen on the show but he was a very popular character on the series.
Number Four: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), created by David Wise. The TMNT franchise includes comic books, a television series, and films. The main characters Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo are all named after famous artists/painters. The turtles are skilled reptiles who specialize in combat fighting. The latest TMNT film was released last year.
Number Five: Family Guy, created by Seth MacFarlane. Family Guy first aired on the Fox network in 1999. Unlike most cartoons, the show is centered around adult issues. MacFarlane never hesitates to push the envelope, and Family Guy is currently one of Fox’s most-watched shows. Some of the show’s characters include the Griffin family (Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Brian and Stewie), Glenn Quagmire and Cleveland Brown.
Number Six: The Jetsons, created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The ABC animated series took place in a futuristic time where flying cars, robots, and aliens roamed the planet. The timeframe was never specified on the show, but many viewers speculate the Jetsons were living in the 2000s to late 2000s era. The Jetson family consisted of George, Jane, Judy and Elroy.
Number Seven: Tom and Jerry, created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. This animated series first aired in 1940. It centered around the rivalry between Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse. There was very little vocals utilized on Tom and Jerry- the show relied more on the action sequences between the cat and mouse.
Number Eight: Looney Tunes, produced by Warner Bros. The Looney Tunes is one of the longest running cartoons on television. It aired from 1930 through 1969. The characters on the series are still some of the most recognized cartoon images in television history. Some of those characters include Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, Elmer Fud and Porky Pig.
Number Nine: The Flintstones, created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The Flintstones first aired in 1966 on ABC. The show centered around a family living in the Stone Age. It is still one of the most popular animated series of all time. The notable characters include Fred Flintstone, Wilma Flintstone, Barney Rubble, Betty Rubble, Pebbles Flintstone and Dino.
Number Ten: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, created by Mattel. The cartoon first aired in 1983 and spawned two other successful cartoons- She-Ra: Princess of Power and The New Adventures of He-Man. The main character, He-Man, was the most powerful man in the universe. Other notable characters included Skeletor, Teela, and Battle Cat.