It’s 11:30 p.m. on a Sunday, and junior Cooper Brennan lounges on his couch, eagerly waiting for the latest Rick and Morty episode to begin. ​Brennan, like many others, loves the animated science fiction comedy that airs on Cartoon Network’s late-night programming block, Adult Swim. The sitcom has become one of the most popular shows on cable TV and the highest-rated show in Adult Swim’s history. The Oct. 3 Season 3 finale was the most-watched cable telecast of the day among adults ages 18-49, according to deadline.com. But why exactly is this show such a hit among viewers?

Rick and Morty follows the adventures of awkward teenager Morty Smith and his eccentric scientific genius grandfather, Rick Sanchez. The two endeavor on farcical and outrageous journeys every episode, where they find themselves entangled in mind-boggling predicaments with intergalactic foes.

The show is most popular amongst young adults ages 18-34, continuing a long-lasting trend of cartoon comedies that appeal to young adult males. The hype surrounding the show has certainly reached many male students at WHS.

The show is an intriguing watch with its hilarious, inappropriate (while occasionally sophisticated) banter. Senior Lukas Adriaens gave his take on the show’s humor: “I think the ideas for the episodes are just really out of nowhere and not as predictable as other cartoons that typically follow a kind of pattern for how the plot should play out. You could watch an episode of Rick and Morty and think to yourself, ‘What did I just watch?’ I think that makes it funny.”
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Also, watchers appreciate how they never know what’s going to happen each episode.

“Morty is always pulled into situations he knows nothing about, and that’s what’s happening with the people watching,” said Brennan. “We don’t know what’s happening, but like Morty, we roll with it.”

The one challenge for first-time watchers is the show’s relatability. The lessons or ideas can be cryptic due to its quirky qualities. WHS viewers agree, but argue that the show’s intrigue adds to its depth.

“It’s somewhat of an acquired taste because a lot of people think it’s strange,” said Adriaens. “You have to get used to that type of humor.”

Regardless of the show’s cryptic qualities, all agree that spontaneous plotlines, original humor and overall uniqueness make the show a hit.
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“I’d recommend the show to anyone with a good sense of humor,” said senior Charlie Billek. “It’s so different from any other show, which makes it a must-watch.”