25 Second Animation - Humour for adults (OUAN405)

I want to aim my animation at an audience aged between 25 and 40 or so.

The tough thing about aiming a cartoon at adults is that there aren't many great adult cartoons in the public eye. Family Guy and South Park and Bob's Burgers are enjoyed much more by teenagers and students even though they are supposedly aimed at an older audience.

Is this because we live in a society where older people are discouraged from watching cartoons? Would an old person enjoy these shows if they watched them? 

Since I don't know any old people, this question will remain unanswered. The only people I know are SEXY YOUNG PEOPLE. I have a very narrow world view as a result of this. 

Apparently Adventure Time, Gravity Falls and Aqua Teen Hunger Force are good for adults but I could never picture my Dad or Dad's friends taking time out of an evening to watch any of those. Do dads have friends? I can't imagine they do. What do dads even do when they're not at work or asleep? I should talk to Dad and ask him. Ugh, but then I'd have to talk to my Dad. Lame.

Ummmmmm a lot of cartoons that DO try and appeal to an adult audience resort to cursing and body horror in lieu of JOKES. See Mr Pickles or 12 oz. Mouse or anything like that.

Mr Pickles

12 oz. Mouse. It's inspirational to see that they managed to keep making this show even after the entire animation team had simultaneous strokes. Oh, what's that? They didn't? You mean that this is just what this cartoon looks like? Hmmm.

So, adult cartoons have gone through a tumultuous period. But I need to mention the best adult cartoon (and cartoon) ever made, The Simpsons, right? The show is a great jumping off point when considering how to appeal to various target audiences. Parents love it, kids love it, and I have the god given power to recall any episode in it's entirety whenever I please because I've watched them heaps.

Classic cartoon family the Simpsons

Like in that episode when they get a monorail? You remember that bit where there's a song and everyone shouts "monorail"? Well, I remembered.

The Simpsons doesn't have to be vulgar or gross to grab attention like a small child chasing his crush around the playground with a worm on the end of a stick. What adults find funny about it (I assume) is that the characters of Springfield are people we know in real life, parodied and amped up to 11. We all know school bullies, evil bosses and lame school headteachers.

Parody and satire are the best forms of humour then, I guess. The Simpsons does that in spades. The only problem now for the rest of the universe is that no parody of a stereotypical character will ever be as good again.

"You kissed a girl!"
"That is so gay"

I should consider satire for my animation. I could make fun of some of society's problems or something.
Maybe I could just ask my mum what she finds funny. She thinks my jokes are... okay... plus she's the only one who watches my animations anyway.