On September 2, 2001, Cartoon Network unveiled Adult Swim, a programming block which would go on to receive widespread interest in large part due to its mature humor and genre-blending programming. In a way, Adult Swim was a precursor to what is now known as meme humor, where the source of the joke is shaped by absurd and surreal elements that twist stories to unconventional and uncanny forms. The network would go on to become internet sensations, with shows like Robot Chicken, The Eric Andre Show, and Rick and Morty, all sharing elements with these absurdist sensibilities. It is a unique product of its time, one that ushered in a new era of raunchy and over-the-top cartoons.
One of the most successful programs on the block was Aqua Teen Hunger Force, an animated show following the absurd and illogical lives of a shake cup, a medium order of fries, and a wad of meat. The show became renowned for its idiosyncratic dialogue, gross-out humor, and derivative storylines that amount to nothing. Its long list of recurring characters and situations provides a plethora of memorable moments and recurring gags that will continue to keep audiences tuning in. With the new film close by, it now looks like the perfect time to begin reminiscing on the pointless adventures of our favorite fast food friends. Here is a list of its very best characters:
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8 Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past From the Future
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distributions
Introduced in the season one finale, Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past From the Future is a robot who claims to be from the future and past at multiple moments. His appearance has no purpose other than to annoy our main quartet as much as possible, with long and pointless stories ranging from his apocalyptic tales of the future or his Terminatoresque missions. By the end of every appearance he just about alienates every single member of the cast to the point of indifference. His addition to the list comes in the hilarious delivery of his stories and his constant insistence on always trying to tell one.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 MC Pee Pants
MC Pee Pants begins the show as a psychotic spider posing as a rapper looking to create an army of millions who would join him in building a global diet pyramid scheme. When the plan is discovered, Frylock tricks him into going to a Butchery and is ultimately killed and sent to Hell. He returns in the following seasons under the aliases and bodies, including a cow who wants to steal money from banks and an old man trying to steal blood from people in the hopes of becoming younger. Each attempt results in failure, but his abrasive personality and lingo results in some of the funniest dialogues the show has to offer.
6 The Mooninites
The Mooninites are two pixilated troublemakers who resemble the look of a vintage video game of the late 70s’ and 80s’. Their names are Err and Ignignokt, and they are easily the most chaotic and annoying characters the show has created. Their entire purpose is predicated upon wreaking as much havoc and irritation as possible, always finding themselves in trouble with Frylock and Carl throughout the show. Among their many mischiefs are tricking Master Shake and Meatwad into ingesting tire smoke under the assumption that they’re smoking marijuana; turning Meatwad into a smoking alcoholic; stealing Carl’s rims, and forming an alliance with many other villains to destroy the Aqua Teen. Despite their otherwise toxic nature, the Mooninites remain fan favorites for their complete lack of care, incoherent one-liners, aggressive confrontations, and absurd existence as pixels who live on the moon. Perhaps their most famous moment came outside the show itself, when LED displays of their likeness caused a panic in the Boston area in 2007. The incident is forever part of Aqua Teen lore, made even more delightful in that it was the Mooninites at the forefront.
5 Frylock
In the group dynamic, Frylock’s role as the straight man is firmly in place thanks to the complete and total chaos that is Master Shake and the bumbling incompetency of Meatwad. It is Frylock’s cool, calm, and collected persona that keeps the whole group together and maintains it from falling apart. He has a strong dislike of Shake and a paternal relationship with Meatwad. While he doesn’t work, he is very intelligent and is able to create a variety of instruments that either cause or fix a certain problem the group may encounter. It is he who is usually tasked with saving the day whenever the situation arises, and while rarely humorous with jokes, his reactions and actions often result in the most hilarious jokes by the other characters, in particular, Master Shake.
4 Dr. Weird
Appearing in just the intros of season one and two as a side-character completely unrelated to the plot of each episode, Dr. Weird’s… weird inventions and quotes are among the show’s most memorable moments. His character serves as the perfect tone-setter for the show itself, as his incoherent and very detached persona sends the perfect message to the viewer that this isn’t your normal animated program. Among his most memorable moments is when he tricks his assistant Steve into eating sentient corn, sending phone spiders to annoy a caller; making love to a vacuum cleaner and conceiving a child; opening a portal to another dimension, and removing Steve’s spine with little to no effort. His backstory is further explored in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, where it is hinted that he may be the creator of the show’s trio, but this is left open to interpretation.
3 Meatwad
Everyone’s favorite wad a meat, Meatwad is perhaps the most recognizable character of Aqua Teen, thanks in large part to his poetic nasal voice and charming personality. Although he sometimes acts as the dumbest character in the group, he has shown to be extremely conniving and strategic like the time he forced Shake to shove a sword in his mouth after paying up his debts. His child-like nature is always on display, adding to comic relief and presenting a bevy of memorable quotes.
2 Master Shake
There isn’t a bigger instigator of comedic scenarios in the show quite like Master Shake. He may very well be in line as one of the most despicable characters in a cartoon of any kind ever. He is confrontational, rude, violent, angry, unemployed, and unemployable. There isn’t a single redeeming quality about his character, going as far as committing murder numerous of times and subjecting Meatwad to a plethora of tortures. Yet despite his reprehensible nature, Shake may very well be the funniest character of the trio, thanks in large part to his response whenever confronted by his bad actions. Instead of owning his mistakes or changing his behavior, Shake, for the most part, just doubles down, making the situation even worse and creating an even bigger scene. Shake’s personality is his ultimate downfall, mostly getting what he deserves at the end of every episode, but never learning from his problems. Shake’s reluctance becomes the biggest strength for his likability, as it allows the viewer to always see him as an absurd being who deserves his comeuppance. In the end, despite all the laughter you get out of his failures, you start to take pity for him, the same way one does with Eric Cartman.
1 Carl Brutananadelewiski
Easily Aqua Teen’s most iconic character, Carl is the trio’s next-door neighbor, and inevitable recipient of the consequences of the other’s actions. He is unemployed and his activities range from watching football, surfing the internet for questionable material, drinking beer, and watching television. His sudden outbursts of frustration towards the trio or his one-liners are by far the show’s best quotes, from his “I don’t need no instructions to know how to rock” retort to the Mooninites to “Do not rope me into this, the Lord does not need to know I’m here.” What made the character so memorable was the striking similarities his personality shares with real-life people. Everyone in some way or another has met someone like Carl in their life. His weird perspective on life, dead-end job prospects, passionate and opinionated comments on football and music, and dead-beat appearance will forever be a shining example of a certain spirit found in the human condition, one that transcends every historical period and exemplary for comedic effect. Carl is the Dude from The Big Lebowski if he had a traumatic childhood and lived in South New Jersey. His legacy will live on as long as there are neighbors in this world.
