On January 11, history was made at the 8th Critics' Choice Television Awards as "Rick and Morty" won the award for Best Animated Television Series.
"Rick and Morty" is an adult Animated Series that airs on Adult Swim and follows the everyday happenings of the two titular characters as they adventure through reality and space. Originally conceived as a parody of "Back to the Future," the show has quickly grown to become one of Adult Swim's biggest hits. Having just finished its third season, it has already been teased it will be renewed for a fourth.
'Rick and Morty' history of nominations
While not much is known about what the fourth season will entail, series creator Dan Harmon has expressed interest in increasing the episode count. Despite 'Rick and Morty's' growing popularity, this was the first time the show has been nominated for a Critics' Choice Award and is the first major award to have been won in the show's history.
Previously, it was nominated for the Annie Awards and the Golden Derby but has yet to win either. However, it will have another chance for an Annie since it has been nominated for the Annie Award for Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production as well as the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production.
Who did it beat out?
Most impressive though, is who the show had to beat to win this award. Its competition included "Archer," "Bob's Burgers," "Bojack Horseman," "The Simpsons," and Amazon newcomer "Danger and Eggs." With only six previous winners of the award, four of those wins have gone to "Archer" and two to "BoJack Horseman."
"Archer," a James Bond spy parody, won for the first four years consecutively, while "BoJack Horseman," a black comedy about a famous sitcom horse back in the nineties, has won the previous two years in a row.
With so many wins under both of these shows' belts, it definitely wouldn't be a stretch to say "Rick and Morty" had some tough competition.
That's not to say that there wasn't competition from the other contenders, as many of them also boast impressive resumes. "Bob's Burgers," while never having won a Critic's Choice Award, has won itself a few Emmy Awards and has even proven itself popular enough to have its own theatrical movie in the works.
Speaking of Emmy winners and theatrical movies, who could forget the "Simpsons?" Despite not having won a Critics' Choice, it would have been a disservice to discount a show that's close to breaking thirty seasons.
Lastly, "Danger and Eggs," proved to be no pushover either, having also been nominated for the upcoming Annie Awards. While it is yet to be seen whether "Rick and Morty" will go on a winning streak during the Annie Awards, winning this Critics' Choice definitely didn't hurt its chances as this might very well be the beginning of a long list of wins.
