Top 10 Weird TV Shows

Top 10 Weird TV Shows

What. The. Hell. Is this a real thing? Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 weird TV shows.

For this list, we’re focusing on television series with a bizarre premise or those in which odd events consistently transpire. And there’s absolutely no strange Japanese game shows, or anime. Yeah, yeah, there’s plenty of bizarre reality shows out there, but our list is reality-free as well since we already have a video on that!

#10: “Cop Rock” (1990)

After creating the acclaimed television series “Hill Street Blues” and “L.A. Law,” Steven Bochco looked himself in the mirror and said, “The world is now ready for a police musical.” ABC executives agreed and “Cop Rock” began an 11-episode run that had juries screaming hallelujah and gritty cops breaking out into dance routines. Once Oscar-winner Randy Newman signed on for the opening credits number, confused actors told their agents “OK?” and took part in the most flamboyant cop procedural of all-time. Sure, maybe the series finale wasn’t a “where were you moment,” but we DO know where Sheryl Crowe was. She was cop rockin.’

#9: “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (2000-)

It’s the longest running original show in Adult Swim history and the reason why your stoner friend has trouble eating Happy Meals. Definitely not your typical roommates, the main characters of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” are edible beings in the form of talking milkshake, a fat little piece of meat and an intellectual box of French fries aka The Dostoevsky of the Drive-Thru – our words, not theirs. Together, the munchies do their best to get by while greasy neighbor Carl offers his own unique perspectives on life. Ah, to have been a fly on the wall when this surrealistic concept was pitched to executives.

#8: “The Eric Andre Show” (2012-)

Inspired by Cartoon Network’s “Space Ghost Coast to Coast,” Eric André created an ‘80s-style talk show in which anything can happen. With stand-up comedian Hannibal Buress (BURRiss) as his sidekick, Andre insults guests, destroys the set and typically appears like an alien invaded his body. Let’s say this – logic does not apply to “The Eric Andre Show,” which means you either LOVE it or you’re someone who says “I don’t getttt it.” With a combination of bizarre sketches and the confused, scripted reactions of celebrity guests, this strange series is better experienced with a couple glasses of wine or perhaps a fat blunt – not that we condone that kinda thing.

#7: “Courage the Cowardly Dog” (1999-2002)

Based on the Academy Award-nominated short by John R. Dilworth, this series featured a scared-shitless dog forced to engage with the supernatural. Living under the bright lights of Nowhere, Kansas with a couple of well-meaning elders, Courage interacts with his smart-ass computer and navigates the stinky farm. But when grotesque monsters appear, Courage must compose himself just enough in order to save the day. This frightening comedy caused children to punch holes through high-priced flat screens and probably scarred them for life.

#6: “The Ren & Stimpy Show” (1991-95)

Remember the good ol’ days when cartoons were filled with mild sexual innuendos? Well, “The Ren & Stimpy Show” changed all of that. Through a disturbing yet hilarious use of dark humor, the series followed the exploits of a neurotic Chihuahua and an intellectually challenged cat. Given the over-the-top antics, Ren and Stimpy challenged mischievous comedy writers to push the limits, thus leading the way for a new age of controversial cartoons. In other words, there would be no Beavis and Butt-head or Eric Cartman without this outlandish series, and the subsequent “Adult Party Cartoon” was even more edgy.

#5: “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1986-90)

With a unique artistic flair and its wacky suit and tie-donning star, this series made kids completely freak out when the opening credits hit. Based on Paul Reubens’ 1980 stage act “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” the colorful playhouse was filled with surrealistic imagery and Claymation designed to inspire creativity as Pee-Wee offered valuable lessons about sharing. Viewers were instructed to “scream real loud” when a secret word was spoken, which not only made life stressful for parents but also led them to join in on the fun. Yes, Pee-wee Herman was a bizarre character, but his magnificent playhouse kept us all smiling for a variety of reasons.

#4: “Adventure Time” (2000-)

The setting of this bizarre animated series has been described as “candyland on the surface and dark underneath” by its creator Pendleton Ward, which is a fancy way of saying that it’s essentially based on Dungeons and Dragons. Centered around the hijinx of young Finn and his golden dog Jake, “Adventure Time” appeals to the more artistic crowd, as each episode takes approximately nine months to finish through hand-drawn storyboards that are later digitally composited. With supporting characters like Princess Bubblegum, Marceline the Vampire Queen and The Ice King, it’s no wonder that nerds fully immerse themselves into the Land of Ooo. OOH, and let’s not forget Cartoon Network’s equally strange “Regular Show.”

#3: “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (1969-74)

While this sketch comedy series wasn’t produced specifically for the intellectual crowd, you might say that it takes a tiny bit of brains to fully grasp the concepts. Created by a group of highly educated comedians, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” offered plenty of bizarre humor on British customs while slowly gaining a cult following. After a five-year run, the franchise expanded to the big screen and cast members like John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle, all became masters of surrealistic comedy.

#2: “Twin Peaks” (1990-91)

Created by the one and only David Lynch, this spooky series has long been considered one of the greatest television shows ever made. Sure, it was cancelled quicker than you can say “Who killed Laura Palmer?,” but the dark comedy and exploration of small-town issues made “Twin Peaks” an instant classic. By dipping into surrealism tinged with a small amount of horror, Lynch kept viewers anxious for more - even after the killer was revealed. In fact, David Lynch is in talks with Showtime to direct a nine-episode series in 2016.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- “Danger 5” (2012-)
- “Rocko’s Modern Life” (1993-96)
- “Pushing Daisies” (2007-09)
- “Fringe” (2008-13)
- “Black Mirror” (2011-)
- “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (2012-)

#1: “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” (2007-10)

You might be asking yourself “Who the heck names their television series “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job?” Well, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim did. With a less-than-hefty budget, or so they would have you believe, Tim and Eric welcomed celebrities like Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly for their self-described “nightmare version of television.” The Adult Swim series isn’t quite “accessible” for most viewers, and some might say that it borders on pure lunacy, but at the end of the day, Tim and Eric stayed true to themselves, even if no one else knew what the hell was going on.

Do you agree with our lists? What is your favorite weird TV show? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.