The Ultimate Showdown: Unveiling the Most Disastrous Cartoon Couples in TV History!

Content: While cartoons are not the best source for relationship inspiration, some of the most dysfunctional couples in animated television history make viewers question the existence of romance. Cartoons are generally more known for their comedic elements rather than romantic ones. Characters like Pepe Le Pew and Betty Boop have found themselves in numerous romantic entanglements, but animation as a medium primarily focuses on comedic potential. However, there are exceptional cartoon couples whose chemistry rivals that of their live-action counterparts. Futurama's Fry and Leela possess a complexity similar to any other sitcom couple, while Homer and Marge Simpson have shared deeply touching moments.

Nevertheless, just as there are incredibly funny cartoon characters, there are also some truly repulsive animated TV couples that counterbalance the aforementioned sweethearts. Adult animated comedies often embrace a bitter and cynical sense of humor, which lends itself well to dysfunctional and unhappy families. As Tolstoy once observed, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own unique way, and this conflict can lead to successful storytelling in cartoons. However, this concept is sometimes taken to an extreme. Consequently, many TV cartoon couples are so poorly matched that viewers wonder how they ended up together in the first place.

10 Mr. Peanutbutter & Diane Nguyen (Bojack Horseman)

9 Maude & Ned Flanders (The Simpsons)

Other couples in Bojack Horseman, such as Bojack's abusive parents and Princess Carolyn with Vincent Adultman, can be considered conventionally worse than Mr. Peanutbutter and Diane Nguyen. However, this pairing is quietly devastating in a way that none of the others are. The optimistic Mr. Peanutbutter and the introspective Diane were never meant to be together, resulting in a tragically mismatched marriage. Over the course of four seasons, both Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter attempt and fail to transform themselves into the person they believe their partner desires, leading to a heartbreaking outcome.

Ned Flanders from The Simpsons is a delight on screen, but unfortunately, his wife Maude never really had much of a presence. While she had a couple of memorable lines during the show's Golden Age episodes, the series never really gave her a purpose beyond being Ned's wife. She essentially played a less exaggerated version of Helen Lovejoy, and her character didn't leave a lasting impression before her untimely departure.

8 Andrew & Missy (Big Mouth)

7 Jerry & Beth Smith (Rick And Morty)

Despite its occasional crude humor, Big Mouth is a series that showcases genuine emotion. This is particularly evident when Andrew and Missy developed feelings for each other. Initially, it appeared that Andrew and Missy would make an adorable couple in the show. However, their eventual romantic encounter took an unexpected turn, leading Andrew to transform into his most appalling and hostile self. Unfortunately, this development did not contribute anything meaningful to his character.

Although Morty from Rick and Morty has experienced his share of unsuccessful relationships, it pales in comparison to the tumultuous marriage of his parents, Jerry and Beth. Their union was plagued with bitterness and gradually fell apart during the initial seasons of the show. Even after reconciling, their relationship continues to be a constant source of conflict within the household. Jerry and Beth make valiant efforts to address their flaws, ironically making their bickering even more difficult to witness.

6 Cotton & DiDi Hill (King Of The Hill)

Although King of the Hill never achieved the same level of success as The Simpsons or Family Guy, it did manage to amass a dedicated fan base. However, some of the show's storylines were too grim for a cartoon comedy. The unhappy and abusive marriage between Cotton and Didi was rarely portrayed as comedic in King of the Hill, but it also lacked the depth to be a compelling dramatic narrative. Watching Didi's eventual pregnancy and subsequent postpartum depression was distressing, but fortunately, Didi eventually left Cotton.

5 Velma & Fred (Velma)

Velma’s R-rated interpretation of Scooby-Doo was riddled with numerous errors, but the feeble attempt to create a romantic pairing between Fred and Velma stood out as particularly weak. The opening scene of the pilot made it clear that Velma and Daphne would ultimately become a couple, and Velma's unpleasant demeanor made it hard to believe that Shaggy could be infatuated with her. However, Fred's instant and unwavering affection for Velma felt like a contrived plot device, even for a show that deliberately aimed for silliness. Ultimately, the inclusion of the Velma subplot seemed entirely unnecessary.

4 Cartman & Heidi (South Park)

Heidi's encounter with Cartman had a remarkable effect on her initially, as it appeared that her positive presence could ameliorate the troubled South Park character. However, the opposite occurred, as Cartman's influence transformed the seemingly sweet Heidi into a cunning monster, leading to a darker subplot that failed to progress further. Although Cartman's own character development eventually took place, it was long after Heidi had faded into a mere memory.

3 Velma & Shaggy (Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated)

The reinvention of Scooby-Doo in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated brought a darker and more mature Lovecraft-inspired horror adventure. However, the show's attempt at introducing melodramatic teenage romance felt unnecessary and failed to hit the mark. Despite the creators' intention to establish Velma as a gay character, the result was a bland romance between Shaggy and Velma. This choice not only felt out of place with the overall tone of the show but also contradicted the established character traits of both individuals.

2 Cleveland & Donna (The Cleveland Show)

1 Peter & Lois Griffin (Family Guy)

The addition of Sanaa Lathan to The Cleveland Show as Donna Tubbs was initially anticipated to be a tremendous triumph. As a seasoned actress with an aptitude for animated comedy, she seemed poised to elevate the role to new heights. Regrettably, Donna fell short of expectations. Instead of breathing life into the already lackluster character, Lathan's portrayal of Cleveland's stereotypically sassy wife left her feeling insipid and inconspicuous. Their relationship failed to make a lasting impact on The Cleveland Show.

Although The Simpsons has its darker moments, it never reached the level of edginess displayed in Family Guy. Initially, this distinction allowed Family Guy to establish its unique identity as a series. However, since Homer and Marge already had their share of relational issues in The Simpsons, Family Guy took this aspect to another extreme. Consequently, the central couple in Family Guy became progressively more bitter and subversive, seemingly tolerating each other to the bare minimum. Today, Peter and Lois from Family Guy stand as one of the most unappealing and dysfunctional couples in the world of animated comedy, with any hint of chemistry between them long forgotten.