The popular animated sci-fi comedy series “Rick and Morty” features the adventures of a cynical mad scientist, Rick Sanchez, and his naive grandson, Morty Smith.
Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon co-create the show and provide the voices for the main characters.
Over the years, the show and its creators have stirred up various controversies with significant repercussions.
Justin Roiland’s Domestic Violence Charges
Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland faces domestic violence charges in California.
Roiland is charged with assaulting and restraining his girlfriend in 2020.
Justine pleaded not guilty to both charges in October 2020 and appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing on January 12, 2023.
The court has held many hearings in the case, but many details remain sealed under a protective order.
Roiland’s attorney says his client is innocent and expects the case to be dismissed.
Adult Swim severs ties with Roiland over abuse charges.
Roiland still has some projects ongoing with Hulu, such as Solar Opposites and Koala Man, but it is unclear how his legal troubles will affect his future endeavors.
Dan Harmon’s Dexter Parody
Another controversy that has resurfaced recently is Dan Harmon’s Dexter parody sketch that he made over a decade ago.
The sketch, titled “Daryl”, spoofed the show Dexter, which followed a serial killer who targeted other criminals.
In Harmon’s sketch, however, the protagonist was a child molester who targeted babies.
The sketch aimed to provide a dark satire of Dexter’s premise, but it offended and disturbed many viewers.
In 2018, Harmon initially issued an apology for the sketch when right-wing activists, who accused him of pedophilia, brought it to light.
Harmon said that he made the sketch as a way of coping with his own childhood trauma, but admitted that it was a bad idea and a poor attempt at humor.
He also deleted his Twitter account at the time to avoid further backlash.
However, in 2020, the sketch resurfaced again on social media, sparking renewed outrage and calls for Harmon’s cancellation.
Some Rick and Morty fans defended Dan Harmon, arguing that he had apologized for his sketch and that it had been taken out of context.
Others criticized Harmon for making light of a serious issue and demanded his firing.
Adult Swim has not commented on the controversy, but Harmon remains the show’s sole showrunner after Justin Roiland’s departure.
Conclusion
Rick and Morty is a show that has gained a loyal fan base for its witty humor, creative sci-fi concepts, and emotional depth.
Nevertheless, Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, its creators, have also been entangled in controversies.
Roiland is facing felony domestic violence charges that have cost him his partnership with Adult Swim and his voice roles for Rick and Morty.
Harmon is facing renewed backlash for a decade-old sketch that parodied Dexter with a child molester.
These controversies have damaged the show’s and its creators’ reputation, casting doubts on their future in the entertainment industry.
