​Impossible though it may seem to anyone weary of the Valtrex-fueled exploits of the Jersey Shore gang, MTV used to be the home of compelling programming. Back in the 1990s, you could tune in to the network and catch classics like 120 Minutes, Austin Stories, The Week in Rock, Remote Control, Idiot Savants, etc. and be guaranteed to see something original. Another noteworthy aspect of this era was MTV’s almost inexplicable commitment to promoting animation. Since the channel debuted in 1981 its commercial bumpers had pushed the animation envelope. This devotion to toons was furthered as MTV began showing shorts like Joe’s Apartment and Henry Selick’s Slow Bob in the Lower Dimensions — a failed pilot for the network — at random intervals.

So when the anthology series Liquid Television began in 1991, it felt like an organic development thanks to the channel’s established love of cartoons. Promising to showcase original works, existing shorts, the occasional music video and other weird stuff that would previously only been seen on the art film circuit, the show was an instant success that paved the way for an animation revolution that we are still in the midst of (it also spun off several series of its own, as you will soon see). Unfortunately, save for a long out-of-print best of compilation, the series is unavailable on DVD at this time. All hope is not lost however. Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, it lives on and is largely as fascinating as ever. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show, here’s a look at Liquid Television‘s 20 greatest segments. From the insane to the hilarious and back again, let’s examine some of the most innovative cartoons ever featured on basic cable.

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The 20 Greatest Liquid Television Segments