Pop culture references in animation

[Comicfan]

The other night I chanced to see "The Woods are Full of Cuckoos". While the animation still holds up, many of the gags do not, as they are based on celebrities of the time-many of whom have entered (relative) obscurity. (This is just my opinion, of course-thoe more versed in culture than I might still enjoy the toon)

Anyhow, it got me thinking about how well shows like The Simpsons and South Park will hold up in the next half-century or so, when current pop culture fades from memory.

How much, if at all, should animation rely on references to pop culture, celebrities, etc? Should more attention be given to puns, wordplay, slapstick, etc. and other things that have been shown to withstand the test of time?

[CyberFox]

Family Guy uses pop culture alot for humor

but, when it comes to references to cartoons
They use their cruel humor to ruin what we love about them
This is a pure example of what i'm talkin' about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAyFRE-Fy5c

Humor like that and Stabbing Yogi Bear is not funny when it comes to the creators of these toons have died, namely Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera

[Marty26]

South Park, in particular, now relies almost entirely on celebrities and current events for its humor. This is probably a big part of the reason why a lot of the later episodes really don't hold up very well after a couple years. For example, Cartman's constant references to The Passion in the beginning of Season 8.

I've also noticed that about a lot of cartoons, including The Woods Are Full Of Cuckoos. Ben Bernie, who's charactured (in possibly the ugliest character drawing WB has ever done outside of Tashlin's late-1937 Porky) as the impressario, would probably go over the heads of almost everybody born after 1954.

[mojokingbee1]

Family Guy uses pop culture alot for humor

but, when it comes to references to cartoons
They use their cruel humor to ruin what we love about them
This is a pure example of what i'm talkin' about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAyFRE-Fy5c

Humor like that and Stabbing Yogi Bear is not funny when it comes to the creators of these toons have died, namely Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera
Eh, I've seen bigger insults to classic animation. The "Channel Chasers" episode of "Fairly Odd-Parents" for one.