Holm NDonian J2024-12-112024-12-112024-11-20Holm N, Donian J. (2024). ‘I am in Great Pain, Please Help Me’: Nihilism, Humour, and Rick and Morty. Critical Studies in Television. Online First. (pp. 1-17).1749-6020https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/72276One of Cartoon Network’s most successful shows ever, Rick and Morty (2013–present) has established a cult following for its blend of dark humour and existential themes. However, the show is more than just a representation of popular nihilism; through its sustained engagement with nihilistic themes, it also demonstrates how nihilism can be embraced, exhausted, and potentially eventually surpassed in a popular context. Drawing on Richard Hoggart’s model of “social hermeneutics,” this article analyses key episodes as a means to think through the broader trajectory of nihilism as an influential element of twenty-first century popular culture.(c) The author/shttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/AbsurditycomedyhumournihilismRick and MortyJournal article10.1177/174960202413015851749-6039CC BYjournal-article1-17