
I think what really drew me in were a few solid things, though:
1. The artwork, yes. Especially during season 2, the artwork was fantastic. The animation was superb. But the still closeups, which quickly became a trope in other cartoons, were amazingly detailed. And at my age, it certainly helped these were things like balls of lint and Magic Nose Goblins.
2. The totally bizarre imagery. Did I mention I love surreal things? I'm pretty sure I have, repeatedly. And this show had plenty of it -- and I'm not just talking about the randomness of things like "Black Hole". The abstract, ever changing backgrounds that suited the mood of the show, the intentionally ignoring models, and living farts. All of it was strangely appealing - the illustrations, the animation, it was great to watch. During season 2, the art in particular hit a zenith - Sven Hoek and Son of Stimpy had some amazing imagery in them.

Nah...
I won't really get into the whole Adult Party Cartoon or even the Games Animation episodes, and it's too bad John K. was fired at the height of his run. I think seeing more episodes he could have come up with under the original paradigm would have been a gift. And what was done has clearly and indelibly influenced my style. During middle and high school I drew dozens upon dozens of Ren and Stimpy comics - they're all long gone by now, but, if I recall correctly, they involved things like Stimpy joining a cult, Ren fleeing to the moon, the two battling Martians (this comic did directly influence the martians in Damn It, Monkey!), and probably has stained countless other things I've done.