They couldn't have edited the metal clangs out?

I think the show is more than him acting awful. It's actual jokes (a lot of them) it's insightful moments like in Pickle Rick, it's fun sci fi concepts like in the shattered time episode… I get that Rick being awful is a part of the show but I don't like it when that's all the show is.

Yeah, but it's a joke that has worn very, very thin over the course of two and a bit series. I'm on board for interesting storytelling and actual jokes. Not: Look! Here's a man being awful!

And, based on Rick's actions in that episode, he might have just killed the planet as well (or the star system) because he was drunk and/or felt like it. They might have (justifiably) felt it wasn't worth the risk…

Because if the Vindicators weren't brought down to Rick's level the show would be unwatchable, so the episode had to do it by any means necessary? Or am I getting too meta about this?

Yeah. I really don't enjoy the episodes where Rick is just a really awful human being and we're supposed to find it funny for some… reason…

Angela Merkel was involved in professional wrestling?