Family Guy is an American animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show, which premiered on January 31, 1999, following Super Bowl XXXIII, revolves around the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois, their children Meg, and Chris. The show has been known for its pop-cultural bona fides, iconic musical numbers, and satirization of social conventions.
Family Guy was first ordered by Fox in 1998 and has since become an oasis for people. The show will return to Adult Swim in 2025, focusing on friendships and families, with the Cutaways being even funnier than the original characters. The show follows the eccentric Griffin family of Quahog, R. I., as they try to deal with everyday life while living with the help of their friends.
Despite being one of the most popular adult cartoons, Family Guy has faced numerous taste and indecency complaints. The show is known to include offensive jokes and is considered the ultimate confused offspring of the idea that nobody has a right to be offended. However, there are many hidden secrets behind the production of Family Guy, including the fact that the show is not immune to controversy, drama, legal battles, and questionable choices.
In a wacky Rhode Island town, the Griffins struggle to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another. The production behind Family Guy is not immune to controversy, drama, legal battles, and questionable choices.
| Article | Description | Site |
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| Family Guy | The show centers around the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois, their children, Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their … | en.wikipedia.org |
| Family Guy is actually a work of tragedy where the … | Family Guy is actually a work of tragedy where the characters try to cover their misery with humor. Originally, it was an amazing show. That … | reddit.com |
📹 What is FAMILY GUY About?
“Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Lois?” Theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqGH8-YRYsE Mid Roll beat: …
Do Suchi And Arvind Sleep Together?
In "The Family Man 2," Suchitra (Priyamani) embarks on a business trip to Lonavala with her colleague Arvind (Sharad Kelkar). Their night together in a hotel raises questions about fidelity, as it is heavily implied that they may have crossed a line, complicating Suchitra's marriage with Srikant. As their relationship develops, Arvind encourages Suchi to speak at a venture-capitalist conference, leading to a night filled with ambiguity regarding their actions.
The series builds suspense around whether Suchitra confesses to Srikant about what transpired. Suchi's emotional turmoil over potentially cheating weighs heavily on her, prompting her to leave the company for a few months. The second season concludes with lingering questions about the nature of Suchi and Arvind's interactions, leaving viewers eager for confirmation of their possible affair. Meanwhile, Srikant, despite pretenses, still harbors love for Suchitra, as evidenced by his concerned calls following a colleague's death.
The unresolved tension between the characters—reflected in their texting and shared moments—begs the question of whether fidelity was broken. The ambiguity in Suchi's relationship with Arvind, alongside the eventual revelation she must share with Srikant, creates a gripping narrative arc. Ultimately, the season ends with viewers left pondering the reality of Suchi's choices.
What Does Peter Griffin Symbolize?
Peter Griffin embodies the quintessential American stereotype, characterized by his laziness, arrogance, and physical bulk. Serving as the main character of the animated sitcom Family Guy, Peter is voiced by creator Seth MacFarlane. He is a caricature of the bumbling sitcom father, often depicted as incompetent at home and oblivious in social situations. Despite his lack of intelligence, Peter's outrageous antics and humorous quotes provide a vehicle for social commentary and satire. His character juxtaposes various elements of American culture, including an unconventional parenting style and a penchant for beer and sports. His wife, seemingly too attractive for him, highlights the absurdity of their dynamic. Peter's evolution throughout the series reflects a decline in original satirical content, as he transitioned from a more relatable character to one that exemplifies cheap humor. Additionally, Peter is frequently portrayed as neglectful and abusive towards his family, particularly towards Meg. Through Peter Griffin, Family Guy critiques the flaws and ignorance inherent in the American identity, showcasing how humor can emerge from the most exaggerated traits of its protagonist. Ultimately, Peter represents a complex reflection of societal norms and behaviors in contemporary America.
What Is The Main Story Of Family Guy?
In a quirky town in Rhode Island, the Griffin family navigates the absurdities of daily life, facing bizarre situations in the animated sitcom "Family Guy," created by Seth MacFarlane for Fox. Premiering on January 31, 1999, right after Super Bowl XXXIII, the show follows the dysfunctional Griffins—Peter and Lois, along with their children Meg and Chris. The series is noted for its irreverent humor and politically incorrect themes, showcasing a wide array of adventures that the family endures in their chaotic lives.
Peter Griffin, the well-meaning but bumbling patriarch, leads the family alongside his stay-at-home wife, Lois. They reside in Quahog, Rhode Island, where they encounter a cast of recurring characters, including their intelligent yet cynical dog Brian and the diabolically genius infant Stewie. "Family Guy" quickly gained popularity due to its unique blend of outrageous humor and satire, making it one of Fox's longest-running animated series, following "The Simpsons." Throughout its course, the show has seen various revivals and remains a notable staple in adult animated television. The main characters' dynamics and misadventures create a comedic landscape that draws viewers into the Griffins' unpredictable and often outlandish world.
What Mental Disability Does Peter Griffin Have?
Stewie Griffin lives with his parents, Lois and Peter Griffin, who exemplify observable symptoms of mild mental retardation. This is notably highlighted in the episode "Petarded," where Peter takes an IQ test and scores 70, prompting a sign to be posted outside their house to alert motorists to his condition. Despite displaying below-average intelligence, Peter does not exhibit characteristics typical of autism, which is not referenced in the show.
The clinical term "retardation" has fallen out of use in recent decades, yet Peter's mental challenges are still recognized within the narrative. He is portrayed as impulsive, quick to anger, and lacking an awareness of social norms, which is indicative of Antisocial Behavioral Disorder. The character frequently displaces his frustrations onto his daughter Meg, suggesting deeper emotional struggles. Meanwhile, Chris Griffin, Peter's son, is depicted as mentally handicapped due to generational inbreeding.
Peter Griffin, a caricature of the inept "Doofus Dad," underscores a satirical representation of parental figures. In a theoretical discussion, some suggest Peter’s character operates within a mental institution, stemming from trauma relating to his family's demise. Overall, while Peter is recognized for his low intellect and certain mental health challenges, he continues to function as a comedic central figure in "Family Guy."
Why Did Family Guy End?
Family Guy faced cancellation due to low ratings following its second season and struggled against popular shows like Frasier, Survivor, and Friends. However, its revival was sparked by strong DVD sales and viewership on Adult Swim, leading to a return in 2005 for season 4. Creator Seth MacFarlane has stated that there are no current plans for the show's end even after 25 years on air. Notably, when Fox announced its 2024-25 season lineup, Family Guy was conspicuously absent, causing speculation about its future.
Initially canceled after season 2, it was quickly revived but faced further challenges with inconsistent airtimes and fierce competition. Despite these obstacles, Family Guy has maintained its status as one of the longest-running animated series. It underwent syndication changes, moving to Adult Swim, where it found renewed popularity. MacFarlane emphasized that as long as the audience continues to show interest and enjoy the show, he sees no reason to stop.
Recent discussions around ending the series have sparked interest, yet MacFarlane remains optimistic, appreciating the show's loyal fanbase and charitable contributions. Ultimately, Family Guy’s journey reflects resilience, evolving dynamics, and sustained popularity that defies earlier cancellations.
What Is The Main Idea Of Family Guy?
"Family Guy" is an animated sitcom that follows the misadventures of the dysfunctional Griffin family, comprised of Peter Griffin, a bumbling blue-collar worker; his wife Lois, a stay-at-home mother from a wealthy family; and their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie, along with their anthropomorphic dog, Brian. Created by Seth MacFarlane, the show premiered on FOX in 1999 and quickly became known for its edgy humor and politically incorrect content.
It became a hit on Adult Swim by boosting viewership significantly. Set in a quirky Rhode Island town, the series showcases the family's chaotic life as they navigate bizarre scenarios. The show is characterized by its cutaway gags, existential themes, and a satirical take on contemporary societal issues, maintaining a signature style over the years. Celebrating 25 years on air, "Family Guy" continues to highlight the absurdities of family life while addressing topics that are often taboo. The dynamic interactions among the characters bring humor and depth, making it a staple in the realm of adult animation.
What Is The Theory Behind Family Guy?
The theory surrounding "Family Guy" suggests that all events unfold through Stewie's perception. He sees Peter and Chris as childish buffoons, while Lois comes across as a strict disciplinarian, which influences his view of her as humorless. Various theories speculate about the Griffin family dynamics, including whether they could have another child or if they exist within the "American Dad!" universe. Fans have also wondered about Seth MacFarlane's possible crush on a character.
One disturbing theory examines Peter Griffin's hatred for his daughter Meg, linking it to broader family tensions. Another theory claims that the show's events are narrated from Brian's perspective, asserting he could be a CIA genetic experiment explaining his human-like behavior as a dog. Additionally, some fans posit darker interpretations, such as connections between "Family Guy" and tragic real-life events. The show is rich with absurd and outrageous theories including alternate realities and hidden meanings, showing a deeper narrative beneath its comedic surface.
Creative fan theories explore complex character backgrounds and dynamics, reflecting the show's evolution into a multiverse rich with satire and surrealism. Such theories invite viewers to reconsider the logic behind the eccentricities of the Griffin family, making it one of animated TV's most intriguing phenomena.
📹 Top 20 Family Guy Plot Holes You Never Noticed
Story isn’t the most important element of “Family Guy,” but it still has some big plot holes. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most …
Cutaway gags are Family Guy’s greatest strength and weakness. It’s rapid-fire comedy worked well when it was balanced by the plot making the story not too heavy and not too light. However, the amount of cutaway gags increased each season leaving less time for the main story favoring style over substance.
By this logic, those “jokes” about Bob’s Burgers and Bojack Horseman suddenly make sense. At first glance you could assume that it’s just the writers sticking it to the competition, but by this logic, it’s Peter just assuming that these newer cartoons are lame compared to his show because of how they embrace newer values. Hence why Peter called Bojack Horseman “normal words but a horse guy”. It’s not that that’s all the writers assume the show is. It’s that that’s all it is to Peter, because he didn’t bother perusal more than the first few episodes, hence why there’s still a D or the Hollywood sign.
Comparatively, The Simpsons went from a parody of the modern family into a proxy of its former self while Family Guy went from a mismatch of odd and quirky characters into a negative outlook of themselves. Like we have background characters that became a staple for the main cast like Hoarse the bartender where Peter and his friends all drink but now he’s been replaced by Jerome who could’ve been more than the new bartender. Joe went from a handicapped policeman into an incompetent man with a doomed marriage and that’s not taking into account the other characters who were killed off because their respective voice actors also passed away.
I really like this perspective on the show, and I just wish it felt more impactful than it did sometimes. Some episodes you really do see how peter’s media obsessed personality gets in the way of him being a normal person, and then others it just feels like we need to put that on the backburner to tell some jokes. It’s perfectly fine that the show disregards this theme for the sake of comedy, but my problem is that it just isn’t funny sometimes. Like with Peter just shooting his friends for fun, I don’t know if we can chalk that up to him being taught the wrong lessons about friendship, and more so just the show needing a joke to tell and Peter being an asshole is a go to. I mean what can you do, if you got a show that runs for how long, it’s gonna strip itself down to its most basic components in order to squeeze less of itself out dry, and in the case of Family Guy and the Simpsons all we get left is an animated comedy about animated jokes. The characters only get written like characters and not joke vessels when they get some inspiration to work with once in a blue moon.
This article has no joke gave me a new outlook on Family Guy and has honestly gained the show some of my respect. Not saying I ever disliked it or thought it was bad or anything, but I never thought about a show which to the average person is just slapstick and dirty jokes would be a little bit deeper.
from the older seasons, it really feels like this is more accurate to what the show wanted to be, it had heart and care put into it but still fit into that idea of ‘what you see on tv won’t always translate to real families’. Somewhere along the line though it felt like they abandoned this and just decided to become more ridiculous and insane for the sake of shock value, and lost that heart that Family Guy used to have, or most of it. The good stuff still peeks through, but not often 🙁
The Loosies have all been fire so far and I’m so glad they’re a regular thing. I think it’s super cool for you to be able to do these shorter form articles, not necessarily because they take less work but because it seems like you’re able to explore media in a different way than when you make a longer form article and I appreciate that cause not everything works with that. That being said, dope article! I think this was an interesting look into the theming of family guy and it’s one I certainly hadn’t considered before.
Well, the cartoon dads of old idea does make sense. Especially since Peter and Lois are often doing something that does reflect what is happening in very socially detached places. Getting involved in the tea party to stop government involvement, endorsing anti vaccination and falling victim to abstinence propaganda are all things Peter, and sometimes Lois, have done. Peter can be seen as Seth going “Yeah, this guy stuck his tongue in a fan and he’s doing what you think is okay. What does that say about you?”
You had us in the first half, not gonna lie. But on a serious note, you’ve put forward an interesting theory I’d never considered before. Taking Family Guy at face value is very difficult though (even Brian Wallows & Peter’s Swallows is about an interspecies romance played completely straight), so I don’t know how many writers over the years were aware of how Peter’s mindset informs his behaviour. Who knows, I don’t even think Seth knows sometimes.
Great perspective! The beginning of the intro always reminded me of All in the Family. I think, in a sense, the show was always based off the pastiche of “those were the days,” but with the “good old days” being transposed to Star Wars in the theater and glorifying the 80s, a time when pop media first started to really saturate the world. I also always think about the Venture Bros creators lamenting on DVD commentary about how Family Guy wasn’t afraid to just run a gag into the ground for minutes, and how that took a lot of boldness to run 5 minutes of just Conway Tweety singing. It seems like that kind of joke is something the show has maybe moved past, but in 2012ish, that really struck me.
I really enjoyed this one tariq. I like your passion for family guy. One thing i really like about you and johnny is that you seperate yourself from reviewers in a way. A lot seem salty and negative toward media, whereas you guys always try to find the positive in it. It gives a perspective that wants me to give later seasons a chance. I can tell you are an animator yourself because You are very good at constructive criticism rather than just being angry about it that not every episode is a banger. Keep up the good work
I always thought that I Never Met the Dead Man was key to understanding the show. The fact that FG is modeled after the Simpsons (and therefore modeled after The Flintstones and The Honeymooners and etc. etc.) is part of that. It’s about a guy who understands the world through television. You put it better than I could though.
This is crazy. The last vid I seen of yours was the buzz on Maggie, great vid btw, but the algorithm hasn’t been promoting your stuff to me. I just went down your website like woooww, like Mike, C/o 3000, My Life as a Teenage robot, Hi hi puffy ami yumi and 40 minute Dan Haskett vid. I’m bout to kick YouTube ass for this one….
I think where a lot of people mess up is by judging this show under the same standard as Primal or something. Not every piece of media has to be profound and ever evolving, sometimes I show is just meant to be stupid and funny. And I admire Family guy for that. Funny, hubby and I just finished perusal Family Guy and I see this as I’m laying in bed. Great article! I grew up on the show, I watched it almost every night. My husband grew up on Veggie Tales and only saw a few episodes at friends’ houses or on Facebook. We started perusal it and it’s just always been a comfort show bc it’s predictable. Peter is going to do something dumb, Stewie and Brian are going to argue, everyone is going to be mean to Meg, Chris is going to be stupid and inappropriate.
I love this theory! What about American Dad though? They also have references in their show that they are making a show. There is definitely an episode with the actors who play Stan and Hayley being interviewed behind the scenes. Idr if it’s the same ep, but they also did one where they mourn the death one of the background characters. Klaus did DVD commentary in an ep too. That might have been more a comment on his state of mind though…
You really helped Seth Macfarlane out there lol But it was really good analysis I feel like there’s this thing in media and the arts where a creator will create something with no real underlying meaning but then ppl give it an underlying meaning through analysis that is positively received and given the content mire depth. Because of the analysis gives the show or movie or book more praise and ppl giving it more of a chance, the creator then embraces the analysis and acts like that was the original meaning all along. Not saying that’s what’s happening here since Seth hasn’t reacted but I feel like that happens a lot with these show and movie creators sometimes.
I think this is interesting topic. There are morals you can take from media. Even if it’s subconsciously, the media we consume can and often does shape us as people, but at the same time a lot of things don’t age gracefully and and when you refuse to grow and adapt with real world around you, some very problematic ideologies can be formed. There’s a reason we say some things don’t age well.
An interesting commentary on how much nostalgic media can effect ourselves and how we act. And with so many people clamoring for the idealized climates of past decades, it really makes you wonder if our dependency on media has effectively erased any identity that these current decades could’ve had. I guess it says a lot about our modern society when the mere distraction becomes the addictive drug.
It’s funny you mention family guy as performers putting on a show given Brian and Stewie did a song at Emmy’s one year and the viewer requested anthology episodes featuring them talking to the camera. Reminds me of the few times American Dad said the characters were actually actors on the American Dad sitcom, like when the person who played Stan and Haley doing a drug PSA at the end of She Swill Surivive.
Wow… I think you got a good point here! For years, I’ve been wondering why they called the show Family Guy when Peter was being a terrible father in later years. Looking at from this point of view really does say more. I just wish they had more lesson in the show like this instead of Brian’s terrible dating life and Peter’s killing sprees. YES< there's definitely more than one!
One point that I always try to make to people who don’t watch Family Guy or South Park is that so many of the characters are wrong and part of the humor is laughing at just how wrong these people are. In South Park we laugh at how outrageous the scheme Randy Marsh takes to prove he’s part Native American. He may be the main character of the plot but he’s not a hero or someone to cheer on; Randy Marsh is a character to watch do goofy shit and laugh at. I really like the Mickey Mouse and Looney Tunes comparison you made. If we can laugh at Bugs Bunny fighting Yosemite Sam because Sam didn’t mow his lawn, then we can also laugh at Peter getting into a fight with a big chicken over expired coupons.
9:28-9:36 😆😆 best way to end this I don’t think there was that much thought behind the show, BUT ~ a) that’s what makes art and media so great, most of them having that space for creative interpretation; b) like many here, you’ve got me looking at family guy in a whole different light..this was a very interesting perspective and I’m glad you shared with us
I think the show originally. was about reconciling the desire for wholesome things while wanting provocative things. kind of like how the show ultimately had liberal feminist view point but it was still frat boy show, so you could be a democrat and still enjoy more conventional masculine things, but now the show is about being American in a dead end job, in a dead end marriage, knowing nothing is working out but incapable of changing it. it really captures that feeling of society, not crumbling around you, but degrading around you, like a dilapidating house. I think now its about that ennui and the drudgery of dissatisfying modern life, but explaining in laymen’s terms. idk I feel like that mood was solidified when Lois joins Fox News, and at the end of the episode Lois is like “does any one really care how I left?” kind of like the writers and the audience are kind of just going through the motions at this point also I hope when the series ends they give Mila Kunis an Honorary Emmy, just as a fuck you
I feel like there’s a lot of subtext about the modern state of masculinity between Stewie vs. Brian. Stewie is the new generation (he’s a baby), he’s smart, resourceful, quick-to-anger, flamboyant, and of course gay. Brian is older, more even tempered and can serve as a mediator but doesn’t take accountability for his actions (the way he lies and /reinterprets/ the facts to make himself look good). Brian’s character highlights the shortcomings of adhereing to a standard American idea of masculinity can do to a person when taken to extremes (what never being wrong does to a MF) while Stewie shows what seeking your own path and determining your own identity can bring you (he’s almost always able to achieve his goals but walks a lonely path). At the end of the day they are still best friends and don’t lambast one another for their personalities or choices (mostly). Sometimes I feel these two characters are reflective of Seth MacFarlane’s identity because on one hand he is the guy who makes off-color politically incorrect but “straight man” points (like Brian) but he’s also the animator who sneaks in references to musicals, Old Hollywood, and jokes about catty/effeminate men through History (more like Stewie).
Never thought about Family Guy like that, I stopped perusal when I finally saw the pattern of the dysfunctional family being the only formula that “works” for media to sell to viewers. I just got so sick of it, but with this article essay, it really reminds me of Archer and even my own nostalgia and disconnection that I had to deal with. Man, f**kin crazy
ive been thinking about this article ever since it came out and i ended up rewatching almost all of family guy again. i think its crazy how obvious it is that the show is supposed to be an actual show where the characters are actors, its such an obvious thing that my brain chose to overlook. the acting references are both subtle and obvious throughout every season 😟
Originally Peter was truly a “family guy”. A good hearted goofball who truly cared about his family. Lois was a devoted housewife and mother. Brian, though flawed, was the voice of reason. Stewie was just plain evil, yet strangely adorable . Chris was just dumb amd loveable and Meg was sweet if not as popular as she would like. The show had heart, no matter how crazy the adventures. Obviously all that changed. Mainly because the creator stopped writing for the show. So we get a nihilistic irresponsible father (who might be a closeted bisexual), the mom’s a definitely bisexual whore, Brian a sociopath, Meg a psychopath, Chris a dangerous mental defective, Stewie lost his edge. Now it’s just random crap.
Wow. This actually kind of reminds me of me a bit. I used to just consume media (mostly games and internet) because I was just a weird ADHD kid that thought reality was boring. Now I get called out for my ways which leads me to being… A… Socially awkward constantly paranoid citizen that sucks at conveying information. I try to have conversations but either I don’t know what to bring up or my family just doesn’t understand me or my junk. (Nerdy/memes/etc)
When it started, it was basically a parody of All in the Family. I personally stopped perusal due to their blasphemy going way too far, but honestly had already thought the show dropped in quality at the moment they confirmed that “Peter is retarded.” Let’s be real, Family Guy could have still been remembered fondly had it just stayed cancelled.
I love the theme song! As someone who just got into the show after years of being told it’s just not good. But…it is good? Even as a show with dark jokes, they prove when they do out their foot down. Peter’s friend’s sister’s fiancé/boyfriend is abusive? They kick his ass and kill him! Joe straight up says “what happened to the days when you’d beat up the men who do these things to women? We should kick his ass” quagmire openly says “let’s do it” and Joe is like “well wait that could affect my job, quagmire! He hasn’t done anything wrong for me to arrest him and assaulting HIM would be a crime.” The episode literally calls out the state of our world where the abuse towards a spouse isn’t illegal until it’s in action and the spouse makes the call…People can hate on the show but sometimes they really do call out how the world is messed up no matter what decade you’re in..
Okay so your boy Johnny sent out this link and probably many others through his YouTube page to help get you some exposure. I will stay up. Say now this entire comment is a criticism. I hope it does any level of good and doesn’t just piss you off. I’m going to watch your article and make critiques throughout. First off, You’re pacing makes it difficult to watch this in the background. It requires my actual attention. Something that I do not give, even Johnny his article. Your transition into the ad was fairly well done. Made me actually watch some of it. Very succinct. Argument stated a few different ways with plenty of different examples to prove your point. Didn’t feel like you were beating a horse so much as providing more examples to prove yourself article enjoyed You. Got to my like; Now earn that subscribe!
Family Guy was funniest to me when I watched it in high school, I thought it fell off after season 9. I think the show started using graphic violence as a crutch. I did see a clip on YouTube from an episode from season 20 or something (I have no idea what season they’re on) where they said playing the national anthem before sporting events is dumb so I liked that I don’t wanna be seen as negative lol
This subtext makes the shows much more bearable through our modern view in my opinion, it’s kinda how of like with south park, there’s a part of the audience that’s laughing at it for the wrong reasons because the critism is flying right over their heads. The joke is about them and they’re laughing. Im laughing too but not with them; at them
I haven’t watched Family Guy since 2014 (and I’m not super motivated to do so now, I got enough other shit to watch…), but I really like this reading of it. Honestly, what killed the show for me is a combination of Jerk-Ass Peter and Cutaway gags for filler. The Conway Twitty thing felt like a giant middle finger to the audience. Also, just as Futurama killed my interest in The Simpsons, American Dad killed my interest in Family Guy. In my opinion, both are newer, better shows than their forebears.
My biggest problem with family guy, is Seth really can’t drop surten jokes, like how many times has he made the Disney hates jews joke or joe is paralyzed so no one respects him joke or the constant meg abuse jokes? At some point repetition will kill amy joke …but Seth is a surtified necromancer in this case, because he keeps bringing back dead horses to kick longer
Really interesting to see an actual nuanced take on family guy. Instead of the eleventy seventh article on why it’s just objectively worse (which is more subjectively debatable) than it’s older half. I also liked that one long ass article where the dude reviews the whole series and he didn’t even really like it from the start😭
I don’t really think Mario is meant to be like a show that the characters perform. The only game that could fit that description is Super Mario Bros. 3 and even then it was a retcon and wasn’t originally meant to be a play. The rest of the games from my knowledge happen in-universe (even including spin-offs).
It’s unfair of me but at some point I started feeling this show is about whatever Chris McFarlane or the other writers want to sermonise or complain about that week. And they just use the show and it’s characters as their soapbox. Even if it’s just little things. That’s always how it comes across to me. Not as consistent characters but as mouthpieces to morph into whatever opinions the writers want to voice
If the Family Guy Movie ever gets made and released, I hope its message touches on how modern Hollywood is more focused on diversity and inclusivity than quality storytelling, and how films today seem to mostly be written by children. Maybe the plot could revolve around a big, dumb movie releasing, slowly resulting in Quahog transforming into a violent cesspool of uninformed gatekeepers that the Griffins have to beat through reasoning. Maybe it could also focus on giving Peter a legitimate story arc where he learns to respect Meg and the other Griffins, while also giving Chris an actual character than “haha, he a dumb preteen”.
Excellent article. You made me have some respect for Family Guy. But I kinda think the show either doesn’t do enough with this concept, or can’t get 20 seasons worth of content out of it. At this point, the theme feels more indulgent than satirical to me. Bojack Horseman has a similar theme in how Bojack is always living in the past, and got a lot of his values from television and performance. I think Bojack Horseman is kind of the evolution of Family Guy in that sense. Family Guy walked so Bojack Horseman could run… or gallop I guess
The initial show had some direction, however it’s current form is probably one of the most insufferable cartoons I have ever watched with the writers simply faking stakes, and constant unfunny, unsubtle breaking of the fourth wall, with overly long flashbacks that serve no purpose but to pad the episode.
So, what would be your take on The Venture Bros from Adult Swim or any of their weirdly toxic shows? I mean, I get having to pick apart the 80s and 90s guys but they are still a catch compared to cynical 1970s people. Bill Burrs’ cartoon character from F Is For Family and Stan Smith from American Dad kind grinded my gears. What sort of way of arching society is that?
Yknow, this article has made me appreciate the show a little more than I did before. I still hate it nowadays lol, and I don’t think it justifies all the terrible character choices and annoying running gags. Maybe if it actually tried to be something more than it is, the quality would’ve lasted a little bit longer than it has for the past 10 years or so.
People do tend to get their cues from media, especially very young children. Naturally there will be movies that display offensive behavior by today’s standards because that’s how progress works. TV and movie writers are not psychics, they have no way of predicting where society would be going in thirty years that would render parts of their work wrong. Disney’s Hunchback walked an extremely fine line to take a very dark story and lighten the load up for kids, with the ending message being one that condemns othering…but the slur gypsy is said multiple times in the movie, muddying the waters a bit for newer generations. That’s not anybody’s fault, no one was being malicious, it was a different time.
Ok, so, Primal and The Boondocks are both great shows, and they both supposedly have more depth than Family Guy but this article and several other articles that you have made prove that Family Guy also has more depth than people give it credit for. So, that’s why I use your articles to defend why I still 👀 Family Guy.
While we all appreciate the research and thought you put into this, in reality, family guy is just a stupid sitcom, that makes no sense and has weird plots that are set up in the weirdest ways possible. There are inconsistencies because that’s what the show is about, it’s not supposed to be realistic or anything, it’s just a show, and that’s why Seth Macfarlane can do anything with it.
Wow that was a really deep look into the show that has some weight to it… That being said this is family guy we’re talking about, i think you may have been looking into a puddle here It could just be that seth McFarlane isnt funny or good at writing so he just did a buncha of parodies and gags and sometimes sounded sad and deep the same way a 10 year old thinks making fun of someone is clever satire but is just reality just making fun of someone over nothing
I kinda see what you mean but at the same time I don’t believe the show does a good job at being anything but toxic. You wanna know what the story is about? It’s about a Narcissistic family. I mean I feel like nobody ever talks about the episode where Meg gets victim blamed into staying as the Scapegoat of her narcissistic family who fell apart when she turned the tables on them and stopped being the punching bag… and it was played completely straight… like she was praised for being a hero for “keeping the family together” and that is just wrong on so many levels, I could write my own article essay on it!