Family Guy, a popular animated series, has been accused of stealing the basic concept of The Simpsons. In an interview at the SXSW festival in Austin, Seth MacFarlane discussed the frequent cutaway scenes that make up much of each “Family Guy” episode. The creators of The Simpsons decided to take the idea of the show as inspiration for their crossover.
The Simpsons was the original mainstream adult cartoon, and many parents would not let their children watch it when it first aired. Family Guy’s creator, Matt Groening, believes that the show allegedly plagiarized from its long-running adult animated show. The show borrowed The Simpsons’ absurdist anything-goes sensibility, but King of the Hill positioned itself as the anti-Simpsons with a grounded style and minimalist animation.
Over the years, Family Guy has tried to find its own voice by deviating away from The Simpsons, as many people compare them together. While they were initially copying the style of The Simpsons (Homer hating his family and being a jerk like Peter), they have since more copied Bob’s Burgers. Family Guy is aware that it is a rip-off of The Simpsons and that it relies too much on cutaway gags.
King of the Hill also pitched several storylines for the crossover, including one in which the Griffins stay with Lenny and Carl and never meet the Simpsons. Seth Mcfarlane himself said that his inspiration for Family Guy is influenced by The Simpsons.
In “Family Guy Viewer Mail 2”, Stewie claims that Family Guy is based off an American sitcom called The Simpsons.
| Article | Description | Site |
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| Is it true that the Simpson’s tried to be like family guy at one … | Yes for a while they were copying Family Guy’s style (Homer hating his family and being a jerk like Peter) but lately they’re more copying Bob’s Burgers. | reddit.com |
| Family Guy: 5 Things It Copied From The Simpsons (& 5 … | At the very least, Family Guy is aware that it is a rip-off of The Simpsons. It’s aware that it relies too much on cutaway gags. It’s aware that … | screenrant.com |
| Is FAmily Guy Copying off the simpsons | Seth Mcfarlane said it himself that his inspiration for Family Guy is influenced on the Simpsons. It’s television, nothing is ever truly … | nohomers.net |
📹 Basic Ways family guy is copying the simpsons
I know these are bad examples, but family guy does copy the simpsons. watch the video in this article …
Was OJ Simpson Actually In Family Guy?
O. J. Simpson appears as a minor antagonist in the animated series Family Guy, portrayed by Mike Henry. His character is inspired by the real-life football player and spokesperson, infamous for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend Ronald Goldman. The narrative references Simpson’s high-profile 1994 trial, where he was acquitted, but later found liable for damages in a civil suit brought by the victims’ families. The episode "The Juice Is Loose," the ninth of the seventh season, aired on March 15, 2009.
In this episode, Peter Griffin wins a golf outing with Simpson after cashing a raffle ticket from 1989. Throughout the episode, Peter attempts to help Simpson rehabilitate his public image despite his notorious past. The plot becomes darkly humorous as Peter and his friends devise a plan to trick Simpson into confessing to the murders. The episode aired shortly after Simpson’s conviction for robbery and kidnapping, leading to a 33-year prison sentence.
The episode notably implies that Simpson indeed killed his ex-wife, escalating the macabre humor typical of Family Guy. Additionally, Cathy Cahlin Ryan guest-starred as Fred Goldman’s wife in a cutaway gag. Overall, the portrayal adds a satirical twist to the serious real-life events surrounding O. J. Simpson.
Was Family Guy Inspired By The Simpsons?
Seth MacFarlane, the creator of "Family Guy," has openly acknowledged the significant influence "The Simpsons" had on his animated sitcom and his career. In an interview with GQ, he reflected on how he was performing stand-up when "The Simpsons" began to gain popularity, which altered his career trajectory. MacFarlane indicated that he drew inspiration from Matt Groening's iconic animated family, stating he could not have created "Family Guy" without the groundwork laid by "The Simpsons." Throughout the years, "Family Guy" has faced criticism for being derivative of its predecessor, particularly due to its familiar premise of an inept father, akin to Homer Simpson.
Despite this, MacFarlane has acknowledged these similarities and the influences, even humorously referencing them in episodes. The interplay between the two shows has been characterized as a love/hate relationship, culminating in a crossover episode titled "The Simpsons Guy." In their respective satirical portrayals of American life, both series have embraced several comedic styles, with MacFarlane pointing out how famous bits from "The Simpsons" inspired some of the humor in "Family Guy." As both shows continue to thrive, their intertwined legacies remain a topic of interest among fans and critics alike.
Did Family Guy Steal 'The Simpsons' Premise?
His face is marked with "plagiarismo," an Italian term for plagiarism, criticizing Family Guy for allegedly copying The Simpsons' concept—a dim-witted husband in absurd scenarios with his family. Many comedy enthusiasts have long asserted that Family Guy mirrors The Simpsons, which also portrays a working-class father. Creator Seth MacFarlane acknowledges inspiration from The Simpsons, but Family Guy faced backlash for its perceived lack of originality.
The show's premise mirrors The Simpsons, as an oafish father attempts to navigate family challenges. Historically, Simpsons writers aimed to differentiate their humor, leading to a cessation of cutaway gags in response to Family Guy's approach, which was seen as a direct attack. While peak Simpsons humor from the '90s is considered superior, critics note that The Simpsons has struggled for two decades while Family Guy has maintained relative consistency.
During an SXSW interview, MacFarlane discussed Family Guy’s prevalent cutaway scenes and his camaraderie with Matt Groening. However, critics argue that Family Guy replicates The Simpsons too closely. In a notable crossover, both shows humorously address the plagiarism allegations, highlighting Family Guy’s mock self-awareness. Episodes emphasize the narrative that Family Guy has borrowed extensively from its predecessor, jokingly acknowledging its derivative nature with lines advocating their creative divergence.
Why Did 'Family Guy' And 'The Simpsons' Have A Crossover?
The crossover between "Family Guy" and "The Simpsons," aired on September 28, 2014, was a notable event as it brought together two highly popular animated shows on the same network that had previously faced accusations of rivalry. This collaboration stemmed from an idea proposed by Richard Appel, a former writer for "The Simpsons," who acted as executive producer for "Family Guy." The episode, titled "The Simpsons Guy," features the Griffins visiting Springfield and interacting with the iconic Simpson family, particularly Homer. The crossover is marked by self-referential humor, addressing critiques that "Family Guy" borrowed elements from "The Simpsons" and showcasing both shows' unique styles.
Critics and fans were interested to see how these two worlds would mesh, leading to anticipations of interactions between beloved characters like Peter Griffin and Homer Simpson or Bart Simpson and Stewie Griffin. Despite mixed initial reactions, the crossover capitalized on the nostalgia and humor that underlie both series. It adeptly navigated the cultural significance and comedic styles of each show, ultimately creating an episode that fans appreciated, even if it wasn't something anyone explicitly asked for. The collaboration served as a testament to their enduring popularity in the realm of animated television.
Why Is Family Guy A Rip-Off Of The Simpsons?
Family Guy distinguishes itself through a self-aware approach, acknowledging its similarities to The Simpsons while embracing its unique humor style. The show openly admits to drawing inspiration from The Simpsons, particularly through its lead character, Peter Griffin, a parody of the typical blue-collar dad. Despite the surface similarities, the two series diverge significantly in character and humor. Family Guy is characterized by its reliance on cutaway gags and pop culture references, which it highlights rather than corrects, making such awareness a defining feature.
While Family Guy has faced allegations of copying The Simpsons, many argue it simply shares a common narrative structure with other adult-oriented animated comedies, making it more of an inspired work rather than a direct rip-off. The show's humor often leans towards the absurd, featuring elements like a talking dog and an infant with adult intellect, which sets it apart from The Simpsons' approach.
In contrast, The Simpsons has seen a decline in quality over time, transitioning from its innovative roots to a more formulaic series. Ultimately, while Family Guy does reference and mimic certain aspects of The Simpsons, its distinctive comedic tone and bold humor form a separate identity, reflecting an evolution away from simply being a derivative work to establishing its own cultural presence.
Why Was The Family Guy Episode Banned?
The controversial "Family Guy" episode titled "Partial Terms of Endearment," which addresses abortion, was banned in the US at the end of the show's eighth season. This particular episode exemplifies the show's irreverent approach to sensitive topics. Although it was prohibited from airing in the US, it was broadcast in other countries and is available on the season 8 DVD box set. The ban stemmed from moral censorship and religious objections, notably in countries like Egypt and Russia, where the show was deemed unsuitable for airing.
"Family Guy," known for its edgy content since its 1999 debut, faced scrutiny from the Parents Television Council (PTC), which filed a complaint regarding another episode, "A Fistful of Meg." FOX President Kevin Reilly explained the decision not to air "Partial Terms of Endearment" by stating the subject matter was extremely delicate. While the ban reflects a broader societal aversion to discussing abortion, others argue the episode wasn't as provocative as perceived. The history of censorship for "Family Guy" includes earlier banned episodes, illustrating the ongoing tension between the show's dark humor and social norms.
Who Did Johnny Depp Play In Family Guy?
In the animated series "Family Guy," Johnny Depp made notable cameo appearances reprising his iconic roles from film. In the episode "Lois Comes Out of Her Shell," Depp voiced Edward Scissorhands, a character he originally portrayed in the 1990 Tim Burton film. This episode featured memorable moments where Depp lent his voice to Edward, adding a humorous touch to the storyline. Additionally, in another episode titled "Trump Guy," he made another cameo as Captain Jack Sparrow, showcasing his versatility and charm.
The series is known for featuring various stars reprising their famous roles in animated form, making these moments particularly engaging for fans. Depp’s appearances contribute to the show's appeal, as he brings nostalgia and recognition through his beloved characters. As part of the talented cast of "Family Guy," Depp joins other notable actors like Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Banks in upcoming seasons, continuing to entertain audiences with witty animations and hilarious portrayals. Overall, Depp's reprisal of Edward Scissorhands remains a standout moment, allowing fans to relive the quirky charm of the original film while enjoying the comedic elements of the show.
Did Fox Use The Success Of Family Guy To Reinvigorate 'The Simpsons'?
There have been theories suggesting that Fox leveraged the popularity of Family Guy to revive the waning interest in The Simpsons. However, the real instigator behind the crossover episode wasn’t Seth MacFarlane or Matt Groening. Fox has previously found success by entrusting Groening and MacFarlane with their own series, resulting in projects like Futurama. MacFarlane acknowledges The Simpsons as an influence, believing his show requires more skill and innovation. Both The Simpsons and Family Guy are up for renewal at Fox, with ongoing discussions about producing content exclusively for streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu. Criticism has been directed at Family Guy for its premise, centering on an inept father, yet it remains relevant partly due to strong rerun and DVD sales post-cancellation in 2002. The resurgence of Family Guy thanks to renewed viewer interest illustrates how beloved shows can come back from cancellation. Disney's ownership of both series adds complexity to their future, especially with significant changes expected for The Simpsons in 2025. Despite mixed ratings, Family Guy continues to be important for Fox, and the brand's legacy influences their animation strategy moving forward. Meanwhile, the future of both shows appears to be focused on adapting to the streaming reality of today.
What Is Family Guy Inspired By?
Seth MacFarlane's "Family Guy" draws substantial inspiration from various sitcoms, notably "The Simpsons" and "All in the Family." He incorporated elements from 1980s Saturday-morning cartoons like "The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang" and "Rubik, the Amazing Cube." The character of Peter Griffin is rooted in experiences with security guards at the Rhode Island School of Design, notably a guard named Paul Timmins. "Family Guy" serves as both a parody and an ironic take on classic family sitcoms.
The show’s theme song, created by Walter Murphy, is also inspired by "All in the Family." Initially, "Family Guy" was envisioned as a series of shorts for MADtv. MacFarlane’s overarching influences include his love for John Hughes films and a keen admiration for "Star Trek," where he made a brief appearance in "Enterprise." Additionally, the characters Brian and Stewie were influenced by episodes of "All in the Family." MacFarlane has acknowledged the significant impact that "The Simpsons" had on shaping "Family Guy," as well as his career path overall. Overall, these diverse inspirations have contributed to the show's enduring appeal over its 20+ years on air.
Is Family Guy Based On The Simpsons?
"The Simpsons" has significantly influenced "Family Guy," with creator Seth MacFarlane openly acknowledging this inspiration. In episodes like "Family Guy Viewer Mail No. 2," Stewie even states that "Family Guy" is based on "The Simpsons." The comparison between the two shows is a common topic among comedy enthusiasts, who often criticize "Family Guy" for being derivative of its predecessor, which also features a working-class family living in a fictional town. Both series are known for their quirky supporting characters and satirical take on American life.
Notably, Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, made his debut in "Family Guy" in the episode "Ratings Guy." The crossover special "The Simpsons Guy" marks a significant acknowledgment of their intertwined legacies. While "Family Guy" has often attracted both praise and criticism for its boundary-pushing humor, many feel it has retained its quality over the years, contrasting with the decline of "The Simpsons."
Various artists who previously worked on "The Simpsons," including director Peter Shin and writer Rich Appel, are key players in "Family Guy," linking the two critically acclaimed shows. Ultimately, while both shows are immensely popular, their styles and receptions differ, reflecting changes in comedy and audience expectations over the years.
What Show Was Family Guy Inspired By?
The Simpsons played a crucial role in shaping Seth MacFarlane's creation of Family Guy, which debuted after a successful pilot. MacFarlane drew inspiration from various sitcoms, notably The Simpsons and All in the Family, along with 1980s Saturday-morning cartoons like The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang. Set in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island, Family Guy utilizes metafictional cutaway gags to satirize American culture. MacFarlane conceived the family dynamics after creating animated films The Life of Larry and Larry and Steve.
In interviews, MacFarlane acknowledges how The Simpsons paved the way for Family Guy's humor, especially the use of cutaway scenes that have become a hallmark of the show. Family Guy features characters such as Peter Griffin, whose comedic persona is reminiscent of classic sitcom fathers, with his character’s voice inspired by earlier portrayals of incompetence. MacFarlane's animated franchise also includes The Cleveland Show and American Dad, creating an interconnected universe.
The opening theme is notably influenced by All in the Family, while references to pop culture, including films like Star Wars, showcase the show's genre-blending humor. Overall, both shows share an artistic lineage, with Family Guy standing as a testament to the impact of The Simpsons on modern animated sitcoms.
When Did Fox Cancel Family Guy?
In 2002, Fox unveiled its fall lineup, announcing the cancellation of Family Guy, which had aired since 1999. Initially canceled after two seasons due to low ratings, a dedicated fanbase helped revive the show for a fourth season in 2005. It has since remained a staple on television. However, as Fox released its schedule for the 2024-25 season, a surprising omission was noted: Family Guy was removed from its long-standing Sunday night slot, now being moved to Wednesdays. Despite declining viewership and inconsistent airtimes, the show has been renewed for a 23rd season. The Walt Disney Company, which now owns Family Guy, has seemingly downgraded its status, raising speculation about its future amid other animated shows, including The Simpsons. In 2002, after airing its third season, Fox had initially canceled the show, only to later reverse that decision. Now, with potential changes on the horizon, fans wonder if Family Guy, which briefly aired its final episode on Adult Swim after the third season cancellation, could eventually become a streaming-only series.
📹 Family Guy: Peter and Homer meet at Bob’s Burgers.
Family Guy season 21 episode 15 #animation #familyguy #disneyplus Watch Family Guy Season 21 on Amazon Prime: …
It was always clear to me that FG was a shitty mean-spirited rip off of the Simpsons. Regardless of what you think of the later seasons of the Simpsons, it is pretty clear that Family Guy is the inferior show. FG has maybe 10 memorable episodes, the Simpson has dozens of them. Hell, Seth Macfarlane even copied his own show twice.
Family Guy is annoying now. I used to enjoy perusal it every night. Now I’m just completely annoyed by it for some reason. The ‘replay’ value isn’t there for some reason. The (same) jokes have become very tiring for me. The Simpsons have been on, every single night on my local FOX website (re-run) for the last 20 years or so and I can simply turn it on and tune out and just enjoy the show. Any episode from any season even if I’ve watched the episode a thousand times, the replay value is there. I can enjoy it. FG doesn’t do that for me.
Of course family guy ripped off The Simpson. The Simpsons is the greatest, and as time has shown, everyone imitates or tries to rip off the best when they want to succeed without effort or if they can’t produce an original thought. There are three episodes I remember off top where family guy stole directly from the simpsons almost exactly, “The strong arms of the ma” where marge gets robbed, gets buff, and kicks everybody’s butt at moe’s until homer stops her. Lois does the same, she gets strong and kicks everybody’s butt at the happy clam until Peter stops her. Another was “Pray Anything”, where homer pisses of the God of Springfield and catches the wrath. Peter does the same thing with the same exact results. Last, which is the most blatant and obvious rip off was the greyhound episode where Santa’s little helper chases a girl dog at a dog track in the middle of the race to stop her to mate, and they end up with puppies. Brian does the exact same thing with the same results. I was super surprised there were no plagiarism charges, because those were just three examples. There are more, but if the writers and developers of the simpsons don’t care than what can anyone else do.
If you have ever seen the south park where professor chaos (butters) is trying to come up with a plan to destroy south park, general disarray keeps telling him that the simpsons have done all those ideas. In the end it’s okay if you copy off of the Simpsons due to the fact that they have been making shows for 20+ years.
I understand that Peter being a drunk, idiot is simillar to Homer, but the Humor is different. Also I wouldn’t say that Mort is a nerd, comic book guy is a nerd. Stewie and Maggie are miles apart. Most simularities stem from how there is a scratchy voiced wife, drunk husband, 3 kids and a dog and the kids and both dogs are share no comparison. They did an episode crossover that literally is a side-by-side comparison on how diffrent they are except for Peter and Homer. I can understand that Peter is very simmilar to Homer I can understand frustration but come on. They’re exactly the same? I can say both shows are growing stale.
A lot of cartoon shows have funny babies, not just Family Guy and the Simpsons. The Simpsons has been around for 20 years, so eventually Family Guy will “copy” them. A lot of sitcoms have dads and nerds like that. The 3 kids aren’t anything alike. Chris is dumb and Bart is a troublemaker, Lisa is smart and Meg is a loser, and Stewie wants to rule the world and Maggie doesn’t. Homer has 2 friends, and Peter has 3, plus the friends are very different. Family Guy doesn’t copy. Nor does it have to.
Family guy used to be really funny, the first few seasons were great, but over the years it has become annoying. It’s just an outlet for seth macfarlans left wing political ideals. And the Simpson’s aren’t as good as they used to be but it’s still better than family guy. I think American dad is the best right now
my god, yes family guy took many ideas from the simpsons but the way it’s written and what they do with those ideas is what seperates the two shows. for example, just perusal a DVD boxset you’ll see -Peter growing morbidly obise like Homer did but this makes Peter want to become a knight and lets Homer save the power plant
lets me clarify a few things ok first they have 3 kids each because the average amout of kids in a american family is about 2 1/2 so they have 2 kids and a baby and the reason the dads are like that is because there stressing the way most other people think of americans and come on a nerd is a class of person there in every show.
they both know they reflect the other show and constantly used to make fun of that fact as a running joke until Seth F. Took it too far with one but both poke fun at the ideal 3 kids, middle class, suburban lifestyle but main difference is the Simpsons are much more suitable for children to watch and family guy content is intended for more mature audiences just like futurama and american dad
I wouldn’t say these “copy”. 1. The babies – wouldn’t be the same without either of them but at least Stewie can talk and is funny, Maggie doesn’t really do anything. 2. “The Nerds” – Mort Goldman isn’t really a nerd, he’s just a Jew. 3. “Giggity” vs “Diddily” – similar, I guess but used in complete different contexts and by different characters. Giggity is said whenever anything sexual happens on the show and diddily is just how Ned talks. it’s not like the words are meant to mean the same.
I wouldn’t really say that Family Guy copies The Simpsons. It’s basically another animated sitcom that uses a simular formula. There’s been many countless sitcoms that uses that type of formula even before The Simpsons. What I think really matters about Family Guy is the writing style. It was a hilarious show with very cleaver moments and funny writing. Sure, the writing has gotten kind of lazy, but I still don’t think it rips off The Simpsons.
Everyone know Family Guy copies The Simpsons. All animated shows aimed towards the adult demographic are carbon copies of The Simpsons. It’s just Family Guy decided to completely rip it off. I don’t mind Family Guy, Matt Groening doesn’t seem to care, he and Seth get on well apparently. Both shows are on Fox anyways.
its created and put out by the same writers and most of the sameactors. all theshows like this are, examples being: king of the hill, futurama, the simpsons, family guy, american dad, the cleveland show, south park, bobs burgers….so on and so forth (just in case i forgot any). so they arent really “stealing” the jokes, but featuring them in multiple shows. they do promote their other shows during episodes of different shows. but yeah, nothings really stealing, its all matt groening.
Just so you know I’m not getting mad I’m just informing 1. Maggie is not intended to be funny 2. Frink is a stereotypical nerd but Mort is a stereotypical jew 3. Fat, lazy and drunk dads are supposed to be stereotypical comedic fathers to promote the the shows 4. Most families have 3 kids in PG cartoon 5. Giggity and Diddly are just wacky phrases as they are both comedic sidekicks/neighbors (but only quagmire is funny) 6. You are siding with Simpsons by saying that it is copied and not similiar
You’re reaching. Pretty much all of your good points are summed up by a MAD magazine cover that portrays the Griffin family with the features of the Simpons. Other than that, you’re just pointing out circumstancial stuff. “Homer has friends, and Peter has friends.” Wow, I’d never thought of that before. They must be stealing it! Oh, and, just because Giggity and Diddly sound kind of similar does not equate them at all. Two very different running gags there.
Movies and TV shows copy after each other all the time. If a formula works, there’s no need to change it. The Simpsons did it’s fair about of joke stealing as well. In the end, it’s a matter of opinion. My personal opinion is that Family Guy’s humor is just not as good as The Simpsons. I do get a few laughs from Family Guy, but mostly it’s from the out-of-context jokes. Probably my favorite Family Guy episode was the one where they went to Texas. While I find the Simpsons to be very varied with their jokes and I find it more sophisticated (a long story which I will not go into today). Go ahead and like or hate Family Guy, that’s your thing. Don’t change your opinion because of others.
Quagmire and Homer’s neighbour (what’s his name? I forget) are not similar at all. If anything, their both just very eccentric. And the only thing similar about the friends of the protagonist is that one of them is black. Maggie and Stewie are completely different – the only similarity is that Maggie knows what’s going on around her, unlike Stewie, who is much smarter than her. And the only other similarities between the shows are the four other characters of the family.
dude their both aired on the Fox website, but made by two different companies (minus 20th century, which owns the rights to distribution rights to both shows). However the Simpsons is made by Gracie Films and Family is Fuzzy Door Productions. TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES. They’re both owned by the same company but not MADE by the same company. Besides just cause two shows are made by one company doesn’t mean one show isn’t stealing from the other.
@foxxyryan I hate telling people they’re wrong, but they were not made by the same person. The fact Family Guy copies Simpsons so much makes them seem so similar, which makes people think that. It’s that the guy who made The Simpsons also made Futurama, and the guy who made Family Guy also made American Dad. Both people made two different cartoons, so this mix-up is common, and understandable. Also, it’s “they’re” not “there”.
one obvious way is: go see “It’s a Trap” the final Family Guy Star Wars films; after the light are back on (end of Peter’s “story”) they all start talking and Lois says: He ripped of the Simpsons/He watched Tv in the 80’s! FYI: They were talking about Seth Green and then all attentions came to Seth McFarlane (who happens to do the voices of Peter/Brian and Stewie!
I think the only 1 i agree with is the fact Peter Griffin and Homer are similar, otherwise, you can’t say they both have kids is similar, (the Simpsons -Family, FAMILY Guy – Family) And obviously they’re gonna have friends. And people of the community, every community has geeks. AND Quagmire and Flanders are nothing alike, Giggidy just sounds similar to Diddly.
Watch The Simpsons seasons 1-9 and then comment on the article…. Family guy is the lamest sense of humor using flash backs and irrelevant content to add to a shitty plot. The Simpsons are awful now (just like Family Guy) but in those seasons i mentioned you will find humor that is subtle, cultural and down right hilarious to the point where you will see why they have 27 Emmy awards
family guy *does* copy jokes & plots from the simpsons, BUT the 3 kids, annoying neighbors, nerds, fat dad with a hot wife, 2-3 friends (with 1 usually black) is a recipe many shows use. they have a completely diff quality to them. family guy is funny, but sometimes just way over the top, pointless and redundant. simpsons is funny in a diff. way, w/better plots. fact is, simpsons has been on for 20+yrs & FG has been cancelled twice… I like it, but that kind of humor can only go so far
I think there are definitely some obvious similarities between the two, but only in the way they are portraying a typically relatable American Family. Plot lines differ greatly, and Family Guy, to me is the modernisation and upgrade from the Simpsons. The Simpsons are good for a young audience, but Family Guy panders to an adult audience.
there was an episode of the simpsons where te went to australia and this guy is thats not a knif this is a knife and i think he was holding up a spoon or something i cant remember then bart was like this is also a knife and then in family guy this australian guy comes in and is liek thats not a knife this is a knife and then peter says this is also a knife that my reason
another thing is that family guy just make fun of famous people, while The simpsons have had a loot of famous people in the show who have actully done the voices. I got more thing i can say about the different between this shows. Like so many other have. And well yes sometimes they take jokes from the simpsons but come on? All shows do that.
Man, I can’t even describe how crappy this article is. “Let’s present very standard examples, and then zoom in on an image. I’d also like to post comments all over my article with annotations basically saying, “UMADBRO”.” No reason to troll on this scale, and if you’re going to troll.. Please, please for the love of GOD, do it RIGHT.
ummm cant you guys thing that family guy is based off the Simpson’s because when the writers were a bit younger they wanted something kinda of like Simpson’s. maybe Simpson’s created family guy as a inspiration because of Simpson’s obvious supiroirism over family guy but the writers probably thought they needed inspiration for a show so they used Simpson’s as a inspiration and made family so you like the Simpson’s you basically like family guy except family guy has fart jokes which are dumb
you also realise its because tv like many things has a formula, and they want to connect with viewers – with often the standard generic family, which might be an over weight dad an over-responsible wife and 3 kids, so the people who watch their show can relate, even subconciously. the characters in cartoons are made with each of their own quirks to make the show interesting and cartoons are made with their own similar formula that sitcoms have (problem and solution)so obviously they’d be similar
The simpsons were created first. I still cant believe people cant comprehend that. How could the simpsons copy a show that wasnt even created yet? Its impossable. I will admit the simpsons have lost their way but family guy just over does it on the attempted jokes and the simpsons has more family oriented situtational comedy, not a retarted cut scene every 3 seconds.
I used to sit and wait for The Simpsons for half an hour when I was a Kid (sad, I know). I now find them quite boring. Yes, you get the occasional really good/funny one, but I suppose I just find find Family Guy better because they’re a little less restricted on the content they can put in. The jokes in The Simpsons are just a little too old now, they’ve had their run. Also Family guy, aside fom the similarities in the characters is a completely different style of programme. Thanks for listening
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I agree with you on all counts, dude. The Simpsons are tops but have had their ”rough patches” once in a while. Even though I don’t watch Simpsons no more, I will never say a mean thing about them. I too used to love Family Guy but hate it now as the show’s ”novelty” is wearing very thin indeed with constant and pointless cutaways.
the simpsons have been on for 23 years won 27 annie awards and family guy has been around for 12 years and only won 4 annie awards that article makes sense for example homer got drunk and fell asleep at the bar in 1993 and 1997 then peter griffin did the same thing in 2005 ps. the people who think the simpsons sucks never watched and the simpsons air 6 times a week family guy only airs once a week
dude you cant really bring up the copied jokes thing because no matter what the simpsons have been around for almost i think 30 years now? and they’ve had the time to do EVERY joke there could possibly be so everyone that makes a show with a joke in it has pretty much copied off of the simpsons but like the extremley angry freak below said its just the stereotypical family but they are both still awesome shows so i really dont see the point in comparing the differences in the first place
@jocman54 Have you even watched the newest episodes of family guy? Since when did peter have two friends? And Tennix18 is talking about main friends that are in most of the episodes by making contact with peter or homer. Moe and Barney are sometimes in it because they are needed for fill ins, like moe is needed to run the bar but doesn’t always take a full conversation with homer. Sometimes he is just there to serve him a beer.
@edwardfeast Actually, I tend to believe family guy has a more “buckshot” strategy to comedy. The plots are really loose, and used mainly as an outlet to as many cutaway jokes as they can shoehorn into a single broadcast. They do joke about a lot of things, but I tend to think they are successful because when they launch that many jokes, there is guaranteed to be one to resonate with many different demographics. Its a smart plan, I think.
OK, I get where your coming from, but alot of shows are similar, for example (Law & Order VS NCIS, Alot of the shows on USA, Star Trek Vs. Star Wars). Another point, is Peter NOT supposed to have friends. 3. Most American families have 3 kids. and 4, HOW THE HELL ARE FLANDERS AND QUAGMIRE SIMILAR???? so there you have it
No I actually didn’t say the latest episodes are funny. I do agree that the last IDK, 5 seasons have been lacking. What I said was it’s still a HUGE part of American pop culture and doesn’t need to be like Family Guy. I also said that without the Simpsons a show like FG probably won’t have existed. And regardless over if you feel FG is funnier right now (which yes I do disagree), it will NEVER accomplish what the Simpsons has. I actually didn’t saw a word about the lastest episodes.
excuse me, i think a good way to have fun are stereotypes.. and the nerds, the religious people, the drunk friends, are good stereotypes and more probably used in a show. and i don’t find maggie funny at all, but just my opinion. and stewie is totally opposite. he is the center of attention while maggie is usually background =)
i watch both of these shows and yeah Family Guy has copied ALOT of simpsons stuff but the Simpsons have copied other peoples stuff half their shows are spoofs and the Simpsons have been on forever so they’ve done like everything imaginable. just accept that they’re both funny shows because even though they have similar plots and characters the content of the shows are really quite different
I like both the Simpsons and Family Guy. They are both funny but it in all honesty Family Guy steals/rehashes a lot of Simpsons jokes. The Simpsons will always be number one in my books, it is much more clever and original as opposed to Family Guy’s kind of dumb, 10yr old style humour that is often just offensive and not even funny. But I still like them both, just the Simpsons more so.
@Pwnzistor They don’t have the same creator. Family guy was created by Seth McFarlane and The Simpsons was created by Matt Groening… it’s possible they have similar writers though; however, The Simpsons have been on air for, like what 20 years or it makes sense that Family Guy would have similar storylines
@420reeferkitty There’s more to it than that… I’ve seen a lot of Family Guy jokes and went, “Hey… they did that on The Simpsons almost 10 years ago!” and none of them were pop culture references. Who cares? It’s not cool to rip off someone else’s jokes and repackage it. Family Guy makes up most of their jokes but they do steal from the Simpsons a lot too.
Okay, maybe family guy did steal from the simpsons. So what? Animation is built on plagiarism. If it weren’t for someone plagiarizing the Honeymooners we wouldn’t have the Flintstones. If someone hadn’t ripped off Sergeant Bilko, there’d be no Top Cat. Huckleberry Hound, Chief Wiggum, Yogi Bear? Hah! Andy Griffith, Edward G. Robinson, Art Carney. You take away our right to steal ideas, where are they gonna come from?
@Jiminallybillybob They’re both animated, both main characters are married, both have jobs in an industrial setting… and Flintstones, technically, was a rip-off of the Honeymooners. And my original intent was to be sarcastic. Yes, there are similarities, but if you enjoy perusal the shows, watch them – and if you don’t, then stop perusal them – don’t watch them looking to find a ton of examples to fit your arguments.
Funny babys? I think maggies said one word through all the series, look, the Simpsons is a great show, even Seth Macfarlane admits that, and the simpsons seem to think they started of most family sitcoms where there was loads before them e.g the flinstones. Plaguirism in the media is totally different than plagurism in the real world. In MY opinion Family Guy and American Dad destroy the simpsond in preety much every way, humour, plots messages, characterization, everything.
so every successful sitcom based on family life surrounding a stupid father figure who (inconceivably) has friends and 3 kids is a rip off the simpsons? nah matt groening clearly ripped that of the flinstones. then it was copied by according to jim, home improvement, my family, the middle and so on. whats the big deal with family guy except the fact that its actually good?
Stewie- Can talk and hate his mother and want to take over the world. Maggie- Just a baby that dont talk and can only shoot people now and then. Meg- ugly and her family is mean to her like all at the school. Lisa- Just a nerd. Sometimes she have friends and sometimes not. She is loved by her family. Chris- Fat kid who is kind of an idiot. Have a perv who is he’s stalker. Bart- popular, do a lot of mischief. And have someone who want’s to murder him.
Funny Babies? There all supposed to be funny, stupid. Stewie’s an evil baby. Drunk Dads? Obviously, they both do it because it is a steryotypical american father figure. Nerds? Every cartoon has some form of Nerd. 3 Kids? Because thats the average number of children the typical American family have. Giggtty? It’s a form of catchphrase, most characters in most shows have them. The friends? Unlike you, everyone has friends… But one black and one white? To keep audiance happy with politcal…
Were they suppose to have boring babies, no families, no friends, and no people who fit basic personality stereotypes? and it’s not like the fat stupid American dad hasn’t been done on countless shows already. Yep, they’re basically the same show since they had family, friends, and other people in the show.