Xixax Film Forum

Earlier this week I saw one episode of Family Guy and loved it.  The next day I bought the Volume 1 box set.  

So far I've seen all of season 1 and some of season 2 and I really like this show.  It is the best animated show I have ever seen and it is too bad it was cancelled after 3 seasons.

Anyone else here have the box set or a fan of the show?  The transfer isn't the best b/c it sometimes looks jagged and shakes...but the show is too great not to own.

i loved that show

i thought it was hilarious

I have the box set of the first two seasons.  Gonna get the next box set of the final two when it comes out later this year.  :)  The best animated series in a long time.  Since The Critic, I imagine.  But nothing, IMO, tops The Critic.  I'm not sure whether to call ABC and FOX idiots for cancelling it, or the majority of the American public for just not getting the jokes.  Then again, humor is subjective.

I think the date is Sept 9 for Volume 2 of Family Guy.

Everyone likes Family Guy.  Everyone.

'Family Guy' has to be one of the funniest things ever. Not just on TV.

the extended action sequence with the chicken and the coupon made me laugh more than anything in my life, ever.  except for dave morris.

I would have watched them if I knew when they were on..... i think that was part of its downfall

yes it was a genius show. i am sad its gone

the family guy was basically the EXACT same setup as the simpsons, which i think at first was very offputting to people (including myself), when the show first came on.  even the humor echoes the simpsons in its later years, and its irreverency.  but the thing that makes the family guy such a great show its its daring.  no matter HOW CRAZY, just put it in there.  anything, no matter how off the wall.  but even moreso than that, the way that they will let a joke playout forEVER. letting jokes go on for much much longer than a more restrained show like the simpsons would ever allow.  therein lies the genius of the family guy.  not exactly breaking new ground, but taking it farther than its been taken.  the show got better as the seasons went on i think, (like any show it takes atleast a season for everyone to get on the same page).

also:

Family Guy: The Movie: The cancelled FOX adult animated comedy could be making a comeback. The three-season long show ran on Fox from 1999-2001 but was pulled due to low ratings which weren't helped by an unstable airing schedule - since then however the studio has been very impressed with both the first wave of DVD sales and Cartoon Network re-run ratings, so much so that a direct-to-DVD feature-length new movie is being considered by creator Seth MacFarlane. Seth told Variety that "It's certainly some vindication and a sign that the show is as popular as we always suspected. Fox certainly gave the show more of a chance than a lot of shows would've gotten, and we're indebted to Gail [Berman, Fox Entertainment Chief] for the fact that we even got a third season. But it's also frustrating for everyone who worked on the show. We all felt it was killed before its time". Fox will release a second batch of episodes on disc later this Fall.

The Family Guy Volume 2 on September 9th. This three-disc set also features 4:3 full screen transfers, English, French and Spanish Dolby 2.0 surround tracks, audio commentaries for the episodes "Mr. Griffin Goes to Washington", "Death Lives," "Mr. Saturday Night", "Ready, Willing and Disabled," "Brian Wallows" and the previously unaired "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein," 15 minutes of animatics, the "Family Guy" pilot pitch and a series overview. Retail is $49.95.

Quote from: tremoloslothEveryone likes Family Guy.  Everyone.

I knew a guy in school, who normally had good taste, who hated "Family Guy".

...So I killed him and ate him.

Quote from: polkablues...So I killed him and ate him.

good. its the christian thing to do.

sphinx wrote: the extended action sequence with the chicken and the coupon made me laugh more than anything in my life, ever. except for dave morris.

HAHA! I was going to mention that 'chicken fight' as one of the funniest things I've seen in my life but it took me too long to explain it! I love that bit, almost TOO funny.....

i downloaded when you wish upon a weinstein epiosde

and iyts allright, but over rated because of its banned status

you go in thinking its gonna be insane because it was banned and all, but its really harmless and not even that great

"The safety word is 'banana.'"

Also, the funniest thing ever for anyone who cares about independent film: second disc, last episode, about 12 minutes in, there is a hilarious indie film parody called "Lint."  Check it out.

I love it!

Season 3 is out the end of the month here in the UK, you have just reminded me to preorder it!


The homicide life on sesame street skit i found funny and the road runner sketch!

I've watched season 1 and 2 an unhealthy amount of times!

oh stop, you people will make me buy the damn set.... i need to save my money, dammit!

Does anyone has the pic of Peter when he turns into the Hulk? I swear that is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

I think the name of the episode is Chitty Chitty Death Bang.

If only I had a DVD-ROM drive and capture software.  :(

When FG was on Fox I couldn't stand to sit through an epidose. I tried watching it a couple of times but would flip off it during the commercial and never come back. Then I started watching it on Adult Swim and can't believe how good it is. Must have been all the college stuff when it was originally on but I love it now.

Futurama still is the tits though.

Family Guy is much better than Simpsons...I think everyone should own this.

When You Wish Upon A Weinstein wasn't too funny, you're right.  But it had it's moments...

Quote from: RaikusWhen FG was on Fox I couldn't stand to sit through an epidose. I tried watching it a couple of times but would flip off it during the commercial and never come back. Then I started watching it on Adult Swim and can't believe how good it is. Must have been all the college stuff when it was originally on but I love it now.

Futurama still is the tits though.

same here. except i didnt care for family guy OR futurama when they debuted. i gave it a few episodes but never got into it. only a year or two later when i got a few tapes full of family guy, after it was off the air, (before the dvds or cartoon network or tbs airings), did i see it for its genius.  same with futurama, got a few tapes full and started watching the later ones on fox.  i think they they CAN BE, at their funniest, as good as the simpsons.

I know I'll be stoned for this, but I think Futurama is much funnier than the Simpsons. More consistent too. Simpsons have always been very hit-or-miss.

Quote from: Walrus, kookookajoobFamily Guy is much better than Simpsons...

let's clarify, the Family Guy's humor hits you over the head a lot more than the Simpson's humor, to me that doesn't make it better (although i do enjoy and respect Family Guy)....as for Futurama, never gave it enough of a chance, though valued sources make me want to, and the fact that Groening helms that project also does

the simpsons has never failed to make me piss my pants with laughter






family guys pretty good, never liked futurama

P, do you have anything to say?

bah this is all there is to say about Futurama Vs Simpsons Vs Family Guy:

for one thing, Simpsons is in a league of its own, has been going for 14 goddamn years, and pretty much made the world u live in today. right, that's all a fact. another thing, i find myself watching seasons 4 to 8 now and i realise there are many jokes i could not possibly hav gotten at age 10-14.

Futurama fans havn't yet turned rabid and bitten the hand that feeds them, as simpsons fans hav been doing since the beginning. that's clearly cos it never got the chance to evolve, and in the process lose narrow-minded fans, gain grumpy critics, as most changing things do. the futur fans i know are ultra-proud that they didn't ignore this wonderfully original piece of TV. as i would prolly feel about Sports Night and Freaks and Geeks. because it was so obscure at the time, only hardcore ppl would follow it around, treasuring each glimpse. when sumthing becomes a mainstream hit (once an unpredictable thing)*, a lot of idiots join the bandwagon and then complain when it goes sumwhere they're not ready for. which brings me to: what went "wrong" with the simpsons.
*marketing has killed all innovation

i could tell u for hours and days the evolutionary process it has taken in characters, storylines, technical aspects, and in its relation to the audience. it is basically a journey of de-evolution, perfectly fitting the medium and genre of animation. as a result of never growing older, the characters had only one direction to grow, inwards. what developed over the years began with the broadest image of the american family, the pinnacle of consumerism, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"-- heartwarming story of sweet redemption and good luck at christmas time. it reflected the popular established nature of the public. but by the end of the second season they took their first great step into human consciousness, and later spiritual transcendence. with CBG and the episode "Three Men and Comic Book" they marked their entrance into the true nature of their destiny and relevance to the world.

it's a beautiful thing, the awareness of trilateral conflict. kubrick knew it, william borroughs knows it, and Snog sure as hell loves it. it wasn't about the Show and The People anymore, it was The Show, The Fans, and The Masses. i hav to detour now cos i really will go on forever, but this leads to the final point on the nature of Futurama, The Simpsons, and the paltry family guy who doesn't deserve capital letters in the same sentence as the other 2.

skip forward 4 years, halfway through the golden age of the 90s ('93-'97), dominant themes had by now emerged which were prevalent since the show's inception. it has always been about Money and Truth. in season 6 what occurred was "Homer Vs Patty and Selma", notice the dejected image that it ends with, Patty and Selma left behind. it was a turning point that went unnoticed by those not in for the long haul. the following 2 seasons continued at light-speed to strip away all the phoniness of its reality, culminating half way through season 8 with "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show". once again it met with itself, the fans, and the masses. it played the idea of a new beginning, this time mockingly adding another character in their house to reflect us (hipsters) while their favorite cartoon did the same. now u hav to understand, the writers of the Show are really Fans, and the Fans are always part of the Mass. after season 8, trickling to the end of season 10 with "Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo" is the period most ppl accept as what i call the Yielding. where for the 3 years after that it became more and more a dance with itself, just spinning round on the one spot. i still watched it religiously, i didn't know why exactly. so in this year's season 14, it has gone back to its true roots, analysing what has been left unsaid about its very convoluted nature. ie. lamenting on the status quo in "Bart Vs Lisa Vs 3rd Grade". also, more importantly, with revived interest in Maggie it has found new life in old baby blue.

a quick word on futurama, i myself ignored it for the first few years. it seems almost made to be rediscovered, it's theme of Love and Technology isn't for modern marketed times. the connection in a simpsons-like depth is valid since its produced and written by the same ppl. tho inherently it can only be followed by outcasts with nowhere and everywhere to go. translating into a short TV life.

so u see, it's not about the quality of the shows, but the loyalty of the crowd.

from episode Homer Vs Patty and Selma (s.6)

Marge: That's a wonderful thing you did for my sisters.
Homer: I didn't do it for them.. I did it for you, Marge. I'd kill for you. Please ask me to kill for you --
Marge: No, Homey. [to sisters] You see? You see, this is the stuff I've been telling you about that you never see!

i've left this incomplete cos i don't want to waste any major insight.. as what usually happens when i make these long things, only 8 of u will read it, five of those will misunderstand it, and the rest will triumph.

Yes, the relevance of the Simpsons should never ever be overlooked, but the fact remains that Family Guy was fucking hilarious for completely different reasons.

count me as one of the eight. never really thought about the descent from the golden age that way..that the premise was kind of like a trap in itself...a giant cardboard box you could only get out of by poking a few holes..

I have watched The Simpson..but not a whole lot..which is very strange for a college student.  The show never hooked me (i've probably watched 10 or so episodes).  I only saw the first episode of Futurama and it didn't hook me either.  I saw one episode of Family Guy and immediately went and bought the box set.  It hooked me and I love the show.  I am excited for the 3rd Season release.

Hot damn! I finally triumphed.

Simpsons have only been running because they were the only one going.  So creativity is handed to them.  Dr. Kevorkian was the only suicide doctor for a while, that dosen't make him the best one.

Simpsons ran for 14 years because once other bankrupt moral cartoons came around, people had been brainwahsed into thinking Simpsons was better.  While Simpsons is funny at times, I dont' feel any Simpsons episode can compare to a Family Guy episode for the fact that Family Guy was jampacked with nonstop humor, while Simpsons' is more stretched out among the episode, and there a few funny points.

I'll give credit to the Simpsons for paving the way, but I believe it's predcessor Family Guy is a case where the student surpasses the teacher.

Yeah, Simpsons is definitely for smart people.

spongebob squarepants. theres a solid cartoon

Need I remind everyone of:
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Quote from: Walrus, kookookajoobI'll give credit to the Simpsons for paving the way, but I believe it's predcessor Family Guy is a case where the student surpasses the teacher.

Quote from: tremoloslothYeah, Simpsons is definitely for smart people

:P  haha

Quote from: cecil b. dementedspongebob squarepants. theres a solid cartoon

I love that show.

Quote from: SHAFTRI have watched The Simpson..but not a whole lot..which is very strange for a college student.  The show never hooked me (i've probably watched 10 or so episodes).  I only saw the first episode of Futurama and it didn't hook me either.  I saw one episode of Family Guy and immediately went and bought the box set.  It hooked me and I love the show.  I am excited for the 3rd Season release.

I don't like The Simpsons as much as I used too. South Park is much funnier. Family Guy is halfway. And Bruno Blanchet is king. You're screwed, english people, because he is french and he is not english, just french. Ah ah.

I'm more of a
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girl myself.

anyone else here a
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fan?

Bonbon, you are very bright and attractive.  Fairly Oddparents rule, and I was just about to comment on them.

Picolas, you are also very correct.  I wish that show lasted longer...

Cartoon 'Futurama' Ending After 4 Seasons  

NEW YORK - A prediction: Viewers eons from now will give "Futurama" the credit it deserves today.

Oh, it may not make them laugh. But when the show's time finally comes, this shrewd cartoon series could well be endorsed as an accurate picture of life, circa A.D. 3000.

For now, however, we ancients of the 21st century who love it will continue to celebrate "Futurama" as unbeatable satire - even as its prime-time cycle nears an end.

Fortunately, "Futurama" reruns air on Cartoon Network at 11 p.m. EDT Sundays through Thursdays as part of that network's "Adult Swim" program block. Next month, the second "Futurama" season will be released on DVD by Fox Home Entertainment.

And on the Fox network, the final three new "Futurama" episodes can be seen Sundays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 10.

Granted, four seasons in prime time is nothing to sneeze at - unless compared to "The Simpsons," still going gangbusters on Fox after 14 years.

Matt Groening's big "Simpsons" follow-up, "Futurama" has always been overshadowed by his brilliant first-born.

Who knows why? The verbal humor, sight gags, wicked cultural jabs and general irreverence that make "The Simpsons" great are found full-strength on "Futurama," as is spectacular voice talent (including Billy West, John DiMaggio and Katey Sagal).

What's more, "Futurama" took a bold step beyond "The Simpsons" (based as it is in Homer Simpson's hometown of Springfield) to take on the entire universe from a vantage point a thousand years away.

Its odd little band includes Fry, a twentysomething slacker who, on the first episode, inadvertently time-traveled from 1999 to 2999. There, in the city rechristened New New York, he fell in with Bender, a sarcastic robot-reprobate and Leela, a sexy, kick-boxing alien with a single large eyeball.

They work as the delivery crew for Professor Farnsworth, who at 160 years old is both a genius and senile, and happens to be Fry's great-(times 30)-nephew. One other notable is Dr. Zoidberg, a lobsterlike alien who serves as staff physician for Farnsworth's intergalactic FedEx.

Just these details should make it clear: "Futurama" goes anywhere, anytime, with every manner of creature and cargo, to deliver the laughs. And to drive home the show's bleakly funny lesson: Life as we know it (whatever the millennium or galaxy) is an exercise in lowered expectations.

Item: In mid-flight, Fry spots a planet and, hungry, wonders if it might have a restaurant.

"Don't get your hopes up," says Bender. "We're a billion miles from nowhere."

"Yeah," agrees Leela, eyeing the planet. "It's probably only got a Howard Johnson's."

In the future, clone candidates square off in meaningless elections. Santa Claus is a huge, evil robot who bellows threats like "Your mistletoe is no match for my TOW missile!" And nature is out of control (although, happily, nuclear winter has canceled out global warming).

Even death is a muddled institution. The heads of famous people from the past spend eternity alive, displayed in jars in a Head Museum where Richard Nixon ("I am not a crook's head!") can consort with George Washington, TV pitchman Ron Popeil or even Matt Groening.

"Futurama" informs us that, a thousand years from now, advertisements will be beamed into a sleeping person's dreams.

"That's awful!" says Fry. "It's like brainwashing."

"Didn't you have ads in the 20th century?" asks Leela.

"Not in our dreams!" replies Fry. "Only on TV and radio. And in magazines. And movies. And at ballgames. And on buses. And milk cartons. And t-shirts. And bananas. And written on the sky. But not in dreams! No sirree!"

Even when the "present day" of 3000 appears enlightened, any such sign of progress serves to underscore the follies of the "past."

For instance: Remember garbage, that signature of the 21st century? They don't in the future. No one knows what garbage is.

"We recycle EVERYTHING," Leela boasts to Fry. "Robots are made from old beer cans."

"Yeah," adds Bender, hoisting a brew, "and this beer can is made out of old robots!"

It falls to Fry to share long-lost techniques for littering. Just as, on another episode, he draws on 20th century logic to argue that TV should avoid all cleverness, since "clever things make people feel stupid, and unexpected things make them feel scared."

As viewers eons from now may discover, "Futurama" never bothered to take its own advice.

sad news

happier news...

"Simpsons" creator Matt Groening is trying to come up with ways to produce new episodes of the cancelled "Futurama" as well as a movie trilogy based on the series.

MacGuffin: Harbinger of DOOM.   :(

themodernage02: Harbinger of happy.  :-D

And I fucking hate Family Guy.  I haven't read any other posts, so maybe other people hate it too... but I don't care.  It's so terrible.

I think Family Guy is hilarious, but it's basically a volley of gags.  The story and characters really don't matter.  The show frequently breaks from the family to show a visualization of some joke.  I accept that this is the format of Family Guy, but if we're going to compare it to The Simpsons, it is stronger on character driven humor.  I think that's why The Simpsons has endured while FG has a smaller but devoted following.  The characters on FG don't endear themselves to you.

It sounds like I'm down on FG, but I'm not.  I like the show.  But I like The Simpsons better.

Did anyone see the episode where The Griffins becomes a reality TV show?  By the end, Meg comes home and her whole family has been replaced.  Peter was Tom Arnold, Lois was Fran Drescher, Brian and Stewie were the Olsen Twins, and Chris was Philip Seymour Hoffman

Quote from: RaviI think Family Guy is hilarious, but it's basically a volley of gags.  The story and characters really don't matter.  The show frequently breaks from the family to show a visualization of some joke.  I accept that this is the format of Family Guy, but if we're going to compare it to The Simpsons, it is stronger on character driven humor.  I think that's why The Simpsons has endured while FG has a smaller but devoted following.  The characters on FG don't endear themselves to you.

It sounds like I'm down on FG, but I'm not.  I like the show.  But I like The Simpsons better.

I couldn't have said it any better. I don't hate Family Guy, I just hate how people disregard the Simpsons as the only reason FG exists.

Quote from: tremoloslothDid anyone see the episode where The Griffins becomes a reality TV show? By the end, Meg comes home and her whole family has been replaced. Peter was Tom Arnold, Lois was Fran Drescher, Brian and Stewie were the Olsen Twins, and Chris was Philip Seymour Hoffman

That was the fucking shit! I laughed so hard when they said PSH!

The makers of Family Guy seems to have an appreciation for PTA's work.  There are other references to Boogie Nights and Magnolia here and there.  The episode where Peter says he has divine powers, when he confesses that he doesn't and is a fake, he says he's "just like Marky Mark's hog in Boogie Nights."

Also, in the episode where Chris becomes an artist and the family goes to New York, when Chris's mentor says he can't see his dad anymore, Peter tries to get Meg to be rich and talented by exploiting her knack for bird calls.  She gets pissed off at him, storms off, and Peter yells at her, "don't you dare walk away from me... don't you dare get on that plane... don't you dare shell out five bucks for headphones for Magnolia!"

I think it sucks.

From Cinescape:

EXCLUSIVE: FAMILY GUY - The Movie!
Creator Seth McFarlane has good news for his fans!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dateline: Friday, September 5, 2003

By: PATRICK SAURIOL
By: News Editor
Source: Seth McFarlane


In an exclusive interview with Coming Attractions at Cinescape, FAMILY GUY creator Seth McFarlane told us that the rumor about the possible return of his TV show is about to become a reality. A deal is imminent for McFarlane to continue creating new animated adventures of Quahog's nuttiest, funniest dysfunctional family, the Griffins.

"It's all come down to the budget right now. We're hashing it out," McFarlane tells CA. "It would be a direct-to-DVD project."

While the feature length FAMILY GUY will be developed at Fox, it will be at a different division and not through the company's television arm. And as for when we might be able to see new FAMILY GUY goodness:

"Timeframe, you're probably looking at a year, a year-and-a-half down the line. It will take a while to make. If we could do it within a year it would be very exciting."

With tremendous sales of the first DVD volume of FAMILY GUY (the second set goes on sale starting next week) and ratings on Cartoon Network climbing high, McFarlane's now-cancelled series is proving to be more popular in its afterlife than it was when it was in active production on Fox. Expect all the TV series cast members to reprise their roles for the movie.

Cool, I was just about to bump this thread.  I've been waiting pretty much all summer for this: Tuesday (9/9), Family Guy Vol. 2 comes out on DVD.  I've read somewhere some Wal-Marts have it in stock already.  Sadly, mine doesn't.  It'll probably have it the night before, though.  I hope.  Not that one day makes a difference.  Anyone else have Vol. 2 yet?

I sure hope they can pull off a good movie.  It's hard to sustain that kind of comedic momentum for 70+ minutes.

Quote from: OnomatopoeiaCool, I was just about to bump this thread.  I've been waiting pretty much all summer for this: Tuesday (9/9), Family Guy Vol. 2 comes out on DVD.  I've read somewhere some Wal-Marts have it in stock already.  Sadly, mine doesn't.  It'll probably have it the night before, though.  I hope.  Not that one day makes a difference.  Anyone else have Vol. 2 yet?

I sure hope they can pull off a good movie.  It's hard to sustain that kind of comedic momentum for 70+ minutes.

I think FG barely sustains the momentum for 20-odd minutes.  The movie will suck if it retains the exact same structure, i.e., gags that pop up out of nowhere.

After seeing more episodes of FG on Cartoon Network, I don't find it nearly as funny as I did when they first aired.  I don't hate it, but I'm not rushing out to buy the DVDs.

I got my Family Guy Vol. 2 this afternoon, and have watched the first three episodes of the first disc.  Hilarious stuff.  Got it for $35.99 at Best Buy.  Cheapest I could find it, which was odd, but still, so worth it.

Everyone should go pick up the Family Guy Volume 2 DVD to support the show. I know that a lot of people were surprised by how well Volume 1 sold, and were blown away by the ratings for the show when it began its run on the Cartoon Network. So you never know what might happen if Volume 2 sells well. I mean, the DVD is already the #1 seller on Amazon.com, and the shows been cancelled for how long now? I think the Family Guys cult following is prompted FOX to let the creators of Family Guy go into production for a Family Guy Movie, which will see light in a year to a year and a half. So until then, we should all just pick up the Family Guy Volume 2 DVD to keep ourselves busy, and support the show!

Oh God...Volumes 1+2 rocked so hard...but I had seen almost all of them.  Then I got Volume and I, to quote GDIDM, creamed myself.  So many episodes new to me, I laughed my ass off.

*Bows to Family Guy*

Fox is in talks with Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane about a direct-to-DVD Family Guy movie. "Family Guy Vol. 1" is the top-selling TV on DVD release of the year, with sales of more than 800,000 units since its April bow.

I really hope they do, Family Guy is the best thing since sliced bread...though I still use Bread for my sandwiches, I still watch Family Guy when I eat one.

Quote from: Walrus Without A CauseI really hope they do, Family Guy is the best thing since sliced bread...though I still use Bread for my sandwiches, I still watch Family Guy when I eat one.

Family Guy may be the 3rd Greatest Invention of all time...behind
2.  DVDs
1.  Lesbians

Quote from: Walrus Without A CauseI really hope they do, Family Guy is the best thing since sliced bread...though I still use Bread for my sandwiches, I still watch Family Guy when I eat one.

It's so good, I actually spread butter on my Family Guy now.. I've stopped buying bread.

Is anyone tired of Family Guy yet?  I've seen all the episodes a multitude of times, and some of the jokes are still hilarious to me, like the...

"Not all Jewish people are good with their money, Peter."
"Sure not the retarded ones, but why would you say that? For shock value?  Jeez, there's edgy and there's offensive!  Good day to you sir!"

Family Guy Making a Come Back to TV?
Source: USA Today

20th Century Fox is considering a plan to resume production of Family Guy, a sometimes crude animated comedy that the Fox network took off the air more than 18 months ago.

As many as 35 new episodes could return in January 2005, marking the first time that a canceled series has been revived based on strong DVD demand and ratings in syndication.

Fox Television Entertainment Group chairman Sandy Grushow said a decision is expected soon and called the series a late-blooming phenomenon that may have aired before its time.

A DVD set of the show's first 28 episodes released in April has sold nearly 1 million copies, making it this year's top-selling TV show and the No. 4 television title ever. A second collection, of 22 episodes, has sold 520,000 copies. And the series is Cartoon Network's most popular among adults.

The series was created by Seth MacFarlane, who wrote scripts, drew characters, provided voices and infused the show with rapid-fire sight gags. But ratings faded, and the show ended with a whimper early last year.

this would be incredible.  not only for fans of the show, but as a testament to the awesome power of dvd.  this could change everything...  :shock:

Quote from: themodernage02this would be incredible.  not only for fans of the show, but as a testament to the awesome power of dvd.  this could change everything...  :shock:

Your words have inspired me to watch more Family Guy.

I am definitely not tired of Family Guy yet. I am so glad it's on Adult Swim. And hey! The new season of Home Videos is coming up! Yay!

The Tick has to be one of the best television shows on DVD, behind Family Guy of course. But, in all seriousness, I want to have a love affair with the writer for The Tick and Family Guy. They're on my to do list.

u mean Home Movies. that's a great show.

yeah, home movies*

I always call it home videos cause it reminds me of my friends with their video camera.

family guy rulz

IMDB has got a tiny bit on the Family Guy movie: supposed to be released on DVD *sometime* 2004, and apparently the story is based around Stewie discovering he's a homosexual.

Quote from: themodernage02this would be incredible.  not only for fans of the show, but as a testament to the awesome power of dvd.  this could change everything...  :shock:

Yes... yes.. YES! Family Guy deserves it. It would be incredible. I'm in the UK so I've had every ep on DVD for almost a year now  :-D All my friends are crazy about the show too. I don't know whether I just didn't appreciate The Simpsons or whatever, but I just find Family Guy just so much more hilarious. Much, much funnier. Oh, and Invador Zim rocked too.

Are we allowed to swear on here?

"Come on , Lois, you wanna go look at the hats? Maybe I'll even let you try on eone, you can't buy, but you can try them on..!

Quote from: SleeplessIMDB has got a tiny bit on the Family Guy movie: supposed to be released on DVD *sometime* 2004, and apparently the story is based around Stewie discovering he's a homosexual.

Cool, but that's not news.  I mean, Stewie pretty much *knows* he's gay.  It's an ongoing theme throughout the whole series.  I mean, he dances with sailors, he dances in a gay bars, if he didn't hate his mother so much, he'd be a lock for your stereotypical gay, which Family Guy is rather keen on.  (Stereotypes, that is.)  Still, I can't wait for the film.  Just watched some of Vol. 2 yesterday.  Still as great as ever, especially after having left it on the shelf for a while.

Quote from: SleeplessAre we allowed to swear on here?

---------credibility----------




















---------you-------------

i'm starting to have some trouble watching season 1 & 2 now.
I can quote most of season 1 wile watching the DVD.
Its all becoming a little two much! i think i should hide the disks somewhere! try and move on with my life!!
Unill the Movie comes out that is!

Never enough Family Guy, O My Brother!

Family Guy Creator Directing Family Union
Source: Variety

Seth MacFarlane, who created the hit animated comedy series Family Guy, will co-write and make his directorial debut on the comedy Family Union for Spyglass Entertainment.

The film, being co-written by Mike Barker and Matthew Weitzman, centers on a commonplace nightmare scenario - going home every five years to face one's dysfunctional family.

The project is being fast-tracked for an early summer start. MacFarlane is also working on a new comedy animation pilot for Fox, American Dad, for which he will voice many of the parts.

The Family Guy To Return
Production begins for a 2005 return to TV.

Rejoice, Griffin fans, production is about to restart on The Family Guy. Seth MacFarlane, the brains behind the show, tells IGN he's been given the go-ahead and the only question mark left is whether the new material will air initially on Fox or on Cartoon Network.

"Cartoon Network will be involved regardless," he says. "Whether it goes there permanently or winds up on Fox first and then Cartoon Network remains to be seen. So at the very least it will be on Cartoon Network, which is great because at the end of the day that's where we built our biggest fan base. So I'm happy either way."

He's doing what he can to restore as much of the old writing team as possible. However, there are a lot of good writers looking for work in Hollywood thanks to the reality show craze.

In fact, the series lost a few people before season three began, but MacFarlane expects to get back more of the original writers now than he did when season three was in production. The voice over actors won't be too much of a problem since it's animated and the voice recordings can be done around the actor's schedule.

If production begins in April, as he hopes, MacFarlane will present the new material to Fox around December, and it will decide if it picks up the show for 2005 or if it goes directly to Cartoon Network. That may seem like a long time, but MacFarlane says it would take even longer to get something done if he didn't have five leftover scripts from the show. Three are in good shape but two will need some rewrites, he says.

His other pitch, American Dad, is still in production. He created the show with Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, who were supervising producers on The Family Guy. He describes the show as "Family Guy meets All in the Family, designed to poke fun at the particularly intense political state we're in right now."

The dad, Stan, is an extreme right-wing Republican while one of his daughters is an extreme left-wing Democrat. Stan works for CIA and has an alien (as in from outer space, not an illegal) living with the family. Fox is expected to decide on whether to pick up the series this spring.

The resurrection of The Family Guy comes after a groundswell of fan support, the strong ratings on Cartoon Network and stellar sales of the DVD sets. The Family Guy Volume 1 and Volume 2 have combined sales of close to two million units, according to MacFarlane.

"I think that's what made them sit up and take notice and say maybe there's more money to be made off this property and this thing is not dead yet," he says. "Because of DVD and cable, the show has been able to build an audience that, in the past, a show could only build on a network. So it's an indication that the landscape is changing a lot."

Needless to say, he's happy to do double duty with The Family Guy and American Dad "It's gonna be a challenge but this is what I do and what I love doing, so it's a monumental challenge that I'm happy to undertake. I'm thrilled. I think it's great," says MacFarlane.

This is great, great news.  Thanks Mac!

so, if seth macfarlane comes up with two really funny ideas, which show gets to use it, Family Guy or American Dad?  seems like he will be making some tough calls.  Also, I'm rooting for the cartoon network tp air new Family Guy episodes only, not Fox.  I wonder if the straight to DVD movie is still in the works?  I hope so.

Quote from: OnomatopoeiaThis is great, great news.  Thanks Mac!

fan-fucking-tastic.

New Family Guy Episodes Return in Early 2005
Source: The Cartoon Network

In an unprecedented move, 20th Century Fox Television has committed to producing a minimum of 22 new half-hour episodes of Seth MacFarlane's Emmy Award-winning animated comedy series Family Guy more than two years after the series aired its last original episode. The move comes on the heels of the series' elevation to pop culture phenomenon, particularly among the traditionally hard-to-reach young adult demographic, as demonstrated by its enormous success on DVD and on the Cartoon Network. In 2003, Family Guy was the #1 selling TV property on DVD. On Cartoon Network, Family Guy ranks #1 in its time period on cable among Adults and Men 18-34 and Adults and Men 18-24, and also beats both "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in head-to-head competition among Men 18-34 and Men 18-24.

The new episodes will be available in early 2005 to be shown on Adult Swim, Cartoon Network's late night block of animated programming for adults on which Family Guy currently ranks as the #1 show. The Fox Broadcasting Company has an option to license the original runs of those new episodes.

Seth MacFarlane, creator and executive producer of Family Guy and two-time Emmy Award winner for his work on the series, and producer Kara Vallow are currently assembling the writing and production staff for the new episodes.

"This is incredibly exciting for everyone at Fox," enthused 20th Century Fox TV President Gary Newman. "The overwhelming response to 'Family Guy' this past year is a real tribute to Seth's vision and talent and it's been really gratifying to all the executives who never stopped championing him and the show. The fact that after all this time we were able figure out a way to get back into production is a testament both to Seth's passion for keeping it alive and some really great teamwork among the executives at our studio and home entertainment and syndication divisions and those at Turner and the Cartoon Network. We're thrilled for Seth, we're thrilled for his fans, and to be honest we're thrilled for our teenage kids who threatened to emancipate themselves if we didn't figure out a way to bring the show back."

Commented Seth MacFarlane, "I'm just incredibly excited that we're back in business on 'Family Guy'. Now all those crazy kids who've been hounding me to bring the show back can stop bothering me and move onto more serious matters - like saving 'Coupling.' "

Family Guy chronicles the lives of the Griffin family, a tight-knit but tense nuclear family living in Quahog, Rhode Island. Peter, the loving but not-overly-ambitious patriarch, and Lois, his devoted wife, maintain a comfortable middle class home. Teen queen Meg, slacker Chris and homicidal infant Stewie round out the Griffin brood, but the most sensible and well-spoken member of the clan is the family dog, Brian. Family Guy had its series preview on FOX on January 31, 1999 following the Super Bowl and its series premiere on April 11, 1999. It earned an Emmy Award in 2000 for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance (Seth MacFarlane) and an Emmy Award in 2002 for Outstanding Music & Lyrics (Walter Murphy and Seth MacFarlane) and was nominated for Outstanding Animated Series in 2000. The final original episode aired February 14, 2002. Family Guy joined Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on Sunday, April 20, 2003 and immediately became the block's top-rated programming, dominating late night viewing in its time period vs. cable and broadcast competition.

"Bringing 'Family Guy' to the Adult Swim lineup last April really helped turn the block into a cultural phenomenon with young adults," said Jim Samples, Cartoon Network executive vice president and general manager. "Now, as the destination for new episodes of what has become the block's most popular series, 'Family Guy' will help boost Adult Swim to the next level in terms of buzz and ratings. We could not be more excited to have Seth and 20th Century Fox Television on board as Adult Swim continues its growth as the best place on TV for young adults."

MacFarlane: New Episodes to be "bigger than Jesus."
Tuesday, April 6, 2004

Seth MacFarlane recently appeared in a video that was aired during Adult Swim's Upfront presentation. He takes the time to thank Cartoon Network for all of the success (Family Guy is the top rated cable tv show in it's timeslot) and for being an important part of the show's comeback. He also talks a little about the next season and predicts that it will be "bigger than Jesus" or at least bigger than The Passion of Christ.

Video of that Interview:
http://www.adultswim.com/webcam/gal_mov/macfarlane/index.html

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mezcotoyz.com%2Fproductimages%2Ffg%2Fpeter.jpg&hash=277b51a8a27522c3ba1e109d61fe08e23ca69b5d)(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mezcotoyz.com%2Fproductimages%2Ffg%2Fbrian.jpg&hash=dde733ecb0901526753cf472396f5f15f92a5bd2)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mezcotoyz.com%2Fproductimages%2Ffg%2Fstewie.jpg&hash=ef48779b73c6f4b1ead5fcf6538d8d34fc36ff25)(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mezcotoyz.com%2Fproductimages%2Ffg%2Fchris.jpg&hash=d19f872ce83c5b416d7566af9b929e9824827ca2)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mezcotoyz.com%2Fproductimages%2Ffg%2Flois.jpg&hash=fa2580cc7053f60c417f7183a688eaa3f4d58546)

Alex Borstein Says New Episodes to be "Freakin' Funny"
Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Alex Borstein (Lois' voice, among others) recently updated her site with news of the progress of the new episodes:

"Well, after my first week back at Family Guy I can say that we are going to deliver some funny freakin' stuff. It's a great group of writers with still more to start in the next coming weeks.

We will be very busy in the next few months getting the new story ideas together and then writing them. In late May we will start to record the new shows."


---------------

Thanks for the info, Mac and crono.  Man, they really just totally shafted Meg, though, didn't they?  No toy for her or anything.  Although, what props would they even give her, what with her being so underwritten and all.

Quote from: OnomatopaellaThanks for the info, Mac and crono.  Man, they really just totally shafted Meg, though, didn't they?  No toy for her or anything.  Although, what props would they even give her, what with her being so underwritten and all.

Quote from: Planet Family GuyMeg has once again been over-looked.

by the way, there's another Stewie figure but I didn't bothered to post it.

www.planet-familyguy.com

Ironically you post everyone but Meg's figure (who is constantly ignored in the show).

Quote from: Walrus, KookookajoobIronically you post everyone but Meg's figure (who is constantly ignored in the show).

I don't know if you're trying to be cute or what, but there is no Meg figure.  That's the point.  I said it, crono reiterated/explained it, but you ... what're you doing?

LOOOOOOOOOOONG interview with Seth McFarlane here:

http://planet-familyguy.com/main.php?mod=article&article=seth_may2004.php

Pilot for Seth McFarlane's new series "American Dad" here:

http://pilot.american-dad.com/americandad.wmv

i'm downloading it as i post this so i don't have an opinion yet

Quote from: cronopioPilot for Seth McFarlane's new series "American Dad" here:

http://pilot.american-dad.com/americandad.wmv

i'm downloading it as i post this so i don't have an opinion yet

Looks funny. Pretty similar to Family Guy. Enjoyed the political edge to it.

Very not up to par with his other stuff. Seemed like Seth is toning down the material. Hopefully the trailer in no way represents the actual show. Then I'll be happy.

I like the premise and the characters, but the timing is off. It's almost as bad as Clerks.

I just hope the editing was compromised for this pilot.

I finally got around to watching this.  It seems like Family Guy reworked - every character parallel to someone in Family Guy.  And - small world - I actually did a short film about a temperamental fish with a Napoleon complex a la Stewie, and McFarlane seemed to have tapped into the same idea here.  Overall it was funny, some parts were painful, some parts were pretty good.  I just hope he can throw some originality into it, 'cause it seems like just a bunch of stereotypes right now.  The dog and the toaster were priceless, though.

So they're bringing back Family Guy AND they're going to have this?

hmm... his humor is spread thin enough as it is with just one show... no way it can tollerate two.

Double cancelled and soon forgotten.

From Fox.com:

"The premiere date for the new season of Family Guy has finally been confirmed. No more "FOX 2005" for us. Oh no, we have a date AND a time. The season premiere of Family Guy season 4 will take place on Sunday, May 1st 9/8c on FOX."

I watched American Dad last night. What the hell is wrong with (https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fox.com%2Famericandad%2Fimages%2Fbio-fran.jpg&hash=f464d6a8b8249360ddd2849836f9ac58405e6e16) ?! She'd go better with (https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffree-ri.htnet.hr%2Fnelchee%2Fslike%2Fjon.gif&hash=b1b9f27b8d0a03dcc9b098a2ccbc2a4ee9ad9066) than this big CIA guy. It was kinda funny anyway.

It was okay, though it has some of the same problems that FG had.  Jokes that go on too long, some of which aren't that funny and a little too much random humor.  The alien character is pretty funny.  Every character, like has been mentioned, seems to be a parody of the characters on Family Guy.  The German fish thing is mildly funny, though too Stewie-esque for me.  Too bad they explained the accent.  It would have been funnier if he had the accent for no reason.  The boy on the show is the male version of Meg.  I wish McFarlane had done something more different from FG.  Something not centered around a father and his family, perhaps?

The dog and toaster were the best parts, I agree.

yeah, I watched that show... my initial thoughts remain... This show AND Family Guy shouldn't exist at the same time.  They're too similar.  These are evidently just neighbors of the Griffins.  There is nothing new here.

Quote from: RegularKarateyeah, I watched that show... my initial thoughts remain... This show AND Family Guy shouldn't exist at the same time.  They're too similar.  These are evidently just neighbors of the Griffins.  There is nothing new here.

ppl don't give a shit. 15yr olds nationwide hav spoken: they like shit.

Awesome. I was getting worried for a second that we didn't have enough shit on the air that meatheads can quote. All is well now. ALLLRRIIIGGHHTT"

American Dad is the TV animated sitcom equivalent of the high school valedictorian furiously scribbling out a major homework assignment the period before it's due.

I don't want to say "worst show ever" but it's not far off from the running.  Family Guy, which I'm not particularly a fan of, is a better satire (using the term loosely) of the American family than a show that's actually billing itself as a satire of the American family.  I don't see how it could make a connection with either liberals or conservatives as satire or a symbol of pride; it's not funny or accurate enough.  It just seems to be pandering to that cross-section of people whose ears prick up when they hear the word "American".

I figured American Dad would be funnier since Seth should've gotten some experience at timing and animation... but really it was like taking a step back to the earlier Family Guy animation with fewer jokes.

For some odd reason he decided to try to run a cartoon that has worked (Family Guy) and a cartoon that will follow the Simpsons formula (bad animation and little to no humor at first, and out of nowhere is hilarious and the animation gets cleaner... then declines and as a last ditch effort to be funny, gets a lot like Family Guy.)

well, I can't say much for American Dad. but kudos to adult swim for making the 30 second commercial of the dad shooting the toaster.
i love family guy and adore the simpsons, but frankly I am getting just a little tired of the dumb-ass father, attractive wife, one intelligent kid, one dumb kid family thing as far as new cartoons coming out goes....get innovative or something...

new episode of family guy has leaked, its all over torrentspy and other file sharing programs.

Quote from: Stefennew episode of family guy has leaked, its all over torrentspy and other file sharing programs.

How is it?

Quote from: Gamblor HatesMySpaceandU

Quote from: Stefennew episode of family guy has leaked, its all over torrentspy and other file sharing programs.

How is it?

Watch if for yourself http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375667&page=1

It's aight. Same as it always was, goes on tangents in the middle of the stories "That reminds me of the time I...." I wasn't really in the mood to watch it though.

Quote from: Stefen
It's aight. Same as it always was, goes on tangents in the middle of the stories "That reminds me of the time I...." I wasn't really in the mood to watch it though.

That really bugged me about the show.  Seemed like half the jokes started, "Hey, remember the time I/you..." or "That reminds me of the time I/you..."

does anyone know anything about the versions being released on Tuesday?..........as far as bonus stuff?
it may just be repackaged, but i believe it said something about a bonus disc in one of the ad papers.

haha this show is incredible. in the first minute of this comeback episode it managed to piss me off.

the fat idiot homer-clone is listing "great" shows that hav been cancelled by fox, and which one is missing from the extensive list? Futurama. what a fucking tool this macfarlane cunt is. u can't say it's cos it happened too long ago, he lists shows that hav been cancelled anywhere from 1999 (Action) to 2004 (the subpar Cracking Up), and other shows that had long runs (Dark Angel). so why the exclusion?

it's bad enuff he rips jokes directly from the simpsons and futurama, but he pays them lip service in interviews like "blah blah pioneers, i would hav no career without em etc", and shits on them every chance he gets in the show. he is the troy duffy of television.

I agree.

I had seen about 5 episodes before, and didn't like any of them.  But people kept trying to convince me that it was funny and that I would like it if I just kept giving it a chance.  So I watched that episode up there and guess what... it sucked.

I think it's because I hate all of the characters.  For all of the comparisons to The Simpsons--I love the characters, I care what happens next in the story, and I laugh at the jokes.  The Simpsons always has a stronger foundation in its storytelling, even now in its current season, which is much weaker and sloppier than its peak.  So even in its slump, The Simpsons is far and above Family Guy... so why the comparisons?  Just because it's about a fat guy's family in suburbia?

I think we can all agree that Simpsons is superior and Family Guy has like a few clearly visible tricks that it likes to reuse over and over again, but Family Guy sometimes is easier to watch, especially during the adult swim times when you're tired.  'cause the show's comedy is really lazy and it spells out everything for you so you don't have to think too hard to get the jokes.  so even though the simpsons is clearly a better show in every way, sometimes it's just easier to stare at family guy.
but that doesn't matter now because I don't got a tv anymore.

Quote from: bigideasdoes anyone know anything about the versions being released on Tuesday?..........as far as bonus stuff?
it may just be repackaged, but i believe it said something about a bonus disc in one of the ad papers.

Each volume comes with a t-shirt.

just saw the new episode.  it was pretty terrible.  didn't south park and the simpsons already do all the nutty mel gibson jokes in the world?

yeah. Target lists a price of 29.99 and the small picture seems to say "bonus t-shirt and dvd inside." then Best Buy has a list price of 34.99, but calls it a "BB exclusive Bonus Disc Plus T-Shirt." the dvd features the Best of Stewie with commentary by McFarlane. it seems like it's the same thing, so i wonder why BB has labeled it "exclusive?"

as far as my take on the Simpson/FG debate:
unfortunately i haven't seen much Simpsons. i'm always at church on Sunday night and am not back home in time from work on weekdays to catch syndication. i have seen some great episodes. on the other hand, my friend is a big fan of Family Guy and i finally got into it after he wanted us to watch it with him several times. i didn't really care for it much at first but now im' hooked. some of the scenes just really make me laugh hard, whereas i have never gotten that response from the Simpsons (granted i haven't seen tons and tons of episodes).

by the way, i believe both shows have an episode where the dad takes over the responsibility of Death..........which one aired first?

Quote from: bigideasas far as my take on the Simpson/FG debate:

for the record.. i didn't mean to resurrect that debate (which i think has been conclusively won by the simpsons team on just about a daily basis, and with minimal effort), my post was purely an attack on macfarlane. and how his ratner qualities permeate the program.

bigideas u are exactly what i described here:

Quote from: Pubrickonly reason family guy is so popular is the word of mouth created by 15-17yr olds.

Quote from: Pubricki think everyone who is in love with Family Guy, only feels that way because they were too late to catch the simpsons in their prime.

family guy fans are consitstently less informed on their "rival" shows, and a bit late on the knowledge train, quite frankly.

so it's not ur fault. it's always "a friend" who gets FG-fans into the show, they think they've found sumthing great, when all they've found is a weak substitute for sumthing they were too late for. like david koresh to jesus.

regarding ur grim reaper question: the family guy aired it first in 2000. it was a whole episode long. the simpsons did that joke in late 2003 as part of their Treehouse of Horror special that year. if u are unfamiliar with ToH, it means they only did it for 7 mins as part of three mini-episodes they do every year around halloween time. in this case, less was more.

family guy on the other hand, has at least one joke per episode stolen from the simpsons, often an exact line. even in the new leaked episode it isn't hard to find: peter has to destroy the film "for the sake of Jesus, snoopy, and all the other beloved childrens characters"... everyone remembers homer watching troy mcclure as noah at the beginning of Das Bus (season 9), when the kids say "wow, cool, God is so in your face!", homer replies "yeah, he's my favorite fictional character".

but who cares, this whole thing is a non-debate. those who watched the simpsons know the truth, and those who didn't.. well, redemption is only a few DVDs away.

well, maybe, except that i am 24 years old. another factor in my non-knowledge or watching of the Simpsons was that it was banned by my mother. they were not super controlling or anything, i just remember she didn't want me watching the Simpsons or Beavis & Butthead. it probably was due to the fact that when Simpsons first came out it was all about Bart saying things like "eat my shorts," and things like that. at least as far as they sold it to the general public.

ok. i bought Volume 2 on Tuesday. i tried to hurry to Target during lunch to get it, as Target is across town. i get it and take it to the counter. the price rings up over $40. i say something to the effect that it was listed at $29.99 in the sales paper. some manager guy comes over and looks at the sales paper and it only shows Volume One, so apparently only Volume One is $10 off. i just assumed both would be on sale since they both came in Special Editions. so i headed to Best Buy after that. they were packaged differently. Target's had the t-shirt, bonus stuff to the side, while Best Buy had it stacked on one another. Best Buy claims an exclusive, so i guess the Bonus DVD is slightly different or something. The DVD consists of the American Dad pilot, and a Best of Stewie feature with footage of McFarlane talking about the character. then i believe there are trailers for the new season and another cartoon. there is no menu, it just starts with American Dad. the t-shirt was an extra large. i was afraid it would be really small or something and then i couldn't wear it.

so far i've watched a few episodes. one in which Brian moves to Hollywood to be a screenwriter and inadvertantly agrees to direct a porn starring Jenna Jameson........all the while Stewie gets on Kids Say the DArndest Things, with Bill Cosby, and hopes to use it to hypnotize the world. another episode Emission Impossible involves Stewie trying to keep Lois and Peter from having another baby so he eventually gets into a spacecraft and shrinks down a la Innerspace, gets inside Peter and tries to take out the sperm in a Star Wars-esque spaceship battle.

New episode fits in with the rest of family guy, it's mediocre.

Quote from: Gamblor HatesMySpaceandUNew episode fits in with the rest of family guy, it's mediocre.

how many times have you watched the show?

I'm not going to start up the Simpson Family Guy feud, but I'll simply say I find Family Guy to be superior.

My expectations for this first episode are very, very low now.  They used to be very high, I thought they'd make a big comeback, given the hiatus.

But after seeing some of the jokes in the commercials and figuring out that they took all their funny jokes, split them in two and put half in Family Guy and half in American Dad... I was displeased, to say the least.

If you're going to rant on how Simpsons are superior, at least don't tear apart Family Guy to do it. Simpsons have a very political message (or the ability to do so) and a lot of influence, due to the longevity.  To assume Family Guy is a ripoff simply because it's a dysfuncitonal family cartoon, well, that's basically where you're going to find humor in American culture).  If you want to say it's not funny based on... well whatever else reason, that's your opinion, but I think it deserves some credit for the ability to be hilarious to all demographics and make references that are funny even when you don't get them.  (Especially the Benjamin Disraeli one.  "You don't even know who I am.")

It is a solid show (possibly was) and the humor was very original and obscure.  I would even go as far as to say that Groening picked up on a few McFarlane methods (and of course, it can be said McFarlane picked up on Groening's methods...).

as i was looking at the Volume 2 writing/directing credits, McFarlane only has part writing credit on the last episode. is that standard practice? i knew there were definite writing teams on cartoon sitcoms, but i figured he would have at least written some of them. someone explain how it generally works if possible, please.

Quote from: WalrusI'm not going to start up the Simpson Family Guy feud, but I'll simply say I find Family Guy to be superior.

My expectations for this first episode are very, very low now.  They used to be very high, I thought they'd make a big comeback, given the hiatus.

But after seeing some of the jokes in the commercials and figuring out that they took all their funny jokes, split them in two and put half in Family Guy and half in American Dad... I was displeased, to say the least.

If you're going to rant on how Simpsons are superior, at least don't tear apart Family Guy to do it. Simpsons have a very political message (or the ability to do so) and a lot of influence, due to the longevity.  To assume Family Guy is a ripoff simply because it's a dysfuncitonal family cartoon, well, that's basically where you're going to find humor in American culture).  If you want to say it's not funny based on... well whatever else reason, that's your opinion, but I think it deserves some credit for the ability to be hilarious to all demographics and make references that are funny even when you don't get them.  (Especially the Benjamin Disraeli one.  "You don't even know who I am.")

It is a solid show (possibly was) and the humor was very original and obscure.  I would even go as far as to say that Groening picked up on a few McFarlane methods (and of course, it can be said McFarlane picked up on Groening's methods...).

It's not just that they're both families. There are direct jokes being stolen from the Simpsons and other material. I sat there, watching the new episode, pointing them out. One off the top of my head: in the new episode, Peter says "I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but watch out for the beyond section." or something like that. And I yelled, "That's a Jay London joke!" Even though he probably stole it too. Family Guy is derivative in a lot of ways. When I watch FG, I can find flaws. During Season 5 of the simpsons, it's just all too perfect, for example.

And what's this political stuff? Who cares? What's that have to do with you liking FG more?

And bigideas, I've seen every episode, and I've seen about half of those repeatedly.

ugh Simpsons vs Family Guy debate...worthless.

Personally, I'm a Family Guy fan.  The simple reason is because I laugh more during an episode of Family Guy than I do during a Simpsons episode.  This is normally how I judge comedies, # of laughs (call me crazy).

Finally, I find it ironic that members of a PT Anderson board are upset at shows or films that take from other film/shows.

EDIT:  The above is not a shot at PTA, I'm simply pointing out a fact.  I have no problem with an influence being obvious as long as the "imitator" stands on it's own.

Family Guy is the Saw of TV!

pretty much.

at the very least their fans are the same.

Quote from: Gamblor HatesMySpaceandU

And bigideas, I've seen every episode, and I've seen about half of those repeatedly.

well, if you hate it so much, then why do you watch every episode?

the only reason i ever watch horrible tv shows is because of nostalgia (something i watched as a kid), it's just so horrible that it's funny, and/or it has a really attractive actress on the show.

Quote from: bigideas

Quote from: Gamblor HatesMySpaceandU

And bigideas, I've seen every episode, and I've seen about half of those repeatedly.

well, if you hate it so much, then why do you watch every episode?

I was expecting that response because it's the obvious one to make and wouldn't take much thought. I watched the episodes because it's all my zombie friends would watch. Over and over. And over. Someone said it earlier, I watch it sometimes cause it's a lazy laugh, it's easy. The Simpsons aren't always on when I can watch TV, and I've seen those episodes even more than FG.

And I don't watch it because I hate every episode, I don't like it because I've seen every episode.

This debate is pointless because the Simpsons crowd know what the fuck is up. This all goes back to my theory (experience) that people my age only know Fight Club, Boondock Saints, and Family Guy.

What I hate more than the last 5 seasons of the Simpsons is people watching them and bursting : "AH HOMER, YOU ARE SO STOOPID ! lolzer"

I liked the new FG episode.

I can't believe we're still arguing about this... wait, yes I can.

Family Guy goes like this:

1st viewing: few good easy chuckles throughout, maybe one decent laugh out loud moment.

2nd viewing: maybe a half a chuckle during that part I laughed out loud at the first time.

3rd viewing: yeah, I've never got this far, it's pointless.

Simpsons (in it's prime) goes like this:

1st viewing: hilarious, laughing throughout the entire episode.
2nd viewing: see above, except I catch a few jokes I missed the first time.
3rd: even funnier because now I get the parallels and there are even more jokes I'm catching.

this pattern continues until I think I've laughed all I can about it, but then I laugh some more and by the twentieth or so viewing, I'm studying it to try and find out what makes something so perfect and funny.

lol at you nerds going at it like this over which is better the simpsons or family guy. you guys are actually getting mad here, breaking it down like you're writing a paper explaining evolution.

I like FG, I like the Simpsons. I love Futurama.

With that said, this first all-new-episode of FG was pretty bad. I mean a GI Joe gag?

FG had a bucket of comedy. It was obvious comedy, but it was funny. It certainly went through that bucket with its first run. Now Seth has broken through the bottom of it and is reaching wildly for anything he can grasp to pull out of it.

And with American Dad he's now wearing it as a hat.

Yep, FG mostly has little repeat value.

And I just can't stand the musical numbers on the show.  They have no soul.  The music is composed the way it would have been if it was a Broadway show.  At least the songs on The Simpsons had sort of a "Simpsons sound" to them.

Quote from: Pas RapportWhat I hate more than the last 5 seasons of the Simpsons is people watching them and bursting : "AH HOMER, YOU ARE SO STOOPID ! lolzer"

No one says that.

Quote from: Gamblor HatesMySpaceandU

Quote from: bigideas

Quote from: Gamblor HatesMySpaceandU

And bigideas, I've seen every episode, and I've seen about half of those repeatedly.

well, if you hate it so much, then why do you watch every episode?

I was expecting that response because it's the obvious one to make and wouldn't take much thought. I watched the episodes because it's all my zombie friends would watch. Over and over. And over. Someone said it earlier, I watch it sometimes cause it's a lazy laugh, it's easy. The Simpsons aren't always on when I can watch TV, and I've seen those episodes even more than FG.

And I don't watch it because I hate every episode, I don't like it because I've seen every episode.

This debate is pointless because the Simpsons crowd know what the fuck is up. This all goes back to my theory (experience) that people my age only know Fight Club, Boondock Saints, and Family Guy.

first off, i never said Family Guy was better than the Simpsons........i just haven't seen very many episodes.

the way you worded your response made me assume that you think any person that watches Family Guy and likes it must be stupid.

i don't like Fight Club. i think Se7en is Fincher's best.

as far as music goes, i thought the part in the episode i described above (Brian Goes to Hollywood) was one of the funniest music jokes i've ever seen. i'm talking about the part at the Woodies where they show the award for Best Porn Score. you see the first loser guy playing with a sound mixer with a picture of some girls in bikinis while standard porn/late night freaky music plays - then it cuts to the second guy, toothless playing a keyboard with pictures of girls in bikinis with the score almost exactly the same - then they cut to John Williams and show an orchestra recording the score that sounds very Williams-esque. other funny music cues i can think of off the top of my head:

the episode where Peter plays the piano well when he's drunk - he gets on stage and sits down at the wrong spot and plays it in the wrong key. then Lois comes and pushes him to the right and the song goes up chromatically.

the episode where he meets Joe for the first time. he is talking to Joe and is in need of another player for the company team. while they're talking, Joe is pulling out all of these different sports trophies and with each one there is a corresponding little piano twinkle.

all in all though, i don't need someone else's validation on whether i should like any type of artwork. your opinion is just as valid as mine or anyone else's.

and i ain't seen Saw, Saul, see?

watch Saw.  like Family Guy, it's pretty good.  not great, but unfairly shat on.

New Family Guy tonight...its a couple hours away it feels like i'm about to see the new Star Wars or something

Quote from: squintsNew Family Guy tonight...its a couple hours away it feels like i'm about to see the new Star Wars or something

If by 'new Star Wars' you mean that it will probably be disappointing, then I concur.

It wasn't as horrible as a lot of people say it was... I mean, it wasn't revolutionary or anything, but I laughed at quite a few parts in it... same with American Dad, so I think it achieved its purpose.

American Dad makes Family Guy look like The Simpsons (prime years) makes Family Guy look like!  or something that makes sense!

i'm surprised they didn't reair the pilot episode of American Dad. i imagine a lot of people were confused without explaination of where the characters came from, etc, etc.

family guy was pretty good. not much stewie and i don't think any of the neighbors were on there. i noticed the WWID license place, but didn't really but 2 and 2 together until my friend pointed it out.

I thought this episode was comparable to the episodes of old.  Too bad it was bookended by an awful episode of Simpsons and a boring episode of American Dad.

Quote from: SHAFTRan awful episode of Simpsons

I have to agree, and I'm a big Simpsons fan.  My God, I find myself not caring how long the show runs anymore, which is terribly sad.  Good thing that the old episodes hold up forever.

I'm sorry, but I thought the redone introduction with Bart as a fatass was one of the funniest things I've seen on the Simpsons in a long time. I also thought the Ray Romano episode was good. But whatever.

Family Guy was hysterical
When they did they GI Joe educational message i was in tears.
When i saw the greased up deaf guy and the old perv i was slapping many-a-knee.
From the title to the first commercial break was the most impressive. I was laughing the entire time because i was mad with joy that this was completely new and original material that i've been waiting for for a long long while. American Dad had some good jokes but at most I chuckled...no hysterical laughing
The FG episode had a little bit of what made every previous episode great: Punchline after punchline after punchline, the ultimate Honeymooners reference, great action sequences, and some priceless Fox bashing
Great show, simpsons were better than i would've expected considering the crap they've been spewing lately
can't wait til next sunday

Fox-bashing, how creative.  The Simpsons and Married...With Children did that ages ago.

I tought the FG episode was subpar and the American Dad was generally unfunny. Many jokes felt "redone" in both shows. I hope I won't bite my tongue for sticking for FG earlier.

what do you mean by "sticking for FG"?

Watched the new episode last night.  Its like a typical FG episode.  Some jokes are spot on, others aren't very funny, some scenes last too long, plot is just an excuse to have random jokes.  I liked the story with Brian having to take care of Meg and Chris, but the new honeymoon thing wasn't too funny.  Passion of the Christ 2 trailer was moderately funny.  FG is a sitcom that really wants to be a sketch show.

Quote from: RaviFG is a sitcom that really wants to be

that's pretty accurate.

can anyone confirm that sometimes Stewie sings "laugh and cry" and sometimes "effing cry," in the theme song?

It's laugh and cry.

yeah, i know those are the official words, but i wonder if sometimes it's not "effing cry." sort of slipping a joke by.

On the commentary of one of the episodes, MacFarlane says it's laugh and cry. You should tell them about this potential joke they're missing, however.

Quote from: Gamblor Posts DrunkOn the commentary of one of the episodes, MacFarlane says it's laugh and cry.

i haven't gotten a chance to listen to the commentaries. i did watch the theme song with the subtitles on though.

it looks like the American Dad opening sequence might have changing newspaper headlines sort of like the Simpson's different sequence every episode.

I have to say, tonight's Family Guy was fucking hilarious. I normally don't laugh this much. It's like my roommate said, it's a show where the goal is to pack as many jokes as possible. Some didn't work, like a lot of Stewie's lines. It's a very easy show to laugh at.

FG was great last night... but man, American Dad really, really, sucks.

I doubt American Dad will last. I like it, but not many other people do...funniest moment of last night's FG...when stewie gives brian shit for bringing a dead bird into the house and Brian says "Hey that was a gift for the family..it was for the family"..
or stewie busting a blood vessel in his eye during his fart
hilarious

both shows are really focused on SEX.  weird.

Last night CN showed a really good FG I hadn't seen before.  Brian has to do community service for drunk driving and Peter grows a beard and an endangered bird rests in it.  It was actually a sweet episode, and the jokes were more blended into the story than usual.

I think that episode won them an Emmy

Quote from: RaviLast night CN showed a really good FG I hadn't seen before.  Brian has to do community service for drunk driving and Peter grows a beard and an endangered bird rests in it.  It was actually a sweet episode, and the jokes were more blended into the story than usual.

Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows
it's on the last disc of volume two.

There's something right about a program when just the synopsis of the new episode makes me laugh out loud:

Episode 53, Blind Ambition

Peter attempts to set a world record of swallowing the most nickels. However, he becomes blind due to nickel poisoning.

oh peter

since i have been watching a lot of Family Guy lately, my creative mind has set on these characters and i keep coming up with good ideas for the show.

if i were to write a script for this show, is there any chance in hades that i could even get it Seth MacFarlene?

I doubt it. not to be a dick or anything (i've thought of doing it myself actually) but that's what the writers get paid for and it seems family guy has a pretty tight knit group of writer's who are all veterans of TV. I remember seeing some letter some fella posted on the internet about how Saturday Night Live rejected a screenplay he just sent in for similar reasons
there might be some way though

That chicken fight?  Not funny.

Even The Simpsons at their worst haven't come up with filler that bad.

I thought this was one of the funnier episodes. Mostly because Quagmire was hilarious

The chicken fight was so goddamned forced, even though it was good. Then American Dad had the same thing with the raccoon...

I think the first god joke was a good summation of Family Guy now: "Hey, I'm Family Guy. See this joke over here, whoa! Look at that joke! So, you wanna go out sometime?"

Quote from: Gamblor Posts DrunkThe chicken fight was so goddamned forced, even though it was good. Then American Dad had the same thing with the raccoon...

Haven't they done the chicken fight before?  It went on and on and on both times.  It's a bad sign when a comedy has several laugh-free minutes in a row.  I was sitting there, chewing my gum, waiting for it to end.  I found the raccoon chase in AD funnier because it had some context (a rarity in the McFarlane universe) and because of the raccoon's facial expressions, the exploding truck, etc.

QuoteI think the first god joke was a good summation of Family Guy now: "Hey, I'm Family Guy. See this joke over here, whoa! Look at that joke! So, you wanna go out sometime?"

That exact thought occurred to me when that God joke appeared.

Overall this was another OKAY FG episode.  I didn't care too much for the scene where blind Peter goes into Chris' room thinking he's Lois, but the joke right after he leaves was hilarious.  When its not hitting your repeatedly in the skull with obvious or spoonfed jokes FG can be pretty damn funny.

Upon returning, Family Guy has become repetitve and dry.  The jokes are weaker, and only appealing to the stupid people that watched it and laughed at the jokes that weren't even funny.  The show used to have intellectual obscure references, now... it's just trying way too hard.

Quote from: Walrus?The show used to have intellectual obscure references

really?

Quote from: meatwad

Quote from: Walrus?The show used to have intellectual obscure references

really?

"He's charming, all British men are."

"I don't know Lois, what about Benjamin Disraeli?"

(Cut to Benjamin Disraeli)

"You don't even know who I am."

I know that's not super intelligent and they could've pulled anyone's name from a text book, but in the mid to late season of Family Guy there was some pretty deep stuff.

he was jewish.

They mock obscure references in the episode with the Murphy Brown parody anyway.

Anyway, they shouldnt have come back.

none of the new episodes have come close to most (if not all) of the new ones. this past episode rehashed some old things: the chicken fight (and they left it open to bring it back) and the jokes with Jesus/God doing miracles to impress people/pick up chicks. i believe they've used some variation of that in probably half a dozen episodes or so.

i thought Sunday's American Dad was the best for that show so far though.

as i have been going through the dvd sets, i have come across some things i must have missed the first time i watched them. all last week i was laughing about the episode where they go to the Indian Casino and then the sprit of the Fonze comes to Peter and Peter asks him if he ever got a sexual disease.

"herpes twice and the clap"
(pause)
"heeeeeeeeyyyyy."

And now for this week's edition of "Family Guy directly ripping off the Simpsons" (doesn't have to be new episodes):

Episode where Brian fucks Pewterschmidt's (sp) dog while on the race track is directly lifted from the episode where Santa's Little Helper fucks some random dog on the racetrack. Both episodes focus on the puppies, but we know the Simpsons did it better.

Stay tuned for next week's edition of "Family Guy directly ripping off the Simpsons."

The simpsons have done everything dude. They've been around for a long long while, haven't you seen the "Simpsons did it" episode of south park? It's a problem any animated show is going to face if it lasts more than three episodes.
The reason the old episodes of Family Guy are great (IMO) is because I find new and funny things each time I watch an episode. I think the reasons the new ones are getting a lot of flack is because they're not on DVD. If i had the opporunity to watch all three of these episodes over and over again I'd be finding more and more things to quote and laugh about later. I can't remember every joke from sunday's episode and I've looked for it on the internet to no avail. They're not doing anything different now than they were three years ago. I actually like the fact that they're referencing old episodes because they know that their fans are going to recognize things like the chicken fight, the greased up deaf, and the old perv. I can guarantee when the fourth season comes out on dvd it will sell just as much if not more than the first two volumes. I imagine FG will be around for a long time (this is out on a limb and i know i'm going to piss people off but: in time they will replace the simpsons)
Sunday's american dad was the funniest yet

Best Shows on Television:
1. Curb
2. Family Guy
3. South Park

Quote from: Gamblor Posts DrunkAnd now for this week's edition of "Family Guy directly ripping off the Simpsons" (doesn't have to be new episodes):

Episode where Brian fucks Pewterschmidt's (sp) dog while on the race track is directly lifted from the episode where Santa's Little Helper fucks some random dog on the racetrack. Both episodes focus on the puppies, but we know the Simpsons did it better.

Stay tuned for next week's edition of "Family Guy directly ripping off the Simpsons."

That reminds me of that time I read Shakespeare... I was like : "GOSH THAT'S SO LIFTED FROM SOME GREEK TRAGEDY"

Quote from: squintsI think the reasons the new ones are getting a lot of flack is because they're not on DVD. If i had the opporunity to watch all three of these episodes over and over again I'd be finding more and more things to quote and laugh about later.

I give the old episodes flack as well, and I don't think anyone here's saying, "Family Guy used to be so great, but now they've changed."  I'm not saying the show's shit, just that it isn't great or brilliant.  There's potential for a really good show in FG, but a lot of the time it seems like the writers are pandering to demographic that expects constant in-your-face gags and thinks that random humor is necessarily funny.

Quote from: RaviI give the old episodes flack as well, and I don't think anyone here's saying, "Family Guy used to be so great, but now they've changed."  I'm not saying the show's shit, just that it isn't great or brilliant.  There's potential for a really good show in FG, but a lot of the time it seems like the writers are pandering to demographic that expects constant in-your-face gags and thinks that random humor is necessarily funny.

end of thread.

i agree.  it can't touch the greatness of the simpsons, but i still love watching it.

Quote from: Gamblor Posts Drunk
Episode where Brian fucks Pewterschmidt's (sp) dog while on the race track

the funniest FG moment is in this episode.  for those who haven't seen it, it has to do with time travel.

Quote from: Pas Rapport
That reminds me of that time I read Shakespeare... I was like : "GOSH THAT'S SO LIFTED FROM SOME GREEK TRAGEDY"

I think dog on dog action on a race track is a little more specific than Bill reworking Pyramis and Thisbe (reread this, but pretend Dennis Miller is saying it).

I still laugh occasionally at these new ones (both FG and AD), but it's the same way I snicker every once in a while at King of Queens and Everybody Love Raymond when they're on in the background.

And seriously... who catches shit the third time around with a Family Guy episode?  Are you narcaleptic?  are you falling asleep during the episode?  Is that why?

Quote from: ewardi agree.  it can't touch the greatness of the simpsons, but i still love watching it.

Quote from: Gamblor Posts Drunk
Episode where Brian fucks Pewterschmidt's (sp) dog while on the race track

the funniest FG moment is in this episode.  for those who haven't seen it, it has to do with time travel.

the funniest moment from that episode to me is when Petwerschmidt and Brian are standing behind Seabreeze and he asks him if he can feel the heat coming from her genitalia.

Fox preps 'Family Guy' direct-to-DVD movie
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Seth MacFarlane is preparing his long-awaited direct-to-DVD "Family Guy" movie for a Sept. 27 release by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

"It's been an enormous undertaking to juggle this with doing 35 new episodes of the show, but we think it turned out great," MacFarlane said of the film, his first full-length feature.

The 83-minute, unrated "Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story" ($29.98 ) is based on the animated series MacFarlane created for Fox Television in the late 1990s. The irreverent series, aimed at adults rather than kids, went on the air in early 1999 and was canceled in 2003, only to be resurrected last month after an overwhelming demand for the show on DVD.

The first DVD set sold more than 2.5 million units, the second-highest sales tally of any TV-DVD release behind the first season of "Chappelle's Show," and two subsequent packages lifted the "Family Guy" franchise's total sales to about 4.5 million units.

That prompted Fox to take the unprecedented step of bringing back the show. The new season debuted in May and has since featured a bevy of guest voices, including Drew Barrymore, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Tilly and Adam West.

"Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin" is something of a thank you to the show's fans who bought so many DVDs, MacFarlane said. "Fox had such a great amount of success with the previous DVD releases that I think they felt there was a built-in, surefire market for a 'Family Guy' DVD," he said. "It's also a lot easier to put out a DVD release than it is a theatrical film while you're doing a television series."

The movie finds Stewie, the maniacal baby genius, having a near-death experience that prompts him to change his ways. Instead of seeking to dominate the world, he sets out on a road trip to find his real father.

Guest vocal talent includes Barrymore and Ron Livingston, as well as three cast members of "Beverly Hills, 90210" -- Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling -- "in a special gag," MacFarlane said.

The DVD will include several special features, including deleted scenes, still galleries, animatics and a commentary from MacFarlane.

"We also sandwiched special features around the movie," he said. "It begins with an animated movie premiere, with the family arriving to watch it, and then there's an after-party at the end."

Fox is planning the biggest marketing campaign ever for a TV-spawned release, according to division worldwide president Mike Dunn. Plans include national print and TV advertising as well as a viral marketing campaign targeting college students at bars, clubs and fraternity parties; special screenings will be held for college students.

The release is a big deal for Fox, Dunn said. "It's the first direct-to-video ever made off a television franchise," he said.

Fans of the show "have really gotten into the habit of buying it on DVD, and this is a prime opportunity to give it to them directly -- and at the same time give retailers something to flag enthusiastically," Fox senior vp marketing communications Steve Feldstein said.

after the first few episodes American Dad finally hit it's stride.
last night's episode had an Emperor Palpatine-esque Karl Rove(sp?) helping Stan to become deacon of the church.

I think the boy, Steve, has the most well written storylines. Every single one has been about the same, but all well done. But some of the show's jokes are fucking HORRIBLE. e.g. Laurence Fishburne...so stupid.

Title: Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin
Released: 27th September 2005
SRP: $29.98

Further Details
Fox has today announced the DVD premiere of Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story (Unrated), featuring brand new, never before seen content. The eighty-three minute feature focuses on Stewie, the maniacal baby genius, who goes on an incredible journey which leads him to discoveries far more vile and shocking than anything found in his diaper. The extended show will be presented in 1.33:1 full frame, along with an English Dolby Surround track. Extras will include an alternate "unrated" audio track, an audio commentary (the participants are yet to be confirmed), a making of featurette, an animatic comparison, and previews for Family Guy Season 4 and American Dad. Stay tuned for the artwork.

Smacks of trying too hard IMO.  Eighty-three minutes of a mockumentary on Stewie?

So the jiminy glick dvd reference in last sunday's episode was beyond funny, is there a thread for the glick movie?

http://treyparker.info/articles_exclaim_31may05.htm

What's the meanest thing ever said to you before, during or after a gig?

Matt Stone: When people say to me, 'God, you guys have one of the best shows on television. You and Family Guy.' That fucking hurts so bad.

Trey Parker: Very well said. It's such a kick in the balls. And the other one is, 'Oh my God, it's those guys from BASEketball.' Which happens a lot.

Saw the FG movie-- which is no mockumentary.  It's three episodes that have a Stewie through-line (all 3 will air in shorter, tamed-down versions in the near future).  The dvd has a added beginning and ending, which is a movie premiere and an afterparty.

While I enjoyed it (I am an FG fan and think they've gotten better every year), it's really a blown opportunity.  They really could have went bananas with this, but sadly, it does feel like three eps strung together at parts (the B-stories make this most apparent).  Yeah, some F-Bombs are dropped, but few and far between.  Though it does have an amazing Ferris Bueller homage which has me smiling just thinking about it.

If you don't wanna pay for it, it's on the 'net, just look around (which also seriously depresses me-- I mean God, this is the whole movie in perfect quality).

so , did the season got any good later?  this is very funny  : http://www.milkandcookies.com/links/33634/

the season (IMO) was consistantly funny and i had no problem sitting through the 83 minute movie. Chris's jokes always fall flat and i think they rammed that whole "greased-up deaf guy" joke into the ground. One of my favorite points of this new season was to see Mike Henry's "Kicked in the Nuts" gag, that was a great joke whose origins probably flew over most of the audience's head but it was still funny even if you hadn't seen the short internet clip. Essentially, i've always found family guy to be perfect short attention span theater and it does its job in every episode i've seen (which is all of them) jokes piled on jokes at such a fast pace. No other comedy show has anything close to the FG cutaway, the funniest jokes come out of nowhere when one character says "You remember that time..." and we cutaway to see one or more of the family members in some obscure setting, sure some of the jokes are lame and i've finally come to realization that nothing can compare to the simpsons but no other show on tv makes me laugh harder than family guy

everyone should see the dvd if only to see stewie driving through the desert all hopped up on trucker speed

Quote from: squintsNo other comedy show has anything close to the FG cutaway, the funniest jokes come out of nowhere when one character says "You remember that time..." and we cutaway to see one or more of the family members in some obscure setting

Arrested Development's cutaways are much funnier, and they don't overstay their welcome.  And they actually are somewhat tied into whatever is happening in the show at that moment, unlike FG where "you remember the time when" is just a poor excuse to cut to some random gag.

you remember when david cross was blue? so clever

if you're shit talking, i will fight you.

the movie is something so horrid. i laughed once , at the  inflatable figures gag, that was hilarious, and amazing too, cos it was recently done in the simpsons.

I'm not shit talking i love Arrested Development and it and Curb make me laugh very hard, but i think i just have a soft side for tasteless fart humor.

I'm pretty sure i could take you anyway modage  :saywhat:

:roll:

haha
http://www.dccomics.com/media/excerpts/4527_x.pdf

Quote from: cronopiohaha
http://www.dccomics.com/media/excerpts/4527_x.pdf

Hah, that's great.  I stopped reading Mad a few years ago because it was kind of lame (and I had some fines at the library where I got them), but those pages were pretty damn funny.

Yeah, but jesus they have no concept of subtlety

Quote from: GamblourYeah, but jesus they have no concept of subtlety

Cracked has more finely layered humor.  Very understated.  Like a Wodehouse novel.

http://www.tv.com/tracking/viewer.html&ref_id=348&tid=16597&ref_type=101

Interesting...worth reading at least

Quote from: squintshttp://www.tv.com/tracking/viewer.html&ref_id=348&tid=16597&ref_type=101

Interesting...worth reading at least

um that article is about the SIMPSONS. the title is about the simpsons, the picture is the simpsons and it's 99% about Joel Cohen, a producer on the SIMPSONS.

the couple of lines where Family Guy is mentioned does not make it a Family Guy article. it seems to be about Canada more than anything.

did you start a thread called "What are you wearing?" ....jesus P...jesus....

although you're right..i should have put it in the simpsons vs. famliy guy thread

no; "what are u wearing"

huge difference. bigger than you'll ever know.

Quote from: squintsdid you start a thread called "What are you wearing?" ....jesus P...jesus....

what does that have to do with anything? ppl are enjoying the thread, it's a joke, obviously.

this is about putting articles in misleading topics. next time read the article before u post it, or i'll move it to where it belongs. thanks.

Quote from: squintsalthough you're right..i should have put it in the simpsons vs. famliy guy thread

yeah that was the obvious one that matched. but really the article is hardly about family guy at all. or even interesting as u claimed..

I gotta admit, I actually thought this (http://www.gkko.com/funny-videos/1197/family-guy:-peanut-butter-jelly) was funny.

While I thought that reference was a little late, it was still pretty funny. This whole season has really got me enjoying family guy again. The whole college episode is awesome "Oh no! Did it hit 'Crazy Stairs'?"

Quote from: Ravi on November 23, 2005, 05:46:58 PM
I gotta admit, I actually thought this (http://www.gkko.com/funny-videos/1197/family-guy:-peanut-butter-jelly) was funny.

i guess u had to be there..

What's getting on my nerves is that an episode will be almost HALF reenactments of pop culture references.  REALLY LONG ONES!

I understand that making a reference to something out of the eighties can be funny sometimes, but do we need to watch the entire AHA video or the entire song from Little Shop of Horrors?  It's not creative in the least and they're not doing anything to make it any different or funnier than whatever it is they're referencing.  It's just lazy.

Obviously there are many people who think pop culture references are inherently funny in and of themselves  :yabbse-sad:

Quote from: Ravi on November 26, 2005, 05:17:37 PM
Obviously there are many people who think pop culture references are inherently funny in and of themselves  :yabbse-sad:

That would be me.  Simply hearing the name "Tina Yothers" makes me laugh.

references are funny, RK even admitted that, but not when they go on forever. a joke is made and then it's killed if u don't know when to stop making it.

family guy is like "joke.. (1sec) ok the smart ppl got it we should wait for the 12 year olds (1min) have u got it yet? ok let's keep it going just in case (1hr) there now everyone gets it and presumably still finds it funny"

it's an affront to comedy.

No, the "Family Guy" formula is: funny (1 second), not funny (10 seconds), uncomfortable (20 seconds), pants-pissingly hysterical (30 seconds and on).  Plus, they have a baby that talks like James Mason.

we're both wrong.

the family guy formula is: one shit, add water, add more water, add all the water at your disposal, wait for the next Great Flood. take a swim.

The one extremely long joke I found hilarious was when Peter stubs his toe and he spends at least 60s seconds going "Owww, sssssss, owww, ssssss....."  That's what we do when we stub our toe, so it had the ring of truth to it, and wasn't merely a joke that goes on so long its funny (which I mostly don't find funny).

Its what you do with the reference that makes it funny.  Like their depiction of one of the girls on Facts of Life as a she-male.  Or the "stickler for a tickler" joke parodying the repeated terminology that Seinfeld often used.  Just randomly bringing up the A-Team isn't funny.  It might be funny in a real conversation if one of your friends suddenly bursts out, "I pity da fool!" but I expect better from people who are getting paid to write.

Vol 3 comes out Tuesday.
for some reason none of the Sunday ad papers posted the price (anyone know why some cd/dvd's do this from time to time?)
looking at the online stores, Best Buy was the cheapest at $24.99
i just wondered if there's anyone in the know if it will actually be cheaper than the online list price like products usually are during their release week?

That motherfucking president is interrupting a new Family Guy with flubbed lines and warhawk rhetoric. Fuck.

Nevermind, this episode sucked. There were like 30 references tonight. Lame.

gw was pissing me off. if they would have preempted FG they would have received a letter by me.
i liked the fonz/ED joke.

my friend reminded me of the "wandee" newman joke from Season one and i have been laughing about it all day.

the best season was the third, and that's not to say it was great. some stewie brian jokes are serious super awesomeness, like when they talk about books and show how they're more intelligent than the rest of the family. the thing that really hurts the show is how full of himself seth mcfarlane is and how intelligent and funny he thinks his comedy is. it's slightly intelligent. and the endings fuck almost all episodes, like the one peter has to hunt a sea monster to get his house back without the wife knowing  and he does it, but the couple that was living in their house is still there.  i bet he's the kind of person that gets women at bars by imitating stewie.

edit: i apologize if this post seems rushed. it was rushed. but most of my points stand. you wanna fight, i'll fist fight you

Quote from: cronopio on December 20, 2005, 07:20:17 PM
like the one peter has to hunt a sea monster to get his house back without the wife knowing  and he does it, but the couple that was living in their house is still there.

Gee, that sounds a lot like The Simpsons where Marge and Homer go on the marriage retreat, and Homer sneaks out to catch the giant catfish.

i liked jaws 5: fire island...a gay jaws...hilarious

Family Guy was best late Season 2, early Season 3.

It was then that they started to realize their own humor.  It wasn't a full Simpsons ripoff anymore, and it wasn't so random that it didn't matter what characters were involved in the joke.  Now it's just being too random to really have any point in having a storyline, and it's trying to be as offensive as possible sometimes.  I wouldn't doubt for a second that their writing sessions are saturated with phrases like "This isn't random enough" and "This isn't edgy enough."  Normally I like to see the envelope gets pushed, but lately it seems like Family Guy is just trying too hard.

Quote from: sphinx on June 27, 2003, 07:26:47 PM
the extended action sequence with the chicken and the coupon made me laugh more than anything in my life, ever.  except for dave morris.

Which episode was this?

Season 2, Episode 10, "Da Boom"

and again in

Season 4, Episode 58, "Blind Ambition"

Don't bother watching episode 4, though.  It redefines overkill.

Quote from: Golden Age Walrus on March 08, 2006, 01:21:51 PM
Don't bother watching episode 4, though.  It redefines overkill.

i completely agree...i feel the same way about the greased up deaf guy...and to a certain extent the evil monkey..however the episode where the monkey waits for chris to leave..then puts on the big 70s headphones, cranks up the Foghat, and rolls a doob...that was funny

okay...then I know...

Family Guy V4 Due
A new set for the series due in Nov.

On November 14, 2006, Fox Home Entertainment will release Family Guy - Volume 4 on DVD. The DVD will feature the fifth season of Family Guy over three discs, and will feature tons of bonus materials and extra features. It will be available for the MSRP of $39.98.

The Family Guy - Volume 4 DVD will feature the following episodes:

Brian Goes Back to College
The Courtship Of Stewie's Father
Fat GuyStrangler
The Father, The Son, And The Holy Fonz
Brian Sings & Swings
Patriot Games
I Take Thee Quagmire
Sibling Rivalry
Deep Throats
Peterotica
You May Now Kiss The? Uh? Guy Who Receives
Petergeist
Untitled Griffin Family History

The Family Guy - Volume 4 DVD will feature the following bonus materials:

Optional Censored Commentary on All Tracks
"A DIRECTOR'S LIFE: DEBUNKING THE MYTH"
Peter Shin Draws Stewie
A Tour of the Family Guy Offices
44 Deleted Scenes
DVD Rom link to more exclusive content


(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdvdmedia.ign.com%2Fdvd%2Fimage%2Farticle%2F733%2F733994%2Ffamily-guy-volume-four-20060921112526560-000.jpg&hash=c9027f5d3ff2aaab1dccbb6cdb1b3cee5a12f04e)

Quote from: samsong on June 17, 2006, 04:31:44 AMYES.

Yeah, what they said.

Quote from: MacGuffin on September 22, 2006, 11:15:34 AM
Optional Censored Commentary on All Tracks

Wait a minute... what?

Spit on me. Ohhh now call me skum...
Last night's episode was so funny, I just realized the V4 set release, yay!

last nights episode was mildly funny...

the best joke was:

TV: Now its time for Showgirls
Peter: Yeaaahh!
TV:...on TBS
Peter: awwww

Quote from: squints on September 25, 2006, 06:31:03 PM
last nights episode was mildly funny...

the best joke was:

TV: Now its time for Showgirls
Peter: Yeaaahh!
TV:...on TBS
Peter: awwww

Did they proceed to show eight minutes of edited Showgirls in animated form?

I thought last nights episode was awful.  There is just absolutely no effort whatsoever to incorporate the cutaway scenes logically anymore.  Its all just

2 minutes (maybe) of story
"yea this is (a. worse than, or b. like) that time I ____"
repeat.


And worst of all, the episode of the simpsons, and every episode of The War At Home was even worse.  When American Dad is the best show on fox's sunday night lineup it brings tears to my eyes.

i recorded sunday's ep, but haven't watched it yet.
i really thought it was funny the week before when they made fun of radio station ads.
those are just so cheesy, but sadly they are really like that for the top 40 pop stations.

Family Guy to Retell Star Wars: Episode IV
Source: Variety

Fox's animated hit "Family Guy" will kick off its fifth season this September with an hourlong episode that retells the "Star Wars" saga using "Family Guy" characters.

Variety says Lucasfilm has blessed the event, which will have the Griffin family acting out all the key scenes and narrative from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane is a major "Star Wars" fan and was personally involved in getting Lucasfilm on board.

Not surprisingly, family patriarch Peter Griffin will play the role of Han Solo, while mom Lois will appear as Princess Leia. Evil baby Stewie will be Darth Vader, natch.

Brian the family dog will serve as Chewbacca, while son Chris is Luke. Robots R2-D2 and C-3PO will be handled by Cleveland and Quagmire, respectively, while creepy old guy Herbert gets the Obi- Wan character.

The plot of the episode has the Griffin family stuck at home during a blackout. With no TV to entertain them, Peter decides to tell a story --- leading to the "Star Wars" flashback.

QuoteThe plot of the episode has the Griffin family stuck at home during a blackout. With no TV to entertain them, Peter decides to tell a story --- leading to the "Star Wars" flashback.

What the fucking fuck.

Quote from: MacGuffin on May 26, 2007, 12:04:09 AM
The plot of the episode has the Griffin family stuck at home during a blackout. With no TV to entertain them, Peter decides to tell a story --- leading to the "Star Wars" flashback.

Someone's been watching The Way We Was (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_We_Was).

Family Guy already had an episode not too long ago where intruders came into their house and they got into a panic room. While stuck in there, Peter tells the Griffin family history.

Quote from: Ravi on May 27, 2007, 10:51:42 PM

Quote from: MacGuffin on May 26, 2007, 12:04:09 AM
The plot of the episode has the Griffin family stuck at home during a blackout. With no TV to entertain them, Peter decides to tell a story --- leading to the "Star Wars" flashback.

Someone's been watching The Way We Was Muppet Babies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppet_babies).

10 minute preview of Star Wars episode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ehLDVoujI

'Family Guy' pic possible, MacFarlane says
Source: Hollywood Reporter

MONTREAL -- The team behind Fox's hit animated show "Family Guy" has been looking at possibly working on a "Family Guy" movie down the line, creator Seth MacFarlane told The Hollywood Reporter here Saturday. He also said Fox comedy "The Winner," on which he serves as an executive producer, may not be dead yet after new developments in recent weeks.

"It is looking like there could be a future life for 'The Winner.' I hope it pans out," MacFarlane said, without providing specifics. "We have been trying to figure out how to do that and the series at the same time without the series suffering," he said about a potential "Family Guy" feature, adding that this is a challenge that also caused the "Simpsons" film to come about so late.

One possible solution, according to MacFarlane, is to have Ricky Blitt, the creator of "Winner" and a longtime ex-writer for "Family Guy" who has since moved on to other work, start on the movie script.

However, he emphasized that he had no plot ideas yet, and Fox studio executives would have to sign off on a film project as well. "Nothing is official," he said, adding that if all things come together, a movie could be ready in a couple of years.

MacFarlane also said he would like to find a small story about the Griffin family that can be explored in a feature-length film. "I don't want to do 'The Griffins must save the world,' " he said. Asked if the success of the "Simpsons" movie would affect his interest in a big-screen version of "Family Guy," MacFarlane said no, predicting that "Simpsons" will make good money. "But it will be interesting to see if it works," he added.

MacFarlane talked to The Hollywood Reporter after a press conference with many of his "Family Guy" colleagues here. They are in town for some "Family Guy Live" readings as part of the Just for Laughs comedy festival.

Asked in the press conference about some Sept. 11 and terrorism jokes on "Family Guy" and how difficult it is to pull them off, MacFarlane said he feels enough time has passed for comedians to slowly explore the issue carefully.

"People are sort of trepidatiously dipping their toe in it," with skits on "Saturday Night Live" and the like, he said. Asked about gags that never made the air, MacFarlane said the team once had a Last Supper scene written. In it, when Jesus tells his disciples to drink the wine for it is his blood, "there is this huge comedy spit thing" that ensues, he said.

The "Family Guy" team didn't discuss in detail any other new projects they are looking at, but Alex Borstein said "some of us are developing some TV stuff." Mike Henry has been producing weekly videos for KickedInTheNuts.com, which he runs with his brother. Joked Seth Green: "I'm starting an online casino to get kids and their families together and make money for myself."

wow. cool.

*sigh*

last thursday i was completely bored and i started watching clips of family guy in youtube. i think the randomness of family guy fits like a glove to the silly internet video format. you don't have to see the entire excuse of a story they put. that explains why everytime you log on to youtube and see the bar of videos being played ,3 out of 10 videos will be something from family guy. i have to admit i was laughing a lot with some stuff, like stewie beating up brian, but it's still very true what   john kricfalusi said, if you're a kid wanting to be a cartoonist today and you're looking at family guy, you don't have to aim very high, the standards are extremely low. i also saw the 10 minute preview of star wars family guy and the jokes were dreadful. some of the effects were kinda cool, though. they made the spaceships with the cell shading thing and added some shadows to the dudes.

i do like some of the character design , i honestly think the way peter and brian are drawn is cute,  but still, it's a shame this show is so big. it's incredible that some of the dialogue is so careless and could obviously use a couple of rewrites, and yet they go and animate it.

'Family Guy' spinoff in works
Source: Hollywood Reporter

"Family Guy's" Cleveland Brown might be getting his own show.

Fox and 20th Century Fox TV are developing a spinoff from its hit animated series centered on Peter Griffin's bathtub-accident-prone neighbor, sources said.

The project, tentatively titled "Cleveland," is being written by "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry -- who voices Cleveland and serves as writer-producer on the series -- and "The Simpsons" alum Rich Appel, executive producer/showrunner on MacFarlane's other animated comedy for Fox, "American Dad."

Cleveland, who plays off black stereotypes, is the most levelheaded among Griffin's trio of friends.

Once canceled by Fox, "Family Guy" triumphantly returned on the network in 2005. It is Fox's top-rated comedy and has grown into a $1 billion franchise with red-hot DVD and merchandise sales.

Fox brass had made it a priority to find another hit animated comedy to complement its Sunday comedy lineup. It has several cartoons in the works, including an animated version of its 2003 short-lived live-action comedy "The Pitts," from "Simpsons" veteran Mike Scully; "Relative Insanity," executive produced by Jack Black; and "Mothballs," from "Drawn Together" creators Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser.

In addition to "Cleveland," Fox and 20th TV also are developing a spinoff of the drama series "Prison Break," set at a female prison.

Quote from: MacGuffin on March 02, 2008, 09:11:10 PM
The project, tentatively titled "Cleveland," is being written by "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry -- who voices Cleveland and serves as writer-producer on the series -- and "The Simpsons" alum Rich Appel, executive producer/showrunner on MacFarlane's other animated comedy for Fox, "American Dad."

What?! How did i not know this. I heard he was working on Family Guy but this is much better. He must be the reason that show is so good right now...but this cleveland new show will sill suck

Quote from: MacGuffin on March 02, 2008, 09:11:10 PM
Fox brass had made it a priority to find another hit animated comedy to complement its Sunday comedy lineup.

I wonder if this means King of the Hill is officially dead?
They already killed off Cotton and I saw an article about Judge creating another show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSr1d-1R534

So, I've been catching new episodes now and then on Hulu of Family Guy and it is certainly shaping up but in a way I doubt it will continue.  That is to say, they've been experimenting (finally) with the narratives.

There's an episode called "Brian and Stewie" that is (other than musical numbers tacked on the end to make it a 40 minute slot) a full episode with no cutaways, all one location, and it's just Brian and Stewie.  It's very Waiting For Godot and it just works really well because of their sadomasochistic friendship.

But their new episode "The Splendid Source" is about them searching for where dirty jokes come from and the entire episode is almost entirely devoid of cutaways in that it is one long cutaway, a far fetched story that keeps going and going, with plenty of action movie cliche zingers.

Of course, it also tacked in David Lynch briefly and Cleveland shows up in it, but hell, I liked the four of them together better anyway.

Idk if I'll give Family guy another shot. Those episodes you described sound like pretty cool ideas but I'm still like  :doh:  I think the show just has too much output for its own good, I wouldn't know where to begin watching them and if I did I would probably end up with a headache. I hear people reference this show and I don't understand where the funny is. Theres like this running gag in my life where I love cartoons and talking about them, but whenever I try to start a conversation about it someone's gotta mention how much they looovvve Family guy and top it off with a crappy joke.

When Fox stopped KOTH it ticked me off. I was kinda following KOTH, FG, and American Dad. It just became too much to keep up with any more. Maybe it was the addition of The Cleveland Show that just really set it off for me.

I tolerated Cleveland for a few shows because it was new, just like I did for Family guy back in the day. Theres a such a glut of Mcfarlane shows now I'm like pick one or make a good movie and redeem yourself! Did you check out The Goode Family with Mike Judge's voicing? it was on Comedy central for like a day. Once I found out he didn't make it I was like oh this will never last.

Cleveland show has probably the best jokes of the three. They handle the Cleveland Jr. and other kid characters pretty nicely, but everything with Cleveland is based on bad (and pretty offensive) race jokes/situations, and they're never subtle about it. Everything with him is exaggerated in the Family Guy style, which is kinda ironic since Cleveland on family guy was often the least-exaggerated and down to earth character on that show (at least in the earlier seasons). American Dad is the most dedicated to character and story so i like it best, but i never make anytime to watch any of these shows. Family Guy is probably the worst show on TV.

Quote from: Reelist on May 18, 2010, 08:10:04 PM
Did you check out The Goode Family with Mike Judge's voicing, it was on Comedy central for like a day. Once I found out he didn't make it I was like oh this will never last.

Yeah, I tried to watch it, but couldn't. I wasn't surprised it didn't last.

well this was just a little bit disturbing, but equally awesome.