Family Guy`s frequent use of offensive jokes and satire has sparked controversy. Jokes that are discussed in a controversial way are often found in cut gags. For example, in the episode “The Cleveland-Loretta Quagmire,” Peter and a quartet of barbers sing and dance around the bed of a man with terminal AIDS. The broadcast of this episode provoked an immediate reaction. The shutdown angered viewers and led to protests by several AIDS aid organizations. [2] In his 2006 book The Decency Wars: The Campaign to Cleanse American Culture, author Frederick S. Lane described Family Guy as one of many television sitcoms that he said “target the darker side of family life.” [3] In “It Takes A Village Idiot, And I Married One,” which aired in 2007 as part of the fifth season of Family Guy, Lois Griffin decided to run for mayor against Adam West and play an exaggerated version of himself. Her family supports her in her popular campaign, but Peter, as always, does more harm than good. In February 2010, the episode “Extra Large Medium” aired, in which Ellen, a female character with Down syndrome, mentions that her mother is a former governor of Alaska. Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, criticized the show for mocking her brother Trig,[48] who has Down syndrome. She wrote an article on her mother`s Facebook page in which she said: “If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon series thought they were smart at making fun of my brother and family yesterday, they failed.
All they have proven is that they are heartless idiots. Sarah Palin herself also criticized the episode during an appearance on The O`Reilly Factor, calling those who made the show “cruel and cold people.” [50] The Parents Television Council, a conservative non-profit group[4], has published critical opinions about Family Guy. [5] [6] [7] [8] In May 2000, the PTC launched an email campaign to the Fox network to convince the network to cancel Family Guy. This followed the show`s return after a long hiatus in its second season, due to what PTC called “strong advertising resistance and low ratings.” [9] Family Guy was included in PTC`s 2000,[10], 2005,[11] and 2006[12] lists of “worst prime-time shows for families,” with more than forty episodes of Family Guy listed as the “worst TV shows of the week.” This was due to blasphemy, animated nudity and violence. The series was also named the worst show of the 2006-2007 season by PTC. [13] In addition, a live special hosted by series creator Seth MacFarlane and fellow actor Alex Borstein titled Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex`s Almost Live Comedy Show was also named “Worst TV Show of the Week” by PTC for saying, “Disgusting sexual jokes, blatant Holocaust humor, cruel imitations of deaf people and tons of sound blasphemy.” Bethany dreams of making her own award-winning film, but for now written about other current media and events. She is at heart a child who specializes in hot interpretations of family animated films, as well as an unhealthy obsession with “The Good Place.” The writing style of the series has also been criticized by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. In a 2006 interview, Parker and Stone explained that they didn`t like their show being compared to Family Guy. [70] After the “Cartoon Wars” episode aired, Parker explains that they received the support and gratitude of The Simpsons and King of the Hill staff for “tearing Family Guy apart.” [71] The series has been criticized for being too derived from The Simpsons, both of which depict a working-class family with three children. Several episodes of The Simpsons, including “Missionary: Impossible,” “Treehouse of Horror XIII” and “The Italian Bob,” have mocked Family Guy, with the latter two suggesting that MacFarlane`s series is guilty of plagiarism.
However, MacFarlane and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening said there was no serious rivalry between the two and their shows. [72] [73] At San Diego Comic-Con International 2010 on July 24, 2010, Simpsons writer Matt Selman jokingly referred to MacFarlane, saying, “Come on, Seth MacFarlane does a show three times.” Selman later withdrew from the comment, adding, “These shows are all really fun – they deserve to exist.” [74] The animated film Bender`s Big Score, based on Groening`s Futurama show, featured a Family Guy “12 Laughs A Year” schedule. In a comic crossover between Groening`s two series, The Simpsons/Futurama Crossover Crisis, Family Guy`s character, Brian Griffin, is portrayed on television in hell. [Citation needed] In the cut, Peter is accidentally caught Anne Frank and her family by the Gestapo while he is in the attic with them and eats chips, according to the rules. Brian, the family dog, is a notorious Lech whose outspoken liberalism is often undermined by his ruthless nature and superficial lust. In the episode “Scammed Yankees,” he goes too far when he develops a deep desire for Meg`s teenage girlfriend, Patty, who is still in high school. During the episode “Peter-assment” (season 8, 2010), a musical number with animated children singing lines like “Terri Schiavo is somehow alive-o” and “[She is] the most expensive plant you`ll ever see.” This was seen as a mockery of the disability and death of Terri Schiavo,[55] a woman who suffered massive brain damage and remained in a persistent vegetative state for many years. Many protests came from people who claimed that the program showed prejudice against people with brain damage. [56] These included protests by the American Life League and Schiavo`s family, which were thwarted by Family Guy`s parody of Terri`s case. .