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Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
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Lumbercath
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
I don't like Family Guy, but it gets a few laughs out of me once in a while. This didn't. I also think Seth MacFarlane needs to stop hating on the Simpsons. It made him (and most other "adult" cartoons) what it is now. The Simpsons is brilliant, and it's better (and will have more staying power) than Family Guy ever will.
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SiennaSacratomato
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
not to play back into the South Park v. Family Guy debate, but Seth McFarlane's observation that nobody had done an abortion show in 35 years is negated by the fact that South Park had one in the seventh or eighth season. I seem to recall a line like "part of me would always be wondering what he would have been like" from one of those old-timey sitcoms like Roseanne or Home Improvement, but I must confess, this particular argument will not be well-footnoted.
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Sunshineyness promoted this comment clevernamehere approved this comment SiennaSacratomato was starred

Sunshineyness
08/14/09

@SiennaSacratomato: I remember an episode of Roseanne where she thinks she might be pregnant again and she's talking with Chrystal and Jackie and Jackie suggests that maybe if she is she should get one and Chrystal saying it's wrong, but Jackie strongly saying, "no, it isn't." And Roseanne thinking about it, but ultimately it's a moot point since she wasn't actually pregnant. It was a pretty well done episode if memory serves.
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clevernamehere
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
I am so tired of edgy for the sake of edgy. The Chinese girl joke is a prime example. Its a little racist, its a little sexist, it plays on something in the news, but its not clever, just controversial. They're not taking a stance on the Chinese gender ratio, they're just trying to get a laugh out of people's primal "He said something naughty!" brain stems.

I know it does well in the ratings, but I don't think it will stand the test of time the way the Simpsons will.
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EdinaCycnus
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
Personal views about whether or not Family Guy is a "good show" aside, I think that some of this analysis is missing the mark. Anna, I have to point out that your wording implied that Seth MacFarlane was referring to the abortion episode as a way to "give the other side some face time", which is not accurate--that quote was in regards to future episodes which will feature Rush Limbaugh and Karl Rove (extreme examples of the other side, no doubt chosen because they barely need scripts to sound ridiculous). To hear Seth tell it, it sounds like the decision to do an episode about abortion was a genuine attempt to bring a taboo but extremely topical subject to mainstream tv.

As for everyone's shock at the offensive language that the characters use to talk about abortion and rape, I'm a little surprised. The show is quite openly satirical, using extreme versions of real events and opinions to point out their flaws. If anything disturbs me about these jokes, it's that they're barely exaggerations--how far is the "directions" line from the idea that it isn't rape if the woman is wearing tight jeans? Or from my own thought process when I need to as for directions myself? Hearing these common arguments about abortion and rape in the voice of Peter Griffin highlights their absurdity, which, while it might seem a little classless and low brow, just might get some thoughts ticking in the viewers who see some of themselves themselves in the Griffins.

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Erode approved this comment EdinaCycnus was starred EdinaCycnus was unstarred

HappyFeminist
08/13/09

@EdinaCycnus: YES.

The "Chinese girls" comment is to point out the absurdity of gender-based abortions in China. It is a real issue and it stems from women being seen as less valuable family members (value based on the amount of money that they can bring home, they have to pay a dowry, etc.).

The t-shirt comment is to point out that anti-choice protesters are not basing their opinions on facts but rather slogans.

And the sperm comment is just a rip off of Monty Python.

The show is imperfect and they've made anti-feminist jokes before.

BUT.

THIS joke I WILL defend. For more humor analysis, I'd refer back to Jezebel's post breaking down the Onion's rape-related jokes.

It's one thing to make fun of abortions, it's another thing to make commentary on the issue.
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ULTRAPRISON! promoted this comment HappyFeminist was starred HappyFeminist was unstarred

LawFairy
08/13/09

@EdinaCycnus: Agreed. I was a little surprised, too, that Jez didn't like the Chinese girl and rape comments... they were made by PETER FUCKING GRIFFIN. Which is almost tantamount to having them spoken by a less articulate (and less menacing, but only for lack of skill) version of Hitler. Peter Griffin is portrayed as the worst and stupidest and most harmful kind of idiot, the kind of person you wish would just commit a crime already so you could lock him up and be done with his idiocy.

And I think the Chinese girl thing was also a crack at China's one-child policy and the fact that so many people there engage in sex-selective abortions so they have sons.... In other words, Peter is such a troglodyte that not only is he opposed to a woman's right to choose, he sees no problem with either China's regressive policy or with people's sexist implementation of it.
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Jenloveshercurves promoted this comment LawFairy was starred LawFairy was unstarred

Helio
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
don't judge, but i've never seen Seth Macfarlane before, and um, he's cute! And the voice totally makes up for the hairline.
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brendahamLincoln promoted this comment Helio was starred Helio was unstarred

brendahamLincoln
08/13/09

@Helio: OT, but I've had such a crush on him for so long.
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clevernamehere
08/13/09

@Helio: Have you seen the Hulu ads he does? He looks a lot more douchey in those.
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alexherrera
08/13/09

@Helio: What's fascinating about him is that he was supposed to be on one of the flights on 9/11 but he missed it because he overslept. He told the story on Adam Carolla's podcast. Fucking insane.
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Skellatrix promoted this comment alexherrera was starred alexherrera was unstarred

Skellatrix
08/13/09

@alexherrera: But the cool thing is that he doesn't believe in "fate" and "miracles" and all that jazz, he just shrugs it off.
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alexherrera
08/14/09

@Skellatrix: I know right?
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Lizard in the Wires - synthesizer signals suspense!
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
Why exactly did they do a reading with a full orchestra back there? It's not Hamlet. And it's coming out on DVD isn't it? Do they really think Family Guy is that important to culture at large? How is this justified to Fox? Or are they really just throwing money at him at this point?

And they had nothing better to do with that money?! Jackson Publick needs that money to give me Venture Bros.!

And I love how in the interview McFarlane tries to pretend like he's doing a public service by making this episode. You brave, brave man.
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brendahamLincoln promoted this comment

brendahamLincoln
08/13/09

@Lizard in the Wires, coloring > learning flash: They regularly have a live orchestra with them when they do live readings. A little extravagant, I suppose, but I'd rather hear the live orchestra than prerecorded musical segues.
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bebedamour
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
You know, I am really on the fence about this show...it can be quite satirical and bitingly funny, however, it sometimes stoops so low and winds up merely offensive, without making any kind of point, just getting away with tasteless, puerile crap, reinforcing stereotypes instead of skewering them. And I highly doubt that this is trying to get people to think, it's all about controversy to get publicity which means higher ratings, which in turn means more $$$. Not buying that they are acting as society's conscience.
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greengrey promoted this comment bebedamour was starred bebedamour was unstarred

HappyFeminist
08/13/09

@bebedamour: They are not a politically correct show, it's often insensitive and offensive, and they've made jokes that were anti-feminist in the past.

Your comment is not breaking down why THESE jokes in THIS clip are bad, however.
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ULTRAPRISON! promoted this comment HappyFeminist was starred HappyFeminist was unstarred

KiddyKat
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
I've always thought of Family Guy as a more offensive show than South Park because it's much less intelligent.
I will now await the episode in which Jezebel is mocked by Peter or Meg turns out to be a commenter because she's an ugly lesbian, etc.
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femputer promoted this comment KiddyKat was starred KiddyKat was unstarred

likepenguins
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
sorry; I can't get upset over this. If we can't make jokes about the other side by imitating them, I have to stop watching Colbert.
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bluebears promoted this comment likepenguins was starred likepenguins was unstarred

Chivone
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
I don't like whenever a lesser cartoon like Family Guy tries to take on big issues because it is just full of fail. They're just not that good. South Park is excellent satire; Squidbillies is excellent satire. Family Guy is just not equipped with good enough writers to it properly.
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femputer promoted this comment Chivone was starred Chivone was unstarred

femputer
08/13/09

@Chivone: I'd promote this TWICE if I could. South Park really has become pretty sharp and Squidbillies is just to fantastic for words.
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femputer
08/13/09

@femputer: sorry, I try not to add to threads just to edit but I CANNOT let a "to" instead of a "too" stand unedited (which is apparently impossible today).
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HappyFeminist
08/13/09

@Chivone: I disagree. I think South Park takes its satire too seriously -- and their immigration ("alien") episode was humorous, but the conclusions it led to were weak.

Another problem: it tries to make conclusions that are bigger than what the animators understand. They're not policy experts, yet they somehow know everything.

Family Guy is a consistently silly show and does not try to make itself out to be a political show.

Neither are that smart.
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Laulau promoted this comment HappyFeminist was starred HappyFeminist was unstarred

Laulau
08/13/09

@HappyFeminist: I appreciate that South Park is a lot smarter than is often recognized. But I have to agree completely that it overdraws conclusions. The episode, to give one example, where the anti-smoking campaigners become murderous fascists in their own right was just dumb. What I like about shows like Family Guy (and I'll agree, some of it's really stupid and offensive, and a big chunk is lazy humor that would only appeal if you're incredibly stoned) is how they'll sort of raise an edgy point and then just move on. It's a cartoon with one-dimensional characters, it's really not fit for careful analysis. It just calls our absurd social mores out on their absurdity and then turns to the next absurd norm.
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HappyFeminist
08/13/09

@Laulau: Madam, I greatly appreciate your careful breakdown in your response. I dig your intellect.
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femputer
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
ok - before anybody figures me out by the comments I'm promoting up & down this thread: Family Guy is l-a-m-e. I feel like everyone I encounter IRL luuuurves it, so I'm stoked to see the comments that show otherwise.
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browngirlinthering
08/13/09

@femputer: i have always felt like the sole hater of this show too. i guess i don't get the satire...
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femputer promoted this comment browngirlinthering was starred

Ri_L
08/13/09

@femputer: Me too! I loved the first three seasons, but since then it's gone straight into the toilet. No -- through the toilet, and well into the sewers below.

Also, I ... I really don't like Seth MacFarlane. At all.
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femputer promoted this comment Ri_L was starred Ri_L was unstarred

captainhaddock
08/13/09

@femputer: It's horrible. Not a cable-customer, I end up watching a lot of crap TV. Especially after a long day at work. George Lopez (shiver). Family Feud. I draw the line at Family Guy, though. I feel like the shittiness is going to permanently infect my brain, if I'm exposed to more than five minutes.
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tiredfairy
08/13/09

@femputer: I've got a very dry, very sarcastic, very dirty, and very non pc sense of humor and I can't stand the show. It's boring and crappy and not particularly funny.

South Park really skewered them, and got it right. They just say random things and act as though it's humor.
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kithkin promoted this comment tiredfairy was starred tiredfairy was unstarred

Bollywhaaa
08/14/09

@femputer: Totally. They try WAY too hard to be shocking, like preteen boys swearing in a public space. We GET IT. The fact MacFarlane actually refers to his show as "edgy" is an Automatic Fail in my book. Give me seasons 1 -9 of "The Simpsons" anytime.
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femputer promoted this comment Edited by Bollywhaaa at 08/14/09 12:31 PM Bollywhaaa was starred Bollywhaaa was unstarred

lucyjae
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
I've actually seen Seth McFarlane speak very passionately in defense of gay rights, specifically the right of people to marry whomever they choose. I also recognize that he uses the character of Peter to speak the basest, dumbest opinions out there, usually so Brian can point out how dumb they are. I think Brian is the real voice of the show, and therefore McFarlane. Also, taking Family Guy too seriously, is the same as taking South Park too seriously (no matter how much they hate each other). The writers are often trying to provoke a reaction or offend.
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Erode promoted this comment lucyjae was starred lucyjae was unstarred

bluebears
08/13/09

@lucyjae: I actually find myself more often offended by South Park. They're a tad bit too libertarian for my tastes at times. But I enjoy South Park as well. Why can't we all just get along and watch old episodes of Beavis and Butthead?
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bookling
08/13/09

@lucyjae: This. We're not supposed to take Peter seriously, because Peter is the biggest moron ever.

From what was included in this clip, I'm certainly not offended. I didn't think it was particularly funny, either (FG tries too hard sometimes), but I think if this episode had just aired without all the hubbub, it wouldn't have seemed like such a big deal. They've done much more controversial and offensive episodes in the past.
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greengrey
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
Holocaust jokes? OK!
Rape jokes? OK!
Jokes at the expense of every race? OK!
A show about abortion? NOW WAY MAN!
Really, Fox?
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Penny
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
I like Family Guy because of this.
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bluebears promoted this comment Penny was starred Penny was unstarred

bluebears
08/13/09

@Penny: stewie! also am I dense? I thought Stewie had been officially "gay" for a while now.
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slowpoke.r promoted this comment bluebears was starred bluebears was unstarred

slowpoke.r
08/13/09

@bluebears: Naw, me too. I swear they've mentioned it in previous episodes.
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lijakaca
08/13/09

In reply to Unaired Family Guy Abortion Episode Not Anti-Choice, Still Offensive
Family Guy might be liberal, and I used to watch it because it can be funny, but I can't anymore - the way they put down women in their treatment of Meg (she complains when her parents are being idiots, so of course she's the punching bag) really turned me off.
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greengrey promoted this comment lijakaca was starred lijakaca was unstarred

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