"Family Guy" (1999) TV series 1999-????

User Rating:

8.8/10   

Creator:

Seth MacFarlane

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

31 January 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy

Tagline:

Don't Die Laughing. We Could Get Sued (Season 4).

Plot:

In a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strive to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Baby | Rhode Island | Dysfunctional Family | Matricide

Awards:

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 7 wins & 29 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 5	9:00 PM	Fox	Peter's Progress	#7.16
Sun. July 5	10:30 PM	TOON	Meet the Quagmires	#5.18

Cast

Seth MacFarlane	...	Peter Griffin / ... (127 episodes, 1999-2009)
Alex Borstein	...	Lois Griffin / ... (127 episodes, 1999-2009)
Seth Green	...	Chris Griffin / ... (127 episodes, 1999-2009)
Mila Kunis	...	Meg Griffin / ... (114 episodes, 1999-2009)
Mike Henry	...	Cleveland Brown / ... (111 episodes, 1999-2009)
Danny Smith	...	Various / ... (89 episodes, 1999-2009)
Patrick Warburton	...	Joe Swanson / ... (78 episodes, 1999-2009)
John Viener	...	Various / ... (61 episodes, 2005-2009)
Lori Alan	...	Diane Simmons / ... (56 episodes, 1999-2009)

Also Known As:

"Padre de familia" (USA: Spanish title)

Runtime:

22 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Canada:14A (Manitoba) (DVD rating) | South Africa:(Banned) | Egypt:(Banned) | Vietnam:(Banned) | Iran:(Banned) | Canada:G (Quebec) (DVD rating) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Singapore:PG (Season 1 & 2) | Philippines:PG-13 | Japan:Unrated | Poland:(Banned) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | USA:TV-14 | USA:TV-PG (some episodes) | Poland:15 | Hungary:16 (original rating) | China:13 | Czech Republic:15 | Australia:M | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Brazil:12 | Ireland:15 | New Zealand:M | UK:12 (some episodes) | UK:15 (some episodes) | Malaysia:(Banned) | India:(Banned)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

Stewie's voice is based on Rex Harrison.

Goofs:

Continuity: In "No Chris Left Behind", the Morningwood Academy sign has "NO IRISH" crossed out and "IRISH OK" written under it. The next time we see the sign, there is no trace whatsoever of either line of the Irish text.

Quotes:

Peter Griffin: I'm going to go to the bathroom.
[walks into an outhouse]
Peter Griffin: Lois, I don't think it's a toilet. It's just a hole.
[an animal knocks over the outhouse]
Peter Griffin: OH! OH GOD IT'S EVERYWHERE! IT'S IN MY RACCOON WOUNDS!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "South Park: Cartoon Wars: Part 2 (#10.4)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Outrageous and hilarious.

Family Guy is far and away one of the most outrageous, audacious television shows I've seen, animated or not. It's sheer disregard for political correctness can be a bit surprising at times. So many times I have watched it now and I still can't believe some of the gags that made it to the final cut. But, even so, it's still one of the funniest shows put to the screen, complete with memorable, well drawn out characters, and, above all, it's funny. Far too many series take for granted that a comedy series is supposed to make people laugh, and even if it does upset the political correctness massive, who cares? If a show is funny, then watch it. That doesn't automatically make Family Guy faultless though.

Of course, you can't look at Family Guy without making some sort of comparison to The Simpsons, even though it's not always necessary. Family Guy does make The Simpsons seem rather tame at times, although, to be fair, The Simpsons has lost some steam after a decade or so. Something new and fresh was needed on the market, and this was it. Yes, you have your South Park's and your King Of The Hill's, but Family Guy is genuinely intelligent. This factor shines above everything else. The amount of clever pop culture references and nods to seemingly obscure television stars and shows is staggering, and never fail to shock and amuse.

The one problem I do have with the show is the lack of numerous winning characters. Of course, Stewie is worth a dozen animated series, no doubt about it. Here is a character that could easily maintain and carry a series all on his own, even if he's only knee-high. There's also some inspired creations in Brian, the family dog who's more sophisticated than his owners, and the local newsreaders, who are questionable at best, but hilarious with it. But the rest of the characters are far too erratic to be completely loveable. Meg and Chris aren't given enough screen time or good lines to make their mark, and Lois could have been an interesting character, but is emphasised as the put upon wife, who hardly ever gets the last laugh. But it's Peter that's the main offender. Don't get me wrong, he's a funny character, but he's just too annoying at times. Whereas Homer Simpson is a clumsy oaf but loveable with it, Peter Griffin is just a stupid, frustrating fool. It's very hard to empathise with some of the things he does, which makes it a bit trying to continually tune in, but the thought of Stewie screaming, "Victory is mine!" again is more than enough to convince me otherwise.

When you get to the bare bones of it, Family Guy is a very funny, if flawed series. There have been many animated series since the explosion of The Simpsons, but this has found it's niche and knows what its limitations are. Hopefully it will be around for a long time to come, but lets just pray that it doesn't get tiresome soon. But for now, just sit back and laugh.