Family Guy (TV series)
*Family Guy* is an animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane that premiered on January 31, 1999. Set in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island, the series follows the eccentric Griffin family, led by the bumbling patriarch Peter, voiced by MacFarlane himself. The family consists of Peter's level-headed wife Lois, their socially awkward children Meg and Chris, and their diabolical infant son Stewie, who is known for his grandiose schemes. The Griffins also share their home with Brian, a talking dog who embodies a more cultured persona, often seen sipping martinis.
The show is well-known for its sharp wit, satirical humor, and frequent parodies of contemporary American life, often utilizing cutaway gags that critique pop culture. Although *Family Guy* faced cancellation after its second season due to low ratings, a strong DVD sales performance prompted FOX to renew it in 2004, leading to its continued success. As of fall 2023, the series has entered its twenty-second season and has garnered several accolades, including nine Emmy Awards. Despite its popularity, the show has also faced criticism over its handling of controversial topics, leading to scrutiny from groups like the Parents Television Council. Overall, *Family Guy* remains a significant cultural touchstone in animated television.
On this Page
Family Guy (TV series)
IDENTIFICATION: An animated sitcom about the Griffins, a family of quirky individuals living in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island
CREATOR: Seth MacFarlane (b. 1973)
DATE: Premiered on January 31, 1999
The success of Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy can be attributed to its brainy wit and devoted fan base. MacFarlane’s unforgiving humor and biting commentary on pop culture has led to the show receiving frequent praise as well as criticism.
Family Guy tells the story of the outlandish Griffin family. MacFarlane voices the main character and family patriarch, Peter, an incompetent and bigoted man who gets involved in nonsensical situations. Peter’s wife, the even-minded Lois, struggles to keep her family under control. Their children, Chris and Meg, are intensified versions of American misfit teenagers. Chris is overweight and dim-witted, much like his father. Meg fares no better as an awkward loner, desperate to fit in. The Griffins also have an infant son, Stewie, who relentlessly plots world domination. Stewie is only able to communicate with the family’s talking dog, Brian, who stands upright and drinks martinis. Each episode parodies an aspect of contemporary American life, and the show is well known for its cutaway shots ridiculing popular culture.
Family Guy was nearly canceled after only two seasons because of its low ratings. The show’s network, FOX, decided to give it another chance, granting a third season. The show was placed in a time slot that competed with some popular shows, however, and the competition overwhelmed the animated series. Family Guy was cancelled in 2002.
The first three seasons of the show were released on DVD in 2003. Within a month, more than four hundred thousand DVDs had been sold. This caught the attention of network executives, and FOX renewed the show in 2004. The following year, Family Guy returned to FOX’s regular lineup. In the fall of 2023, it began its twenty-second season.
Impact
Family Guy has won many awards, and in 2009, became the first animated series to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award since The Flintstones in 1961. As of 2024, it had collected nine Emmy Awards, including several for MacFarlane. The show’s treatment of controversial issues has generated criticism, however. The series is consistently admonished by the Parents Television Council (PTC), and many complaints against it have been filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The show was also involved in several copyright infringement lawsuits, though the cases have been either dismissed or settled. Despite these reproaches, Family Guy’s popularity has continued to grow.
Bibliography
Callaghan, Steve. Family Guy: Stewie’s Guide to World Domination. New York: Harper, 2005. Print.
Corea, Andy I. “Copyright Lessons from Family Guy Add Insult to Injury to Support Your Fair-Use Defense.” Tennessee Bar Association Intellectual Property Section 2.1 (11 Dec. 2009): 3–4. St. Onge Steward Jonston & Reens (SJSR). Web. 4 Sept. 2012.
"Family Guy." IMDb, 2024, www.imdb.com/title/tt0182576/. Accessed 22 May 2024.
Flint, Joe. “Is ‘Family Guy’ Creator Seth MacFarlane Taunting the FCC?” Los Angeles Times. Tribune Interactive, 4 May 2010. Web. 4 Sept. 2012.
Jackson, Dory. "25 Years into Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane Says It's 'Surviving and Thriving' and Won't 'End Any Time Soon.'" People, 31 Jan. 2024, people.com/family-guy-25th-anniversary-seth-macfarlane-says-show-wont-end-any-time-soon-8553630. Accessed 22 May 2024.