TV Show Review: Family Guy

Family Guy - a hilarious and wonderfully immature adult cartoon - debuted on Fox in 1999, spending just three season on the air before being cancelled. After the show was syndicated on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, it gained substantial popularity and developed a cult following, prompting Fox to bring the show back to its primetime schedule. Today, Family Guy remains syndicated on both Cartoon Network and TBS and new episodes air on Sundays at 9:00 Eastern Time on Fox.

The title Family Guy refers to Peter Griffin, a portly intellectually-deficient oaf who lives in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island. Peter worked at a toy company early in the sitcom, but later got a job working for a brewery. An alcoholic, he often proves to be an inadequate husband and father. Peter has been found to be mentally handicapped, possibly contributing to many of his numerous antics including seceding from the U.S. and forming his own independent nation, eating enough coins to succumb to nickel poisoning and becoming blind, and kidnapping the Pope. He also has an ongoing violent feud with a giant chicken. Peter's humor could be described as a cross between Homer Simpson and Fred Flintstone, but more sophomoric.

Lois is Peter's wife and far smarter half. A stay at home mom and a feminist, she balances her domestic activities with progressive social values. She is very open with her sexuality and is almost certainly bisexual. Lois and Peter have three kids: Chris, Meg, and baby Stewie.

Chris takes after his father in the intelligence department as has once been lauded as the dumbest student at his high school. Meg is a loner, although not by choice; the only time she was able to feel part of a group was when she tried to become a lesbian. Stewie is generally seen as the most popular character on the show. Early in the series, Stewie was obsessed with world domination and matricide, but as the series has progressed, he has become more of a part of a friend and foe duo with Brian the dog.

Brian is different from typical dogs in that he can talk, drive, walk on two legs, consume large quantities of alcohol, and appreciate high culture. He has a sharp sarcastic wit and attended Brown University, but he still portrays many of the traits of a typical dog.

Not to be outdone, the show is taken to the next level by its secondary characters, Peter's friends and neighbors: Quagmire, Cleveland, and Joe. Quagmire is an airline pilot who is completely obsessed with both sex and Lois. Cleveland is a former auctioneer who, after being knocked on the head, became what Seinfeld might call a slow talker. Joe is a paraplegic, yet incredibly athletic, police officer.

One criticism of the series (particularly by South Park) is that, in its quest for humor, it makes use of numerous cut scenes that have nothing to do with an actual plot. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has responded to this criticism by pointing out that yes, the cut scenes have nothing to do with the plot - their sole purpose is to be funny - a novel concept for a comedic show. The clever wit and bizarre brand of humor put forth by MacFarlane makes Family Guy one of the best shows on television.