quote: Mike Olpin

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This will cause the manatees to stop working

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hahahaha, I'm going to hop on my Big Wheel and ride to California to stop the manatees. Maybe the manatees will team up with the dolphins since, according to the Hitchhikers Guide, they are the second smartest things on earth. I don't think mice and manatee writing would be as good as manatee and dolphin writing.

where the hell did I start on that tangent? Anyway....

I'm just sick of seeing Family Guy reruns ALL THE TIME on Adult Swim. Too much of an ok thing is, well.... too much.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-12-2008, 09:59 PM:
 
Hmmm... maybe I should have put this in Afterlife.

South Park rules... usually.
 

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Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 01-12-2008, 10:11 PM:
 
Family Guy rules!

South Park is just as funny..

Nothing like quick witted satirical humor...
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 01-13-2008, 01:39 AM:
 
Family Guy is acceptably funny because its main character has balls on his chin, but without having a dick in his mouth. After all, it's meant to be "family fare." Balls alone equals TV-14 or even TV-G.
 

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Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 01-13-2008, 04:56 AM:
 
Let me say from the outset, I completely empathize with you Joe.

The downfall of most pop culture reference driven shows is that they tend to be shit. Family Guy is no exception.

We were all there Seth. We all get it. Thundercats, Paula Abdul, A-Ha etc..., very clever of you to remember them, did you do it all by yourself? (obviously not, there used to be some kind of retard army)

Fat Guy: Actually, this kind of reminds me of the time I got a lot of TV and pop culture references on the verge of being forgotten then made a pastiche of them in the guise of a character based cartoon, and it was vaguely funny for like 5 minutes.

Stupid Baby: Then wot happened lawl? (apparently talking gay is funny now?)

Fat Guy: We got canceled, then some facial bumfluff teenagers who downloaded all the episodes in 100x100 res, learnt to write, then made a petition to bring us back. Apparently it turns out Fox isn't stupid, so we got a movie instead.

Seth Green's beyond irritating character thing: What was the movie like?

Fat Guy: Extremely lame and annoying.

The worst character in the show; Dog: I'm already sick of this show.

Sexual predator neighbor: I've become a pop culture meme! Gabbity Gabbity Goo.

Words simply cannot explain the contempt I have for this show, it simply is just awful. I cannot fathom how I used to like it. It is just dribble of the worst calibre.
 

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 01-13-2008, 10:53 AM:
 

quote: Damien Taylor

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learnt to write

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You need to learn that the past tense of learn is learned.

Screw you and your "Queen's English bullshit."


 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-13-2008, 11:49 AM:
 
I've seen two episodes of Family Guy and got a few laughs, although the talking baby character was taxing. But, as with The Simpsons, these "adult" cartoons have a tendency to be sacrilegious, which I simply can't tolerate.

I like SpongeBob Squarepants. Now, that's a funny show.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 01-14-2008, 02:28 PM:
 

quote: Tim Reed

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But, as with The Simpsons, these "adult" cartoons have a tendency to be sacrilegious

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Actually, much of the christian community doesn't have a problem with The Simpsons, because their portrayal of christians (like Flanders) as honest, decent people that help others out regardless of cost to them is appealing.

Back to the original point, Family Guy has such inferior writing that I don't get why people love it, but like Trey Parker and Matt Stone said in an interview, it seems like Family Guy's writers have the talent to make a good show, they just choose not to for some reason like they're just lazy or something. They will stumble across a good joke from time to time, but what you have to filter through to get there is not worth it.

Mike - I agree with Dane Cook not being funny. And he's a joke stealer.
 

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 01-14-2008, 03:53 PM:
 
The original run of family guy was entertaining. Ever since it returned it is aweful. I watched 2 or 3 or the new episodes and never watched again!
 

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Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 01-15-2008, 06:37 AM:
 
Me, I was a huge fan during its first, original run. I laughed aloud, and pop references of decades past were more sparse, more clever, and more unlike anything else I watched. It was the DVD sales after its cancellation that brought it back, and it came back strong. But I rarely found myself laughing aloud anymore.

When the Seinfeld sitcom ended, I recall Jerry saying that it was its time, that the characters had become caricatures of themselves. The comedy got a little stale. In my opinion, Family Guy, while once original with an underlying wit, just hit its stale point too soon. And, in the nature of the show, stretching a joke indefinitely without adding any actual new joke content, isn't always funny.

In all fairness, this was never a show I could really enjoy in clips out of context. That's difficult to appreciate because the entire show is a hodgepodge of clips out of context. However, the nonlinearity worked for it. Like minimalist music, it may be boring in brief excerpts, but that just means you haven't heard enough of it yet. It was surreal, and the fun came from the completely unexpected turns you didn't see coming (as opposed, of course, to those unexpected turns you fully expect).

Once you start to see the turns, it's a dull drive and you're asking "are we there yet?"

Have I mixed too many metaphors?

These days, I don't watch ANY television.
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-15-2008, 11:39 AM:
 
i love it
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-15-2008, 02:48 PM:
 
When I had access to Boomerang, the second "cartoon network", I watched an episode of Flintstones that caused me to cringe in the 21st century...I never recalled how Fred was so violent toward Barney. I somehow looked over that when I was little. Fred couldn't do that if the show was produced now. (Knock Knock Knock..."Fred Flintstone? Bedrock Police...this is in regards to an incident involving you and your neighbor, Mr Rubble...could you please step outside?"
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-15-2008, 03:48 PM:
 

quote: Peter David Bruce

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i love it

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quote: Hillary Charles

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The show is incredibly self-indulgent, seemingly purposely irrelevant, and often offensive. And it makes me laugh.

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What Hillary said!
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-15-2008, 04:38 PM:
 

quote: Hillary Charles

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The fear and confusion in Chris' voice is what makes me laugh.

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But why is he fearful and confused when in the video he was dancing around like it was normal? I hope the writers never come back from their strike... they don't deserve to get paid!
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-15-2008, 04:51 PM:
 
perhaps he was lost in the moment, and on reflection thought 'oh buggery' and that is why he seems fearful and confused after.

just a thought - but hey, this is one small piece of the puzzle. and a bad bit, at that!
 

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 01-15-2008, 04:55 PM:
 
I guess it was the guys with the wrenches that scared him out of his pop-induced revelry.

I really wouldn't expect "Family Guy" to have a logical set of groud rules. I used to HATE Bugs Bunny when he'd stop himself from falling by drinking HARE TONIC (Stops Falling Hare), because that can't happen.

If you're hoping the writer's strike will keep the show out of production, you'll be very pleased when I relate some news I heard. Supposedly, FOX has taken the show away from Seth MacFarlane and will find a way to make new episodes.

But...are manatees in the writers' union?
 

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Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 01-15-2008, 06:30 PM:
 
Regardless of how bad the show may or may not be, regardless of the reasons behind the strike or the terms of either side ... that's Seth MacFarlane's show, he does 90% of the voices, and he is its driving force.

That FOX, legally or not (however they may be doing it) is taking claim of it, is worse than a petulant toddler screaming "Mine, mine!" at the top of his lungs. Considering how begrudginly they took it back, it's sickening how they're, in some way, cutting off their proverbial nose to save face (to twist the cliche a bit).

There's a degree to which comedy isn't meant to be analyzed, especially for consistency or continuity, futhermore in such a self-aware and discontinuous show as FG.

Does one ask why the end of Blazing Saddles takes everyone into a theatre, in the logic of the movie itself? Does one ask where Monty Python's knights of the Round Table found the wood to make the Trojan Rabbit in Holy Grail, or find it confusing that "Scene 24" isn't actually the 24th scene?

If greats like that are impervious to such scrutiny, I think it's weak that a crappy little show like this should be shot to death because of it? Why is that funny, when it doesn't make sense? Because THAT'S what's funny about it!
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-15-2008, 08:34 PM:
 

quote: Peter David Bruce

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maybe all us in the UK are into this kind of thing. its pretty popular over here.

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I've always been deeply ingratiated to the British for Monty Python! Love 'those zany Monty Python boys!'

quote: Hillary Charles

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I used to HATE Bugs Bunny when he'd stop himself from falling by drinking HARE TONIC

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I feel your pain. My brothers and I always got mad because the Coyote never caught the Road Runner, or that Tom never beat Jerry. Cartoons just have to exist in their own universes.

quote:

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Does one ask why the end of Blazing Saddles takes everyone into a theatre,

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Actually, the part of this show where the street fight moves over to the soundstages used to lose me. Even as wacky as the film had been to that point, it abandoned its story and simply lost credibility there. It was a deus ex machina resolution. (Yes, EVERY movie establishes its own unique ground rules... things the audience will accept as probable within that universe... but things must happen within those boundaries.) I've since grown to appreciate it, but for the longest time I just had to throw my hands up in the air at that point in the movie.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-15-2008, 08:37 PM:
 
Please stop comparing good cartoons to a bad one. Family Guy is about fat people. Joy!
 

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 01-15-2008, 08:58 PM:
 


Couldn't resist. I really don't wish anyone eternal damnation.
 

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-15-2008, 10:10 PM:
 

quote: Tim

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Actually, the part of this show where the street fight moves over to the soundstages used to lose me. Even as wacky as the film had been to that point, it abandoned its story and simply lost credibility there. It was a deus ex machina resolution. (Yes, EVERY movie establishes its own unique ground rules... things the audience will accept as probable within that universe... but things must happen within those boundaries.) I've since grown to appreciate it, but for the longest time I just had to throw my hands up in the air at that point in the movie.

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I always thought it was hilarious... it's so absurd you have to laugh but yeah I can see your point . "PIss on you I work for Mel Brooks"
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-15-2008, 10:48 PM:
 
"Drive me off this picture."
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-15-2008, 11:40 PM:
 

quote: Tim Reed was most certainly not the last to post

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I want to punt that baby's head.
 

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Posted by Jonathan Worthing (Member # 803) on 01-17-2008, 10:45 AM:
 
Well don't watch it & stop bitching.

Best cartoon series ever & yes I have all the box sets.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-17-2008, 04:45 PM:
 
That is truly sad. Anyway I have to let people know that dogshit disguised as a TV show is unacceptable and I am glad the writers are starving and living in the gutter now.

PS - I don't watch it, and it still sucks!
 

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 01-17-2008, 05:13 PM:
 
Joe, maybe you should just listen to radio.

I hear Dingo and the Baby is a good radio show. Not sure if any locals carry it in your area.

[ 01-18-2008, 06:38 AM: Message edited by: Hillary Charles ]
 

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Posted by Jonathan Worthing (Member # 803) on 01-18-2008, 06:11 AM:
 
I hear Gore Vidal is on doing tricks with sausages
 

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Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 01-18-2008, 02:27 PM:
 
The worst night of my non-satellite days was running a 'Best Of The Family Guy' DVD... Uggh.

All the shows seem to just be the same thing over and over... Its almost as bad as American Dad...
 

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Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 01-18-2008, 03:51 PM:
 
I think someone would be hardpressed to find ANY sitcom or otherwise episodic show that wasn't "the same thing over and over".

This is the one where Gilligan messes up the plan. This is the Three's Company with the misunderstanding. This is where Batman and Robin do a poorly choreographed fight with comic-book onomatopoeia titling. This is where Bill Cosby wears a sweater. This is where Woody says something oblivious at Cheers. We're about to see Janice on an episode of Friends, so this is where she says "Oh. My. God." This is where they vote someone off the island, hand out a rose, or fire someone. This is where Peter has a random aside to something referencing pop-culture and Quagmire says "Giggedy Goo".

Roll credits, stay tuned for another episode ...
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-18-2008, 05:18 PM:
 
My friend has a Family Guy Collection UMD that came with his PSP. We are going to destroy it and shoot the destruction on high speed video so we have a nice slow motion of it's death. The world will cheer.

Never before has a TV show blocked up my colon in such a way.

Brian, I rarely watch TV as it is. And by rare I mean once every year or so. I am glad the writers are striking. I hope they strike forever, literally. We need new and better writers for ALL shows. The current ones suck and they do not deserve jobs in the writing industry (there are a few exceptions as always).
 

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Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 01-18-2008, 07:48 PM:
 
Joe, I perfectly agree that we need something new to happen, and this strike may be just the thing. But the shows that air are always going to be subject, to some degree, to what the networks want to broadcast, so certain types of writing are always going to be there, whether it's a new batch of people or not.

I've never hated a show so adamantly as you do. Well, The Apprentice came close. Oh, and I did see an episode of Desperate Housewives that actually blocked my colon in such a way.
 

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Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 01-18-2008, 10:45 PM:
 
OK, Family Guy isn't the greatest show ever, but it's far from the worst. What about Scooby Doo and its endless spin-offs- EVERY damn show had the SAME ending!

(If this were a Family Guy episode, we'd cut right now to a parody of the way Scooby Doo always ends, with them unmasking a guy who says "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for you meddlin' kids!")
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-18-2008, 11:32 PM:
 
Scooby Doo is good in a cheesy sort of way, but I don't think anyone can watch it in large amounts. Believe it or not there are some people who actually like Family Guy.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-19-2008, 12:31 AM:
 
I never cared much for Scooby Doo, either. I rejected it primarily because of the shoddy animation; couldn't stand it. Even back when it first hit the air, when I was just 6 or 7 years old, I thought it looked cheap.
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-19-2008, 01:00 AM:
 
There's always Robot Chicken...
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-19-2008, 02:46 AM:
 
Robot Chicken is good (usually though not always). I've never seen it on TV, only DVD and Al Gore's Internet™.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-19-2008, 02:53 AM:
 
I really appreciated the "Star Wars" edition of "Robot Chicken"! Other episodes, eh, notsuhmuch.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-19-2008, 03:53 AM:
 
Yeah, I could understand if someone didn't like the series.

I like Li'l Hitler (note: they were not originally shown back to back like this... the first two are OK but the third one kicks ass).
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-19-2008, 02:39 PM:
 
I like the Smurf's remake of Se7en. (Robot chicken)
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 01-20-2008, 12:55 PM:
 
I think Family Guy is like Jackie Martling's stand up act. Its unoriginal and the jokes are interchangable at any point of the show, but if your standards have dropped low enough and you are under the influence of some drug or severe lack of sleep, you might stumble your way on to a couple laughs.

You have to give it to the stoners - the power of their unity got a twice-cancelled show back on cable television in a non-prime slot. Just think what they could achieve if they set their mind to it.
 

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