“Family Guy” is one of those shows that probably should not be reviewed by a female because of the crude male-dominated humor found in nearly every episode. But I’m going to do it anyway.
“The Simpsons” has long dominated the cartoon-animated comedy sitcom scene. However, there is a newer program that has experienced widespread popularity among everyone. This new breed of comedy presents itself as equally, if not more, lewd, rude and cringe-worthy.
What is it about this new attempt at entertainment that America finds so delightful? Many argue that these shows portray what middle-class America is all about. Apparently, we have regressed culturally to intelligent talking dogs, murdering maniacal youngsters and yellow skin tones.
But this representation of American life does not necessarily have to be real. It just has to be close enough that the average individual can relate to, yet feel superior to, in the end. Peter Griffin’s character is an overweight, middle-class father and husband who enjoys drinking, making fun of others and uttering an annoyingly loud laugh that is embarrassingly not computer-generated.
Men of this age group like his character because they know that if they could sit around and drink beer all day from the couch, they would probably do so.
Lois, on the other hand, is portrayed as the hardworking wife who makes sure all of her family’s needs are taken care of. This juxtaposition of roles has been done in countless sitcoms and through the years has seemed to work.
The children in the show also have different roles; the girl, Meg, struggles with the emptiness and self-doubt that comes about in teenage years, while Chris, her brother, is portrayed as an unintelligent slob who presumably takes after his father.
The other two main characters are what really set the show apart from others of its kind. The youngest
child, Stewie, not only talks in an English accent, but somehow develops elaborate plans to murder his mother. He also has a “Pinkie and the Brain” sense of someday taking
over the world.
Brian, the canine companion of
this family, has forged a relationship with Stewie and has served as his babysitter on numerous occasions.
Wow. And you thought the triple-dads in Full House was a scandalous family relationship.
This unique family arrangement is slowly becoming America’s sweethearts as the tide turns toward making people feel better about themselves in a world that makes them feel like crap.
