"Simpsons", "American Dad" fumble laughs

The Boston Herald ^ | 2/06/05 | Boston Herald

[Petronski]

Sounds like it could be a lot worse.

[phoenix0468]

Ok, this could be a good poll question formed something like this:
"How many who consider yourself a member of the Christian Right,
1) know that the Simpsons is a parody cartoon?
2) have a sense of humor?
3) Would be insulted by a parody of Mel Gibsons "The Passion of the Christ"?

I think the consensus of answers would probably be Yes, Yes, and No.

[trubluolyguy]

Left leaning, right leaning, I don't care, I like Macfarlanes' stuff, especially Family Guy....note the tagline, it is a Stewie Griffon quote from Family Guy.

[flashbunny]

``Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass,'' for example, somehow manages to skewer religious fundamentalists, liberal ``secular humanists,'' grandstanding athletes, ESPN and sports fans without ever being laugh-out-loud funny.

The simpsons has managed to not be laugh out loud funny for many years now.

I sometimes find my self sitting down and watching it sunday nights out of habbit, only to remember at about 10 minutes in that the show hasn't been funny in years and the show I'm currently watching is no exception.

[Petronski]

I can't get enough of "The Family Guy." When I read that Fox would use DVD sales to help decide about a revival, I ran out and bought them. It is the most thoroughly subversive cartoon ever to air on network tv.

Sadly, "American Dad" sounds like a bad idea. McFarlane should focus on FG.

[proust]

The American Dad design is terrible. Flat out un-watchable. Of course I thouht the same thing about the dad in Family Guy with his chin that looks way too much like another part of the male anatomy, and considering the crude nature of the jokes on that show I wouldn't put it past them.

[MadIvan]

I can't get enough of "The Family Guy." When I read that Fox would use DVD sales to help decide about a revival, I ran out and bought them. It is the most thoroughly subversive cartoon ever to air on network tv.

I too have "Family Guy" box sets, which I picked up in the States. I was under the impression that it was libertarian, rather like South Park - for example, the "Petoria" episode is definitely a critique of big government.

Regards, Ivan

[longtermmemmory]

so has simpson's jumped the shark yet?

Family Guy is back?I thought is was dead years ago.

ahh the joys of not watching networks.

[atomicpossum]

Sounds like a GREAT night to copy the Andy Griffith Shows on my TiVo to DVD.

[Darkwolf377]

I never watched Family Guy until I caught an episode recently and laughed out loud, something that never happens with comedy programming these days. In the episode the baby and the dog ended up having their hands glued together so they had to go everywhere together, and when they get pulled over by a cop, who sees the dog holding hands with the baby, the baby says "We met on the internet."

My laugh reflex doesn't know politics.

[E=MC²]

satan forbid that the religious left or socialists should ever get skewered.

[EricT.]

I answer all those questions in that way.

One of my favorite Simpsons bits is when Homer and Apu go to India or Nepal and are greeted in the airport by glassy-eyed white people in suits and ties singing some wornout children's church song. One of the traditionally dressed Hindus groans, "Ughh! Christians!".

The Simpsons may make fun of stereotypical Christians, but I notice that Ned Flanders usually does what is right and is blessed for it. Anyone remember God answering his prayers with an audible "Okilidokily, Ned"?

[Petronski]

My all time favorite is the road film ode to Hope/Cosby, when Stewie and Brian (the dog) have to make their way back cross country. The musical number "Off on the Road to Rhode Island" is pure gold.

[ScottFromSpokane]

so has simpson's jumped the shark yet?

Years and years ago.

They should really give up social and political commentary. They just don't know enough. They have nothing to say that is either thought-provoking or original.

If the show was still funny, they might be able to get away with it, but when unfunniness is combined with pig-ignorance, it's just embarassing.

[MadIvan]

My all time favorite is the road film ode to Hope/Cosby, when Stewie and Brian (the dog) have to make their way back cross country. The musical number "Off on the Road to Rhode Island" is pure gold.

Their "Road to Europe" episode wasn't bad either.

Regards, Ivan

[Petronski]

That one I have only seen in pieces.

[annyokie]

My 15 year old, his friends and I just love "The Family Guy." I'm so pleased they are reviving it.

[red-dawg]

I'm still trying to perfect the TiVo to DVD process.
Freepmail me your set-up ?

[atomicpossum]

I'm still trying to perfect the TiVo to DVD process. Freepmail me your set-up ?

I do it the easy way. I bought a set-top DVD recorder (a Phillips).