What's Seth McFarlene's problem?

66Crush · February 20, 2011, 10:52:36 PM

I think "Family Guy" is funny and I get that they push the envelope. But how many more damn cancer jokes are they gonna make? Has Seth lost anyone to cancer, if he did he wouldn't think it was so funny. I'm not stupid, and uneducated for thinking this. The show is very smart and funny and like it 90% of the time. But somebody should punch him in the mouth for the cancer jokes.

RCMerchant · February 21, 2011, 06:23:38 AM

I agree 100%. Cancer is a horrible way to die....a very slow and painful death. My wife died of cancer 2 years ago.

Doggett · February 21, 2011, 06:55:58 AM

I don't think Family Guy has been the same since it was brought back.
It was funny because it was always on the edge, now it's just going over which isn't as funny as anyone could do that.

I'm liking American Dad! a lot more.

Rev. Powell · February 21, 2011, 02:01:53 PM

Quote from: vukxfiles on February 21, 2011, 07:11:03 AM
It is funny because you people who don't think it is are whining about cancer jokes. The more you are against it the more we trolls find it funny. Family Guy is awesome for pushing the envelope, and it shouldn't be ashamed to do a joke about such stuff. You know why? Because it is just a stupid joke, with no meaning whatsoever,a nd people get p**sed off by it. The joke doesn't change the world whether it exists or not. People won't stop being treated for cancer just because a joke was made. The joke is NOTHING, AT ALL, and you people like to complain about it instead of complaining how sportstars can earn more money than actual scientists who are actually trying to cure cancer.

Glad you're finally admitting it.

I don't understand the whole troll attitude: that it's funny that people would be p**sed off by something. Sometimes good, incisive humor p**ses people off or makes them think. That's the whole purpose of satire. You seem to be arguing that if it p**ses someone off, then it's funny by definition. It reminds me of the fallacy "true art is offensive."

akiratubo · February 21, 2011, 02:55:43 PM

I've pretty much given up on Family Guy, not that I was ever that into it in the first place. It's not funny anymore and I don't think it's even trying to be.

bob · February 21, 2011, 03:05:32 PM

Quote from: akiratubo on February 21, 2011, 02:55:43 PM
I've pretty much given up on Family Guy, not that I was ever that into it in the first place. It's not funny anymore and I don't think it's even trying to be.

That's why I stopped watching as well. The show pushes the envelope for the sake of pushing it with no rhyme or reason to it.

10,000 Volt Ghost · February 21, 2011, 03:23:10 PM

Quote from: Doggett on February 21, 2011, 06:55:58 AM
I don't think Family Guy has been the same since it was brought back.
It was funny because it was always on the edge, now it's just going over which isn't as funny as anyone could do that.

I'm liking American Dad! a lot more.

That's how I feel about it too. I blame Cherry Chavprata....(sp) too. It seems like he's been at the helm of the decline.

I'll even watch the Cleveland Show because its more simple and actually kind of funny.

Nightowl · February 21, 2011, 04:09:23 PM

MacFarlane is always joking about terrible things such as cancer, strokes & aids. The way I see it is it's like kicking somebody when they're already down, it's just uncalled for. I like controversy as the next person, but this taking it a step to far. Family Guy should just stick to making pop references.

66Crush · February 22, 2011, 02:27:53 AM

The first time they did it, I thought "They are just pushing the envelope." It didn't bother me that much at first, but then they kept doing it. Now it seems like they do it every episode. I happend to be watching an episode like that when I was online, and I just couldn't let it go. I had to post a topic. I don't wanna be that guy that thinks people's free speech should be censored, I don't believe in that. I wonder if they do it just to get a rise out of people? You think they would put some kind of message at the end of the credits, like the web adress for the American Cancer Society. When Patrick Swayze died they dedicated an episode to him, where they made fun of "Roadhouse." Which was a classy thing to do. But I think people knew it was in good fun and in that case they didn't make fun of his disease. One problem I have with the cancer jokes is that they do it so much. I'm just curious what Seth and his writters think about this. If I had a better understanding of it, I might have a better opinion of them.

Mofo Rising · February 22, 2011, 03:42:59 AM

I haven't watched Family Guy for years, so I'm not familiar with the jokes they are putting out now. When I was watching it, I thought Family Guy had moments of brilliance, but was too often saddled down with very lazy attempts at humor. I take humor very seriously, as I find laughter one of the uniquely human attributes that is too rarely celebrated.

I will speak in defense of "sick" humor, because I find the ability to laugh about the most horrific of things is one of the truly redemptive things humans are capable of. "If you don't laugh about it, you will cry about it."

But this has to be done well, and that is very, very tricky. The line between hilariously offensive and just plain offensive is very fine. From what I remember of Family Guy, MacFarlane is the kind of guy who clumsily paws away instead of applying the finesse the topic deserves.

So I don't find the idea of cancer jokes horrible, per se. But if it's not funny, it's not funny. I'm not speaking from the point of view of somebody far removed either. I have a very large family, and cancer has been the source of some of the most horrible and draining experiences in my life.

But, like I said, I haven't bothered to watch Family Guy in years.

dean · February 22, 2011, 07:52:57 AM

Family Guy has lost its edge. I guess Mcfarlane has a bit too much on his plate now, what being a multi millionaire now.

I still like the show in principle but its too 'samey' each week for me.

HappyGilmore · February 22, 2011, 12:49:59 PM

I don't 'dislike' Family Guy, I just mainly stick to the reruns of the first 3-4 years. Then it came back, twice, and now it seems it's popular to like it.

Personally, I don't get offended easily at all, and at times I run my mouth and if offends people. I don't intentionally do it, I just seem to lack a moral baromotor (sp?). Family Guy at times seems to just want to provoke criticism so they can say "We're being ostracized for our art and free speech' without lacking the jokes being, you know, FUNNY.

But, while I liked Family Guy initially, I prefer South Park to the umpteenth degree. It's a vastly well written show, consistently entertaining, sometimes offensive but damn near always has a point and isn't necessarily cruel for the HELL of it. Check out their "Cartoon Wars" episodes about Family Guy/Simpsons/King of The Hill.

Warp Ninja X · February 22, 2011, 12:51:41 PM

That's why I watch The Boondocks it way better and more funny.

Ed, Ego and Superego · February 22, 2011, 05:05:02 PM

I liked the riffing on classic TV cuts but that was about it. Now I can't be bothered.
-Ed

10,000 Volt Ghost · February 22, 2011, 05:58:48 PM

Quote from: A Man Called Ed on February 22, 2011, 05:05:02 PM
I liked the riffing on classic TV cuts but that was about it. Now I can't be bothered.
-Ed

Yeah, like seasons 1-3 it used cutbacks or referenced 60's or 70's tv shows as a gag. When it it was renewed it jumped to 80's references every 6 or 7 seconds which are dumb.

Born in '84, raised on more nick at nite.

What's Seth McFarlene's problem?

66Crush

66Crush