Anyone Else Think Family Guy Goes Too Far? (may be triggering)

[holyhelianthus]

We don't usually watch Family Guy but tonight King of the Hill went over and we were doing something else so didn't change the channel. In tonight's episode not only do they have an opera of OJ Simpson murdering his wife they also poke fun of Goldman's father (his "over the top" mustache is the reason they lost the trial apparently).

The real kicker is in the beginning they make a joke out of loosing a child. I can't even bring myself to repeat what was said. I told DH who offends even less easily than I do and even he was disgusted.

Why do people think that that sort of thing is ok to do?!

[ece602]

Family guy does go to far occasionally, but its I think its just to push the censors buttons. Loosing a child is not funny in any way tho.

[Emmeline II]

Not unusually offensive.

[HarperRose]

It's always offensive. That's what Family Guy does. It wasn't their best episode by any means, but I don't expect them to win any awards for fabulous content. :

[2xy]

I think Family Guy routinely goes too far, and that's why I like it.

There have been a couple of things on the show that have seriously offended me over the years, but it's an offensive show. Always has been. I take that chance when I choose to watch it.

[crystallane]

Not much offends me, but the child molester down the street does. I really dont think that it should be joked about.

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by crystallane

Not much offends me, but the child molester down the street does. I really dont think that it should be joked about.

My bil does a very good imitation of that guy's voice.

[Village Mama]

I am routinely completely offended by Family Guy and that is why I love it.It always lends to great conversation about the triggers. I often feel guilty for laughing... usually the laughter is from my complete discomfort and disbelief that they even " went there". I have a pretty twisted sense of humour already and that show definitely goes way beyond that.

[dantesmama]

Yes, it definitely goes too far. Every few episodes there's something that just leaves me with my mouth hanging open... that said, I still watch it. It's funny. I do wish, though, that they would back off of some of the decidedly unfunny topics. It's not nearly as bad as South Park, which DP watches sometimes. That show is just beyond redemption.

[mags]

It's one of those shows that makes fun of EVERYONE. I realize that when I watch it, but can understand how ppl can be offended by it.

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by mags

It's one of those shows that makes fun of EVERYONE. I realize that when I watch it, but can understand how ppl can be offended by it.

Making fun of everyone is not an issue. Standing over a child's grave and saying "I thought if I shook him he'd stop crying and I was kind of right" is an issue. When we can condone that sort of "comedy" we can't then be surprised when people are able to shrug off such actions.

ETA- I'm not in any way saying we should ban it or censor it because I don't believe that. If someone doesn't like something they don't have to watch it, IMO. I just think there are some things we should really stand back and question- is this ok? How is this ok? Where does this mean we are going?

[SevenVeils]

I recommend reading "The Forest People" and then "The Mountain People" by Colin Turnbull for more on this phenomenon.

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by SevenVeils

I recommend reading "The Forest People" and then "The Mountain People" by Colin Turnbull for more on this phenomenon.

Could you elaborate? I'm interested...

[SevenVeils]

He's an anthropologist, the first outside person ever to be invited into either of two tribes. He lived for years, first, with Pygmies who had more than adequate resources, and wrote the first book.

Then he lived with a different tribe (if I recall correctly, they started as a branch of the same tribe) who did not have adequate resources to survive.

There were marked differences in empathy, finding misfortune of others to be funny, responses to babies and children, etc.

[joesmom]

Originally Posted by crystallane

Not much offends me, but the child molester down the street does. I really dont think that it should be joked about.

Originally Posted by Justthatgirl

My bil does a very good imitation of that guy's voice.

So does my ten year old.

[MusicianDad]

Originally Posted by joesmom

So does my ten year old.

Ah, that would be Herbertm Quahogs lovable creepy old man... It's funny cause he's to old to actually do anything about it.

Ok, so not every single joke on the show is funny to me, but I can't really say they go to far. Dh and I enjoy watching Family Guy, DD's not allowed though.

[ElaynesMom]

I agree that the whole point of family guy is to make fun of sensitive issues.
Yes, it is offensive, but it's offensive to eveyone. I don't think I know one person who hasn't been at least a little offended by this show at one time or another. Some people like that kind of humour. If you don't that's ok. I don't like SNL.

Also, the thing about family guy is it isn't real. These are all awful things in real life, but this is just a cartoon. This may not make it seem any better to you, but if not, you're right, just change the channel next time.

I hope you feel better about it.

[Liquesce]

Wendell Berry (yes, the same guy in the green thumb link in my siggie ) wrote an essay including an anecdote about a playwright who set out to offend everyone equally, and the praise he anticipated for it ... I'll see if I can dig it up. This thread is eerily reminiscent.

[lovingmommyhood]

I think people are offended over EVERYTHING these days. YES I think the comment about the child is seriously disgusting, but that's why I don't watch TFG.

[Theoretica]

See, I think TFG was a cheap knockoff of South Park, which we really like (at least, when we had cable ) so the little I've seen of TFG just made me roll my eyes. I do remember that Stewie was hilarious...the idea of a toddler hellbent on ruling humanity, now THAT was funny LOL!

Anyways, I jumped in to say that ITA the point of these shows IS to offend. Everyone. Across the board.

I remember watching South Park once and saying heyyyy they make fun of everyone but homeschoolers! Apparently Trey n Matt are tuned into my psychic waves, because sure 'nuf, next epi they were blasting homeschoolers. I felt better. I was offended, of course, but in a good way