Elite Facts Presents
5 Most Controversial Family Guy Episodes
5.
Partial Terms of Endearment We’re just going to go ahead and get the
2 most obvious choices out of the way at the start of the video, Starting with Partial
Terms of Endearment.
Anyone who’s a big Family Guy fan will know about this episode due to the simple fact
that is has been banned in the United States.
This is considered to be this decade's version of “Wish Upon a Weinstein” as it was Fox
themselves who pulled the episode in fear that they would offend the wrong group of
people.
Unlike “When You Wish Upon A Weinstein,” which was initially banned by Fox but eventually
aired on Adult Swim, this episode has still never aired on American television (Although
it was aired on BBC Three in the United Kingdom and could be purchased on DVD with Seth and
Alex Almost-Live Comedy Show thrown in as an added bonus) The plot sees Lois seriously
considering having an abortion after she agrees to carry a child for a couple that dies in
a car crash.
The episode also features an anti-abortion film featuring a character named “Ziggy
The Zygote,” who suffers a brutal death.
Yeah i think we can easily see why Fox decided to pull the episode.
Now, This episode was surprisingly well received by both audiences and critics which is very
surprising considering the subject at hand.
With many critics praising the
4.
Ironically, Fox would later release an episode in 2009 called “Family Goy” that would
delve even further into offensive Jewish stereotypes.
In 2007, the Bourne Company, owners of the song “When You Wish Upon A Star”, actually
sued Family Guy for copyright infringement for the comedic take on the tune.
The case was eventually thrown out by a judge.
Times of course have changed and it has in fact been aired, but this episode has certainly
not come without its share of controversy.
After a wonderfully insulting ballad, Peter gets what he’s prayed for; a “Member of
the Tribe” arrives at his doorstep.
Originally this episode was pulled from the airing schedule by FOX who deemed it too inappropriate
for public consumption.
3.
Wish Upon a Weinstein Wish Upon a Weinstein is the oldest episode
on this list to stir up a ton of controversy.
Now on the surface, This doesn’t seem too bad of an episode.
In fact it isn’t when compared to other adult comedies.
The episode was intended to air in 2000 as the beginning of the third season way after
production was made years ago, but Fox executives were concerned about its content, believing
it could be interpreted as anti-Semitic, and did not allow it to air on television.
Due to popular demand, it was instead aired on Adult Swim in 2003.
The premise of this episode centers around Peter and his family are facing financial
ruin.
Because of this, he does what any logical person would do, wish upon a twinkling star
in the night’s sky for a Jewish person.
Screams of Silence: A Brenda Quagmire Story Now personally speaking, This episode is just
down right disgusting with how they tackle such a controversial and serious subject.
Yes i know we’re talking about Family Guy here, But it is possible to have both humor
and deliver a serious message to those watching out there.
It’s possible but instead they decide to take the shock value route that they always
take.
In season 10, Family Guy dedicated an entire episode to the delicate topic of domestic
abuse when Quagmire discovers that his sister, Brenda, is being systematically beaten by
her boyfriend.
As you’d probably expect, The reviews were universally negative and the criticisms even
harsher, including Terron R. Moore, of Ology, who stated, “The Family Guy writing staff
needed a new way to get out a bunch of pent-up misogyny and anger”.
It should really be no surprise whatsoever that this episode was destined for controversy
from the get go considering how touchy of a subject it is.
Admittedly, and this has also been pointed out by critics as well, Guest star, Kaitlin
Olson of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame does get a few laughs as her character
Brenda alway comes up with the lamest and convoluted excuses for her partner’s violence.One
thing we can say about this episode is how the writing staff do take shots at those who
witness domestic abuse themselves like having Joe say, “Sorry, police policy is that we
can’t step in until it’s too late”.
So in a way this episode does show some effort in terms of what the police and bystanders
are doing wrong but the rest of the episode is just so inappropriate and bitter.
2.
Quagmire’s Dad Given Family Guy’s past of tackling controversial
or touchy subjects, It’s kind of safe to say that they’re not very good at mixing
a serious subject with comedy so that it’s balanced while also sending out a message
to those watching (I mean, look at the previous episode on this list).
This is another example in which they took a touchy subject and decided to use it for
shock value.
The story is as follows.
When Quagmire’s father returns to Quahog, Peter and Joe assume he’s gay, but we later
find out that Quagmire’s dad is a transgender woman, and that he plans on having gender
reassignment surgery while in Quahog.
The episode also includes a subplot in which Brian ends up having sex with Quagmire’s
dad.
Many viewers and critics have made comparisons between Quagmire’s Dad and the mis-handled
film “I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry”.
Much like the film, this episode wants to act like it’s preaching a message of acceptance
while also making the cheapest jokes you can possibly imagine.
Unsurprisingly, this episode was roundly criticized universally panned when it first aired.
Oddly enough, Seth MacFarlane's other show, The Cleveland Show came under fire only 6
months earlier for similar reasons of mishandling a transgender character.
who defended the episode, and was also supported by Bill Maher, the host of Real Time.
The episode got more criticism from the Parents Television Council during its original broadcast.
Did we miss any out?....Who are we kidding, We’ve probably missed plenty of controversies.
Let us know in the comments below.
Thanks for watching.
Andrea Fay Friedman, who was also diagnosed with Down syndrome and portrayed the character
of Ellen, publicly refuted Palin, instead supporting executive producer and series creator
Seth MacFarlane,
The episode generated significant controversy.
Former Governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who
is referenced briefly in the episode as being the mother of Ellen, took offense to the episode's
portrayal of Down syndrome, due to her son's diagnosis of the disorder.
Chris does what he promised and asked out a classmate at his school, named Ellen, who
has Down syndrome, and eventually takes her on a romantic date.
It must be said that Extra Large Medium was pretty well received with critics as they
claimed that this episode was a pleasant surprise.
Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V.
Club commented that he felt that the Chris plot line was "hung together in a way the
storylines usually don't on this show," adding that, "I'll give the show points for both
degree of difficulty and pulling off something I didn't think it would."
Regardless of this however, This episode is still shrouded in controversy.
After Chris and Stewie go missing during a family hike in the woods, Chris makes a promise
to ask a girl in his class out if they get rescued.
Soon after being rescued,
1.
Extra Large Medium So the last 2 episodes kind of show what’s
wrong with modern Family Guy.
It mishandles real life issues and adds in shock humor to get a cheap laugh.
This is essentially what Family Guy is all about these days.
However, Every so often, Seth MacFarlane and his writing team manage to put out a good
episode that tackles certain issues appropriately.
Extra Large Medium is one of those episodes.
On the surface, This episode looks like it’s taking a cheap shot at people with Down Syndrome,
However it clearly isn’t the case when actually watching it.
Thanks for watching!
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