What other show can do such intense social commentary, make fun of the people watching it, get cancelled, come back, and STILL be loved and adored by all?  Only Family Guy.

From the very start of the show with its All In The Family knock off theme music, you gather this show finds itself amusing.  Family Guy consistently makes fun of its dysfunctional characters: from the obese, mentally retarded (found out in the episode “Petarded”) father, Peter Griffin, to the musically gifted, alcoholic ( “Brian Sings and Swings”)  dog, Brian.  This show employs the “cutaway gag” method – small tangential skits that poke fun at society and the human condition.

Family Guy originally only lasted 2 seasons, being cancelled by FOX, its home network.  DVD sales were high, its fan base was large, and FOX renewed it for the 3rd season.  After competing against Survivor and Friends, FOX claimed it was cancelled for good.  Cartoon Network picked up the show, airing it during its “Adult Swim” lineup alongside shows such as Cowboy Bebop and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.  The fan base followed and FOX realized its mistake when DVD sales continued to soar and the show did well on Cartoon Network.  Family Guy, was picked back up on FOX in 2005 for its fourth season.  FOX has been its home ever since.

This show is full of parodies, not all of which have been overlooked.  In one episode, the janitor of a porn store is claimed to be Carol Burnett and her charlady likeness was shown.  She sued Family Guy, stating she gave no permission to use her likeness and sought $6 million in damages.  The court threw out the case saying the show had First Amendment rights.  When the show made the episode “When You Wish Upon a Weinstein”, Bourne Co.

Music Publishers sued over the use of the tune “When You Wish Upon a Star” being sung to the parody “I Need a Jew”.  The court also threw this out stating Family Guy did not break copyright infringement and had the right to parody the tune.

Despite the many lawsuits, the fans have stuck by the show.  Its cult following is staggering- so many people know and love Family Guy that it’s even being used to help an Irish politician win votes (he looks remarkably like Peter).  I didn’t come across Family Guy until college myself, having grown up in a strict household with the show under the “You Cannot Watch This!” list.  But I feel I can appreciate the show much more as an adult, I get the humor and I love to laugh at myself.  If you too love to laugh at yourself and cartoons, join the Family Guy cult club.