The much anticipated list finally arrived. Many hard working producers, writers, and actors waited with baited breath to hear the possibly career-changing announcement; hoping that their dedication to their craft and the constant effort to produce quality television had paid off. And then they realized, "Oh wait, the Emmys have ignored us for years..." It's a point driven home this year with the surprise (but not really) nomination of "Family Guy."
Family Guy has been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Unlike previous years, these nominations were decided by popular vote. Essentially, the Academy decided not to have a panel make the final decision, instead the vote lay solely on the members. Continuing with the Emmy tradition of validating shows that bash family, religion, and moral values, the Academy put the icing on the cake with "Family Guy."
"Family Guy" goes for the cheap tricks, the easy laughs, and the jokes that are meant to offend some and entertain the lowest common denominator. It's a show that had one character wear a “McCain/Palin” pin on a Nazi uniform lapel; that, shortly after his passing from Alzheimer’s, joked that former president Ronald Reagan was gay; that included a scene about horse semen and bestiality. When creator Seth MacFarlane has been at a loss for quality material (often) he’s reached for the quick Jesus joke. Now he’s got an Emmy nod for it.
With this nomination, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has completely given up trying for credibility, and instead focused on perpetuating morality-free television by recognizing "Family Guy" as "outstanding."
Perhaps once, long ago, an Emmy Award was meant to represent the pinnacle of television excellence. But now more than ever, it's just a worthless hunk of medal in the shape of a statue.
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Family Guy is not funny.
July 17, 2009 - 09:35 ET by mattmFamily Guy is not funny. It is a sad and failed attempt to reach the level of humor of The Simpsons (which is only mildly humorous, with a couple belly laughs here and there, in my book).
The fact that FG has lasted so long and now has been nominated for an emmy shows how low television has sunk. These award shows are just cronyism and marketing anyway.
Not Funny?
July 17, 2009 - 13:14 ET by TrickletownI have 3 words for you, decide for yourselves;
Promnight Dumpster Baby:
http://tinyurl.com/5mqf3y
Oh No!
July 17, 2009 - 09:34 ET by someloudthunderToo bad for the Simpsons. Maybe if they make less jokes about saving the planet and more jokes about how the Republican party is tied with Nazi they would have gotten the Emmy.
King of the Hill would never win an emmy.
This Year's Emmy...
July 17, 2009 - 09:47 ET by sic721For "Best Actor/Actress in a Confirmation Hearing" goes to.........Judge Sonia Sotomayor!!!!!!
"The human race divides itself politically into those who want to be controlled, and those who have no such desire."-Robert A. Heinlein
Here we go again
July 17, 2009 - 09:50 ET by mvfreemanFamily guy is a very funny show.
It's irreverent to be sure, but that's part of it's appeal.
"Family Guy" goes for the cheap tricks, the easy laughs, and the jokes that are meant to offend some and entertain the lowest common denominator"
Any regular watcher of the show will completely disagree with that summation.
I watch the show fairly regularly with my 20 and 22 yeard old daughters. I can assure you they don't get about a third of the jokes because they don't understand or aren't familiar with the references.
The jokes are fast and furious and certainly are not lowest common denominator. That would describe your typical family sitcom which are all more or less the same.
Who isn't familiar with the cookie cutter shows with the still hot mom, the goofy but lovable dad, the smarmy teenagers, and the precocious little kids. That describes probably 90% of family sitcoms. They're downright banal.
That's why Family Guy got the nod.
Exactly. And some of us
July 17, 2009 - 10:00 ET by Rupert CadellExactly. And some of us actually enjoy humor that makes you gasp at the envelope-pushing. Besides, depicting depraved behavior is not the same as championing it. My jaw hit the floor when they did the McCain/Palin gag. And before the litany of "but it's so liberal" begins, let us keep in mind some of the jokes that have been done about Clinton in the show.
http://www.youtube.c...
http://www.youtube.c...
How exactly is it a ripoff of the Simpsons? Because it's animated and about a suburban family?
I totally agree!
July 17, 2009 - 10:24 ET by vaboxrboyFamily Guy is so rich in reference that it will still be funny years from now. I can agree that some of the content is dicey, but overall it is a great commentary of life in this country at this very moment in time.
Cheers, Chuck
Just say something nasty about family guy
July 17, 2009 - 10:42 ET by ahusserand all the trolls come out to tell us how wonderful and "cutting edge" that POS show is.
Unfunny, poor taste, profane, embarrassing and liberal; reflections of the gross humor and jaded world view of the scatological MTV generation.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
Since when...
July 17, 2009 - 10:51 ET by mvfreemanis giving a differing opinion "trolling"?
Not everyone has the same puritanical taste in pop culture.
Gotta disagree w/ you on this one... It had its charm initially
July 17, 2009 - 11:59 ET by pahuberwhen released, but the show became overbearing w/ the pedophile & the other regular watching Lois going to the bathroom. The raunch became so bad I could not even justify watching it anymore.
As some on who rarely watches TV
July 17, 2009 - 12:12 ET by mvfreemanThe novelty of any show wears off fairly quickly with me, regardless of the genre.
The reason I still like FG is because I haven't seen every past episode. I usually see it 2-3 times a week in syndication when my daughters are watching it and I sit down to join them. And I bust a gut every time. :)
Have to agree with you....
July 17, 2009 - 22:08 ET by Prester John....I can't stand it for more than about 10 seconds except for those very, very rare moments when Stewy says something amusing.
But the cussing, vulgarity, and blasphemy doesn't do a whole lot for me.
And this is from a guy who liked Hot Shots, Hot Shots Part Deaux, Airplane, Airplane II and Dodge Ball.
I'm with you on this one
July 17, 2009 - 10:32 ET by SQL_SamFamily Guy makes me laugh, and it does at times make me say out loud - "I can't believe they just said that". I must admit, I like that they push the envelope.
I'm also one of those people that will go to a comedy show like the Improv, and they "bash family, religion, and moral values" and I laugh at those jokes too.
If you don't like the show fine, I can understand that, I don't like all the main stream show's either (I would rather watch the Iron Chef then watch an episode of the office - but that's just me, and I dont expect people to have the same tastes that I do). To me this article should be listed under an "Opinion" section, because it almost comes off as a little elitist in my "opinion".
I guess you can mark me as a
July 17, 2009 - 13:02 ET by BruzillaI guess you can mark me as a troll also because I love the show. There are a lot of jibes against Republicans, but there are a lot against the Dims also.
The episode where Meg's toys sneak out of her room and her Care Bear throws itself in front of a truck rather than hear her talk about her social life was about the funniest thing I've ever seen on TV.
I am seriously tired of
July 18, 2009 - 16:35 ET by AmaliaI am seriously tired of this argument.
Here. I will state that I hate this show not because it's profane or vulgar, but because it is stupid and poorly written. I can handle profane and vulgar - I am a huge South Park fan. That show is better than this Family Guy crap any day of the week.
And if any animated series deserved to be nominated in this category it's The Simpsons - they're pioneers in the adult animated comedy genre, and they're still going.
How does breath get
July 17, 2009 - 09:53 ET by Rupert CadellHow does breath get baited? Worms or lures?
The fact that this gimmicky
July 17, 2009 - 09:53 ET by balboaThe fact that this gimmicky gunk got nominated for an Emmy and The Simpsons -- superior in every conceivable way -- has not is ridiculous. Family Guy is not Emmy worthy.
But the Emmys have a history of not getting it right. Tony Shalhoub is nominated for the billionth time. Many nominees seem to win just based on the fact that they won the previous year.
But Tina's nominated, Mad Men is nominated, so I'm pretty happy. I'd be happy if they'd finally recognize Friday Night Lights.
balboa
July 17, 2009 - 10:41 ET by well99Racist!J/K maybe.What it really shows is the lack of quality comedy shows with real actors/actresses.I do agree Simpsons are better but not as good as it used to be.Family Guy is just so predictable.It is just sameo sameo every night.As far as the Emmys I quit watching them and the Oscars years ago.
Every once in a while they
July 17, 2009 - 10:47 ET by balboaEvery once in a while they get a nomination or award right, but there are so many quality shows that don't get recognized. FNL, BtVS, The Wire, Sports Night, My So-Called Life...but let's make sure we nominate Mariska Hargitay for the 98,000th time.
balboa
July 17, 2009 - 10:58 ET by well99Maybe their minds cant absorb more than a few names.That could be why the same keep getting nominated.You would think new talent would emerge more often.
The emmy's are doing this to
July 17, 2009 - 10:19 ET by 24enakThe emmy's are doing this to improve its ratings. I am more of a South Park guy myself, much more work goes into South Park than Family Guy. South Park deserves a Emmy over Family Guy, that should be the outrage.
agree
July 17, 2009 - 10:29 ET by SickofLibsSP is light years beyond FG.
Completely disagree, though
July 17, 2009 - 10:34 ET by JasonCCompletely disagree, though I have noticed that conservatives tend toward SP even though it is at least as if not more visually and thematically offensive. But then, I suppose there are conservatives who dislike FG for it's political stance (and thus prefer SP) and those who dislike it for its alleged moral failings (and thus probably prefer neither).
I feel like SP is too preachy and heavy-handed, whereas FG is both anarchic and ambivalent about its social messages; it's charm is that it doesn't take itself seriously.
It's the SG characters that
July 17, 2009 - 10:38 ET by SickofLibsIt's the SG characters that I like more.
The Cartman hippy-hating obsession is hilarious, for example.
I dislike Family Guy
July 17, 2009 - 11:24 ET by fitzfongI dislike Family Guy because it's a poorly written cartoon relying on non-sequiturs to deliver laughs. Rather than writing a coherent script and fitting the jokes into the storyline, McFarlane seems to write a bunch of lame cut-away jokes and then contorts some semblance of a script around the jokes. Then he has a tendency to beat a dead horse with one note "character" callbacks (like the dirty old man with the walker). Besides, if I wanted to get my weekly fill of laughs through stale cultural references, I'd switch over to VH-1 Classic and check out "I Love the '80s".
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Me too.
September 7, 2009 - 12:47 ET by JWFCompletely disagree. though I have noticed X tends to Y though X is different. But then, I suppose there are some X that are not like Y. And there are those X that are kinda like Y.
I feel that X is too Y'ish whereas X prolly should not be so Y'ish, but I can't really take the whole thing too seriously.
Wow, that just about sums up every JasonC post ever, huh?
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
forgot to add- I have boxed
July 17, 2009 - 10:44 ET by SickofLibsforgot to add- I have boxed DVD sets of BOTH SP & FG
oh come on...
July 17, 2009 - 11:10 ET by jls19401All of this hatred towards a t.v. show that is funny? I even thought the McCain/Palin joke was funny, and I am a conservative that voted for them! That episode was frankly HILLARIOUS! Get over this obsession with that show, and South Park, and The Simpsons! I will ad one caviate, I will not let my children watch Family Guy or South Park, but they are truly funny!
To the list of never bashing
July 17, 2009 - 12:12 ET by Chris NormanTo the list of never bashing someone's family or religion, I will add: "or favorite TV show". It is strange, that other TV comedy or dramatic shows get criticized here frequently with very little or no offense taken (except from maybe Balboa). But, mention "Family Guy" and you'd think that it was someone's mother...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
And I can't stand this show.
July 17, 2009 - 12:16 ET by balboaAnd I can't stand this show. :-)
Yeah, Bal, but don't you realize this show is now in reruns?
July 17, 2009 - 12:38 ET by SickofLibsColonel Sandurz: Try here. Stop.
Dark Helmet: What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie?
Colonel Sandurz: Now. You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now, is happening now.
Dark Helmet: What happened to then?
Colonel Sandurz: We passed then.
Dark Helmet: When?
Colonel Sandurz: Just now. We're at now now.
Dark Helmet: Go back to then.
Colonel Sandurz: When?
Dark Helmet: Now.
Colonel Sandurz: Now?
Dark Helmet: Now.
Colonel Sandurz: I can't.
Dark Helmet: Why?
Colonel Sandurz: We missed it.
Dark Helmet: When?
Colonel Sandurz: Just now.
Dark Helmet: When will then be now?
Colonel Sandurz: Soon.
May the shwartz be with you
July 18, 2009 - 11:14 ET by kangarooMay the shwartz be with you
What a Surprise (NOT)
July 17, 2009 - 12:36 ET by DoktorFrankenSince Seth MacFarland has stolen from every one else in the universe to pad out each and every script, what a surprise that his show has stolen a nomination. I will be surprised if they don't steal someone else's award show act.
Mad Men
July 17, 2009 - 14:11 ET by anneftxThis one surprised me. I'd've thought it appealed to a very narrow market segment. I think it's a great show, but I was an ad copy chief during this period and mostly enjoy the ad agency game. Yes, darlings, we did go out for three martini lunches, kept booze in the office, came back from mind deadening repasts then worked into the wee hours of the morning. It was a great deal of fun and excitement and pressure.
I'm left wondering if the series appeals to a younger demographic group because it displays the joys of the early 60's. Freedoms abounded -- smoke, drink and live to do an extraordinary job. Nowadays, life is so constricted by Nannies that I want to have a hissy coniption fit.
As for 'House,' 'Amazing Grace' and 'The Closer' all are most excellent. I'm frankly astounded that these droll and socially unacceptable shows are still around. Usually when I really like a series it disappears into the maw of marketing failure.
anneftx
Mad Men is exceptionally
July 17, 2009 - 14:23 ET by Jack BauerMad Men is exceptionally good. Pitch perfect.
The pilot episode was one of the best things I've seen in years in every department: writing, acting, direction, cinematography, editing. music -- and the mesmerizing way they just bottled the period.
It was like looking through a portal to 1960.
Definitely agree. I love the
July 17, 2009 - 14:39 ET by balboaDefinitely agree. I love the '60s era clothes, the funny misplaced moments like the kid playing in the dry cleaning bag, people littering.
But beyond that, the writing and characters are superb.
Oh yeah -- those people are
July 17, 2009 - 14:58 ET by Jack BauerOh yeah -- those people are real. They live. You'll note that every character is emotionally whole, in that you believe everything they do based on their character.
Okay, maybe the singing Priest, but he's sketchy so far.
Has season 3 run in the states yet, cos we've only had 1 & 2 so far?
FAVE INCIDENTS -- some excruciatingly painful
Pete Campbell pimping out his wife.
The twins, awful scenario thru Don's eyes
Don making Roger run up 20 flights of stairs
Don's wife and the creepy little boy in the car park
Don's wife when she works up the courage to check to telephone
bill.
Joan and her god-awful rapist husband/doctor.
I could go on, there are so many.
????
July 17, 2009 - 16:38 ET by DoktorFrankenMy original comment is how Seth MacFarland (FG's originator) steals from everyone - and has since the show's beginnings - and all of a sudden it's all about people's favorite shows that should have gotten the Emmy nod?
Well, okay then. My favorite has been SciFi's Eureka for a couple of years. (BTW - Their new logo looks like it says 'Siffy'. Some SciFi executive had a niece that needed her first job in Marketing.) As far as comedies go perhaps Keith Olbermann's show. It also can be nominated for the 'Tragedy' category.
yep -- I really like
July 17, 2009 - 18:48 ET by Jack Baueryep -- I really like Eureka.
Though my fave sci-fi de jour is DOLLHOUSE.
dollhouse
July 17, 2009 - 18:52 ET by katainkentso happy it got picked up for one more season. It barely passed the smell test from network. How is it Joss Whedon has such terrible luck.
___________________________________________
Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past - George Orwell - 1984
My husband and I, a couple
July 17, 2009 - 22:58 ET by maggieqpublicMy husband and I, a couple of staunch old conservatives, enjoy viewing Family Guy. Seems like this nomination is a matter of personal taste (or lack thereof) instead of a media bias issue. To each his own.
And I wear mom jeans too.
On The Bright Side, It Primes South Park & The Simpsons For Noms
July 18, 2009 - 00:04 ET by The7SticksI think of it this way: it's the first animated series since The Flinstones to be nominated for a best comedy emmy. Hopefully that will prime Emmy voters to start looking beyong the boundaries of live action shows and finally recognize animation as not a genre but as a way to create comedy. I would much rather have had South Park or The Simpsons nominated instead (Also had hopes that The Boondocks would get nominated too because it's just like Chapelle's Show on steroids with samurai swords.) but sometyimes you have to tacke the good from the bad.
They also nominated Afro Samurai: Ressurection for best hour long animated program, but I was kind of hoping it would have gotten nominated for best drama. Only I would dream of a Japanese anime series being nominated for the Emmy for best drama, but I can dream, can't I?
-Rocky: "Gee, an unhappy ending." Bullwinkle: "Yeah, must be one of them adult cartoons!"
- From The Bullwinkle Show
P.S. : Why couldn't they nominate The Bullwinkle Show for an emmy instead of The Flintsones? I suppose this argument has been going on since the dawn of animation.
Family Guy and no King of the Hill???
July 18, 2009 - 04:40 ET by blueskyKing of the Hill is a much better show than Family Guy, but of course, it's not politically correct.
I agree that KotH is better
July 18, 2009 - 14:04 ET by JasonCI agree that KotH is better but, um, are you implying that Family Guy is politically correct?!
I got to agree with Jason.....
July 18, 2009 - 14:32 ET by Timothy HGot to agree with J on this one.
Let me frame this by stating that I like BOTH shows, and while I agree that FC is definately an irreverent show (to put it mildly), it is also a guilty pleasure. On the surface it appears to appeal to the lowest common denominator only, but it's a hit because if you look past the surface it has many subtle thinking man's jokes. I understand for some that it might be too obscene and I don't hold that against anyone, as I felt the same way for a long time. But I enjoy it, as long as they keep it at a time slot that is outside my childrens viewing (I won't even by the box set because I don't want my children to mistake it for a family cartoon.)
But let me dispel a silly notion here.
Family Guy isn't PC at all. They attack everything from atheism to the church. From right to left. Racism, traditionalism, progressivism, socialism and totalitarianism. Heterosexuals, homosexuals, feminism. They get attack as much by the far left as by the far right. (I am Peter, Hear Me Roar, Petarded and Family Gay are three episodes that the left got really unhinged about). It's about as far from PC as possible.
Does it deserve an Emmy? Who cares. Nobody gives any weight to these awads any more. If you don't already know they're a sham, you've been hiding in the cave too long. Interestingly enough though, the event that led to FG getting a nod was fueled by all the other complaints on the board. They no longer take a vote in order to stop the same ol' shows and people from winning due to name alone. I'm not so sure the new system will be any better.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
and just for blonde.....
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints. - Timothy H
Bluesky seems to be taking
July 18, 2009 - 14:56 ET by JasonCBluesky seems to be taking an odd black/white & right/left approach here. The implication seems to be that because Family Guy slightly more frequently mocks the right it is PC, when in fact, as you point out, it has ruthlessly mocked the left as well. In fact, I would go as far to say that Family Guy's primary target, aside from conventional bourgeois morality and sentimentality, is ideology itself. Not liberal or conservative ideology, but the very concept of it.
That said, I do think that King of the Hill is a superior show.
I agree. Jason
July 18, 2009 - 15:03 ET by Timothy HI would actually go further in that I think the show's primary target is the idea that our society as a whole takes itself too seriously, especially from the standpoints of ideology and tends to make a mockery of all that both ends hold dear.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
and just for blonde.....
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints. - Timothy H