Family Guy Would Like An Emmy For Best Gratuitous Non Sequiturs

@Dave J.: So you weren't paying enough attention to it the first time, on the wireless? Fair enough, then.

The putrification of primetime laugh tracks known as Two and a Half Men--which isn't worth 2-1/2 laughs per season from my perspective--has been nominated for Best Comedy Series alongside The Office and 30Rock in recent years past...yes, that's YEARS as in more than one! Family Guy would be in a totally different category, and IMHO, deserving of some recognition.

Seth MacFarlane's troupe is spinning off 2 other series, and doing a lot of press lately promoting these projects, which probably explains the submission for consideration. Their brand of comedy isn't for everyone, but it hasn't been that long ago when the bashing was about how The Simpsons was too edgy for network primetime.

you're fucking out, Kenny Powers is fucking in.

SugitaAlcimede

@secretagentman: The Simpsons with white people>>>Family Guy.

@croush1211: I retract my statement, apparently she WAS on Clarissa Explains It All.

@Conch: That wasn't Michelle Trachtenberg. Michelle T. starred in Harriet the Spy and (according to Wikipedia) was in that creepy "Pete and Pete" show on Nick.

@Pope John Peeps II: Family Guy makes me laugh from time to time as well, but I'd hardly call it a good show, or ever compliment it's writers. Most of it's absurdity is canned. It tries to look zany and unpredictable; in reality, each little stretch of Margot Kidder rampaging or a woman getting raped (which happens just a little too often to be funny) is an excuse to kill time and save them 20 seconds of actual writing. The shows biggest fans remain stay-at-home stoners supported by their parents, and dorm-hall-terror douche bags who also think American Dad is cutting edge.

theMoJo

@Richard Lawson: I think scubak is trying to say that a [critic] doesn't dictate quality.

Meh, I go by my own judgement of what's good. Controversial, I know.

@Richard Lawson: "popularity doesn't dictate quality"

That describes 75% of entertainment today.

@skahammer: right? I actually like all the non sequiturs in Family Guy. Like when they cut to old footage of Conway Twitty. Its fucking random and funny.

@skahammer: Back off, friendo. I just found out last week that speech was about a dog, not the game.

@Spirit Fingers: I think its funny. Sorry but I laughed out loud more at this seasons Family Guy then this seasons The Office.

AW MAN! J. G. Ballard is gonna be so pissed when he finds out he died right before ABC picked up Crash Course. That'd be his idea of prime-time porn.

@skahammer: What is this 'shower' you speak of?

secretagentman

@secretagentman: I feel itchy when I watch it.
Then take a shower and watch again, ya dirty hipster.

@Dave J.: That's fine, if you're still getting over the dazzling brilliance of Nixon's "Checkers" speech.

Hey Richard Lawson...Diarrhea!

EatMyKant

@Spirit Fingers: Family Guy--I had never seen an ep until earlier this year--it's one of those dinner hour shows that you catch when you catch at friends' houses (I don't have a TV). I have LOL'd plenty and I have been straight-up shocked, and I mean shocked at times. It's dark, nasty, stupid and inappropriate as hell. And actual footage of Mr. Hitler himself was featured in a recent rerun...

Banjo-Sea Kitten

@Richard Lawson: Aaah did he do any good early stuff? I've only read maybe the last 10 years and so far it's 10 years of STANK.

I have no idea whether I'm rooting for Chevy Chase's comeback to work out or collapse in on itself entirely. He's using Joel McHale as a human shield!

magnets

@Pope John Peeps II: Correction: I think Chris Durang was a smart writer.

Now now, just because Family Guy doesn't reflect Manhattan cubicle-hamster culture, or pump paychecks at SAG, don't go gettin' all hissy.

There's genius there. And real American values. Y'all love poo poo jokes. You know you do. You just can't bring yourself to come out of the closet and drop that 'serious art' attitude. Jesus people, you've all got therapists. Work through the blockage.

atlasspanked

@TedSez: Haha "The Middleman" made me laugh so much. It was great. I miss that show.

I think all the successful Fox animated comedies are worthy Emmy competitors when at their best.

Seth's cartoons have the same score and storyline structures of classic multi-camera sitcoms, which isn't always obvious when compared to their harsh sense of humor. And of course, Simpsons and the underrated King of the Hill have had some amazing seasons under their belt.

fuzzywhat

@secretagentman: One more episode of the dog and Peter's wife simulating sex/kissing/what have you and I hang it up (the TV remote, that is). Twixt FG and American Dad, I abhor what The Simpsons' beauty has apparently spawned.

Goethewritesdrivel

@Pope John Peeps II: You have to give "Greek" props if only because it manages to depict college lives full of constant underage sex (both straight and gay), drugs and binge drinking, even thought it's aired on the ABC Family Channel (which Disney still leases from Pat Robertson, and which still airs "The 700 Club").

Still, "Greek" is no "The Middleman," or even "Kyle XY."

@Fry_Bread_Power: *whispers* I did...

Whoops! Tom SellEck. Like I care.

Carol Gardens

@Bill Zilla:
Paris Hilton is considered a success at what she "does", too.

But it IS weird how animated prime time shows are put in their own category--including brilliance like THE SIMPSONS at its height--and then they don't even get to go to the the "REAL" Emmys. If you work on an animated show you go to the shittier Emmys the week before (the year I went it was in Pasadena and there were about 10 screaming fans and Tom Sellick was the big celeb of the evening.) You are with the technical awards that no one cares about. And maybe you get to sit near James Lipton.

Carol Gardens

I haven't watched enough episodes of Family Guy to appreciate that all the parts of it that are not funny are intentionally not funny in an ironic sort of way. To me they just seem not very funny.

@Richard Lawson: Meh. That's okay. You're probably one of those people who thinks Christopher Durang is a "smart writer".

despite the truly craptacular features she's done...i just can't bring myself to hate on a former scooby.

cocodevaux

@RhymingName: and she was pretty much nothing else but a spanner in the works for ol' buffy and her pals.

@Pope John Peeps II:

Pope, I think you need to adjust the left (?) antenna of your tin foil hat...

And now back to regular programming...

scubak1w1

Family Guy gets a pass because there's still not enough intentional absurdity in this life.

And there's still too much of the other kind.

@Richard Lawson:

" [snip] But, popularity doesn't dictate quality, and you know that. "

And neither, thank goodness, does a critic...

scubak1w1

I'm not sure how this became a thread about Greek, but I can't lie. It took many, many episodes, but I have determined that yes, it is indeed well written, but you must have a soul to like it.

I am about as tired of people bringing up that south park episode as cartman was tired of people bringing up family guy in the same episode. I don't understand why people thought that was so clever, MacFarlane has on more than one occassion (pre-"cartoon wars" and post) that that is, indeed, how he writes jokes for Family Guy and doesn't see anything wrong with it. Hard to argue with success.

Bill Zilla

I've disliked Michelle Trachtenberg since she was that brat on Clarissa Explains it All. Stupid B.
Also, I've realized that any guy who says family guy is one of their favorite shows usually turns out to be a total douche.

"South Park" nailed down the writing style with its zoological mad libs explanation.

sample032

Can't we all just agree that the "Shovin' Buddies," "Slowly Rotating Black Guy," and the 'Both of us' bit was inspired?

No? Okay.

(In reality, I'm hiding out on this post from that very sad and infuriating slain NYC officer post because people on this post are light-hearted and funny. It's Friday, for Godsakes!)

Various things I'd like to add:

1) I watched Girls Just Want to Have Fun everyday for an entire summer. Square Pegs...pshst! This is where SJP really showed her stuff. And that's not because HBO only showed 3 movies per day in the wee era 1980's cable. Although, because of this Poltergeist is permanently seared into my brain. Anyway, this movie will not be for my age group, which is a pity, because the same person who found redeeming qualities in a movie about traveling pants would possibly watch GJWTHF the reboot on a rainy Sunday after being an old and watching Meet The Press.

2) Family Guy is pure divine genius. I've laughed until things could have expelled from my nose or other orify. Emmy contender, however, it is not. But then what network show is, really? Cable beats networks' ass with a quality programming fatality in most everything, nearly. (Yet, The Wire never got a damn thing, those fuckdroids.)

3) Danny McBride isn't funny. And I'd like him to stop immediately.

Spirit Fingers

@kathotdog: She put forth a good effort in Harriet the Spy. Everything since then has been insanely painful to watch.

@Richard Lawson: You're both wrong. But Richard is right. And I've never watched Greek.

@scubak1w1: Ugh. That's a fucking load of shit. I'm sick of idiots like you.

"Those who can do..."

On the basis of that fucking idiotic, imbecilic argument you can't have any valid political opinions unless you're a politician, you can't have opinions on a novel unless you've written a novel, you can't enjoy the symphony unless you can write a symphony...

Just take it outside, Gomer Pile.

I have watched Family Guy a couple times and I just don't get it. I know it's supposed to be funny, but to whom? It's a little too risque for kids, and too poopoo/peepee/barf-jokes for adults, so I assume teens that are high?
I feel itchy when I watch it.

secretagentman

@Pope John Peeps II: You are a heartless robot then, and there is nothing I can do to help you.

@Richard Lawson: I've watched precisely 4.5 episodes of Greek. All of them were uniformly terrible. And Rusty mumble-fish-googled his way through every one. I understand the audience they're aimed at, and that their competition is Paris Hilton's New BFF, but that doesn't mean I have to hold the bar lower for it.

@mfnher:
I'm don't think that Michelle Trachtenberg can ever reclaim her status as A-list star since her turn as Nona Mecklenberg on The Adventures of Pete and Pete ended.

@scubak1w1: What?

@Richard Lawson:

And neither, thank goodness, does a "critic"...

Those who can do, and all that...

scubak1w1

@Pope John Peeps II: Greek gave Charisma Carpenter a recurring role and is aces just for that. I mean I do not care for it otherwise but I will suffer through a lot for Ms. Carpenter.

eleusiswalks

@Richard Lawson: Yes, but some art is meant to win critical acclaim and some is just meant to make the space that it occupies a little better than if it wasn't there. I have 105 channels and 24 hours in a day. That means that Family Guy takes up 1/5040th of my TV space per episode. I can live with it being less than genius at that cost. Besides, I may not watch FG and say, "Oh my. How clever. Classic MacFarlane," but I do laugh a few times per episode. Okay, so my tastes are pedestrian. Whatever.

@Pope John Peeps II: You can't base your opinion of the show on one episode. I've watched many, many episodes of Family Guy, and while yes I have laughed from time to time, it's so hollow and joyless an endeavor.

@Richard Lawson: No but Family Guy makes me chuckle and the one time I watched Greek I saw a fish-googly-eyed teenage "nerd" mumble his way sleepily through lines that a sixth-grader could have written.

"Oh I don't think we can be friends. I can't get her out of my mind"
"So then don't see her"
"But we're friends and I miss my friend"
"So hang out with her"
"But I can't hang out with her because I've fallen for her"

Ugh. Greek is pretty indefensible. The only good thing is that it's got a buff, out gay dude on it. Other than that, it's pretty cruddy.

@TillieHarper: We the Blacks...Niggmata (I Have Holes in My ...: Followed by this:

+ Watch video

I wanted so badly to be on D-TV.

Another dream deferred by no dance ability.

TillieHarper: We the Blacks...Niggmata (I Have Holes in My Soul)

@Pope John Peeps II: We'll have to agree to disagree there. But, popularity doesn't dictate quality, and you know that.

By the time anyone gets to the Just Wanna in the phrase Girls Just Wanna Have Fun my head is full of this:

Shout, break out, don't be insecure
Cause it's your chance to scream
Shout, break out, go dance with her
Cause she's a physical dream
Oh, yeah, shout, break out
From the way you were
Cause it's your chance to dream

TillieHarper: We the Blacks...Niggmata (I Have Holes in My Soul)

I thought that to qualify as best comedy, a show had to actually be, you know, funny.

Oh, I'm disappointed. I thought Crash Course may be a remake of the 1980s TV movie of the same name. The movie that makes me sing "Kichi, Kichi just call me Kichi" every time BD Wong shows up on the screen during L&O.

God. I loved that movie when I was a kid.

Melanie

Richard it's utterly utterly impossible for you to criticize a fairly funny and fairly popular, very long running show when you are on record as having said that the rampaging, venereal, venial, ass-sack of Dawson-meets-Joey idiocy that is Greek is well-written.

Why do you hate Michelle Trachtenberg? There is something off about her. However, I find myself watching every time that stupid ice skating movie comes on t.v.

mfnher

I'm getting a little tired of Danny McBride. He's kind of one-note and what's up with never wearing anything with sleeves?

markscottmusic

@mfnher: She will always have cool points for being on Pete and Pete.

@Spirit Fingers: I watch FG and Am Dad as well as King of the Hill and so on-- but if there was to be any groundbreaking Emmy-category consideration of crossing outside of the cartoon category, it should have been the "Imaginationland" Trilogy of South Park... Not FG. One only has to compare farting in Family guy and farting in South Park to see where the real creative scripts are.

I guess every generation of cartoon makers thinks the last one's were done for an audience that was "high" - the South Park creators couldn't fathom what was funny about Rem and Stimpy and wrote it off to stoners.

A121Author

@Richard Lawson: I've watched probably every episode, and laughed at some of them til I couldn't breathe. Even the preachy "Look, I'm an atheist" ones will make me laugh at a few things.

It's almost as if... bear with me on this out-there theory... humor is subjective and there is no actual thing which is funny and thing which is not funny. There is only funny to you, and not funny to you. To say "X is not funny", is in some way, to be always wrong. It's a waste of breath.

I god-damn-guarantee you I don't laugh once when I suffer through Two and A Half Men. But there are 20 million people who never miss it, and still others who find Seinfeld insufferable.

@TootieFields: So was M.A.S.H. and Seinfeld.

Just because something is popular doesn't mean it sucks. It may, gasp, actually be a measure of how GOOD it is.

Shariq Torres

@theMoJo: I have seen precisely one clip from that show (something about Randy Newman and apples), and that little bit was shown to me by my (old and American) dad. This after I talked about how a fellow grad student wouldn't shut up about how great it is. The point is, that the demographics are beyond what you've described.

souldecirce

@Sleepyhead: This is true. But Family Guy going for an Emmy is not saying "we are funny, give us trophy". It's saying "we are relevant, and clever, and well written", when it's none of those things.

theMoJo

As anyone who has read Richard's recaps knows, the real crime here is that Richard does not have a TV deal. Although, maybe you're too good for TV Richard. I'm hoping you're working on that Crackerjacks novel...

@Goethewritesdrivel: I'm with you on FG and AD being horrors, but Futurama sort of balances the scales for me.

limber

@TootieFields:

Also, Seinfeld and MASH both won multple Emmys for acting, writing, directing, and comedy. Family Guy won for... best voice-over. Seth should be happy enough with that.

@Shariq Torres:
I am, gasp, familiar with the concept.

But Family Guy still sucks ass.