JANUARY 31 WILL mark 20 years since the pilot episode of Family Guy was first broadcast.
And over the course of the past two decades, both the cultural and political landscape have been the subject of considerable change – something which the show’s executive producers now aim to mirror.
Indeed, in a recent episode of the show, Peter Griffin is seen telling President Trump that “Family Guy” is “trying to phase out” gay jokes.
“If you look at a show from 2005 or 2006 and put it side by side with a show from 2018 or 2019, they’re going to have a few differences,” Alec Sulkin said in reference to that line while speaking to TV Line.
Some of the things we felt comfortable saying and joking about back then, we now understand is not acceptable.
Since its inception, the show has been criticised for what many viewers have deemed tasteless, offensive and off-colour humour, however the producers’ change of tack is not a result of condemnation from some sections of society.
It is, they say, merely a reflection of their own developing perspective, with Rich Appel explaining:
If a show has literally been on the air for 20 years, the culture changes. And it’s not us reacting and thinking, “They won’t let us [say certain things].” No, we’ve changed too.
“The climate is different, the culture is different and our views are different,” he continued.
They’ve been shaped by the reality around us, so I think the show has to shift and evolve in a lot of different ways.
Reports of the producers’ perspective have been met with scorn from social media users.
Phase out Family Guy.
— Beverly Littlejohn (@BevLJ) January 15, 2019
Welp I predict this show has run its course
— ☆ Nicole ♡mack☆ (@SN_Mcpherson) January 15, 2019
So glad I grew up when people were not so WHINY and sensitive. Also was nice to watch shows and listen to music when writers did not have to worry about hurting some delicate little feelings.
— Carolyn Eddleman (@eddleman_e) January 15, 2019
Isn't the whole point of Family Guy to NOT be politically correct?
— Shannon McKee (@Ilya_Elante) January 15, 2019
Just no more fun can’t to this can’t do that the world is becoming a police state where no one know how to have fun anymore.
— HRH (@1realHRH) January 15, 2019
