September 26, 2009
Why I Love Family Guy
And Won't Apologize For It Anymore
I'm anxiously awaiting the season premiere of "Family Guy" tomorrow. Why? Because it has earned my unconditional love over the last five years. It's one of the few things that always makes me feel better about the world.
At first I was embarrassed. The majority of the show's fan base is made up of the dread 18-34 male demographic. Was I really that immature? And/or male? I decided that even if I was spiritually a teenage boy, I'd distract people from that fact by waving my PhD around.
But you know what? I'm not embarrassed anymore. The show is smart. It's consistently funny, and its infamous cutaways make it far more imaginative than the typical family sitcom. I could, were I feeling pedantic, make a persuasive argument that "Family Guy" is the truest heir to Aristophanes' wit, political bile, and creativity. But I'll spare you.
Here's the main reason I've decided not apologize anymore: I agree with everything the show (or, more accurately its creator Seth Macfarlane) says about families.
In MacFarlane's recent NYT interview, the interviewer asked Macfarlane point blank: "Are you contemptuous of families?" Macfarlane replied that he was "very much on the fence".
Thank God someone else is. Seriously, all I want is some recognition that the nuclear family (as presented by so much cultural propaganda) isn't the only lifestyle that exists in the world, let alone the best institution ever invented in all of history.
"Family Guy" stands alone alone in this. Every other sitcom, and I mean every other sitcom, seems to assume that the nuclear family unit is some absolute, existential necessity. (Yes, even "The Simpsons.") The message is something like: "Wow, family sure can drive you crazy sometimes, but [shrug] what other choice is there?"
"Family Guy", on the other hand, exudes a cool skepticism on the topic of family. But no, not contempt. The difference is something those who cry "anti-family" fail to appreciate. Several of the writers are married and have kids. As far as I can tell, Macfarlane came from a happy nuclear family. I don't think anyone's out to destroy the family as we know it.
Incidentally, has anyone else noticed that Lois Griffin is the only wife on a successful, long-running sitcom who's allowed to be attractive AND want sex on a regular basis? That's 'cause she's animated, I guess, but really, where else do we see such great female characters?
Anyway, I admit it. I love "Family Guy" because its family values are about the only ones I can get on board with. And I can't wait to see what it's got for me this season.
