The Family Guy has been on TV for several years now since the late 90s. Despite a big hiatus, some 150,000 Americans petitioned the Fox Network, and wouldn’t you know it, they got their way! There’s a reason for the madness too, infact several.

OK, the rant starts here. There’s nothing on television. Everyone knows that. Yes Rove, you’re king of variety television, because there is no one between you and Bert Newton - NO ONE! And let’s face it, when Burt Newton gets all old school and misogynistic, you know he’s harmless without his hair piece and his viagra. Surely these guys know they’re no good.

family guy screen capture from series 5.Furthermore, since the Eddie McGuire franchise moved in, there’s no part of TV that can’t be bought. Why pay a production company for a risky sitcom that could be too highbrow, when you can buy some reality TV crap pre-heated with a just add water audience? You can’t loose baby! And before you even sell ads, you’ve made the real money, in product placement.

So yes, in two paragraphs the mediocrity of Australian television has been summed up. Just about anyone could do it. The writings on the wall. There’s just too few people in front of the camera and waaaay to few people calling the shots behind them. Well at least Ray Martin’s gone. Chalk one up for Hayward . . .

How the hell does The Family Guy fit into this rant? It may well be the only last form of wit, parody and genuine satire left on Television anywhere, let alone network TV.

Firstly, this ain’t no Simpsons. The Family Guy is unashably a cartoon for adults, with no subtlety for censors. Women get hit, minorities cop it, real celebrities and crappy products cop it sweet. As far as I know, this may be the only program on TV, let alone the Fox Network with script writers that actually get to say what they want - animated or not!

Next you have to love the non sequitor. Constant digressions to complete and utter nonsense in the characters’ lives, movies and parodies of TV shows.

For example, this tidbit from Season 4, episode 1:

Peter Griffin: I am so clever! That’s why they picked me to convince congress to go to war . . .
[scene changes to a congressional meeting at The White House]
Speaker: there’s no just cause for invasion of Iraq
Peter Griffin: Well that may be. But what we’re all forgetting is, anyone that doesn’t want to go to war. . . is gay
Sitting Congressman: I wanna go to war!
[whole of congress murmurs in favour or war]
Second Congressman at podium: [angry] I was the first one who wanted to go to war!

Thirdly, there’s always room for freaks. Stewie Griffin, the baby of the family, not only speaks but has a villianeous British accent. After all, they are American and the bad guys are always the English. Not bad for someone barely an infant. And what better match for a bisexual, villaneous baby than an alcohic dog. There are simply no bounds and there’s nothing sacred.

Further expanding on the last point, they mock real products in such a libelous way, i’d hate to be a lawyer for the network. But god I love watching it. One thing’s for certain, no one in Hollywood would be stupid enough to approach these guys to you know, tie in this episode with the launch of their new car. They’d cop it from here to kingdom come . . . and thank god someone’s doing it.

While the Family Guy can be absolutely ridiculous to the extreme, there are some references to the golden age of television, in a high art kind of way. A wikipedia article on the show suggests that creator Seth Macfarlane was very much inspired by Jackie Gleeson and The Honeymooners from the 50s. Infact the sex crazed character Quagmire is meant to be the epitome of the 50s Playboy. Whilst I for one am not really au fait with the golden age, there’s a certain quality to the characters the schtick and the occaisonal high art homages to Gleeson. Stewie’s character has also made many subtle references to the Kubrick movie, The Shining. Very nerdy, but very cool. So yes, this is a show for the trainspotters and history buffs.

Anyway hohning back to the original point about the mediocrity of television today, The Family Guy really has no competiton. Even spin off show American Dad hasn’t helped kick my addiction. It’s a less absurd crtique of a very security obsessed and neurotic America post 911. Kinda like a private joke you just don’t get. You just don’t feel a part of the hyperbole and can’t relate to it as easily as you can with Family Guy. Aside from that, you can only see so many episodes of The Simpsons in 15 odd years. And we’ve already worked out all the historical and cultural references. And never have they come as thick and fast than with the Family Guy.

In conclusion, Tim Rogers once said live in the intro to his song Letter for Gene "when I was a kid, my dad wouldn’t let me join the Kiss Army. There have been no notable side effects, but the urge to drink seven UDL gin and tonics before breakfast". Timmy, I feel the same way about the Family Guy. Just like Kiss in the seventies, this show’s more than a great distraction it’s an institution. Main character Peter Griffin is the antithesis of real life Eddie McGuire, and if you ask me all all out body of text. Time to watch a few more episode before bed . . .