Family Guy is History

Yesterday, the Emmys announced their list of nominees for TV in 2008. There were many amazing surprises, but the one majority of people are fretting about is over one little show called "Family Guy", a no-holds-barred comedy that has become one of the most popular shows on TV after two cancellations.

No, it wasn't getting cancelled. It was simply breaking a record by becoming the first animated show since "The Flintstones" to take a place in the Best Comedy category.

There are many surprises in this decision as Entertainment Weekly's choice for Best TV Show of the last 25 years "The Simpsons" has never once broken into that category. Sure, campaigns have been held, but the show that is entering it's 20th season has never once been given a nomination in that category.

I suppose this should be considered odder when you begin to realize the history of the "Family Guy"/"The Simpsons" feud that had been around since 1999. Since "Family Guy" tends to have more incoherence, their humor is not as solidified as "The Simpsons" and as a result has lead to many jokes being claimed to have been stolen. There are countless videos that compare the two and prove this in very questionable tastes.

The show is also controversial in the sense that it's humor is often sexist, homophobic, racist, and every other prejudice known to man. While "The Simpsons" can twist it into a moralistic ending, "Family Guy" rarely develop a strong enough plot to need a moral. Sure, mindless, offensive entertainment is all good, but at times, you wonder if the show is nothing short of a two-bit "South Park", who themselves held conflict a few years back when they dedicated two episodes to bashing them.

My personal opinions are heavily filled with outrage that "Family Guy" has gotten a nomination at this period of it's career. I have never been a huge fan of the show, but I will forever respect the show more for it's early days (and it's first three years post-cancellation). I never considered it cutting edge as many claim, but there was something to that period that was unique and made the show infectious.

Dare we say that it was almost as twisted as "The Simpsons", but still managed to carry a moral at the end. Probably their most popular episode was the one when Peter Griffin knocked over the TV satellite and they were barren from TV for weeks. The following was a tale of demensia from an uninspired life without TV.

The brilliance was in the mix of pop culture references and the originality that went into other jokes.

But the downfall started shortly after the show came back and Seth MacFarlane got a record $100 million dollar contract. His madcap humor was in top form at the period, but due to a contract lasting through 2012 and three additional shows (the cancelled "The Winner", "American Dad", and "The Cleveland Brown Show"), it seems more of a strain to keep the funny going strong.

Thus the gags were progressively less inspired. Had MacFarlane avoided the additional output, I feel "Family Guy" would still have an inspired feel to it. But the result for me from the last few years hasn't been that joy and feeling that the original few years gave.

The jokes seemed to overpower every aspect of the show. And whatever prejudice you thought they had before proved to be amped up and lacked any form of heart or thought. The violence went from comical to graphic and the desire to be outrageous made any redeeming quality disappear.

Which brings me to the Emmys. I suppose the ultimate offense is that "Family Guy" gets honored for being the first over a comedy it claimed to have stolen influence from. I especially bring this up as the last season was one that was so bad I ended up going on a one-year fast from the show. When I returned, it was slightly funny, but the charm was 0nly a dim bulb.

So as it sits alongside other names such as one of my recent disoveries and loves, "Flight of the Conchords", I feel the nomination is almost as bad as Bobby McFerrin winning Best Song at the Grammys for "Don't Worry, Be Happy".

I doubt it will win and I hope so. I also wish the other shows will just get cancelled in hopes that maybe we can see some redemption in "Family Guy". I know it has been a lackluster season for almost every FOX animated show, but even "The Simpsons" or "King of the Hill" stood up if just for the fact the episodes had quality in repeat viewing.

On a lighter note, another one of my favorite shows, "30 Rock", got a record 22 nominations. If you ever get the chance, I want you to watch this charming show created by Tina Fey that features Alec Baldwin and Tracey Morgan and comes across as an old school classic comedy I swear you don't see besides in the 80's.

The season finale alone is enough of a reason to nominate the show. My mind was blown for the entire time. I look forward to seeing how much this show racks up and hopefully this won't be the last season (it's gotten low ratings and "My Name Is Earl" has finally fallen to that fate).

And one of my current favorite writers on the scene, Diablo Cody, has gotten a nomination for her Stephen Spielberg co-produced show "The United States of Tara". The show, starring Toni Collette as a schizophrenic woman, is very entertaining and is not nearly as light hearted as one of my favorite movies "Juno", but still qualifies as a fun half hour of telivision.

It's been quite a period for her since winning an Oscar for "Juno". She is very promising and this show proves it. Also, her blogs and Twitter account give enough entertainment between "Juno" and her next movie, "Jennifer's Body", a horror film starring Megan Fox.
And to finish things up, I am also glad to hear nominations for "Weeds", which is another current favorite and features probably the most attractive bad-influence mother on TV, played by Mary Louise-Parker. I don't know, she's very convincing and makes the show for me.

Also, kudos to Sarah Silverman on an acting nomination for "Sarah Silverman Program". While the show is not really as strong as it's first season, she is still one of the more solid elements on that show.
But as for "Family Guy"? It's nomination is funnier than the entire show lately. I find this almost as sad as the possible list of nominations for the new layout of the Oscars' Best Pictures (now featuring ten slots).

But we'll see. I have to say, overall, this is the most appealing year for the Emmys for me in their history.