Family Guy: Lost it?

[the shutdown man]

I've been watching the new series (which is now more or less done, six episodes in,  becuase of the strike) and I hate to say it, but I reckon this show has fizzled.

I defended the show last season, even towards the end during some of the more mediocre episodes, becuase as lacklustre as they were, I still reckoned there were a couple of good laughs in each one, and that made it worthwhile. This season though, the laughs have become fewer and fewer, but what's really bugging me is a new thing the writers seem to be aiming for, a stream of self-referential jokes which are basically saying "Hey, look what we're throwing at you, and you're willing to take it...."

Like, someone points out that the Doctor and Lois' dad have the same voice, and they then launch into a conversation with each other, making the comment 1) The doctor and Lois' dad have the same voice, and they talk about it, making the comment: "Oh well, just seems kinda lazy, doesn't it?"

Or, Peter shoots himself in the bar, Joe wakes him up, Peter apologises, saying he was having one of those Scrubs fantasy moments. Cleveland: "I hate shows that have pointless cutaway scenes." (Or words to that effect) Immediatly cut to Hitler on a unicycle juggling some fish. Later in the episode, that image appears again, Peter runs in, knocks Hitler down and says to the camera "see, we had a plan for that all along."

Is anyone else feeling this, or am I on my own here?

[Goaty]

like Simpsons after brilliant Seasons 6 to 10....

[the shutdown man]

I have also just realised what I did there in my original post, writing the same line twice. All I can say is:

A) I was copying that line from where I had written it elsewhere, and

B) I'm really tired and stupid today.

[satchmo]

That doesn't sound good...
I've never been much of a fan, I find it watchable and even laugh out loud funny sometimes. But I think it's quite lazily written and put together, the flashbacks and fantasy scenes always start with someone saying "yeah like that time I was in Miami Vice" or something, always time to put the kettle on for me.
I do watch it when I get the chance though,cos cartoons rule, but it's a shame a real fan is wondering if it's jumped the shark.

[Goaty]

But still classic clips!

Link: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0TnYdNgoD8Q" target="_blank">Peter Vs Chicken!

[the shutdown man]

".....the flashbacks and fantasy scenes always start with someone saying "yeah like that time I was in Miami Vice" or something, always time to put the kettle on for me"

You must get through a hell of a lot of tea in one episode. :)

[Bico]

I watched the animatics on the dvds and there were a lot of duff jokes they cut before fully animating the episodes, yet I've seen a ton of those deleted bits included in the new series - they were willing to edit them out before, yet not now, for some reason.  They repeat a lot of gags, too.
Still the odd laugh in there, but they're from being crude, rather than being funny.

Seth McFarlane also has a track record of not being entirely original in coming up with ideas for the show...

Link: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0MkbMBFODxc" target="_blank">affectionate homage

[Roger Godpleton]

It never had it.

[Buddy]

I like it. A lot.

Is it wrong to find Lois attractive?

[Cthulouis]

The episodes of South Park entitled "Cartoon Wars" contain the dark secrets behind the Family Guy writers....

And while there is the occasional "Only Average" episode, I thing that South Park is still going strong.

[Buddy]

Are they still making South Park?? Haven't seen it in years!

[vzzbux]

The new South Park really push the boundaries to the limit. V funny.




V

[worldshown]

I'm with Simpleton on this.

When I saw some of the first Family Guys, I thought it was just a crude knock off of the Simpsons but without the warmth. After seeing some of the later ones, I've seen nothing that changes my opinion.

The last one I saw was the Star Wars one and although it had a few moments (health and safety on the Death Star) most of the jokes had already been done and the new ones weren't particularly funny (Obi-Wan as a predatory paedophile).

Though, as Umpty says, there is something about Lois.

[TordelBack]

Agreed on new South Park, the boundary-pushing is just relentless.  A good example of a show that (for my money) has just got better with age.

[Steve Green]

I watched the first couple of seasons, and they had their moments - mainly Brian and Stewie.

I caught up with some of the ones showing on the BBC and they were pretty dreadful.

I think I'll have to give South Park another try, I didn't really think much of it when it first started, but I've seen some of the later ones recently and thought it's either improved immensely or I've gotten more in tune with it.