Family Guy/American Dad among shows cited as "worst for families"

[CatWoman]

these people absolutely have NO sense of humor

4 Fox shows named worst for families

NEW YORK (AP) -- Four Fox network programs, led by the comedies "The War at Home," "The Family Guy" and "American Dad," topped a parents group's annual listing of the worst prime-time shows for family viewing.

The Parents Television Council rated two aspirational reality shows, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and NBC's new "Three Wishes," as the best programs for family viewing.

The group's president, L. Brent Bozell, said he was alarmed that the three Fox Sunday night comedies are being marketed as family friendly.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/19/tv.familyviewing.ap/index.html?section=cnn_showbiz

[EstimatedProphet]

1. No surprise there

Google Brent Bozell, and you'll find out he's been part of the RW "liberal media is destroying our nation" crap since it started.

[Blue_Tires]

2. lol

I remember when "Married with children" was supposed to be the downfall of western civilization.

[DanCa]

3. I know what you mean. Nowaday's Al's bunch seems down right tame.

As long as there not falling off the top of the roof. Sorry love that episode, plus the one with the martians.

[CatWoman]

16. I thought I was the only "Married with Children" fan around here

it comes on here around 1 a.m.

I catch it most nights :D

[Blue_Tires]

17. i don't watch it anymore

but i did start watching it long before it became popular, all the way to the last episode

[DanCa]

36. AL's my hero - why he never gave up. ;D

[CatWoman]

37. Last night they ran the episode where Kelly had to join the tap

club, and dance for the principal.

You give me fever............ :D

[Tyrone Slothrop]

14. At one time in history, Shakespeare's plays were going to be the downfall

[XemaSab]

39. Not to mention

"Murphy Brown", Simpsons, Beavis and Butthead, In Living Color, Ren & Stimpy, South Park....

what am I forgetting???

In retrospect, Simpsons is one of the most consistenly family-positive shows on the air. Who would have thought?

[theantirobot]

4. I'd have to agree, who could watch that show with their parents?

But they are hillarious, except for Family Guy. That show is just a blatant rip off of American Dad. I mean come on! Instead of a talking dog there's a talking fish, and instead of a gay baby there's a gay alien.

[Mutley]

12. Actually, American Dad is a ripoff of Family Guy.

Family Guy came out first. And it's the same artist and writers for both shows.

[GirlinContempt]

19. what mutley_r_us said

[Initech]

5. That list proves just how biased the PTC is...

Arrested Development, one of the BEST shows on TV, is named the worst. Yet 7th Heaven is named one of the best.

So let me get this straight:

Off the wall sitcom about a family that goes broke = bad

An overly dramatic show about Christian fundie nutcases = good

I think I can clearly see who the PTC's target audience is...

[Coventina]

15. As a preacher's kid I hate, Hate, HATE 7th Heaven

That show has no relation to reality AT ALL.

They live in a feakin' mansion. Hello?? Many churches are so poor they can't afford to pay for a full-time preacher, much less give him a salary that can get him a mansion like that!!!!!

They all wear beautiful clothes and drive nice cars. Well, the reality is that you wear donated clothes and can barely afford one car.

I can't stand that stupid show.

:mad:

[Democrats_win]

24. 7th Heaven kids really have problems!

The church owns the mansion they live in.

[Coventina]

29. While it is true that many churches own a house for the pastor to live in

it usually isn't 5000+ square feet and in pristine condition!

My dad is part-time pastoring a church in a small town that does own a house where he stays on weekends. Believe me, it is not what you see on tv.

[Democrats_win]

35. Agree. Church provided house's I've seen are very modest. nt

[northzax]

27. and let's be honest, for such a god fearing moral family

their kids are really fucked up. it's not much on an endorsement for the lifestyle, is it?

[Initech]

38. Yup, especially when you consider the fact that it represents the party of

morals and values, right?

[GreenPartyVoter]

32. Agreed. I married a PK. And I really dislike that show. Joan of Arcadia

was much better.

[xmas74]

40. My dad was a PK.

He was born into a large family. They had no money,they moved every couple of years, wore clothes that were donated from other church members, lived in brokedown houses, etc.
One of his biggest stories is about how he worked a summer job to afford the uniform and equipment to play football. Two weeks into practice someone stole his equipment out of his locker. His family couldn't afford to buy another set so he had to quit.
Most of the PK's I know have families like this. Never enough of anything to go around. I hate that stupid show for that reason. There's no reality in it.
Dad watched it once and he absolutely agreed. He wanted to know why Mom wasn't remaking yet another thoroughly used outfit for yet another child and why there wasn't a pot of rewarmed bean soup on the burner and why all the kids didn't have black eyes from being picked on and beaten up at school.

[Coventina]

42. Thank you!

I'm glad someone can confirm my story, and can understand the rage I feel when I see that show.

[xmas74]

43. You're welcome.

My Dad grew up w/o a pot to piss in. He was determined to give us more.

They didn't give us very much but it was probably about a 100% more than he ever had.
(BTW-they act like fundies on the show. Where's the Jesus cake for Jesus's birthday? My dad's family couldn't afford to celebrate their own birthdays half the time but they always had the money for a birthday cake for Jesus. And I'm not kidding.)

[Celeborn Skywalker]

41. Off topic, but

Can you please tell me what time and channel Arrested Development is on? I've been meaning to catch that for some time now.

Thanks

[Hippo_Tron]

6. Uh did they like forget nip/tuck?

And "The War at Home" is really not that bad. I'd have no problem watching it with kids who are about 11-13.

[fricasseed_gourmet_rat]

8. no cable shows

Hence the absence of any of HBO's sinful media.

[fricasseed_gourmet_rat]

7. I'm surprised "Lost" didn't make the list...

after all, it's full of naughty un-Christian stuff like biracial couples, single parents, chicks who punch guys' lights out, and skanky girls who seduce their stepbrothers.

[Fox Mulder]

9. So why isn't WWE Smackdown on the list?

Oh yeah, I forgot. Republicans don't think there's anything wrong with violence.

My bad. :eyes:

[Zuni]

10. Brent Bozell

will he ever shut up?

[Deja Q]

11. Have you WATCHED those shows?

They sure as hell are not for children.

Adult parents (30~40-somethings) who understand the references to arcane and esoteric pop-culture items and can stomach pretentious crudeness will undoubtedly love it, however.

TV isn't about toying with censors anymore. It's just crude.

Meanwhile, expect Rupee Murdoch to tell us once again how television is too crude. (the fucker OWNS the fox network and as such is responsible for EVERYTHING that is shown on it during prime time.)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

13. How, EXACTLY, did "Wife Swap" not make this list?

That has to be the most morally reprehensible show I've ever seen.

[fluffyslayer]

21. Wife Swap is a-okay with them

http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/publications/bw/welcome.asp

[Democrats_win]

25. WS taught a valuable lesson about walking in other's shoes.

Yes, the concept of wife swapping is, on the surface, quite immoral. However beyond that, it was about improving family life and opening people's minds to the way others lived.

Most of the contestants graciously accepted this lesson and improved their family's quality of life. Before the swap, some families didn't talk to their neighbors, but during the swap they were forced to give a party for the neighbors. This turned out to be a wonderful experience for the children.

It also showed America the great variety of families that exist in America, erasing the myth of the stereotypical American family.

[northzax]

28. I agree, I can't stand the show

but the fish out of water premise can be very useful for people, forces the men to help out more around the house, distant families to interact, and gives people a chance to better appreciate their families. Along the lines of 'you don't know what you've got, until it's gone' Plus, the men always end up sleeping on the couch.

[jane_pippin]

18. Hey L.Brent--Some families have senses of humor--shocking, I know...

Also, some families have older kids and parents who like--better sit down L.Brent--talk to their kids if some "offensive" material comes up in one of those shows.

Wanna know something else, my outraged, wide-eyed little friend? Nobody's forcing sweet li'l tow headed youngsters, or Xanaxed out soccer moms and dads to watch anything. Were you aware that these days you don't even have to stand up to change the channel or turn the set off? It's a science miracle! (I know, science is scary but give it a chance on this one. You just might like it!)

Now L. Brent, let me tell you a little something that might make you flip your chastity belt. I find Extreme Makeover offensive. Insipid, bland hour-long commercials dressed up as self-help shows, for some crazy reason, tend to piss me off. Reclining in the den with a big bowl of popcorn and a glass of skim milk while watching other people have their dreams of a new carpet or a swing-set for their brood come true might be your idea of fun, but it's not mine, ok?

Before you dismiss me as a loon, L. Brent, let me tell you that you and I do share some common ground here. You're right to add The War At Home to your precious little blacklist. But, I suspect you've got it there for your usual knee-jerk reasons. If you're going to bother putting that ridiculous, (soon to be canceled, I hope), show on your list, at least do it because it's terribly written, poorly acted, and insulting to the viewer's intelligence--not because they might have mentioned drugs or boobies.

Perhaps you think I'm being too hard on you. Maybe, but consider it tough love. A sober mind-altering experience, if you will. Because here's the thing, L. Brent: While it bothers me that people find actual joy in watching others paint their homes or be granted wishes for projection televisions, I don't presume to create a list of acceptable shows every time something on the TV makes me throw a hissy fit. That's what the Pope is for.

As another religious man said, "people is people." So, why don't you pour yourself a glass of apple juice, put on a Pat Boone record, relax, and let people be.

[Dukkha]

20. American Idol on the best list?

Now there's some family values. Winning is all that matters. Live vicariously through your children. Push them into unrealistic goals. Talent doesn't matter just look good on TV.

[Felix Mala]

22. Naturally, O'Reilly sees no connection between moral decline and

the programs his 'Bread and Butter' boss puts on television.

[cedahlia]

23. Somewhere, Seth MacFarlane is laughing his ass off (n/t)

[terrya]

26. L. Brent Bozo is a total ass.

He's a stupid, right-wing, homophobic fuckwad who gets his panties all twisted about practically anything.

He's William F. Buckley's son-in-law, so that tells you something.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

30. Is 'American Dad' any good? It starts on the BBC tomorrow

along with (finally) the premiere of 'Family Guy' (which is beginning at Season 3). I really like Family Guy, although I thought the 3rd season was a little weak, but I've heard mixed reports on 'American Dad' - too similar to FG & Seth MacFarlane stretching himself too thin, etc.

[PittPoliSci]

31. American Dad is weak

And the new Family Guy just seems like they've run out of ideas and try to take the humor in a direction where they are attempting to appear too random so they don't have to write as many story lines. long winded, usually not funny flashbacks dominate the new season of Family Guy, though it still remains punctuated with some funny stuff.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

34. shame

I'll probably give it a go but I'm not especially excited about it.

[Coventina]

44. I'm actually enjoying "American Dad" more than "Family Guy" these days

I agree with your take on the decline of Family Guy. It's still better than most of what is on tv, but a lot of the cleverness has left the show.

American Dad, though, is really growing on me. Maybe I like it because it is more blatently political and constantly satirizes the current regime. It won my undying loyalty with the episode that had Karl Rove as a Sith Lord.
:D

[Loonman]

33. Incredibly lame

Plots are almost the same every week. I agree Family Guy dropped off as well.

[stlsaxman]

45. Maybe it's because those shows are just stupid.

"American Dad", "War At Home" and "Family Guy" are simply awful. No thought goes into the writing. I've tried to watch these shows for a month or so, and honestly can't remember laughing once.

It ain't about being "bad for families"- they're just plain bad. For a comic character to work for me he/she has to at least be like-able/hate-able or give me some reason to become invested in his/her situation...

At least with The Simpsons there are characters with depth. With the other FOX shows I really couldn't give a damn.

[Neil Lisst]

46. Those reality shows are craptastic, but Family Guy is AWESOME

Family Guy is one of the best written shows on television.

Those groups use standards that are stupid. Brent Bozell's ass is so tight, when he farts, only dogs can hear it.

[Lethe]

48. hell ya family guy rocks!

Seth McFarlane is a very talented writer and performer.

Half the fun of Family Guy is from the obscure references made in random ways during an episode....ie...peter doesnt do laundry because one time he fell inside the dryer and came out inside Narnia, whereupon Mr. Tumnus the faun stole his sock and wouldnt give it back.

[JVS]

47. I love those shows, but I think that is an accurate assesment

I don't think those shows are for children. If I had children, I probably wouldn't watch them with the kids.