Did family guy go too far ?

[Astholm]

On a related note, if Family Guy made jokes about Asperger's Syndrome or autism, would there be this much of a brouhaha? From what I know, some people with autism/Asperger's Syndrome can be self-deprecating.

However, Family Guy's crossing the line is its partial trademark and its raison d'etre in part - it's edgy, and always provokes a "your mileage may vary" response.

I see the point about Palin parading her children in public - I suppose this is part of the reason why the satire/joke exists, in part.

Here in the United Kingdom the episode hasn't even been broadcast, but given the BBC's censorship rules and regulations, I doubt it may get aired, given their funny censorship rules.
(who here has seen the BBC? - well, for those who aren't living in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man regions)

[Big Jim P]

If you find Family Guy to be offensive, then don't watch it. TV come with multiple channels and an off button you know.

[Flameswroth]

and simpsons > family guy by far

I've only seen jokes about the following in The Simpsons:
Drunk Joke
Donut Joke
Joke about the Government that's mildly funny
Nuclear Power Joke
Some joke that's only funny because Homer says it in a weird voice
Americans are fat/dumb joke

Hardly funny.

then i guess you only watched 1 episode

The last time I thought the Simpsons were funny, the original TMNT was my favorite cartoon.

You mean TMNT isn't still your favorite cartoon?

I mean the original one didn't seem obviously dated or anything.

I reiterate: the original TMNT isn't still your favorite cartoon? Because it ought to be. Awesome opening theme is awesome.

[Chrobalta]

No, I applaud family guys sense of humor.

[Peterbolton]

No, what they stated in the episode was not even that offensive if at all, and really it was just one line. Sarah Palin attacks family guy because they are liberal, and in another case, where Rush Limbaugh called people "idiots", she DEFENDS him. Palin is practically the new Bill O'Reilly.

[Hornopolis]

When hasn't Family Guy gone to far? they did a scene about Shindler's List, shaking baby syndrome etc. Family Guy can never be taken serious, why so serious?

[Allbeama]

Who cares? Free speech includes the right to be offensive. I mean c'mon, it's freakin satire people. South Park does worse on a regular basis. And I love it.

[First of Two]

Hell no. Family Guy knocks everyone and they don't hold back, neither does South Park. South Park smacks hard too.

If Family Guy knocks everyone, how come I haven't seen an Obama joke yet? Plenty of McCain-Palin jokes, though.

South Park actually beats on both sides, because that's consistent with the creators' political leanings.

Family Guy is pretty consistent too, but with McFarlane's more liberal POV.

Silly Seth, even "All in the Family" recognized that sometimes, Archie is right and Meathead is a douche.

[SD_Film Artists]

On a related note, if Family Guy made jokes about Asperger's Syndrome or autism, would there be this much of a brouhaha? From what I know, some people with autism/Asperger's Syndrome can be self-deprecating.

I havn't heard of self-deprecation being an aspect of Aspergers Syndrome. Though what does that have to do with whether a joke about AS would be ok or not?

As is the way with alot of the Family Guy jokes, it can depend very much on the context and direction of the joke.

[The Parkus Empire]

If Family Guy knocks everyone, how come I haven't seen an Obama joke yet? Plenty of McCain-Palin jokes, though.

South Park actually beats on both sides, because that's consistent with the creators' political leanings.

Family Guy is pretty consistent too, but with McFarlane's more liberal POV.

Silly Seth, even "All in the Family" recognized that sometimes, Archie is right and Meathead is a douche.

Yeah, South Park bitch-slaps everyone.

[Inertina]

Family Guy is a generally unfunny series that should have stayed cancelled. That said, comedy is meant to be risky and as such all topics can and should be on the table.

I also have zero sympathy for Palin in this as she's just using this to attack anyone she doesn't like. For examples, see her vitriolic slam on Rahm Emmanuel, followed by her insane contortion that it was okay for Limbaugh to use the word because it was "satire", followed by this. Her fits on the issue are disingenuous, a way for her to hog more spotlight.

[JJ Place]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35430923/
Yeah I know we all hate Palin and think she is a nut.
Is it not a little past even a comedy show to reference her child with Down's syndrome?

There is never a "Too Far"; not for virtual things. It's a cartoon; anything may be depicted in a cartoon; if you start limiting harmless things like this, you're only going to destroy even more freedom of speech. It's a cartoon, people.

[Des-Bal]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35430923/
Yeah I know we all hate Palin and think she is a nut.
Is it not a little past even a comedy show to reference her child with Down's syndrome?

If you take an entire group of people and make them off limits aren't you just establishing they are different and subject to different treatment than the rest of us? The entire point of that episode (yes they did the south park thing and had a point) was that people with down syndrome are normal people, they aren't glorious innocent saints they can be assholes like the rest of us.

[Namabia]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35430923/
Yeah I know we all hate Palin and think she is a nut.
Is it not a little past even a comedy show to reference her child with Down's syndrome?

1. I never liked that show in the first place.
2. I have a new reason to hate it for eternity.
3. That was just wrong. I have my opinions that don't need to be expressed.

[Astholm]

If you find Family Guy to be offensive, then don't watch it. TV come with multiple channels and an off button you know.

I don't find it offensive, it's society's "moral guardians" who do.

[2nd PLT]

On a related note, if Family Guy made jokes about Asperger's Syndrome or autism, would there be this much of a brouhaha? From what I know, some people with autism/Asperger's Syndrome can be self-deprecating.

I havn't heard of self-deprecation being an aspect of Aspergers Syndrome. Though what does that have to do with whether a joke about AS would be ok or not?

As is the way with alot of the Family Guy jokes, it can depend very much on the context and direction of the joke.

Well I'm self Depreciating.
Usually I'm fine with anything, If they DID make some kinda joke about AS the only way it would bother me is if they called it mental retardation, at which point it would piss me off, but I wouldn't do or say anything because that's just how Family Guy is.

[Kazomal]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35430923/
Yeah I know we all hate Palin and think she is a nut.
Is it not a little past even a comedy show to reference her child with Down's syndrome?

She put her own family in the public light, she drags her child's condition out for personal gain, she has nothing to cry about.

[Flameswroth]

I don't know that I agree with all the, "She made it public knowledge herself, so she deserved it." Seems like the same, incorrect rationale that people use to say, "She was putting herself out there, dressing so provocatively, so she deserved to get raped."

I don't think either person, Palin or the hypothetical woman, deserved either one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the episode was that bad either, but it seems like people think that even if it WERE a targeted, offensive attack it would be justified. Do people really think that? Or do they just dislike Palin to a degree that they'd oppose her in anything?

[Ashmoria]

I'm sorry, but this is going too far. To openly make fun of a child with Down's Syndrome is dreadfully cruel, offensive and distasteful, and will also only serve to draw people towards Palin's causes through sympathy and the poor taste of Family Guy's attacks on her. They ought to learn that you can be just as funny without crossing the line, let alone trampling over the line and running a mile beyond it as those behind Family Guy have done.

you didnt see the episode did you.

[Kazomal]

::deleted::

[Buffett and Colbert]

...it's Family Guy.

Don't get me wrong the jokes about her pregnant teenage daughter, given her views on birth control/sex Ed were hilarious.
Something about moving the target to her Child with down's syndrome just seems to be in rather poor taste.

Family Guy is all about poor taste.

[Kazomal]

I don't know that I agree with all the, "She made it public knowledge herself, so she deserved it." Seems like the same, incorrect rationale that people use to say, "She was putting herself out there, dressing so provocatively, so she deserved to get raped."

I don't think either person, Palin or the hypothetical woman, deserved either one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the episode was that bad either, but it seems like people think that even if it WERE a targeted, offensive attack it would be justified. Do people really think that? Or do they just dislike Palin to a degree that they'd oppose her in anything?

I'm not supporting or condeming Family Guy, I am saying that Palin is a hypocrite for exploiting her child's condition her own personal political gain, and then attacking Family Guy for exploiting her child's condition for the sake of a joke.

[Flameswroth]

I don't know that I agree with all the, "She made it public knowledge herself, so she deserved it." Seems like the same, incorrect rationale that people use to say, "She was putting herself out there, dressing so provocatively, so she deserved to get raped."

I don't think either person, Palin or the hypothetical woman, deserved either one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the episode was that bad either, but it seems like people think that even if it WERE a targeted, offensive attack it would be justified. Do people really think that? Or do they just dislike Palin to a degree that they'd oppose her in anything?

I'm not supporting or condeming Family Guy, I am saying that Palin is a hypocrite for exploiting her child's condition her own personal political gain, and then attacking Family Guy for exploiting her child's condition for the sake of a joke.

But does being a hypocrite justify an attack? That's what's being said when one says, "She deserved it for XXX".

To go back to my example, let's say there's a woman that insists on there being no sexual content in TV shows. Then this woman turns around and dresses in a sexually provocative manner on a daily basis. She's being hypocritical in her way, but that doesn't mean someone attacking her and raping her is justified, does it?

I don't really think the episode was an attack to that extent, as I've said, but my point is there are a lot of people asserting that she 'deserved' some form of attack of a similar nature, even if the FG episode isn't it. And I'm just not thinking I agree with that.

[Kazomal]

Never said that she deserved it. She's not the one injured here, by the by, she will only gain politically from this, energize her base and give her a new soapbox. I said that she doesn't have a leg to stand on to complain, and that her objections are not genuine, but further political grandstanding.

[Gravlen]

I like Family Guy sometimes. It's an extreme "hit or miss" show. Some episodes make me cringe, and some episodes have me laughing out loud.

This particular episode was not very noteworthy.

But seriously? Taking this as an insult directed at her son is just an example of Palin (ab)using her family for political gain. She sees what she wants to see, and shouts about it afterwards.

I'm more inclined to see her indignation as an insult directed to anybody with DS.