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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
 Posted - 06/20/2003 : 14:01:27
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Okay, I was always hesitant to watch this show when it was on, but recently my friend gave me the DVD box set so I watched about half the episodes. Now as far as I can tell, everyone on earth finds this show absoulutely brilliant, anyway here are my thoughts.
It's very funny at points and refreshingly politically incorrect--BUT, and I know this is an obvious complaint, the extreme Simpsons similiarity really disturbs me. I mean, I know every show these days has a fat stupid guy, a stupid son, and a smart wife and a smart daughter, that's a cliche, so I can't fault it for that. But the tone of it is so similiar to the late 1990's Simpson's episodes, how irrelevence is where most of the humor comes from. Family Guy makes no attempt at continuity, which is what makes it funny, but Peter's flashbacks are basically the same as Homer's delusional daydreams. Also, when he does something stupid and doesnt' realize it, his eyes narrow in cunning confidence, which is also something Homer's eyes do. Each show starts off with the family watching a parody of a television program which is how most Simpsons's start off. Finally, the character of the fat son is basically the same as Ralph Wiggum, with a more annoying voice.
Stewie, the little kid, seems concieved more as a marketing cash-in (and a character from Pinky and the Brain), but he is one of the only two characters I find funny (him and the father). The mother has no personality, the daughter has an awful voice actor and also is barely in it. Brian the dog, the "voice of conscience" also doesn't seem right, his deadpan humor doesn't fit with the rest of the show.
I also made the mistake of listening to the commentary and was A) creeped out that the creator has the same voice as Brian the Dog (he voices most of the characters) and B) that he kept saying things like "fucking ridiculousness" to describe each episode, which ruined the irrelevance, like if you watched a David Lynch movie with commentary and he said things like "this scene is fucking crazy, I don't know what it's doing in the movie".
Anyway, I had to get this all out because the love of this show is so intense, and while there were lots of moments of brilliance, I laughed at all of it with a sharp pang of Simpsons-guilt. |
Edited by - Itchload on 06/20/2003 14:03:16 |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 14:12:40
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| Just because those are all good points, doesn't mean you should say them! (ten minutes of gentle sobbing) Okay, I'm better now. Yes, there are times when the show seems very Simpsons "inspired". But it is still HILARIOUS. In particular, I find Stewie, Peter and Brian to be extremely funny. Brian's deadpan humor is great and I think it fits perfectly into the show. Peter is stupid and arrogant/ignorant, Stewie always has something particularly biting or witty to say, and Brian deadpans a brilliant social commentary. Three totally different types of humor. Lois is Peter's foil, and doesn't often have the funny line to deliver, but we get a lot of laughs at her expense. Meg is supposed to be annoying and yet invisible. A running joke throughout the show is how she's some sort of black sheep, redheaded step child type. They all (not so) secretly hate her, and things never go well for her. It's quite amusing in the context of the whole series. Chris is there for the "stupid" laughs, more so than Peter I think. Peter is more "I can't beleive he did/said that" while Chris is just kinda retarded, but in a really funny way. The cast of secondary characters is hilarious, with Joe the nextdoor neighbor in the wheelchair, Quagmire, Cleveland and Mayor Adam West all providing some really classic momments. I give this show nothing but a huge thumbs up. Yes, there are times when it rips off the Simpsons, but if you're going to rip something off, make it the best, and do it in a very funny way, and you'll still be okay in my books. Peter and Homer may be similar, and you could make an argument for Lois and Marge, but Stewie, Meg and Brian, as well as the neighbors are completely unique creations. And I think my diatribe is done. |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 14:15:30
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I watched it as often as possible/often as I could remember it was on, which wasn't often enough, but I feel it's one of the best comedies to ever grace the tube. The way it's laid out, with the little "flashes" to other scenes and such, is excellent. The humor is dirty but hilarious...and hilarious in a way that a lot of dirty comedy isn't hilarious. Little tiny things like "oh my god, did they just mean what I thought they meant?" The perfect example is the episode where they make nudist friends, so Peter and Lois try it out themselves...their (pervert, can't remember his name) neighbor friend knocks on the door and they answer it nude, and it goes a little something like this:
Neighbor: Hey, can I borrow your lawnmow--ayah ungh!--could you get me a towel?
It's hard to describe but you'd have to see it (he came in his pants when he saw Lois nude if you didn't catch that)..it blew me away. It's intelligent humor, and it's a fucking tragedy that it was dumped (what do you expect when you put it on at the same time as the #1 show in ratings...Friends?). |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 14:34:00
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Not the quote I would use to sell it as intelligent humour, but that's not to say there is none. Like Brian resignedly ordering "ess-car-got and the chabbliss". Maybe it's just humour that appeals to intelligent people, or people like me who want to be intelligent. The fact is, it's out there every night, and it's charming. Does it play on the Simpsons, from taking pokes at Fox to suspiciously similar plot lines? Yes. Does it take it in a different direction? Yes. And, most importantly, at the end of the day, is it still entertaining? Yes. Seth McFarlane's sense of pacing (e.g. William Schatner levitating, the bull that takes out Peter when he's laying out the red picnic blanket - both from the same episode), and as Speedy M mentioned, the way that the characters play off each other, it's brilliant. The fact that they're willing to dump some of the politcally correct garbage that continues to pile up is quite refreshing, as Itchload mentioned. Come on... special olympics, the commentators say "Still no sign of the deaf team" and then the scene flashes to a room full of sleeping deaf people with alarms blaring people pounding on the door and every possible contrivance known to man for rousing a person from slumber is going off. Hilarious. Especially when you see it.
Awful that they got cancelled, but in Saskatoon at least, the time kept changing so no one ever knew when it was on and how do you develop a fanbase that way? You don't. People are slowly discovering it now through the DVD and the magic of the Internet and realizing what they missed out on. |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 14:36:55
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| The daughter's voice is Jackie from that 70s show. |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 15:11:19
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| There are several famous voices on the show. Lois is voiced by the woman on Mad TV who does Miss Swan, as Carolynanna mentioned, Meg is voiced by Mila Kunis from That 70s Show, Joe is voiced by Patrick Warburton, aka Puddy, and his wife is voiced by Jennifer Tilly who is in several popular movies including "Bound" and "Liar Liar". And of course mayor Adam West is voiced by none other than Mr. Adam West, original Batman. Also, Chris is voiced by Seth Green, aka Scott Evil. The show also had several celebrity guest stars, including Patrick Duffy, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. I mean, come on, Patrick freaking Duffy, does it get any bigger than that? |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 15:16:47
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| Remember when Scuzzlebut had Patrick Duffy for a leg? |
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 16:28:31
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| Ahh, ha, so I'm still fighting as a one man army here. Well, in the show's defense, I am still probably going to watch the rest of the DVD box set, but then again, I'll watch anything if it's on DVD. It's one of those things where when I'm thinking about it in hindsight, it's more along the lines of "if it's funny and it makes no effort to pretend it's not heavy on some specific inspirations, who cares?" but then when I put it on, that guilt pangs me again. Also of note, this show seems even more like the critic (another cartoon fat stupid guy show with its humor in irrelevant asides) when I think about it, it its post-Simpsons humor. I guess the trend is to keep remaking the Simpsons with a much looser framework eachtime, and if enough shows like it are made, it will just become a genre of comedy rather than a ripoff, kind of like alternative music I guess. |
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2003 : 08:48:26
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| YES! And they made a change, they're now lovers (no joke) |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2003 : 13:32:27
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| Are there going to be new episodes or are these reruns? I never really liked R&S. |
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2003 : 19:29:06
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| Ha, well, I don't recall them being lovers in the old Nick episodes, so I'd count on new ones. For the record, Nick heavily censored a lot of Ren and Stimpy so much the original creator walked out of the project. Now its him behind the wheel, so it might be worth giving another shot, as it will most likely have a different vibe to it now. |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2003 : 12:32:14
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i love the family guy - its not the most original concept, and frequently the "flashbacks," although hillarious, are unneccesary and don't further the story at all. it still makes me laugh more than almost anything else on tv
-brian |
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1439 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 01:31:29
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| i love it. we (in our flat) have had 2 marathon sessions of series 1 and series 2 - and although the simpsons is still tops in my book FG is probably the second best thing to make it over to irish tv (after american idol of course!). looking forward to series 3 in the summer -oh yeah!! |
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 06:36:17
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| I was watching it again some more, and starting to forgive some of its unoriginality and enjoy it, until suddenly--I realized Stevie was basically Mr. Burns! I'm sure I'll get over it though. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 09:14:45
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An interesting comparison... I suppose one is old and feeble and the other is young and small and somewhat feeble (though he dispatched the man in white, the guy on the Hanslow train, Ms. Hooper, Big Bird, the babies in the sand pit, ... ) just fine on his own. And he doesn't have a sidekick who does all his dirtywork for him. And he's certainly not behind the times and entirely out of touch with reality like Mr. Burns:
Burns: "Use the amnesia ray on him"
Smithers: "You mean the revolver?"
Burns: "Precisely. And don't forget to wipe your own memory when you're finished"
Stewie is, I suppose, a hybrid of Mr. Burns and Brain, but I wouldn't call him a direct rip off. They're both evil, but funny in an entirely different way. |
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1439 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:10:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Itchload
I was watching it again some more, and starting to forgive some of its unoriginality and enjoy it, until suddenly--I realized Stevie was basically Mr. Burns!
sir - i am intruiged by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter! (homer classic). thats good!
by the way - is megs voice done by the girl from that 70s show? (not donna  ). settle an argument please! cheers
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Edited by - bazza on 06/23/2003 12:11:54 |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:38:08
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You know Mr. Bazza, I'm not one to judge, but both myself AND Carolyanna have mentioned, within this very thread, that Meg's voice is indeed done by the girl from That 70s Show. I mean, you can feel free to skim through posts as much as you like, but I have a fairly lengthy semi-biography of the show up there that took a lot of nerd power and work avoidance.
The short answer to your question is yes. Yes it is.
PS I think That 70s Show is pretty terrible. There is a laugh or two, but I think it's mostly fluff. I'm trying to trim my television/movie diet down to just that which is "caviar for the brain", to qoute a wise man. I've done so with music, why not other art forms? But that's another thread topic... |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:43:40
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There is almost nothing good on TV anymore speedy.
These Reality TV shows drive me completely insane.
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1439 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:47:28
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quote:
Originally posted by speedy_m
power and work avoidance.
The short answer to your question is yes. Yes it is.
 stoopid me. sorry.
If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation. - David Brent |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:53:18
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| No need to apologize sir, it's quite alright. You ungrateful git. I'm sorry, I've got a bit of a split personality. Friendly/fierce. So go to hell. |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:54:20
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| Good cop/bad cop |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:56:55
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| More like, I'm actually really pissed at that ignorant slime Bazza, but I'm trying to keep cool. I think this is where I should insert some sort of smiling faced emoticon to let everyone know I'm just joshing and I actually think Bazza is quite an upstanding and decent fellow. For an Irishman.... alright! I'm kidding! Stop yelling at me! |
Edited by - speedy_m on 06/23/2003 13:01:54 |
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1439 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 12:58:57
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no probs mike. by the way - just updated my quote. david brent was from the TV show 'the office'
it was a huge hit in the UK and ireland as well - and was fantastic. dont think it made it over your neck of the woods... but if it ever does miss it at your peril. its almost 9pm and im outta here. see you lot tomorrow.
If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation. - David Brent |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 13:01:35
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| Huzzah bazza! I've never seen/heard of said televisionary master piece, but if I do, I'm telling you, I'll watch it. Have a bon soir and I will certainly see you tomorrow. Ah, cubicles. What is there to do but post a ridiculous amount of times per day? |
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1439 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 13:02:55
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and by the way you canadians are a-ok. really dig that flag on the backpack thing.
:o) cheers!
If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation. - David Brent |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 13:03:13
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| Well, looks like it's just me an' you now C'anna. We could trade rock lines for a while. If y'all let me back in there.... |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2003 : 13:10:22
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| OK, lets go, maybe we should do Beatles cuz then I think I could actually get a couple. |
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PsychicTwin
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1772 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2003 : 07:58:24
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I missed the new Ren & Stimpy, but from what I heard they're really not pulling any punches with the homosexual-relationship thingy. When before it was suggestive at best, it sounds downright blatant now. Which I'm not sure is quite as humorous. It's always better to understate than overstate.
Then again, I can draw no conclusions since I haven't seen it myself yet. |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2003 : 15:34:45
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| Sounds mui funny Pioneer. What network is this on? |
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