For anyone who has ever watched Family Guy, you know that creator Seth McFarlane is not only talented, but a varietied actor who enjoys his entertainment. Family Guy, along with another McFarlane creation American Dad, are two of the top shows featured on FOX’s Animation Domination on Sunday nights and it doesn’t look at those that will stop any time soon. FG itself has survived two cancellations and was brought back by fans and is now in syndication on several stations.
For those who don’t watch FG (all 2 of you, right?), the show is about the Griffin family and the crazy adventures they go through on a daily or even hourly basis. Think of the heyday of the Simpsons with more adult content and you have Family Guy. The show itself spoofs a lot popular culture, but also McFarlane’s obvious love for sight gags and musicals.
Several movies and pop culture have been featured in Family Guy – a nod to the Lord of the Rings trilogy (which is also spoofed in American Dad), Tom Cruise’s couch gag on Opera, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, viral Internet memes and videos, among others.
The most famous of these spoofs and affectionate parodies are with the Star Wars saga; in fact, there are three episodes in which Peter retells the Star Wars original trilogy – Blue Harvest (A New Hope), Something, Something, Something Dark Side (Empire Strikes Back), and It’s A Trap! (Return of the Jedi) – all three are known for their spot on recreations of the movies, not to mention having characters appear in different episodes.
Another thing about Family Guy is again, McFarlane’s love of musicals. Several have been spoofed – The Music Man, Little Shop of Horrors, Singin in the Rain, and the Sound of Music – as well as original songs. Brian has a great love of jazz and even did a night show act with Frank Sinatra, Jr (who played and sang as himself), while Meg became a pop star along with the family (spoofing family musical acts such as the Brady Bunch).
Family Guy appeals to many fans and viewers, especially those who are well aware of the references that are being made. And now…here’s Conway Twitty!