Sunday’s episode of Fox cartoon Family Guy included a mentally handicapped teen girl who described herself as the daughter of “the former governor of Alaska.” Chris, the teen son on the show who isn’t too sharp himself, went on a date with the girl. (You can watch a clip on Gawker.) Family Guy was obviously making some kind of dig at former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, who has a one year-old son, Trig, with Down’s Syndrome. It wasn’t a direct parallel, but Palin was obviously being pulled into it with the “governor of Alaska” comment. In response, Palin predictably issued a statement expressing how the episode hurt her, and she also included a response from her daughter, Bristol, explaining why her little brother is off limits. Palin works for the Fox News channel, and some comments on Gawker (where we heard about this story) wonder if she’s trying to reign in her response for that reason. (Remember how she practically called David Letterman a pedophile for making fun of her younger daughter by mistake?) She does make a distinction with “Fox Hollywood” in the title of her post.
People are asking me to comment on yesterday’s Fox show that felt like another kick in the gut. Bristol was one who asked what I thought of the show that mocked her baby brother, Trig (and/or others with special needs), in an episode yesterday. Instead of answering, I asked her what she thought. Here is her conscientious reply, which is a much more restrained and gracious statement than I want to make about an issue that begs the question, “when is enough, enough?”:
“When you’re the son or daughter of a public figure, you have to develop thick skin. My siblings and I all have that, but insults directed at our youngest brother hurt too much for us to remain silent. People with special needs face challenges that many of us will never confront, and yet they are some of the kindest and most loving people you’ll ever meet. Their lives are difficult enough as it is, so why would anyone want to make their lives more difficult by mocking them? As a culture, shouldn’t we be more compassionate to innocent people – especially those who are less fortunate? Shouldn’t we be willing to say that some things just are not funny? Are there any limits to what some people will do or say in regards to my little brother or others in the special needs community? If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed. All they proved is that they’re heartless jerks. – Bristol Palin”
– Sarah Palin
[From Sarah Palin’s Facebook]
I don’t blame Palin for being upset and if I had a special needs child I would defend him too. The thing is, it wasn’t necessarily aimed at Trig and Palin did exactly what Family Guy creators expected and brought more attention to the show. On one hand it’s definitely not funny to mock special needs people, but on the other hand Family Guy does this all the time. The show is obnoxious and that’s why people watch it. In the context of the stunts that Family Guy usually pulls, they treated the character fairly and arguably made fun of her for another reason (she was demanding) other than her disability. Palin could have easily ignored this, in my opinion, but I’m not in her position and I see where it’s wrong to mock people with Down’s Syndrome. Again, I would be sensitive about it if it was my child. Although, I’m reminded that Palin decided to get upset at Rahm Emanuel recently for using the word “retarded,” but she was less vehement about it when Rush Limbaugh did it. I just get the impression that she makes things an issue only when it suits her agenda.
Please–Family Guy is a tasteless show that mocks everyone and everything. The more sensitive a subject, the more it is mocked. I just don’t see the point in getting outraged about something that is so clearly intended to outrage. Also, I also noted she made a point to single out Fox “Hollywood” so as not to offend her new employers Fox “News”.
“I just get the impression that she makes things an issue only when it suits her agenda.”
Like, DUH… 🙂
I’m torn. I kind of hate Family Guy, and the team behind it, and I do think they’re unfunny and malicious at best. (You don’t want to hear what I think of them at their worst). On the other hand, this was in no way about Trig, unless Trig is secretly a girl. The dudes at FG will mock the mentally handicapped no problem, they don’t need Palin for that. So I can’t help but think that Palin is being ridiculous for making it all about how the media is out to get her/her family.
She DEFENDED Rush & called for Rahm to step down. Freaking hypocrite
She’s made quite the career out of her hurt feelings, distaste of the media and just being a good ol’ fashioned girl, you betcha!
Does she actually do anything else but complain about how everyone is out to get her and if someone blinks wrong in their direction, her poor, poor children who never deserved to be dragged into this, aside from the part where she whored them out on the campaign stump every day?
Family Guy, South Park.. really, they exist to push the envelope. Glad FG got some nice coverage, it’s a funny show. Go, baby Stewie!
Doesn’t this fall under “satire”, Ms. Palin?
It’s just sick and wrong. I don’t like the Palins at all, but you do not mock people born with disabilities. I think there’s some kind of soul disability on that production team.
Sarah Palin really seems to have the focus of a gnat. It’s all about her lashing out at anybody who dare question or mock her.
And for someone whose whole political career is built on making snide remarks and stupid jokes, me thinks she’s the pot calling the kettle black on Family Guy.
Crazy lady turned ‘law professor’ into an insult and then acts victimized with the next breath she takes. Then in the next breath mocks Clinton for acting victimized. What?
That woman just infuriates me. I hope she gets trampled by a moose she’s trying to shoot.
I would normally empathize, however, when Rahm used the word “retard” she was ALL over him, demanding that he be FIRED, but when Rush Limbaugh used it in the EXACT same context, she fell all over herself to justify and excuse it.
So it just depends on who is saying it for her.
Palin = classic bully. She can dish it but can’t take it. She’ll never survive a full-on candidacy, if she thinks it’s too rough now just wait until it gets really hostile and all the dirt gets dragged out for the world to see.
Due to my insane wanting to get with Seth MacFarlane, I don’t think I’m impartial enough to judge this issue. CB, wouldn’t this have been a great excuse to post a pic of Seth? I know I’m not alone in my love for him.
the show is what it is. I don’t waste my time with it. I did hear once that they showed beastiality. Some people are just into that stuff so they watch and support it. Immorality runs rampant in hollywood and the left.
yeah, steve, NO one on the “right” is immoral at all.
no republican elected official has ever cheated on his wife, gotten a mistress pregnant, or hung out in a bathroom stall looking for anonymous (gay) sex.
And all those people preaching morality, like good ol’ Ted Haggard and Jim Bakker, have NEVER gone on meth binges to facilitate their anonymous/internet (gay) hookups, or had affairs, or swindled their followers.
steve, you missed a bit. I’ll help:
Immorality runs rampant in hollywood (sic) and the left and the right, and the middle and the rest of the world.
There, better. Truer, anyway.
I don’t think it’s supposed to make fun of trig (who is a boy anyway) so much as it is to make fun of Palin (who is the retarded one by universal standards).
I love family guy. I can’t believe they get away with half the stuff they get away with, but they did not mock her for having downs they mocked her for having a crappy disposition. big deal.
does nobody remember the Jew song?
*sigh* i hope adult swim picks them up once their over.
I’ve only seen bits of the show and didn’t care for it. Not fond of anyone making fun of the mentally handicapped, or kids who had no say in their parents being public figures. However-
I think Palin is too quick to jump on any opportunity to play the victim and lecture people, and her response usually goes way overboard. She seems to thrive on it, which I find pretty gross, and she is definitely a hypocrite when it comes to who she will go after.
@steve – come on. Immorality is rampant all over and has nothing to do with political ideology.
i agree – palin needs to stop playing the victim . she does it constantly and it is so ridiculous. if she’s so upset about the word “retard” than she should not buddy up with rush limbaugh, as he uses that word alot. i am so sick of this hypocritical snowbilly – go back to alaska and stay there.
this dumb woman can’t help responding to EVERY slight. she needs to not get down in the gutter every single time she is insulted. she is completely incapable of ignoring anything. I’m surprised she didnt issue her statement on the governor’s letterhead or by her chief of staff like she was doing when she was fighting publicly with Levi. oh that’s right, she quit, and she is no longer a politician, so she should stop acting so important. God this woman has no class.
Someone on Gawker wrote that it would be helpful for Ms. Palin to provide a list of who can and can not use the ‘R’ word in advance so that we can direct our indignation towards the proper person.
I hate the use of the ‘R’ word as an insult, it is pretty low brow, but personally I feel that if you are going to be mad at one person for using the word at least be consistent and be mad at everyone who does so, regardless of party. Rush bullied her with his rant, big time, and in doing so he made the point by his actions and her reaction that he ‘owns’ her, she is afraid of him and stepping on his toes; her camp even called Rushs show and asked how they should respond. Seems that everyone will bow to Rush for fear of losing his backing. If a person can’t stand up to some radio DJ how will they hold their own against powerful world leaders? Rush pushes buttons, sees how far he can take things, much like other radio hosts. If a Republican candidate hopes to win in 2012 they better be able and willing to stand up to an entertainer no matter how popular their show is.
Can you imagine Reagan, HW Bush, Clinton, or W. Bush calling to ask how to ‘handle’ the situation and kissing Limbaughs or any radio DJ’s butt like that? Hell no, and nor should they. Quite frankly if a person (regardless of party) actually bases their voting choices on the words/opinions of some shock jock or TV host then they have pretty big problems to begin with.
First, Rush didn’t use the word retarded in the way that Rahm did. You’d have to listen to his whole show (which I did) to know that.
That said, as funny as Family Guy is, this really pisses me off. I can only imagine how angry people on the other side of the aisle would be if, say, a right-leaning show made fun of John Edwards’s dead son, or JFK Jr.’s plane crash, or any special needs kid with a Democrat for a parent.
When are kids — all of them — going to start being off limits? It was cruel when they made fun of Chelsea, and how the hounded the Bush twins, and now Palin’s special needs son! She’s no longer an elected official, even!
Wonder how long any taunting of the Obama girls would be tolerated, little less on a national TV show.
Palin and her agenda are transparent. She is an ignorant phony who is good at exciting crowds of right-wing idiots.
JMoore,
I am sorry, but that is a baseless argument. Either the use of the word is wrong or not, it is unfair to say it is ok for Rush to use it and not for Rham. This is NOT a political argument, either it is acceptable or it is not… she needs to make up her mind, period. I don’t like the use of that word, but I don’t feel the need to base my frustration on the political leanings of the person who utters it. I do however wonder why someone would do so. If you find it offensive it shouldn’t matter who said it to begin with. If you can’t even defend that point, you have lost the debate. The partisan nonsense has gone too far.
“First, Rush didn’t use the word retarded in the way that Rahm did. You’d have to listen to his whole show (which I did) to know that. ”
jmoore – rush has used the term before, many times, long before sarah palin came on the scene; it wasn’t just one show. and if it is OK for him why not others? just one more example of palin’s insane hypocrisy. and the obama girls have been made fun of by conservatives, including one conservative blogger who said of the older obama girl that she looked like a “future crack ho” because she was wearing a t-shirt with a peace symbol on it. the obamas response to that? they ignored it, which is what palin needs to do.
I’d like to add that Rush used it in the EXACT SAME CAPACITY that Rahm did. And Rush has made fun of Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s tremors. Such a class act, that Rush.
further, Ann Coulter DID make fun of John Edwards dead son. And South Park did make a not-so-nice reference to a dead JFK, Jr.
JMoore, yes he did. And Rush, the guy you listen to, is the one who called Chelsea Clinton the “White House dog.” He’s the one who, when Carol Mosely Braun became the first black woman elected to the senate, sang the theme song from “The Jeffersons” on his TV show (well, hey we movin’ on uuuuup!).
The guy is as crude and offensive as the day is long. He has used the term “retard” in the context of “stupid person” many countless times.
But Palin didn’t criticize him, nooooo.
She’s a hypocrite.
And if she keeps up this whining and crying about every little thing, pretty soon NO ONE is going to pay any attention to her.
That’ll be nice.
Why are we fighting about Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin instead of calling out Family Guy for making fun of special needs kids..children should be off limits ..period …always! When I was a child it was considered cowardly and weak if you picked on or ridiculed someone smaller or less powerful than yourself, wish that were still true. It says far more about people who will excuse such behavior than they will ever know.
I hate that show with a passion. It is not funny in the least. It is crude, misogynist, lowbrow, and unimaginative. It is dirty and does not belong on network television.
McFarlane is no great talent. I can easily write an episode. Take the cast, have them do a humorless parody of some popular movie, insert an insulting and cruel joke about whatever group you feel like offending, and throw in an inappropriate, graphic and disgusting comment about sex. There. Done.
Why the hell are the Palins watching this trash anyway? If I were them I wouldn’t waste my breath- the show wanted a response, and they got it.
As a mom of a beautiful special needs child myself, I will say that it was very uncomfortable for me to watch that episode of family guy. My child doesn’t have Down Syndrome nor am I the ex-govenor of Alaska but it did hit me a little personally. I can understand why Palin would take the episode personally even if they didn’t specifically call her or her child out. The insinuation is painful enough. And until you specifically have a child with special needs, you really can’t know how you would feel or react in this or any situation like it.
As far as the “retarded” situation, I can’t speak for her, but the word being used isn’t as hurtful to me so maybe that’s why she seems divided? Most people with children that have a mental retardation label do not actually use that label or even associate that label with their child. My son may have that label but we refer to it as developmental delay and so does every one of his doctors and therapists and teachers. So retarded and retard doesn’t really sting because I don’t personally identify with it.
Anyway, what I’ve said probably only makes sense to a few and those few probably aren’t reading it. I could attack Palin all day long about a long list of things but when it comes to her reactions to things like this, I think I have no right to attack her. I think nobody else should either. Even if you have walked a mile in her shoes, your feet are probably not the same size!
Was I the only one who saw that Family Guy didn’t actually mock the disabled character?
The girl Chris thought was amazing turned around and the audience (including me) cringed. They didn’t say or do anything detrimental to her character, the viewers response reflected our own views on it.
Chris even later said went off on a spiel about how she wasn’t special or different, she was just like everyone else.
Isn’t that the perspective we teach our children? That a disability doesn’t make someone fundamentally different?
Regardless, Family Guy bashes most anything. Like its said, you can either pick at everything, or nothing.
Family Guy is an equal opportunity offender. It makes fun of everyone and everything. Anyone who watches the show regularly will confirm this. I can see how people would be offended by the content of the show, but it certainly has always been this way. That’s the point of Family Guy: it says offensive things to be funny. Either you like it or you don’t. This is nothing new.
Family Guy makes fun of evrybody & everything so it’s not logical to say Palin is being singled out. They make fun of aid patients, Michael J. Fox’s parkinsons, Jesus & God, the wish foundation, ALL religions, Hiroshima, George W Bush, Chris Matthews, & I could go on & on.
It doesn’t make it right but that’s what Family Guy is known for, pushing the envelope & tasteless puns. Is anybody really surprised? Palin conducts herself like a child & thinks everyone is picking on her, get real b—h!
There was a really wonderful movie made a few years ago called Music Within and it’s a film that everyone who interacts with other human beings should have to watch. If you have any kind of a heart it will more than likely change the way you look at people who face great challenges in life.
I love Family Guy but I have to say these people don’t deserve to be the butt of jokes. Maybe I’m a hypocrite though because I love to make fun of the occasional wealthy, beautiful celebrity.
I don’t think it’s supposed to make fun of trig, it sounds as though it is intended to make fun of Palin or even Bristol, or just Alaska in general. Family guy can get pretty low at times, but I don’t think that even they would just start ripping on an innocent baby with special needs.
“People with special needs face challenges that many of us will never confront, and yet they are some of the kindest and most loving people you’ll ever meet.”
Right there, Palin lost me. She’s putting people with special needs on a pedestal (they’re extra special nice, folks!) not seeing them as full human beings that can be mean, nice, self-centered, selfless, etc. They are only defined by their ‘special needs’ and disabilities to Palin.
Did u all not read that she was responding to inquiries made to her about this? She didnt just decide on her own to complaign about it.
The girl was treated the same way they treat Jimmy on South Park. Yes, he’s a disabled character, but he has personal attributes and qualities, both positive and negative, that are separate to his disability. Ultimately, the Ellen character’s disability wasn’t her big character flaw, it was the fact that she was bitchy and bossy.
In my opinion, Rebecca, FOX should have really kept “FAMILY GUY” off the air after the FCC put the ban on indencency scenes on TV programs back in 2004. Even Democrats, Republicans, and Independents will totally agree with my view, that even special needs people like myself must be loved and cared for. Not used for crude programming like “FAMILY GUY”, also, crude jokes against white or black americans is no laughing matter, ask David Letterman, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Tina Fey, etc., etc., they’ll tell you.
Snowball, I never was a fan of “FAMILY GUY” or “SOUTH PARK” and I never will. I’m really more of “THE CLEVELAND SHOW” guy than the two that I’ve just mentioned. Palin, if you listen to me, tell Keith Olbermann to put Seth McFarlane among the “WORST PERSONS” and Bill O’Reilly to put McFarlane as “PINHEADS”. I should create the Special Olympics against TV INDENCENT PROGRAMMING right now in my opinion
i found this episode a bit much even for family guy there are certain things you don’t make fun of. i have a 3 year old son who is mentally challenged and i found this very insulting.
I saw that episode. I didn’t think it was as bad as it could have been. At the end, it made fun of people without disabilities as we tend to stereotype the disposition of someone with special needs and FG showed that they can be bitchy and mean too.
I really just hope that it’s the wake up call that the FCC needs, more compliants on INDENCENT TV PROGRAMMING from the left, the right, and the middle. Look what happened to “NYPD BLUE” they we’re the victim of it in 2004 and was done within one year. I also just hope that FOX says, “You know what, we ain’t going to put up with FAMILY GUY anymore.” Well, yes that Palin is not qualified to be President, Palin is qualified to be a great talk show star in my opinion because her one-on-one interviews have improved dramatically since the ’08 elections. I’d seriously put Palin’s TV talk show in syndication if you’d ask me right now.
I watched the episode, and honestly didn’t feel like it was very offensive towards people with downs-syndrome. The girl was portrayed as being only slightly different (appearance and speech) but otherwise acted very “normal”. I think the point was to catch Palin’s attention more, to make a point about satire, as she was attempting to make with Limbaugh.
I. Cannot. Believe. You. Think. This .Is.Ok.
I am no republican but chrissakes, a TV show is sending up the fact she has a disabled child? I don’t care if it is hysterical, the personal ref to her should have been left out. If they wanted to do satire about disabilities, thats one thing, but picking on a child, and a mother over a DISABILITY. Ick. This is what is wrong with America.
ITA nonoo and justifying it by saying South Park did the same thing makes no sense it was wrong when they did it and wrong when Family Guy did it. It is just wrong and no amount of justification will make it right.
I’m glad plenty of people have pointed out that, rather surprisingly, the Family Guy character in question was never portrayed as a stereotypical disabled person. Family Guy set this up perfectly and baited all of the quick-to-censor morons into their predictable responses.
And luckily, they still had a wonderfully offensive song in there for fans like me.
That character didn’t even have Down’s Syndrome.
Good Lord, talk about a tempest in a teapot. Everyone looking to be offended, and Sarah Palin first in line.
Noonoo, I completely agree with you 100%. It’s not only watch what you say on TV, but watch the episode storylines is the other side of the story, especially with parents of disabled children. Steve, if you love FAMILY GUY, they should only put it on HBO, Showtime, or FX in my opinion because indencency TV shows don’t really deserve to be on free TV anymore.
In light of the recent FG episode, I think it’s about time that all talk shows should consider having a open forum discussion about parents of children with disabilities, particuarlly on daytime TV gigs like OPRAH, DR. PHIL, ELLEN, RACHEL RAY, DR. OZ, THE VIEW, LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY, and THE DOCTORS. This is a serious subject.
For all of those getting off on your soapboxes, and who are offended….simple solution….DON’T WATCH Family Guy.
Finally, my advice to all of the “BIG 4” netowrks, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, “IN THE GAME OF BASEBALL, IT’S 3 STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT!!! IN THE GAME OF DEALING OF TV INDENCENCY ON BROADCAST OVER-THE-AIR TELEVISION, IT SHOULD BE 3 STRIKES AND YOU’RE YANKED OFF THE AIR, AND THAT’S WHAT I’M GOING TO ADDRESS THE FCC!!!”
Had Palin talked about FOX News in her Facebook posting, then we would be talking about Palin kissing FOX News bye-bye and join the Howard Cosell, Al Campanis, Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, and Rush Limbaugh Hall Of Shame award for making comments in a real negative way, in which fortuanlly she did not, thank heavens.
I am sorry but I do not suffer fools gladly, Ms Palin, regardless of her political leanings, is coming across as a fool… my only conclusion is that she either is one, or is playing one to pander to the lowest common denominator, and frankly either option is disrespectful to all people. Being intentionally dippy, incurious, and cheeky and pretending it makes you a leader is a terrible affront to all americans, of all parties, and especially Republicans who wish that their leaders would behave like smart, strong, proud leaders and not grinning, winking nincompoops.
Russell–It’s called a sense of humor. Not everything has to be taken seriously or literally. Start small and read some Archie comics, then move up to cartoons and even the occasional sitcom. Humor is easy! Give it a try!
Anyway, I thought the “governor of Alaska” joke was probably too personal and they could have left her out of it. However, they did not in any way portray disabled people as inferior, in fact, they portrayed them as very human, right down to her HUMAN faults.
So what, we’re supposed to pretend people with disabilities are always happy, pleasant people? This is not my experience with every disabled person I’ve met, or any person.
OK. This article is NOT about the special needs child…it is about Palin and how she justifies it when it suits her agenda. Anyone that thinks making “fun” of a special needs child is right…is well…wrong. Now, I make the point…our country is BASED on freedom to express opinions…ALL OPINIONS…not just the ones you agree with. People that are truly free understand that they can and will put their lives on the line to defend a flag and an ideal…only to give people the right to attack it. You are allowed to argue it, but it’s ironic that the anti-obama (as he’s a socialist and trying to tell me what to do and think”) people are…now telling everyone that they shouldn’t have their opinions, and are trying to tell you what to think (There is a very obvious right v left scenario happening here). Interesting. It is called Satire. This was a hit at Palin…not her kid. So the biggest …and most problematic issue… is why is it OK for Rush to say it, but against the american way when someone else does. It’s either all..or none. If you don’t like the word..ok..I agree…however be Pissed at ANYONE and EVERYONE that says it..not just those that are “against you” and then defend someone that says it all the time (Rush) because it supports your agenda. Palin, how Ironic that you rip Fox…but ONLY the Fox that doesn’t PAY your damn salary. You are a hypocrite, and very good at showing an image…however a leader you are not. Anyone that really feels she is a good leader really needs to look at why. She will turn her back on anyone (as she did McCain in her book) to get an extra vote. Wow… the fact she has gotten 15 minutes of fame is ridiculous… and the fact she has people that think she should be the President is scary. The true leaders (to show I’m neither dem or rep) are people that make their opinion and stick to it. Example. When told that many people in the US don’t agree with the Iraq war, VP Cheney answered .. “SO.” Basically saying “that is their opinion. I have my opinion, and i’m just a smidge better informed than them.” It’s called unshakable confidence. DAMNIT STAND FOR SOMETHING AND DEFEND IT. Instead of flipping as you feel that will win you the presidency. If she doesn’t want her and her family attacked…quit “pimping them out to sell books” Defend them when attacked, but don’t put them out there to get attacked. Palin you brought this attack on YOU (not your child) on yourself. Quit saying poor me. If you didn’t want to have your kids in the public eye…quit talking about them while in the public eye…when it suits your interest.
I’m willing to bet that all the folks in the comments here having a cow over the subject matter of this episode didn’t actually sit and watch the entire thing, if any at all.
Wresa, my mom and I are never big FG gurus and her and I never will. Even people with disabilities don’t think that crude jokes on TV like FG did aren’t funny at all. It maybe a sense of humor to you, but to me, it ain’t. I think it’s time that the FCC should outta hear about this one and believe me, Seth MacFarlane and “FAMILY GUY” should say bye-bye and oh Archie comics, some of today’s cartoons are clean compared to FG’s crude, insensitive scenes. Unfortanuely, Jeff, Palin tore right at FOX Hollywood, not FOX News, to get it straight and yes, though Palin isn’t qualified to be president, at least she is qualified to be a greater talk show star in my view and a talk show world that really needs a champion on special needs.
It’s free speech. Turn the channel or stfu.
Also, Sarah Palin is a moron.
I must confess I don’t watch FG, my hubby loves it, however I saw the Star Wars one (being a nerdy type I love anything Star Wars related) and damn near fell off the couch laughing. It was totally obnoxious, but the bit where Peter and the dog are trying to move a used couch into the space ship is a hoot and a half.
Personally, I am of the opinion that if something on TV/radio is offensive then pay it no heed, shut the show off or change the channel, free speech can be uncomfortable, sometimes even awful, and offensive but other than actually inciting crimes it is a slippery slope to try and legislate that freedom. Granted with that realization comes the comfort that when someone says something wildly stupid, misinformed, horrid or hypocritical we get to point it out and mock the dickens out of it.
I do not know why or how anyone here could support the family guy cartoon for clearly a mean spirited dig at Ms. Palin’s special needs child. There is no way any of you liberals would have tolerated this if it were aimed at Obama’s family. I am sickened by the mean comments about Ms. Palin trying to voice her comments about such a horrible cartoon. Why do you people have to be so mean to her for standing up for her much loved son. You who are mean to Ms. Palin for voicing her outraged are pure evil.
Paula,
This is not a political issue, nor should it be, please do not attempt to make it into one. It is beyond the pale and beneath you or anyone to suggest that a person who has a differing political view is ‘fine’ with mocking the disabled. The moment a person states ‘you lefties’ or ‘you righties’ ALWAYS do this or that or the other they have lost the arguement, if you are only able to make a point by insulting others (or attempting to do so) then there are two clear conclusions, either you simply enjoy insulting other people or perhaps you should revisit your original positions and be sure you are clear what they are because if you feel strongly about a position and understand what it is then personal insults and pettiness should never be necessary. If you don’t feel that you can make a point without being insulting then it might behoove you to allow another person to do so in your stead, please remember that just because a person is different from you be it race, gender, beliefs, disabilities, or political leanings it does not mean they are any less of a person and deserve any less respect than you do.
Oh, and by the by, as much as I do not care for FG I decided to watch this episode, and it seems that the young woman with DS was depicted as a normal, bossy teenage girl and the only dig at Ms Palin was the comment about her mother being the former Gov of Alaska. I didn’t see that it actually mentioned or attacked Trig in any way, considering the character was a totally capable, high functioning, teenage girl and not a 1 year old baby boy. It was still stupid and unfunny, but that is just my opinion.
Family Guy creator Seth could of made the same point by leaving out the “Governor of Alaska” remark. He didn’t. He has stated before that he’s got some fresh material on Sarah Palin. This whole episode was touted under the idea that Down’s Syndrome patients could be jerks. While that idea exists, we all know it was just a way for him to dedicate an entire episode to bashing Palin. Still waiting on the endless material about Obama and his daughters, Seth. Heck, Biden can provide you with a full season of laughter. Your bias is showing.
Paula, I’d imagine if some celebs might back Palin this time for handling the FG episode last Sunday night, especially Tina Fey, who spoofed Palin on SNL. IN Tina Fey’s words, “If you make a crude statement or indencent moments on TV, especially with parents with special needs kids, that’s not free speech, you have your freedom and opinions but crude, insentive TV programs on OTA TV NETWORKS must stop immediately.” If I’d was OPRAH, I’d really Palin back on this Friday for “ORPAH FRIDAYS LIVE FROM CHICAGO” about his subject, and I’d bet OPRAH isn’t thrilled about the FG episode either.
Guest,
Excellent point, and thank you for pointing out that FG was not making fun of Trig or children with DS, but Ms Palin (an adult who is in the public arena AND fair game as is the POTUS.)
TaylorB, it maybe freedom of speech to you, but you and I have our opinions, and Mr. MacFarlane, your worst nightmare is coming up, look what happened to Michael Richards of “SEINFELD” fame when he made comments about black americans at a LA nightclub a few years ago, what Al Campanis made comments about blacks on “NIGHTLINE” in 1987, and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder of CBS’ “THE NFL TODAY” made comments about blacks in 1988, they we’re either punished or fired for all the negative reasons. Making crude and insentitive remarks about everyday Americans, no matter what race or religion are you in, is unacepptable, especially with special needs kids like myself.
“this was in no way about Trig, unless Trig is secretly a girl.”
Wow, they change just one aspect of the character, and you can’t see any link?
Here’s one for you, Clark Kent and Superman are actually the same guy! I know! But one has glasses, you say! Well, the fact remains. Same guy.
Also, I forgot to mention how many times Howard Stern violated the FCC when he hosted his radio show on OTA radio way back when. I am a Democrat, who will from this day until FOX finally says enough is enough to call the local FOX station in Youngstown, Ohio, WYFX, to put “FAMILY GUY” totally outta here.
@ Peach – Hilarious!
Sarah Palin and Bristol should get a clue. Family Guy and South Park bag on everybody and everything, that’s what makes them so funny – it’s called satire. Bristol has the right to say things aren’t funny and Sarah has the right to be her usual hypocritical self, but the victim thing is getting a little old. What’s next, them complaining that there aren’t enough abstinence cartoons?
Even if FG returns for another year next season, I’ll betcha if some FOX TV stations around this country, partically Youngstown, Ohio where I live, should consider boycotting “FAMILY GUY”, much like 60 ABC stations did when “NYPD BLUE” debuted in the fall of 1993, WYTV, Youngstown, Ohio’s ABC station was one of them.
mtngirl, there’s one difference, SOUTH PARK is on cable TV, and FAMILY GUY is on OTA TV. In my view, SOUTH PARK will always be on cable TV and FAMILY GUY should have been on cable TV, let alone on Adult Swim on Cartoon Network only. If you want to try some old time shows like “M*A*S*H*”, then go pick on somebody else, OK?
Also, mtngirl, you should watch “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” instead of “FAMILY GUY” because my mother is never big on either “SOUTH PARK” or “FAMILY GUY” and she never will. Sister Sarah may have the right to be her hypester self, but look at her two guest appearances on OPRAH in the last couple of months, mtngirl, you should catch Palin’s talk show if she goes there that is, at least she is qualified to be a great talk show star through my two eyes and ears.
If I was the program director at FOX, I’d tell the producers of “FAMILY GUY” to either clean up your act or face certain cancellation. “THE CLEVELAND SHOW” is not like it’s infamous “FAMILY GUY”, not in my view. Isn’t it time that FOX should seriously go back into one hour of serious stuff, like they did when “THE X-FILES” was on?
Get ready for the next Senate hearing, on the FCC. In this case, SARAH PALIN AND THE SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS in one corner against “FAMILY GUY” CREATOR SETH MacFARLANE AND THE INDENCENCY ON OTA TV in the other. MacFarlane, you may say no comment, well I have a comment for you, you’re FIRED!!!!!
Wow Russel, go take your meds and lie down already.
Wow, look at all the energy that you expend on a TV show. Your economy is in tanking, unemployment is rampant and the two factions of the government are at each others throat. If you had any complaints, it should have come from the start. FG attacks everything. It depicts beastiality, masterbation, extramarital fails, sexual deviance and anything else you can think of. Male female, straight, gay, black, white, chinese, muslim, Catholics, Protestant, people with learning disabilities…have no limits……. hell Peter is classified as retarded on the show and nothing has been said.
Where is the NAACP outrage when the black jokes depicting blacks as preceived muggers or rapists?
Where is the anti-abortionist outrage when the abortion jokes are thrown out there?
Where are the women’s rights movement when Meg quiefs in the bath tub or when Lois gets smacked around by Peter?
The truth is that most people who watch this show dont read too much into this cartoon. An ADULT cartoon.
I have to agree with those who say that Palin is using this for her own personal agenda. I guarantee you that most of you nay sayers have never watched this show until this incident has been brought to light.
Rally the troops, start the cause… the truth is your interest in this story will wain in about a week where you will get detracted to the next cause.
People, get a life. Worry about the more important things in life, like getting a job, feeding your family and grow old.
DWAYNE, I agree with you. FG in my view, has gone too far. So, if FG is still on for next fall, here’s my one advice, turn to ABC, CBS, or NBC programs against FOX the hour that FG is on. GatsbyGal, I’m lying down quietly or taking meds quietly, I really demand that all organizations that we’re attacked by FG not by that episode, but episodes past prior to last Sunday night, to protest outside of every FOX station in this country from now until FOX says enough is enough to demand the producers of FG to either clean up it’s “EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFENDER” act or face certain cancelation because look what happened to “NYPD BLUE” when the FCC banned indencency on OTA TV in 2004, “NYPD BLUE” was done within one year on ABC.
FG is ADULT cartoon that should have been exclusively on Cartoon Network’s ADULT SWIM. Where was the NAACP, NOW, women’s rights, anti-abortionalists, etc., etc., hello? Peter, Lois, Meg, Baby Stewie, and the dog deserve to be among “WORST PERSONS” by Keith Olbermann.
“you should watch “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” instead of “FAMILY GUY” because my mother is never big on either “SOUTH PARK” or “FAMILY GUY” and she never will.”
um…WHAT?
someone shouldn’t watch a show because your mother isn’t big on it?
I second GatsbyGal’s suggestion at #74.
From cnn.com
The actress who lent her voice to a character with Down syndrome on a recent episode of Fox’s “Family Guy” is defending the portrayal against attacks from Sarah Palin.
Andrea Fay Friedman, the actress who herself has Down syndrome, said the scene was merely meant to be sarcastic.
“I guess former Governor Palin does not have a sense of humor,” she said in an e-mail to the New York Times. “I thought the line ‘I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska’ was very funny. I think the word is ‘sarcasm.’ In my family we think laughing is good. My parents raised me to have a sense of humor and to live a normal life.”
Lucy2, let’s not to mention that Ms. Friedman used to guest star on ABC’s “LIFE GOES ON” 20 odd years ago. I believe that if Mr. MacFarlane didn’t accept Palin’s apology, I think that you’re looking at civil lawsuit against MacFarlane and “FAMILY GUY” in public court or maybe go the FCC route, like when the JANET JACKSON-JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE bragate incident during halftime of SUPER BOWL XXXVIII in 2004, testify in front of the United States Congress in Washington, DC to make for more cleaner programming. I also feel the NAB should go back to “THE SEAL OF GOOD PRACTICE” law. Remember the WYTV, Youngstown, Ohio sign-off announcement beginning from the early 1980’s: “HIGH STANDARDS IN TELEVISION PROGRAMMING BENEFITS EVERYONE. THIS IS THE TELEVISION CODE REVIEW BOARD OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS IN WHICH IT SYMBOLS GOOD TELEVISION. YOU SEE BETTER TELEVISION ALWAYS WATCH CHANNEL 33, A TELEVISION CODE STATION.”
Let’s not to mention, Mr. MacFarlane, if you deliver another low blow, say like Oprah Winfrey or Ellen Degeneres, like you did Sarah Palin, then you do not deserve to be on either OPRAH or ELLEN in my opinion, because you don’t mess with the big “O” nor ELLEN. I’m sorry!!! Last night’s CLEVELAND SHOW episode, DWAYNE, focused on Cleveland Brown, Jr. getting a job at 14-years old, look at today’s economic mess that we’re in, “THE GREAT RECESSION”, finding a job is no laughing matter, especially in the tough economic times that we’re in right now.
Hey, to lighten things up since Palin works for FNC, why not put Sarah Palin, filling in for Sheperd Smith on “THE FOX REPORT” when Mr. Smith is on assignment, has the night off, or is on vacation, that would be my suggestion, other than her occasional gig with hosting “REAL AMERICAN STORIES” and commentary on FNC programs. She’ll be terrific at it!!! We know it has been done in the past, ask Ted Koppel, back when Mr. Koppel hosted ABC’s “NIGHTLINE”, he did fill-in for ABC’s “WORLD NEWS TONIGHT”.
Russell wrote; …”it maybe freedom of speech to you, but you and I have our opinions”
Yes Russell we do have our own opinions, and freedom of speech protects our rights to express them (so basically we have the same ‘opinion’, that freedom of speech and differing opinions are common and even necessary in a democracy) even if they are offensive to some; the ACLU, Howard Stern, Larry Flynt, Ann Coulter, NAACP, and the KKK are offensive to certain people yet they have the right to say what they want, as does the FG. If you don’t like it, then I suggest you don’t watch it. The very moment Rush Limbaugh mocked Michael J. Fox and his Parkinsons (which my grandfather suffered from for years) I was so terribly offended I refused to ever watch/listen to his show again. Now, does that mean he is not allowed to act like such an a** (in my opinion)? No, he has every right to do so and I have every right to gripe about it and refuse to be a part of the people who support him. But I will be consistent, if anyone else apes and mocks a person with Parkinsons I will be just as opposed.
But as you very aptly pointed out it is freedom speech, so while it is debatable on a personal level they (FG aka Family Guy) are welcome to express whatever opinion they choose to express. If you feel that is not the case I suggest that you take it up with your legislator, not some dippy commenters on a blog, as that will make no impact. Good luck, while I may disagree with your path, I do support your right to follow your feelings. Bless your heart.
Would you be thinking about exchanging links?