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The Huntsman
08-13-2009, 07:27 PM
The Hollywood Reporter recently attended a table reading of the banned abortion themed episode of “Family Guy” and they uploaded some of it (http://www.bscreview.com/2009/08/watch-the-family-guy-abortion-episode-reading/). Now that we know more about this episode we should be able to have a more focused discussion about this, so I hope this thread turns out decently this time. I’m going to copy Mynd Hed’s warning from the previous thread just to remind people.


Let's keep this thread on-topic, please. This is not a Family Guy vs. South Park thread, nor is it a political thread. If it's not DIRECTLY related to the topic of Fox's decision not to air an upcoming episode of Family Guy, then it doesn't belong here. Thank you.
Master Toon
08-13-2009, 07:38 PM
Hmmm... I still don't see why it was banned. I still believe that it's a gimmick to get Family Guy more press and to push the sales of their new DVD (that contains the episode).
cohenmarioman
08-13-2009, 07:42 PM
*I thought the fact that Peter didn't know what an abortion was was kinda funny

*So, they decided against it?

*Peter was pro-life, and Brian seemed pro-choice, but Peter is always shown to be stupid, which is why he said no more masturbation.

*Add on from above, Chris and Meg say why? which got me to chuck.

That should follow the rules, and not turn this into something it isn't.
DarthGonzo
08-13-2009, 07:46 PM
*watches the videos of the table reading*

Heh, those were really funny. But if the material from the second video is any indication I definitely can understand why FOX is reluctant to air this.

So Lois wants to get an abortion for very realistic reasons but Peter being the highly suggestible person he is decides against it because someone else offers him a different point of view. Typical Peter.

I don't see anything wrong with Lois' stance here.
chdr
08-13-2009, 07:56 PM
That "Brian switches sides" episode sounds interesting. It seems that Brian doesn't hate Republicans, he just hates whoever is in power.

Sounds like 50% of the internet.
Old Guy
08-13-2009, 07:59 PM
FOX over-reacted. It seems like typical season 6&7 Family Guy.
defunctzombie
08-15-2009, 02:03 AM
That was funny. I wonder if Adult Swim will bite.
LeatherJeans
08-15-2009, 02:15 AM
Those details are good.
Leaping Larry Jojo
08-15-2009, 03:06 AM
FOX over-reacted. It seems like typical season 6&7 Family Guy.


You Americans seem to have a problem with abortion topics on TV down there. Family Guy seems to get away with everything, but I guess this was the no-no. I recall an episode of Degrassi (80s or the new one, I forgot) got cut out of U.S. airings because it dealt with the same issue.

So it's definitely something that seems to be a problem on U.S. TV.
Old Guy
08-16-2009, 04:03 AM
The U.S. is very conservative, I'm afraid.
cohenmarioman
08-16-2009, 12:24 PM
You Americans seem to have a problem with abortion topics on TV down there. Family Guy seems to get away with everything, but I guess this was the no-no. I recall an episode of Degrassi (80s or the new one, I forgot) got cut out of U.S. airings because it dealt with the same issue.

So it's definitely something that seems to be a problem on U.S. TV.

You really shouldn't steryotype a group of people like that, we might find it insulting. Abortion is a sensative issue, and Fox felt viewers wouldn't be able to handle it.
The Huntsman
08-16-2009, 12:31 PM
Abortion is a sensative issue, and Fox felt viewers wouldn't be able to handle it.They felt advertisers wouldn’t be able to handle it. It’s all about money (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/money-not-morality-was-key-to-decision-on-family-guy-episode/).
cohenmarioman
08-16-2009, 12:48 PM
They felt advertisers wouldn’t be able to handle it. It’s all about money (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/money-not-morality-was-key-to-decision-on-family-guy-episode/).

That is what I meant, my words when I typed them got twisted.
Old Guy
08-16-2009, 01:32 PM
They felt advertisers wouldn’t be able to handle it. It’s all about money (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/money-not-morality-was-key-to-decision-on-family-guy-episode/).

There's always Adult Swim, I guess.
DarthGonzo
08-16-2009, 01:43 PM
Ahem...

"Let's keep this thread on-topic, please. This is not a Family Guy vs. South Park thread, nor is it a political thread. If it's not DIRECTLY related to the topic of Fox's decision not to air an upcoming episode of Family Guy, then it doesn't belong here. Thank you."

Come on.
chalmers
08-16-2009, 01:48 PM
I recall an episode of Degrassi (80s or the new one, I forgot) got cut out of U.S. airings because it dealt with the same issue.


OT, sorry, but that was an episode of Degrassi High, part of the original Degrassi series. There are actually three episodes that haven't been aired on The N, two of them dealt directly with the topic of abortion and the third had references to the previous two episodes. When they originally aired on PBS in the early 90's the episodes were edited to cut out some scenes such as ones with protesters. All three episodes were included in the DVD release uncut.
defunctzombie
08-16-2009, 05:24 PM
They felt advertisers wouldn’t be able to handle it. It’s all about money (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/money-not-morality-was-key-to-decision-on-family-guy-episode/).
That article makes it look like Fox is targeting Family Guy towards children... :shrug:
Mynd Hed
08-16-2009, 06:20 PM
To reiterate what was mentioned in the first post of the thread:

This is NOT a political thread. If it's not DIRECTLY related to the topic of Fox's decision not to air an upcoming episode of Family Guy, then it doesn't belong here.

Any further failure to follow this very simple request will result in a thread closure and warnings being handed out. Keep it on-topic.
Eddy
08-17-2009, 11:42 PM
Hmm, from the readings I don't really see why it was banned. Yeah, it's a touchy subject, but we've seen the show do some pretty outrageous things before. Though it might have to do with the fact that the entire episode is based around abortion. At least we know it will be on DVD. I wonder if it will air on Cartoon Network or not.
strawberryjuice
08-18-2009, 12:00 AM
well from these clips, I don't see what the big hullaballo is anyways though. It's seemed like a normal family guy script. But again, the subject is abortion and I guess thats just a "no no" for fox...
Rook
08-18-2009, 12:14 AM
Okay so "prom night dumpster baby" gets through but this doesnt...
The blatant beastility jokes get through but this doesnt...
Peter blowing up an orphanage...you know what, whatever.

So, when are we getting new episodes please? I've been out of the loop for awhile.
ThePRPD
08-18-2009, 12:27 AM
They should let it air. It doesn't sound bad at all.
defunctzombie
08-18-2009, 01:54 AM
Do you think the visuals may have something to do with the banning? We haven't seen those yet, they may have been what scared Fox.
Eddy
08-18-2009, 01:59 AM
Do you think the visuals may have something to do with the banning? We haven't seen those yet, they may have been what scared Fox.
Like someone said above, the "Prom Night Dumpster Baby" sketch had dancing aborted fetuses. I can't imagine the visuals in the scenes described would be any worse.
HomeMoviesFan
08-18-2009, 09:18 AM
The sounds kind of cloudy in the first video. Anyone mind providing a transcript?
Plague Rat
08-18-2009, 03:54 PM
You Americans seem to have a problem with abortion topics on TV down there. Family Guy seems to get away with everything, but I guess this was the no-no. I recall an episode of Degrassi (80s or the new one, I forgot) got cut out of U.S. airings because it dealt with the same issue.

So it's definitely something that seems to be a problem on U.S. TV.
British too in some cases, actually. Supposedly the music video for Amanda Palmer's "Oasis" was banned from British broadcasting for depicting rape and abortion in a light tone.


Rook Okay so "prom night dumpster baby" gets through but this doesnt...
The blatant beastility jokes get through but this doesnt...
Okay I gotta agree with that, especially since I found that sketch to be pretty tasteless.

The lines seemed pretty tame but I think FOX is just afraid of protesting and whatnot.