Anyone else see the Irony in how family Guy and American Dad have evolved?

[Scirel]

When AD first premeried, it looked like a vehicle for more pro-liberal commentary that Seth had so far only dipped into during FG season 4.

For some of the first season, that seemed to be an underlying theme, but as the show progressed, it actually became fairly politically neutral. even though hayley is clearly very liberal, she is not shown to be nearly as "perfect" as Brian and is never "always right" as Brian is in FG. Also, that side of her has not been shown as much in later seasons.

Meanwhile, I don`t think anyone can deny that FG became, to the point of annoyance(even to, as I have seen those who share some of the point of view) extremely liberally preachy, especially through Brian.

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Well to be fair you also have to realize who the liberal person is one each end. The liberal person on American Dad is Hayley, the daughter character. Who has constantly been shown to out of everyone in the family (even more so then Klaus of all people) to be the one ignored out of any development or general screentime. In fact in the latest slew of eps anytime she's on screen the joke is that she is being ignored and... that's it. Move on to someone else.

Brian is one of the cornerstones of Family Guy. Not only due to being voiced by MacFarlane but also to being one of the most deep and evolved of the main cast besides Stewie. And since the two work too well together they can never just ignore Brian. Also it's not like he isn't ever made fun of or knocked around (episodes like "Brian Goes to College" and "We Love You Conrad" seem to just make that the point of the ep actually) and even his liberal views sometimes get mocked (like in "Road To The Multiverse").

You also have to remember that American Dad when it was first being concepted was around the time that Family Guy was cancelled and it didn't look like it was coming back. Thus it was made to be Family Guy's replacement with some differences. When FG came back they could make American Dad into something else and I guess decided FG would be a better place to push the whole liberian message especially since FG is the more popular show. I do grant you that it is quite ironic but there is reasoning behind it.

[Leviathan]

I've noticed it. It's doubly ironic that the show borne out of Seth's disappointment at Bush's reelection is less obnoxious and in-your-face about its politics than the Seth show where you're supposed to "turn your brain off and laugh."

[Wonderwall]

Yea I remember thinking American Dad was going to be really political but it eventually kind of became just a little fun out there show with the odd political jab. 10 years ago I would have never thought FG would turn from a silly show into Seth's soapbox. But as a man who faked being handicapped so he could pick up disability checks for 20 years once said...That's the way she goes.

[PowerZord]

Did you really expected both shows to be the same forever? Shows can't stay the same forever or they will bomb. Times change, audiences change and the show has to evolve. People clinge into their favorite shows and hate to see them evolve. Family Guy did what most long running shows did: change and survive.

[Michael JJ]

Yeah, I noticed. That's why I prefer American Dad to Family Guy.

[CaptainHero]

Did you really expected both shows to be the same forever? Shows can't stay the same forever or they will bomb. Times change, audiences change and the show has to evolve. People clinge into their favorite shows and hate to see them evolve. Family Guy did what most long running shows did: change and survive.

I don't think he's complaining about either show changing. He's just pointing out the irony in American Dad being the less political of the two.

Funny, cause I remember a quote from Seth back when both shows were starting up and he said "We are saving all the political humor for American Dad, while Family Guy will strickly have very little".

I think a lot of the reason American Dad is so neutral is because of the two non Seth creators Mike Barker & Matt W.

I think their involvement with that series has made it into a very funny show, and it shows that their writing is sorely missed on FG.

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

While the whole political angle goes right over my head...

I do think Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman have more control over the show that Seth does...

Seth helped then create it, does a variety of voices and perhaps advise from time to time.

As a result... the political stance in the show is no doubt due to the two showrunners.

[JD08]

Well I for one like American dad's change but dislike family guys. some political cartoon tv shows really don't work because you'll have to be informed on the issues each week and when it becomes syndicated half the stuff won't be remembered. it's easy for south park because you can just easily get a glimpse of what's going on to understand.

But when American Dad first came out I was imtimidated by it because at 15 I wasn't quick on political issues and thought it would just be Bush bashing and supreme court justices/senator jokes but soon it became just another comedy show. I really can't say the same for Family Guy I'm already dreading the Brian becomes a conservative episode because i won't understand a thing.

[Old Guy]

American Dad is run by writers and producers from the pre-canceled seasons of Family Guy. Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman have already been mentioned but don't forgot David Zuckerman who FOX hired to develop Family Guy with Seth MacFarlene in addition to executive produce. So, AD is basically like those seasons of FG except without the cutaways and some-what less over the top. The first season of AD was different because MacFarlene was actually involved 100%. FG wasn't re-launched till they were in the middle of AD. Remember that the AD pilot premiered after the Super Bowl. It comes to show how much ahead they were from season 4 of FG, which premiered three months later. So, season one had more of the MacFarlene touch. Especially the earlier episodes, when it was FG's replacement, that featured cutaways and what-not.

[Eleanor Hugbees]

I've noticed it. It's doubly ironic that the show borne out of Seth's disappointment at Bush's reelection is less obnoxious and in-your-face about its politics than the Seth show where you're supposed to "turn your brain off and laugh."

I wonder if that's because people in general seem to pay more attention to Family Guy than American Dad?

[Mesousa]

I don't think American Dad looks that pollitical.

At times, it feels like if it's a parody of...something, I don't know, movies involving the military since Stan works at the C.I.A.

[JD08]

I wonder if that's because people in general seem to pay more attention to Family Guy than American Dad?

It's just like that episode of the simpsons where lisa was like now that you have the worlds attention you should talk about the issues. I just hate that.