I've heard more and more people complaining that the "sideshows" go on for too long during Family Guy. So I've decided, next week, I'm going to time the amount of "actual plot", compared to all the little goofy segues. Sure, that may seem like a complete waste of time, but that's the kind of non-sensical tv goodness that we here at TV Squad strive to provide you. I personally, happen to love the "trips to see the world's biggest tinfoil ball" that stray from the main vacation, so tonight was particularly great for me. On with the show!Unlike The Simpsons tonight, Family Guy actually did work their two storylines together. Their first big one (it's punny, you'll get it), was about Peter's ever increasing weight problem. He skips out on going to his physical, so that he and Brian can go meet the guys at an all-you-can-eat steak restaurant. Eventually, Lois drags him to his doctor, just to learn what we all know already: Peter's fat. Fed up with the way society treats him, and others of his ilk, Peter decides to create a union who's sole purpose is improving the way others see them. The NAAFP, The National Association for the Advancement of Fat People. Wow... go Mr. MacFarlane.
The other big new tonight was that Lois has a brother. After walking in on a horrifying incident involving their mother and Jackie Gleason, young Patrick Pewterschmidt is sent to a mental institute. Lois discovers this decades later and takes him to live with them. Although he seems "well adjusted" at first, the chinks in his mental health quickly start to show. His invisible wife is the first clue.
As you can imagine, Patrick holds some ill-will towards fat men because of the whole Jackie Gleason thing. He goes on a killing spree of big guys and earns himself the moniker of "The Fat Man Strangler". After some initial denial, Lois finally succumbs to the fact that Patrick is the killer and races off to stop him before he kill his next victim: her husband! She succeeds, but only after holding Patrick's imaginary wife at knife-point, and he goes back to the help he needs.
This show is really on it's way to becoming a staple of shows you just have to watch. I recently went on vacation with my folks and have gotten them completely hooked on it. They went out and bought the first couple of seasons while still there and watched them all. Near the end of the episode, when Brian hits Peter in the face with the rock for rolling the window up on him in the General Lee, my Dad called me about 30 seconds later cracking up. See, Family Guy brings families together. Let me know what you think.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-28-2005 @ 12:11AM
Brad Major said...
anyone notice that at least in atlanta GA the show aired 15 minutes early (8:45)? me and my tivo were not pleased!
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11-28-2005 @ 12:20AM
Natrino said...
It was about 15 minutes late here (Indiana), due to the Giants game going into overtime.
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11-28-2005 @ 2:05AM
elf said...
Ah, the old "Fox Ruining Shows with Football Overruns" is happening all over again. Actually, living on the west coast, I'm not affected by this, but I do feel sorry for those in the Eastern and Central time zones. However, any of you who don't catch it first run on Fox, remember that all new Family Guy (and American Dad) episodes are repeated on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim the Thursday night of the following week.
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11-28-2005 @ 2:10AM
Natrino said...
As well as 2 weeks later on Cartoon Network.
Tonight's episode will air on Cartoon Network on Sunday, December 11.
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11-28-2005 @ 5:47AM
LordPaul said...
The segways are the reason I love the show, they just leave me going "eh?" but in the best possible way! The old guy singing last week was well creepy :D
Family guy just keeps on giving & you're right about the family thing - my dad totally loves it.
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11-28-2005 @ 8:11AM
Dave Caolo said...
What do you guys think would happen if I just left this cucumber right here on the couch like this, hm? If it turns into a pickle in three weeks, I'll buy you all a steak.
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11-28-2005 @ 9:50AM
Sean said...
Chris: "it must be nice on your pedestal Patrick"
after Patrick says that chronic masturbaters are sick.
Very subtle, but I had to stop the dvr to watch it again because it made me laugh so hard.
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11-28-2005 @ 10:40AM
ChickebSangwich said...
Actual line was "Is it lonely up there on your pedestal, Patrick?" Very funny. Had to change my Depends after that one.
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11-28-2005 @ 3:04PM
ChickebSangwich said...
Actual line was "Is it lonely up there on your pedestal, Patrick?" Very funny. Had to change my Depends after that one.
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11-28-2005 @ 12:23PM
Kurt said...
The line about that was for closing the window on the General Lee was classic! And, the cavemen breaking into "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel was worth the wait in that segway.
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11-28-2005 @ 12:44PM
Tucker said...
I lost control at that room full of fat guys. Good lord, the grunts, belches, farts, labored exhales... It was far too hilarious for me to handle. I'm laughing out loud right now just thinking about it.
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11-28-2005 @ 12:46PM
elf said...
People, may I have your attention please?
Segue: To move smoothly and unhesitatingly from one state, condition, situation, or element to another. Usage in terms of television: A bridge between scenes.
Segway: A scooter. Usage in television: The thing GOB rides.
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11-28-2005 @ 1:11PM
Alan said...
I hate to break it to you, but the "sideshows" are the reason why the Family Guy is as funny as it is. Nobody watches this stupid show for the plot. It's all about the tangents.
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11-28-2005 @ 5:20PM
Marten said...
Exactly. People who get annoyed by those sideshows are just mentally hilarious.
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11-28-2005 @ 7:21PM
Jeff said...
Who's watching a show like Family Guy for the plot? This isn't Lost or 24. Its a comedy. The gags make the show.
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11-28-2005 @ 8:43PM
cowbell said...
Thanks Tucker, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who found that to be utterly hilarious. I think I wet myself and spit up I laughed so hard at that.
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11-29-2005 @ 4:13AM
Belgand said...
Yes, the tangential material is funny, but recently it has started feeling forced. They've learned the formula and are working it as much as possible rather than staying original. Many of the early episodes also tended to have plots that were designed as sharp parodies of typical sitcom plots, but that's started to be lost more recently as well.
It's still a great show, but you can only have Peter go "Remember the time when..." so many times before it just feels overused.
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11-29-2005 @ 2:31PM
Brett said...
No, the best part by far is when Brian put the TV in orbit around Peter.
heeheeheee....ahhhhhhh....heeheeheee
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11-29-2005 @ 7:40PM
Amy said...
I absolutly loved it when Brain hit Peter in the head with the rock and claims that it was for not opening the window to the General Lee. For me this was the joke of the night. Great job relating back to earlier episodes!
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12-01-2005 @ 1:44PM
ZipperSeven said...
Agreed...the 'sideshows' are the best part of the show. My favorites to this day are all 'original' Family Guy scenes; my favorite is the Victorian era scene where Brian, Peter, and Stewie are all dressed up with top hats.
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