Settling down at night for some comic relief sounds like a relaxing way to end the night, but does the public realize what is actually making them laugh? Antonia Peacocke, a student at Harvard University, authored “Family Guy and Freud: Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious” and analyzes the show Family Guy. She tries to persuade her readers that the television show Family Guy is not a crude show but is actually humorous. Of course, many will probably disagree on the grounds that the show should not be criticised because it is simply that, a show, but this is where I disagree. Peacocke uses specific details to prove that Family Guy is just a humorous show, but I believe Peacocke’s examples actually make her contradict her own points. Even though Peacocke attempts to persuade her readers that the show is humorous entertainment, she does not persuade me. Peacocke incorrectly states that Family Guy censors the show to an appropriate viewing standard; she also contradicts herself by trying to prove her point, and finally, I disagree with how she supports the creator of the show in his statement that the show does not have an effect on reality. Family Guy does not correctly censor its show because it still contains controversial comedy after it supposedly has been censored. Peacocke writes, “. . . Family Guy does not aim to hurt, and its creators take certain measures to keep it from hitting too hard” (307). Peacocke states that the creators censor the show, so it is not too insulting to its viewers. However, I believe Peacocke is incorrect because of the question that arises from this statement: how can the creators know what is hitting too hard? Ultimately, what is at stake here is the different memories that are triggered by different scenarios throughout TV viewers watching the show. What may not be hurtful to one audience member may be insulting to another. This is exemplified in the show when they make countless sexist and racist jokes, as well as making fun of domestic violence. One Family Guy episode is entirely based on sexism towards women, including sexist jokes. Another example of the crudeness displayed in one of the Family Guy episodes is the episode containing domestic violence. This should not be a humorous subject matter because of how real and problematic domestic violence is in today’s society. Peacocke contradicts herself on the points she uses to try to prove her argument. On the one hand, she argues that Family Guy is crude, but on the other hand, she states that she has “reached the point at which I can perform one-woman versions of several episodes” (300). Furthermore, I believe Peacocke contradicts herself because she states how the show is prejudice, but she watches the show because of the humor it provides. She says that the show is “bigoted and crude” but says how entertaining and hilarious the show is for making fun of the aspects of American society (300). Family Guy mocks society. This is exemplified when a paraplegic, one of the main characters, and an old dog race for a finish line (308). I do not find this funny; instead, I find it insulting to those who have suffered a tremendous amount and struggle every day to live. Peacocke’s next statement that I disagree with includes the show’s censorship and how it does not have an effect on reality. Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, states, “. . . no amount of television censorship will ever change the harsh nature of reality. . .” (qtd. in Peacocke 306). MacFarlane explains that it does not matter what is censored in the show because it will not change what happens in the real world. I disagree with MacFarlane because I believe that TV is what caused the changes in society. TV is now allowing sexual images, relationships, drugs, and alcohol to be shown on teen networks. Consequently, this has allowed viewers to believe that because it is okay on the shows they watch, it is okay for them to do in their own lives. MacFarlane tries to say this show will not change reality, but he is false because it already has. Peacocke incorrectly states that Family Guy censors the show to an appropriate viewing standard; she also contradicts herself by trying to prove her point, and finally, I disagree with how she supports the creator of the show in his statement that the show doesn’t have an effect on reality. When settling down at night, a person needs to think about what they are truly watching. Is sexism actually a funny matter? Is domestic violence a humorous subject? Is it okay for viewers to be watching these types of shows? All of these questions should be considered before watching a show like Family Guy.
Works Cited Peacocke, Antonia. "Family Guy and Freud: Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 299-311. Print.