When it comes to animation that is cutting edge in terms of its explicitness and often times originality the one name that comes to mind is the one and only Seth MacFarlane. The brilliant animator and brains behind “Family Guy” and “American Dad” has certainly built a name for himself with his lowbrow and unique sense of comedy that is both offensive, yet downright hysterical. With the just released Seasons Five and Eight of “American Dad” and “Family Guy” audiences can see the great level of progression each series has taken since their respected starts but at the same time observe the unique novelty each one of these series beholds.
On the Season Five DVD of “American Dad” audiences and fans of the series survey what could be best season of the series so far. When the series first started I can remember finding it to be a portrayal of contemporary conservatism to be rather funny, considering it did in fact poke fun at conservatives, which I also am. Either way, it was in all good fun ultimately making it rather contentious in its character. Compared to the previous seasons “Season Five” is so much fun because of its downright outrageous storylines which is an unofficial trademark of Seth Macfarlane sense of storytelling.
To illustrate such an example could be found in those episodes including “The One That Got Away,” “Roy Rogers McFreely” and “Daddy Queerest.” Each episode stands on its own in terms of comediennes though I would have to say “The One That Got Away” which found the Smith family has become morally obsessed with a 70’s electronic game supplementary showcases this series silliness. Co-created by Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, in addition to Seth MacFarlane, “American Dad” is a fine animated show whose inanity is easily discernible. The series is by no means as funny as “Family Guy” but at the same time it is a show that doesn’t aim to reach the same sort of demographic considering “Family Guys” rather unruly and unequivocal comedic personality.
Then there is “Family Guy” the critically commended and fan adored animated series which is also now available on DVD. On the eighth season, audiences observe a series of episodes that are so off the wall outrageous it’s a wonder how some of the series episodes (of season eight) were even conceived. For example in season eight alone audiences witness a season that finds Stewie and Brian traveling back in time to the Nazi occupied Poland to save the Jewish Pharmacist Mort; womanizing Quagmire discovering he has a child; Brian selling a sitcom to CBS that ends up starring the Griffith family nemesis actor James Woods and Peter and the gang setting out to unearth the origins of the worlds dirtiest joke.
Yes, I know at first these examples seem like a lot but, the episodic list goes on and on. One thing that is for certain about Season Eight is that it featured one episode that made news headlines for its rather sick occurrences. In the episode, which found Brian and Stewie being accidently locked in a bank vault over the weekend, audiences saw an episode that found Brian consuming Stewie’s feces! I know it this sound absolutely repulsive and I too found it absolutely sick. It’s funny though; “Family Guy” would be the one show to feature such a filthy act. This series was built on pushing the boundary of its content and this act of disgustingness shows the series writers and animators know how to cause a stir in animated programming. Taking into account this episode was in fact the series 100th episode it was made to be so sordid to showcase nonsensicality of the series drive but, also showcase “Family Guy” as one animated series that will always be top dog in when it comes to revolting animated comedies.