by A Morris

Created on: June 19, 2008

As television shows go, Family Guy is akin to marmite. You either love it or you hate it! Personally I am a big fan of this animated show and find it highly amusing. It is controversial in nature, and pushes the boundaries of taste and opinion. On many occasions I have found myself laughing at something I might later realise was distasteful to some degree. For the most part, I find the show extremely entertaining, and it is one of very few shows that make me laugh out loud. Sometimes I laugh to the point of crying! The show also has a fantastic musical score, with a wealth of musical numbers and big band swing music.

The show focuses on the antics of the Griffin family, based in Quahog. Peter Griffin, father of three, is for the most part a decent man, but with the capacity to behave like a five year old. He lacks basic common sense, the ability to think things through and to consider the consequences of his actions. This makes him almost completely unpredictable, as he is impulsive. He seems to have a wealth of expensive toys, such as "the Peter-copter", and is liable to damage local homes and property with his outrageous shenanigans. However, he does love his family (except perhaps daughter Meg), and is loyal to his friends.

The rest of the family spend most of their time undoing the damage Peter has caused, or being on the receiving end of it. Wife Lois either joins in with Peter or tries to calm him down. Lois is a strong character, who takes no prisoners, and can pack a punch when required. In one episode, Peter and baby Stewie bond by focusing all their attention on playing tricks on Lois. These tricks would be considered cruel and unusual punishment' in the real world, but within the confines of the show you come to expect them.

Chris Griffin is a very sweet character, but not the sharpest tool in the box. He is known to fight imaginary bears in order for Peter to make money from the neighbours. Meg Griffin is the brunt of many a cruel joke, and Stewie is the most sarcastic, black-humoured baby you could ever imagine. From inside the womb, it has been his mission to kill Lois. He spends much of his time devising plans to kill her, which inevitably fail. Despite being an intelligent, fully verbal six month old, he still at times displays his young age, by having tea parties with his teddy bear Rupert, and recording fake interviews with celebrities. Stewie is often in the company of Brian, the family's talking dog. Brian is intelligent, has a great singing

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