New 'Family Guy' and 'American Dad' DVD Sets

Seth MacFarlane is one twisted character. Funny, too.  His two creations, Family Guy and American Dad have been airing back to back for several years now, with rabid followings than range range from teen to older adults.  

Both animated programs are the kind of shows where you see sexual or body function quips and visual gags that make you say, “oh that's so wrong.. Yet still, you keep watching. And watching some more.  

In Family Guy, that functioning dysfunctional family the Griffins and thier friends seem to never run out of the unexpected, from father Peter (what does he do for a job, again?) to evil, conspiring talking baby Stewie. The more politically-themed American Dad is still centered around CIA agent father Stan, but between his grappling with puberty son and left-wing to annoy her right wing dad daughter, plus the family's alien in the attic and talking Goldfish with the brain of a German scientist, the plots thicken, reach, stretch, then implode with all kinds of comedic results. Both shows make the Simpsons look like Father Knows Best and Ozzie and Harriet in comparison, really. 

The latest DVD collection of Family Guy Vol. 8 combines the end of the 7th season with the beginning of the 8th.  Why they can't release straight seasons is a question for Fox home video marketing.   So, this set includes: wife Lois working a Fox news; Stewie kidnapping the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation from a fan convention; Stewie on steroids after being bullied by a girl; the show's interpretations of Stephen King books; and Peter's past life in 17th century England.  And that's just for starters.  There's also talking dog Brian and Stewie's adventures in alternate universes (shades of DC and Marvel comics), spies next door from Russia, and interviews for a new black character with Cleveland moving on to his own spin-off show.  

In American Dad, Vol. 5, episodes from that show's 4th season are featured. The run starts with a telethon to help the budget strapped CIA; Stan hyped up on pills not realizing he's an addict, of course; fried foods are banned and Stan rebels, of course; a reunion with Stan's convict dad; Awkward as ever son Steve gets in trouble at a bar mitzvah; and true secrets of whiny alien Roger are finally revealed. The season wraps up with the gay neighbors worrying about one of the pair's football hero and straight dad coming to town, while a night out with the boys is loaded with disaster for Stan. 

Each set includes deleted scenes, extended episodes, plenty of commentary options and it's all uncensored, making it all even more wrong at times. And yeah, funny.


This piece also appeared on Buzzine.