Fox censors entire Family Guy episode on abortion [Archive]

Questioninggeller

29th July 2009, 12:39 PM

Fox paid to make a 'Family Guy' episode on abortion titled "Partial Terms of Endearment," but has decided to not let it air. This the second time Fox has decided to not air a 'Family Guy' episode.

Clearly Fox has the right/power to do this, but I think this reeks of News Corp hypocrisy. That same company owns the NY Post, which just published (http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212246067.shtml) naked Erin Andrews photos illegally taken in a hotel. However, Fox doesn't want to air a cartoon about abortion. I wonder if the Fox News hosts will be outraged over this. (For those who say Murdoch/News Corp doesn't have control over what airs, I point you to Murdoch cancelling the book and Fox special OJ Simpson: If I did it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_I_Did_It#Project_cancellation).)

July 25, 2009
'Family Guy' abortion episode unlikely to air on Fox
Update: Fox rules against 'Family Guy' abortion episode
thrfeed.com (http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/fox-abortion-family-guy.html)
By Steven Zeitchik & James Hibberd

News Corp. paid Seth MacFarlane the ultimate compliment when it made him 20th Century Fox TV's $100 million crown jewel. But the "Family Guy" creator wasn't exactly returning the favor at Comic-Con.

At the series' panel Saturday, MacFarlane continued his show's tradition of jibing its studio and network.

MacFarlane revealed he's producing a controversial episode about abortion for the upcoming season. But he and others on the panel said that Fox was unlikely to air the episode.
...
If Fox chooses not to air the episode, it would be the second time in "Family Guy" history the network opted not to telecast the show. In 2000, the episode "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein" was rejected by the network, though the show later aired in syndication and was on the show's DVD set.
...
The news comes on the heels of "Family Guy" making history as the first animated series in decades to receive a best comedy series Emmy nomination.
...

thrfeed.com (http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/fox-abortion-family-guy.html)

Since that article Fox made its decision:

Update: Fox rules out 'Family Guy' abortion episode
thrfeed.com (http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/family-guy-abortion-fox-broadcast.html)
July 27, 2009

Fox has decided not to broadcast a "Family Guy" episode next season that deals with abortion.

The episode, which is titled "Partial Terms of Endearment," was produced by sister company 20th TV.

thrfeed.com (http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/family-guy-abortion-fox-broadcast.html)

Kay

29th July 2009, 12:50 PM

Now if only Fox could decide to censor all the other Family Guy episodes, the world would be a better place.

Questioninggeller

29th July 2009, 12:57 PM

Now if only Fox could decide to censor all the other Family Guy episodes, the world would be a better place.

Eric Cartman already tried that in the Great Cartoon War of 2006 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartoon_Wars_Part_I).

Safe-Keeper

29th July 2009, 01:12 PM

Clearly Fox has the right/power to do this, but I think this reeks of News Corp hypocrisy. The same company that owns the NY Post, which just published (http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212246067.shtml) naked Erin Andrews photos illegally taken in a hotel.You know, I remember a time when taking pictures of naked people without their consent was considered perverted and horrible, not the least because it can be extremely degrading to the victims. But now all of a sudden the major news corporations do it? I guess this means that if I install a hidden camera and film someone nude and post it on the Web... I won't be punished or called a pervert. Right?

Disgusting.

Robster, FCD

29th July 2009, 04:30 PM

I quite enjoy Family Guy. Their recent episode where the dog Brian was outed and attacked for being an atheist was excellent, especially when Brian pointed out the unfairness of her lot in life to Meg. Top notch.

EeneyMinnieMoe

29th July 2009, 04:35 PM

You know, I remember a time when taking pictures of naked people without their consent was considered perverted and horrible, not the least because it can be extremely degrading to the victims. But now all of a sudden the major news corporations do it? I guess this means that if I install a hidden camera and film someone nude and post it on the Web... I won't be punished or called a pervert. Right?

Disgusting.

To be a hundred percent fair to Fox, a hundred other media outlets and private citizens did the exact same thing with the video of that poor woman- showed it, spread it, reported on it. So it's not just them.

Safe-Keeper

29th July 2009, 04:37 PM

To be a hundred percent fair to Fox, a hundred other media outlets and private citizens did the exact same thing with the video of that poor womanBy all means - while I'm no fan of Fox, my latest post was actually not intended to be an attack on them specifically:).

aggle-rithm

29th July 2009, 05:03 PM

shadron

29th July 2009, 05:11 PM

Safe-Keeper

29th July 2009, 05:16 PM

You don't get to blame your moral choices on "a hundred other media outlets and private citizens"Correct. Hence, if you receive nude photos from someone and pass them on - your fault. If you trust someone enough to strip for them, and they send it on - naïve, perhaps, but not your fault.

PS: How is stripping in front of the camera for then to send the clip to a friend a "moral choice"?

Fnord

29th July 2009, 05:47 PM

"Family Guy" is still in production?

Wow.

I had even given up on "The Simpsons."

Robster, FCD

29th July 2009, 07:50 PM

"Let he who is without sin cast the first Prius."

Friggin sweet!

Drudgewire

29th July 2009, 08:23 PM

Isn't this whole controversy based on something Seth said at the Con without knowing if it was going to be aired or not?

tyr_13

29th July 2009, 08:34 PM

"Family Guy" is still in production?

Wow.

I had even given up on "The Simpsons."

Seth MacFarlane is the highest paid writer and producer in history. His recent deal with Fox to keep producing Family Guy and American Dad netted him $100 million reportedly. Family Guy is one of the only shows to ever come back from being canceled (and I personally find it amazing to the point that I'm watching it right now). The DVD sales from Family Guy alone are outstanding. At work we have the complete set along with poker chips, dice, and other gaming stuff called the 'Freakin Sweet Party Pack'. It's $78 Sam's Club fans.

Not only does he write a lot of his own stuff, but as far as I can tell, he voices half the characters. I believe 'Brian's' voice is his natural speaking voice.

Fox decided to censor it, as they often do. Guess that just gives those people who buy the box sets something extra to see.

Steelmage

29th July 2009, 08:54 PM

geni

29th July 2009, 09:07 PM

Clearly Fox has the right/power to do this, but I think this reeks of News Corp hypocrisy. That same company owns the NY Post, which just published (http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212246067.shtml) naked Erin Andrews photos illegally taken in a hotel. However, Fox doesn't want to air a cartoon about abortion. I wonder if the Fox News hosts will be outraged over this.

News corp own the sun which has topless girls on page 3.

News corp understand that their different products need different styles. So fox needs to be ah safe for the american right. On the other hand the sun needs to appeal to chavs. News corp exist to make money and promote a right wing agender. Is it really hypocritcal for them to do that?

Dunstan

29th July 2009, 11:04 PM

Fox to me seems to be run on conservative ideas. So it would not be two-face for them to show practically nude women and be against abortion. Since a lot of the conservatives are against abortion but for practically nude women (well most guys are for this actually).

I think you have to distinguish between Fox News and Fox. Plain old Fox was always the most daring of the networks, and offended right-wing family-values types with The Simpsons (yes, at one point, it was a controversial show), Married With Children, various tacky reality shows (Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire, etc.), and of course Family Guy.

Without knowing the content of the Family Guy episode, I can't say for sure, but I doubt any of the major networks would air this. Has any major character on a television series had an abortion (during the show's run, not some "ten years ago, I had an abortion" confession) since Maude? It seems that, on the rare occasions when the networks deal with abortion, either (a) the character decides not to have one; or (b) while the character is still mulling it over, she miscarries or turns out not to have been pregnant after all. Abortion is still a hot potato on U.S. television.

EeneyMinnieMoe

29th July 2009, 11:07 PM

To be 100% just, they did take photos from a video that was made clandestinely, voyeur-wise, without any permission whatsoever, and splashed them in their paper, strictly for the shock effect of it. At least Paris Hilton knew the tape was running, even if she probably never thought her friend would sell them to paparazzi outlets - fool.

You don't get to blame your moral choices on "a hundred other media outlets and private citizens".

Agreed. They are spreading the image of an unwitting victim.

One thing to be said for that slime who sold out Paris Hilton- he at least had the decency to do it after 4 years and long after their relationship was over. Though that might not have been decency, it might have been an attempt to capitalize on her then upcoming reality show. (Was she famous when the video was made? She was 19 then and I believe she had made PageSix even then and a number of columns was somewhat well known for being a party girl heiress but wasn't nationally or globally famous.)

The weirdest fact about that scandal? That, in the ensuing lawsuits, he ended up suing her for defamation! The temerity of some people.

Sparhawk

29th July 2009, 11:12 PM

The Australian series "Packed to the Rafters" had an abortion in it's first series (2008). Although they never actually said the word, it was only infered.

Travis

29th July 2009, 11:19 PM

If it's Meg that gets knocked up I have to wonder who the father is...........Jimmy Fallon?

Steelmage

30th July 2009, 03:14 AM

I think you have to distinguish between Fox News and Fox. Plain old Fox was always the most daring of the networks, and offended right-wing family-values types with The Simpsons (yes, at one point, it was a controversial show), Married With Children, various tacky reality shows (Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire, etc.), and of course Family Guy.

Without knowing the content of the Family Guy episode, I can't say for sure, but I doubt any of the major networks would air this. Has any major character on a television series had an abortion (during the show's run, not some "ten years ago, I had an abortion" confession) since Maude? It seems that, on the rare occasions when the networks deal with abortion, either (a) the character decides not to have one; or (b) while the character is still mulling it over, she miscarries or turns out not to have been pregnant after all. Abortion is still a hot potato on U.S. television.

Sometimes it is hard to distinguish the two, as there is times to me in which they do the same thing. Interesting point about abortion on TV.

GreNME

30th July 2009, 06:35 AM

Seth MacFarlane is the highest paid writer and producer in history.

Nonsense. We all know Family Guy is written by manatees.

Gord_in_Toronto

30th July 2009, 06:44 AM

volatile

30th July 2009, 06:51 AM

Although, of course, not generally in comedies, British TV characters have abortions al the time - all the soaps have featured them, more than once, as have teen-soaps like Hollyoaks and even, if my memory serves, kids drama shows like Grange Hill.

It's just not a taboo topic of discussion here. It's never dealt with lightly, and always shown to be horrible and heartbreaking and awful, but it is dealt with.

Corsair 115

30th July 2009, 08:32 AM

What a curious place the non-Canadian part of the World is. The Canadian TV show Degrassi High had a two-part episode in which one of the main characters (a high school student) has an abortion. When aired in the US, PBS censored the episode (deleting an early scene with a "pro-life" mob and the final scene in which the actual decision is made). Later US airings on the N Channel just dropped the episode and a later one in which the events of the episode are referenced.
:boggled:

On a similar note, when movies featuring comonly spoken expressions such as "God damn it!" or "Jesus Christ!" (when spoken in exasperation) are broadcast on U.S. networks, those expressions are edited. "God" will be bleeped out, and "Jesus Christ!" is removed entirely (when spoken in exasperation; if the words are spoken in a religious context, then they are left in).

linusrichard

30th July 2009, 09:15 AM

"So me and Lois are driving up to Vermont to get this abortion - Hang on, hang on, Lois. Don't ruin it.
All right, so we're driving up to get this abortion, and we get to the abortion clinic, and the abortionist has one hand - Bah-bah. I'll tell it, I'll tell it.
So I turn to Lois and I says, 'You want to get an abortion here? You want to get an abortion with the abortionist having a stump hand? We can't get an abortion here.' So, we turned around and went home, and two-and-a-half months later our daughter Meg was born."

Love that show.

Morrigan

30th July 2009, 09:56 AM

Has any major character on a television series had an abortion (during the show's run, not some "ten years ago, I had an abortion" confession) since Maude? It seems that, on the rare occasions when the networks deal with abortion, either (a) the character decides not to have one; or (b) while the character is still mulling it over, she miscarries or turns out not to have been pregnant after all. Abortion is still a hot potato on U.S. television.

In Canada and elsewhere, it's not a taboo, but in the US, the girl in Six Feet Under (the Fisher daughter, forgot her name) has one at some point. Of course, "it's not TV, it's HBO", but there you go.

jnelso99

30th July 2009, 11:32 AM

On a similar note, when movies featuring comonly spoken expressions such as "God damn it!" or "Jesus Christ!" (when spoken in exasperation) are broadcast on U.S. networks, those expressions are edited. "God" will be bleeped out, and "Jesus Christ!" is removed entirely

As is "Sweet zombie Jesus!"...

Cainkane1

30th July 2009, 11:32 AM

While I dearly loathe Family guy cartoons I don't believe in censorship either.

stup_id

30th July 2009, 11:54 AM

Without knowing the content of the Family Guy episode, I can't say for sure, but I doubt any of the major networks would air this. Has any major character on a television series had an abortion (during the show's run, not some "ten years ago, I had an abortion" confession) since Maude? It seems that, on the rare occasions when the networks deal with abortion, either (a) the character decides not to have one; or (b) while the character is still mulling it over, she miscarries or turns out not to have been pregnant after all. Abortion is still a hot potato on U.S. television.

I don't know about major characters, but in Law & Order SVU, the abortion topic has always seemed well managed to me, (for Americans I would be "pro-choice"), and in fact many stories include the topic or even are about this issue, I think I remember one case relating to a physician denying the right to abortion to an underage girl who ends up beating herself up to get rid of the baby, and another one where they were looking for a murderer of a doctor who did legal abortion procedures in a clinic.

Skeptic Ginger

30th July 2009, 12:19 PM

...Clearly Fox has the right/power to do this, but I think this reeks of News Corp hypocrisy. That same company owns the NY Post, which just published (http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212246067.shtml) naked Erin Andrews photos illegally taken in a hotel. However, Fox doesn't want to air a cartoon about abortion. I wonder if the Fox News hosts will be outraged over this.... While I agree Fox News is extremely hypocritical, I don't think you can say the photo published in the NY Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07212009/news/nationalnews/espn_hottie_erin_andrews_in_peep_shocker_180520.ht m) reveals much of anything.

Skeptic Ginger

30th July 2009, 12:22 PM

News corp own the sun which has topless girls on page 3.

News corp understand that their different products need different styles. So fox needs to be ah safe for the american right. On the other hand the sun needs to appeal to chavs. News corp exist to make money and promote a right wing agender. Is it really hypocritcal for them to do that?
Uh, yeah. Fox supports the conservative social view except when it comes to promoting sex.

Ivor the Engineer

30th July 2009, 12:29 PM

Uh, yeah. Fox supports the conservative social view except when it comes to promoting sex.

I disagree. The right believe there are two types of women: mothers and whores.

NWO Sentryman

30th July 2009, 12:49 PM

If south Park can make jokes about abortion, i do not see why family guy shouldn't be allowed to either.

Cavemonster

30th July 2009, 12:55 PM

If south Park can make jokes about abortion, i do not see why family guy shouldn't be allowed to either.

They're on two different networks, and it's the network that makes the decision.

Nosi

30th July 2009, 02:06 PM

While I dearly loathe Family guy cartoons I don't believe in censorship either.

Never fear...werez or P2P is near...if you really want to get a hold of something censored or banned...there are programs and websites that will lift the tender innocence from your eyeballs to the raunchiest of cartoons! (Sarcasm explosion)

GreNME

30th July 2009, 02:58 PM

I disagree. The right believe there are two types of women: mothers and whores.

Are you confusing the Right with Frank Miller?

Matt and Trey actually cover my thoughts on Family Guy (except that I think it's watchable):

Zc2yT5wNXbU

Ferguson

30th July 2009, 04:26 PM

It's dumb to censor it, but I can understand, less angry phone calls, and people who want to see the episode will have to buy the DVD, like with the Weinstein episode. (Or just download it, like with the Weinstein episode)

Robster, FCD

30th July 2009, 04:33 PM

If south Park can make jokes about abortion, i do not see why family guy shouldn't be allowed to either.

Cable vs broadcast.

Policenaut

30th July 2009, 04:45 PM

Family Guy has made abortion jokes before so that can't be the problem. I'm guessing the episode in question had some sort of graphic depiction of abortion. South Park did tackle it but as said before it was on cable.

technoextreme

30th July 2009, 05:02 PM

They're on two different networks, and it's the network that makes the decision.
My best guess is that Seth somehow found a way to go way way overboard. Remember people Fox let this air on television:
kRj-S8Aklcw

Questioninggeller

30th July 2009, 05:22 PM

Without knowing the content of the Family Guy episode, I can't say for sure, but I doubt any of the major networks would air this. Has any major character on a television series had an abortion (during the show's run, not some "ten years ago, I had an abortion" confession) since Maude? It seems that, on the rare occasions when the networks deal with abortion, either (a) the character decides not to have one; or (b) while the character is still mulling it over, she miscarries or turns out not to have been pregnant after all. Abortion is still a hot potato on U.S. television.

Family Guy deals with a lot of issues other shows don't touch, why should abortion be different? Really, I don't know the history of abortion on television, but it seems silly for the network for draw a line and prevent a cartoon from airing comedy about abortion.

Also I don't understand how abortion being a "hot potato" means a cartoon can't add to that debate further. If it is a hot issue then it seems like it should air. Non-issues aren't interesting...

technoextreme

30th July 2009, 05:32 PM

Non-issues aren't interesting...
Just like Family Guy. ZING. Ladies and gentlemen Conway Twitty.

Undesired Walrus

31st July 2009, 12:30 AM

(Having Kenny's spirit trapped inside him) 'I need to find somewhere where they take living souls out of your body...' (Cuts to abortion clinic) 'I'd like to get an abortion please' - Cartman.
-

Darat

31st July 2009, 12:38 AM

My best guess is that Seth somehow found a way to go way way overboard. Remember people Fox let this air on television:
kRj-S8Aklcw

That seemed a tad tame to me.

Family Guy is shown on one the BBC channels over here and I don't know if they censor any episodes. I find some of it quite funny and some of it not-so funny, on balance I like its flip take on stuff and its surrealism. I hadn't picked up that it was considered to be a "controversial" show.

Undesired Walrus

31st July 2009, 01:04 AM

Family Guy has the odd moment here and there which raises a smile from me, but I just can't find it all that watchable. It gets this reputation as a daring, controversial program that pulls its punches, but the truth is that its all been done before, better, by the Simpsons and South Park.

EeneyMinnieMoe

31st July 2009, 10:14 PM

Uh, yeah. Fox supports the conservative social view except when it comes to promoting sex. making manna by promoting sex (and drugs, drink, dirty jokes and communism.)

This "conservative" corporation apparently has zero qualms about breathlessly reporting Paris and Nicky Hilton's antics and splashing them half naked across the front page, reporting the antics of other 24 Hour Party People celebrities and showing them half naked (and reporting on them even when they are gay, divorcing, having affairs, allegedly having abortions or drug addled), broadcasting That 70s Show, broadcasting Family Guy (except this one time), releasing a movie like The Dreamers, having strippers and hookers on Bill O'Reilly's show, sending Sean Hannity to the Bunny Ranch, showing Arod's then wife with a F word tshirt on the front page and bend over backwards for the Chinese government.

When they want to make money, they are more liberal than MSNBC.

I disagree. The right believe there are two types of women: mothers and whores.

They are seemingly very down with a whore like Paris Hilton. Either because she makes The NY Post money or because they, like the rest of us, just want to know what she's been up to.

Edit: They also seem to have zero qualms about broadcasting The Simpsons, Melrose Place, COPS, Married with Children, Ben Stiller's show, In Living Color, The Simple Life, MAD TV, 24, Arrested Development and a million other very objectionable shows.

Heck, they are edgier than HBO! When it comes to what makes them money.

Morrigan

31st July 2009, 11:29 PM

gtc

1st August 2009, 02:16 AM

Edgier than HBO? Let's not go nuts. Call me when they air TV shows with actual swearing in it (Jack Bauer's "son of a bitch" or "dammit" don't count as swearing), nudity/sexuality or graphic violence like what you find in Deadwood, Rome, Oz, and so on.

Are they actually allowed to broadcast that sort of 'edgy' material? My understanding of US media is that free-to-air tv has to be tamer than cable or DVD material.

Ferguson

1st August 2009, 04:40 AM

Are they actually allowed to broadcast that sort of 'edgy' material? My understanding of US media is that free-to-air tv has to be tamer than cable or DVD material.

You are correct.
http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN2530635020080127

Fnord

3rd August 2009, 12:23 PM

The last episode of "Family Guy" I remember watching featured the dog, the dad, the baby, and the brother determining who gets the last piece of desert by each one taking a dose of Ipecac and seeing which one stopped vomitting first.

1. That scene lasted far too long.
2. I don't remember what the rest of the episode was about.

"Jacob Two-Two" is now my favorite cartoon.

EeneyMinnieMoe

3rd August 2009, 05:27 PM

Edgier than HBO? Let's not go nuts. Call me when they air TV shows with actual swearing in it (Jack Bauer's "son of a bitch" or "dammit" don't count as swearing), nudity/sexuality or graphic violence like what you find in Deadwood, Rome, Oz, and so on.

I also wonder at the "objectionable" description to these shows. The Simpsons, really? Barbara Bush found it objectionable back in 1990, but that was nearly twenty years ago.

The violence in 24 is among the most graphic on TV. Cops, arguably the first reality show, has plenty of violence (not to mention drug use, moonshine, swearing, occasional nudity). The Simpsons is a lot less "graphic" only because it's animated but has attacked creationism, "family values", life in the suburbs, foreign policy, various politicians, etc. That 70s Show is full of raunchiness and drug use. Even Ozzy Osbourne had a show on Fox. Family Guy is usually allowed to do everything and anything.

(Not that I have the slightest interest in any of these shows; I've hardly seen one or two episodes of any one of them.)

bob_cadaver

4th August 2009, 08:44 AM

Morrigan

4th August 2009, 06:28 PM

The violence in 24 is among the most graphic on TV.

Um, what? No. Not remotely.

Questioninggeller

20th August 2009, 07:42 PM

Here's some details on the episode:

'Family Guy' Channels Controversy Onstage
By Emily Yahr
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/13/AR2009081303559.html)
Friday, August 14, 2009

...
The episode, in which Griffin matriarch Lois becomes a surrogate mom for a college friend and her husband, really focuses on the "will she/won't she" abortion question only in the third act, after the couple dies in a car accident. What follows is a trip to a family-planning center, where Peter, initially encouraging his wife to end the pregnancy (and thus avoid her crazy-while-pregnant phase), is stopped by a group of antiabortion activists who try to change his mind with a video featuring Ziggy the Zygote, who just wants a hug.
...

Full: Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/13/AR2009081303559.html)