Family Guy - "Love, Blactually" - Talkback [9/28]
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Think & Say
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I love the whole "which characters can understand Stewie?" conversation.
Olyvardos-3
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And Loretta's acting more like Cleveland. Seriously, what the hell?
chris_w1lson2
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Is it me, or did Loretta and Cleveland switch personalities this episode?
annnabellaaaxo
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Wow, Cleveland is a real ass.
His Juicy Couture Girl:)
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I didn't. Felt out-of-synch to me, like they were trying too hard to break the fourth wall and be daring.
And... Loretta's back. This is the pilot for The Cleveland Show, isn't it?
And... Loretta's back. This is the pilot for The Cleveland Show, isn't it?
Simply the best.
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Or maybe Cleveland Jr. wasn't needed in the episode so he just wasn't there. Don't see what his presence in this episode would have added. They did mention getting "the family" back together. Seemed like acknowledgment at the very least.
How about we just wait for next week and see for ourselves. I recall everyone frekaing out about the supposedly long frog gag last season that ended up not being so bad. And tonight's episode had very few cutaways and actually had a pretty fleshed out plot. Shows Seth and the rest of the crew (he doesn't make these things by himself) are prefectly capable of making episodes with a halfway decent narrative. This episode certainly flowed better than the disaster of a Simpsons episode that aired tonight.
And either way, I loved the Gene Kelly scene from "Road to Rupert".
I actually felt more emotion in this one (especially at the end) than I've felt from any Simpsons episode in a long time. Cleveland's speech at the end to Loretta was actually very tender and I'm glad that scene didn't end on a joke. There was heart to that as opposed to the forced dialouge in any given Simpsons episodes, where even intentionaly dramatic moments (like in "Mona Leaves-a") fail to sound sincere.
Again, who cares about Cleveland Jr? I honestly don't understand why everyone is upset that we don't see this entirely forgettable character anymore.
Did we watch the same show tonight? I saw a plot in it, plain as day. And it wasn't interrupted every 10 seconds by a cutaway either. No long songs. No drawn out bits. A couple of groaners but nothing I felt was absolutely horrible.
People do change their beliefs though I know it's a stretch considering Brian is only a cartoon character of course. But I don't think it's a fact that's really worth dwelling on.
Hey I laughed. I'm positive I wasn't the only one.
How about we just wait for next week and see for ourselves. I recall everyone frekaing out about the supposedly long frog gag last season that ended up not being so bad. And tonight's episode had very few cutaways and actually had a pretty fleshed out plot. Shows Seth and the rest of the crew (he doesn't make these things by himself) are prefectly capable of making episodes with a halfway decent narrative. This episode certainly flowed better than the disaster of a Simpsons episode that aired tonight.
And either way, I loved the Gene Kelly scene from "Road to Rupert".
I actually felt more emotion in this one (especially at the end) than I've felt from any Simpsons episode in a long time. Cleveland's speech at the end to Loretta was actually very tender and I'm glad that scene didn't end on a joke. There was heart to that as opposed to the forced dialouge in any given Simpsons episodes, where even intentionaly dramatic moments (like in "Mona Leaves-a") fail to sound sincere.
Again, who cares about Cleveland Jr? I honestly don't understand why everyone is upset that we don't see this entirely forgettable character anymore.
Did we watch the same show tonight? I saw a plot in it, plain as day. And it wasn't interrupted every 10 seconds by a cutaway either. No long songs. No drawn out bits. A couple of groaners but nothing I felt was absolutely horrible.
People do change their beliefs though I know it's a stretch considering Brian is only a cartoon character of course. But I don't think it's a fact that's really worth dwelling on.
Hey I laughed. I'm positive I wasn't the only one.
Actually he's more of a Mary Sue Liberal (beyond Democrat), by which I mean he strongly and proudly endorses his creator's liberal beliefs, whereas every character who disagrees with him is a Strawman Conservative who deserves no less than death.
I think the writing process for this show now goes something like this:
"Alright, we've got the basic plot outlined, I think we can get to work on a real script."
"Wait, back up. Read me that plot summary again?"
"The Griffins hold a costume party and then Brian meets a girl and falls for her."
"Terrible. Just terrible. You're forgetting the first rule of Family Guy writing!"
"Be as funny as possible at all costs?"
"NO! Every time you think of a plot, or scene, or line of dialogue, before you write it down, you must first ask yourself: Is there any way this can be used against conservative Christians? They're everywhere, man! They must be stopped!"
"Okay, just chill, dude."
"Bible-thumper!"
So, I think that rant is pretty self-explanatory. As for the episode's other problems, well, it just wasn't funny most of the time. Almost every gag was a dud. Horton Hears Domestic Violence etc. would've been better without a cutaway, because the cutaway simply explained the joke, adding nothing. The "hat weight" should've been funny, but it just wasn't. The one thing I laughed at was the conversation about whether or not Loretta would be able to understand Stewie. And I did get a guilty chuckle out of "I'm not a meteorologist, but I'd say it's rainin' b****es." Other than that... ugh. Not clever, not funny, not even edgy. Just bad, and blandly offensive at times.
Some people will praise this episode for lacking cutaways, but hey man, I never said the show should have no cutaways! Just well-timed ones! Ones that aren't executed with all the skill of a fourth grader!
I think the writing process for this show now goes something like this:
"Alright, we've got the basic plot outlined, I think we can get to work on a real script."
"Wait, back up. Read me that plot summary again?"
"The Griffins hold a costume party and then Brian meets a girl and falls for her."
"Terrible. Just terrible. You're forgetting the first rule of Family Guy writing!"
"Be as funny as possible at all costs?"
"NO! Every time you think of a plot, or scene, or line of dialogue, before you write it down, you must first ask yourself: Is there any way this can be used against conservative Christians? They're everywhere, man! They must be stopped!"
"Okay, just chill, dude."
"Bible-thumper!"
So, I think that rant is pretty self-explanatory. As for the episode's other problems, well, it just wasn't funny most of the time. Almost every gag was a dud. Horton Hears Domestic Violence etc. would've been better without a cutaway, because the cutaway simply explained the joke, adding nothing. The "hat weight" should've been funny, but it just wasn't. The one thing I laughed at was the conversation about whether or not Loretta would be able to understand Stewie. And I did get a guilty chuckle out of "I'm not a meteorologist, but I'd say it's rainin' b****es." Other than that... ugh. Not clever, not funny, not even edgy. Just bad, and blandly offensive at times.
Some people will praise this episode for lacking cutaways, but hey man, I never said the show should have no cutaways! Just well-timed ones! Ones that aren't executed with all the skill of a fourth grader!
Really??!!
Your going to have to explain it again to me then. How was the other 95% of the episode against conservative Christians?
This was one of maybe three jokes that seriously fell flat for me. That's probably because the argument on the other side of the wall was played out very realistically. It wasn't funny. Just...creepy.
I liked that too, as mentioned. But someone else here didn't. Just illustrates how everyone enjoys (or doesn't enjoy) Family Guy differently. Personally I enjoyed 3/4ths of tonights offerings. If there's anything people should be complaining about, it's that awful Simpsons episode.
Your going to have to explain it again to me then. How was the other 95% of the episode against conservative Christians?
This was one of maybe three jokes that seriously fell flat for me. That's probably because the argument on the other side of the wall was played out very realistically. It wasn't funny. Just...creepy.
I liked that too, as mentioned. But someone else here didn't. Just illustrates how everyone enjoys (or doesn't enjoy) Family Guy differently. Personally I enjoyed 3/4ths of tonights offerings. If there's anything people should be complaining about, it's that awful Simpsons episode.
Mr.Nukehead
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You're looking for percentages here? I was exaggerating. Don't overthink this.
Funny episode today, the highlights:
Horton hears a Domestic Disturbance
.
Crazy girl who's Lois's friend.
Stewie & Brian's "ruin" conversation.
Brian being Snoopy & doing the funny dance .
Peter punching Snoopy-Brian, so funny,poor Brian.
Woodstock with Snoopy-Brian
.
Stewie hilarious as always with Brian.
Cleveland's total jerkiness was so out of character, but it was hilarious.
Quagmire was so hilarious as well for being the womanizing pervert.
Brian's long "Pinocchio nose" had me on the floor laughing
.
The whole "characters can understand Stewie" conversation.
No Herbert was great.
Loretta's return.
The episode was good, but I feel sorry for Brian for wanting to find the right girl, but Carolyn was pretty cute & I'm shocked there's no Chris in the episode.
Horton hears a Domestic Disturbance
.Crazy girl who's Lois's friend.
Stewie & Brian's "ruin" conversation.
Brian being Snoopy & doing the funny dance
.Peter punching Snoopy-Brian, so funny,poor Brian.
Woodstock with Snoopy-Brian
.Stewie hilarious as always with Brian.
Cleveland's total jerkiness was so out of character, but it was hilarious.
Quagmire was so hilarious as well for being the womanizing pervert.
Brian's long "Pinocchio nose" had me on the floor laughing
.The whole "characters can understand Stewie" conversation.
No Herbert was great.
Loretta's return.
The episode was good, but I feel sorry for Brian for wanting to find the right girl, but Carolyn was pretty cute & I'm shocked there's no Chris in the episode.
Okay, where did the word "strawman" suddenly come from? I've never heard it until I went into this topic and now I've heard it used by five different people.
I agree with Lemming anyway. Politically, Seth's become a....word you can't say on Toon Zone that sounds kind of like "moose."
Although I think they've leaned too much on Brian relationship episodes as of late, less cutaways plus more plot equals a solid, although lukewarm episode. But I have the sinking feeling Stewie will never be funny again.
"Laura Bush killed a man."
*silence*
Peter looks at TV audience: "Laura Bush killed a man. That's the joke."
You have to be a super-ultra-mega-hardcore Dem to find that funny by itself.
I agree with Lemming anyway. Politically, Seth's become a....word you can't say on Toon Zone that sounds kind of like "moose."
Although I think they've leaned too much on Brian relationship episodes as of late, less cutaways plus more plot equals a solid, although lukewarm episode. But I have the sinking feeling Stewie will never be funny again.
"Laura Bush killed a man."
*silence*
Peter looks at TV audience: "Laura Bush killed a man. That's the joke."
You have to be a super-ultra-mega-hardcore Dem to find that funny by itself.
Exactly. I'm a registered democrat and Obama supporter, but Family Guy's writing has gotten way, way too leaning on the liberal side, even for me. No wonder South Park (M&T are libertarians) hates them.
What's worse? The college kids who are watching are probably all like, "Yeah! Preach on, man!" :rolleyes2:...
What's worse? The college kids who are watching are probably all like, "Yeah! Preach on, man!" :rolleyes2:...
Okay, so maybe my rant wasn't self-explanatory after all.
When the first few minutes of the show consist of "I'm dressed as Laura Bush!" "I'm dressed as someone Laura Bush killed!" "Laura Bush killed a man." "Laura Bush killed a man." "Laura Bush killed a man." "Laura Bush killed a man." "I'm dressed as an aborted fetus because I'm a crazy conservative!" "Man, I wish I could find a girl who's not [strike]conservative[/strike] crazy!" -- I don't think it's a stretch to say they're focusing a little too much on their liberal agenda. There's no reason the show should be dropping that many bombs on one particular subject in the first five minutes. It's not good comedy, unless there's a specific reason for it, like if they were at the Republican National Convention or something. Although I don't think that would turn out too well... unless of course this were American Dad, which is a show from the same creator with the same ideology whose very premise is based on that ideology, and yet its comedy is several magnitudes better and more well-crafted. It respects its audience enough that it doesn't feel the need to make its points non-comedically for fear that the audience won't understand what they're trying to get across.
A strawman is a character whose purpose is to represent a viewpoint that the writer wants to knock down. Naturally, this character will be a complete idiot with nothing resembling a normal level of human rationality and intelligence. Making fun of this person is about as easy as beating a go-kart in a NASCAR race. If a character is indeed weak enough to be considered a "strawman", he or she has the unintended side effect of showing that the writer is afraid of a real challenge.
Naturally, there are some cases where this doesn't really matter. Obviously stupid minor characters can sometimes just be a fun thing to throw in. But when the writer is trying to make a point, this isn't an effective way to do it. The most egregious use of a strawman is when the "sane" character argues with a strawman over a certain issue and the strawman loses the argument. That's particularly painful to watch, but fortunately Family Guy hasn't quite sunk that low yet. It's more of a webcomic thing.
I don't know what IGN was smoking when they gave this episode an 8.9 out of 10. It wasn't even as "hilariously wrong" as they said it was. I hate when comedy reviews go in-depth about the concepts of "irreverent" and "equal-opportunity offender" as if they're something new.
When the first few minutes of the show consist of "I'm dressed as Laura Bush!" "I'm dressed as someone Laura Bush killed!" "Laura Bush killed a man." "Laura Bush killed a man." "Laura Bush killed a man." "Laura Bush killed a man." "I'm dressed as an aborted fetus because I'm a crazy conservative!" "Man, I wish I could find a girl who's not [strike]conservative[/strike] crazy!" -- I don't think it's a stretch to say they're focusing a little too much on their liberal agenda. There's no reason the show should be dropping that many bombs on one particular subject in the first five minutes. It's not good comedy, unless there's a specific reason for it, like if they were at the Republican National Convention or something. Although I don't think that would turn out too well... unless of course this were American Dad, which is a show from the same creator with the same ideology whose very premise is based on that ideology, and yet its comedy is several magnitudes better and more well-crafted. It respects its audience enough that it doesn't feel the need to make its points non-comedically for fear that the audience won't understand what they're trying to get across.
A strawman is a character whose purpose is to represent a viewpoint that the writer wants to knock down. Naturally, this character will be a complete idiot with nothing resembling a normal level of human rationality and intelligence. Making fun of this person is about as easy as beating a go-kart in a NASCAR race. If a character is indeed weak enough to be considered a "strawman", he or she has the unintended side effect of showing that the writer is afraid of a real challenge.
Naturally, there are some cases where this doesn't really matter. Obviously stupid minor characters can sometimes just be a fun thing to throw in. But when the writer is trying to make a point, this isn't an effective way to do it. The most egregious use of a strawman is when the "sane" character argues with a strawman over a certain issue and the strawman loses the argument. That's particularly painful to watch, but fortunately Family Guy hasn't quite sunk that low yet. It's more of a webcomic thing.
I don't know what IGN was smoking when they gave this episode an 8.9 out of 10. It wasn't even as "hilariously wrong" as they said it was. I hate when comedy reviews go in-depth about the concepts of "irreverent" and "equal-opportunity offender" as if they're something new.
I think this might be a first for me: I turned off the show after three minutes. When they started recycling the "Cool Whip" joke and made the un-clever "Laura Bush killed a man" joke (which, liberal agenda or not, is in rather bad taste, since it was an accident and she feels terrible about it even to this day), I decided I wouldn't be sticking around.
petefossey
New member
I like Brian disguised as Snoopy for a costume party. But Stewie's Snoopy costume was mediocre. And Woodstock following Brian? What a surprise!