Cancelled in 2002 and reanimated in 2005, the misadventures of Peter Griffin and his family and friends now find themselves in their sixteenth season. Not bad for a show that people pinned as a poor and infantile copy of The Simpsons. Sure, it is that – and there is even a specific gag about it in one of the episodes – but it is also so much more.
With both a regular voice cast and a plethora of other celebrities that are willing to take the piss out of themselves, Family Guy rarely fails to entertain. The wit is as irreverent and acerbic as ever and, though there a few jokes that only Americans will fully understand, it never takes too long before you are laughing again – normally at something you probably shouldn’t be. That’s Family Guy’s biggest strength; it dares to be the network show that goes there, where you’d perhaps only see gags about certain subjects being made by stand-up comedians rather than on a weekly show.
Episode highlights here include the guys discovering that Quagmire was once the star of a Korean daytime soap opera, Stewie becoming the face of a peanut butter advertising campaign, Chris having to attend a sex offender’s programme, Brian pretending to be a pet in order to continue an affair with an ex-Navy Seal’s wife, Peter being accused of a hate crime when he accidentally shoots Cleveland’s son, Tom Cruise becoming Stewie’s best, clingy friend, and Peter disguising himself and entering a female wrestling contest to take on his bullying sister.
If you have never enjoyed Family Guy before, this is not going to change your mind. If you enjoy the antics of this show then you know you’re going to be entertained already – you don’t need us to convince you – but, just in case you do, then this is definitely a show on form at this stage of its lifespan.
Just do yourself a favour and don’t watch it on the bus. You will look like an absolute nutter as you try not to laugh out loud at some of the sight gags on show, especially if you know your geek stuff.
FAMILY GUY: SEASON 16 / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR & SCREENPLAY: VARIOUS / STARRING: SETH MACFARLANE, ALEX BORSTEIN, MILA KUNIS, SETH GREEN, LACEY CHABERT, MIKE HENRY / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
