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Post by CATCH_US IS the Conversation on Jan 10, 2013 14:47:19 GMT -5
I like both shows, but South Park can be quite formulaic as well. Wait for something to happen in the media, then mock the hell out of it. That's not a formula, that's either parody or satire. It's akin to calling a western formulaic because it has a cowboy in it. It is parody/satire, but nearly every South Park episode is parodying something. As much as Family Guy is criticized for it, at least its satire is limited to the one-off cutaway gags, where as an entire episode of South Park will be based around some lame fad, or a celebrity scandal. It's like, if nothing happened in the world, nothing would happen on South Park. If every celebrity lived squeaky clean lives without scandal, South Park would have 50% less material. Not saying it doesn't make good entertainment, but that's how it is.
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chazraps
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Post by chazraps on Jan 10, 2013 14:55:59 GMT -5
That's not a formula, that's either parody or satire. It's akin to calling a western formulaic because it has a cowboy in it. It is parody/satire, but nearly every South Park episode is parodying something. As much as Family Guy is criticized for it, at least its satire is limited to the one-off cutaway gags, where as an entire episode of South Park will be based around some lame fad, or a celebrity scandal. It's like, if nothing happened in the world, nothing would happen on South Park. If every celebrity lived squeaky clean lives without scandal, South Park would have 50% less material. Not saying it doesn't make good entertainment, but that's how it is. No, there's a difference. "Family Guy," the "...Movie" films and their ilk who use cutaway gags just toss in off-hand references that become instantly dated for no real purpose beyond a quick laugh at the time, which is fine for what it is. "South Park" may draw inspiration from real life events, but it's not as if the entire storyline of an episode hinges upon the viewer being familiar with a particular subject matter. Yes, there's a charm and appeal with their quick turnaround of topical issues, but the core of the show is rooted in four 4th graders resolving a conflict. While a few references may not remain as current, their presentation within the "South Park" realm serves as more of a web of pop culture, almost a time capsule, without seeming soooooooooooooooo XX-years-ago.
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Post by Free Hat on Jan 10, 2013 15:06:14 GMT -5
I gave up on Family Guy right around the time it was "uncancelled." Those first three seasons were so much more character driven and on point that it's almost like watching a completely different show.
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Post by Stu on Jan 10, 2013 15:06:34 GMT -5
Didn't Seth MacFarlane say he wanted to end Family Guy years ago but Fox wouldn't let him?
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adamclark52
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Post by adamclark52 on Jan 10, 2013 15:07:27 GMT -5
I gave up on Family guy too, about five minutes into the return episode in 2005.
First three seasons are classic.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2013 17:53:11 GMT -5
I gave up on FG a while ago around Season 7. Just came across as a lot more forced and so I gradually stopped tuning in. I actually really enjoyed Ted though, a hell of a lot more than I thought I would. South Park is just as bad though, it used to be its own thing with the occansional subtle parody episodes that fitted seamlessly into the SP universe but if you didn't know what they were parodying it was still enjoyable on its own terms. For the last few seasons though, they have just gotten lazy and phoned it in with "What will we mock this week"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2013 17:54:24 GMT -5
Honestly, the past few seasons have been pretty good
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Post by Tiger Millionaire on Jan 10, 2013 19:30:30 GMT -5
Family Guy sucks, and I'm embarrassed that I once lobbied to get it back on the air.
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Post by twiggy101 on Jan 10, 2013 19:46:33 GMT -5
I'll watch Family Guy when it's on and I have nothing to do but I agree that it's jokes lack in wit. I feel that it's still better than The Simpsons because when I watch it's just background noise.
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stealthamo
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Post by stealthamo on Jan 10, 2013 19:47:39 GMT -5
I like the first three seasons of Family Guy. The first comeback season is okay, but you can start to see the decline. I think when the fifth season (overall) started I stopped watching, and haven't looked back since.
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Post by Nerdkiller the threadkiller on Jan 10, 2013 20:16:27 GMT -5
Honestly, the past few seasons have been pretty good Here here. Still makes me laugh from time to time. And they knew my annoyance of people who do nothing but talk about critically acclaimed TV shows that people just won't shut up talking about, which was the case with this week's episode.
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Dr. T is an alien
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Post by Dr. T is an alien on Jan 10, 2013 20:17:09 GMT -5
Some episodes are good. Some are just intolerable. I must say that the 200th episode was a good one, just like all of the "Road to" episodes are (No, I don't know if it's title actually had "Road to" in it. It just fits in with them particularly well).
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Mac
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Post by Mac on Jan 10, 2013 20:32:57 GMT -5
Why give up now?
Why not 5 years ago?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2013 10:06:21 GMT -5
As of late, FG has been very hit or miss. Either it's an overall good/great episode with a lot of good laughs, or a complete unfunny dud with a couple chuckles that just don't redeem the previous 25 minutes.
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Post by xCompackx on Jan 11, 2013 10:27:16 GMT -5
I think the only real "unfunny" episode was the one where Brian tries getting Quagmire to like him (can't remember the episode title). Quagmire going on a tirade about how Brian is an awful person just didn't do anything for me. Maybe you can throw in the Rush Limbaugh one too just because I don't think there actually was any jokes in that one aside from Lois farting.
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BRV
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Post by BRV on Jan 11, 2013 11:05:07 GMT -5
The show isn't very good now and I haven't dedicated myself to making sure I'm in front of a television at 9 p.m. on a Sunday in years. If I remember to watch it, I'll watch it. If not, I'll catch it on Hulu eventually.
That being said, the show hit its peak in the first three seasons after it returned and the fact that people can watch the original incarnation and say that was better than the first three seasons post-return positively blows my mind. Re-watching the original three seasons is nearly as intolerable as watching the last two.
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JoDaNa1281
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Post by JoDaNa1281 on Jan 12, 2013 2:09:57 GMT -5
The show isn't very good now and I haven't dedicated myself to making sure I'm in front of a television at 9 p.m. on a Sunday in years. If I remember to watch it, I'll watch it. If not, I'll catch it on Hulu eventually. That being said, the show hit its peak in the first three seasons after it returned and the fact that people can watch the original incarnation and say that was better than the first three seasons post-return positively blows my mind. Re-watching the original three seasons is nearly as intolerable as watching the last two. Thank you, it's good to know I'm not the only person that thinks the original run is a bit overrated. While I think the 3rd season is really good, I agree on the first 2 seasons, especially season 1. I just find it hard to believe that people think the first 7 episodes of the show are better than pretty much every one that came after them, I've said before that I think the best run was seasons 3 - 6.
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Post by kamero00 on Jan 12, 2013 3:47:47 GMT -5
American Dad is funny because that is where most of the writers went.
It's like the Simpsons. These new writers make jokes, yet have no idea how the characters are supposed to be like.
Homer (and Peter in Family Guy) have gone from lovable idiots, to over the top morons, who have both shown to be mentally disabled in episodes.
Neither show follows it's original premise anymore.
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chazraps
Wade Wilson
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Post by chazraps on Jan 12, 2013 3:54:01 GMT -5
The show isn't very good now and I haven't dedicated myself to making sure I'm in front of a television at 9 p.m. on a Sunday in years. If I remember to watch it, I'll watch it. If not, I'll catch it on Hulu eventually. That being said, the show hit its peak in the first three seasons after it returned and the fact that people can watch the original incarnation and say that was better than the first three seasons post-return positively blows my mind. Re-watching the original three seasons is nearly as intolerable as watching the last two. Thank you, it's good to know I'm not the only person that thinks the original run is a bit overrated. While I think the 3rd season is really good, I agree on the first 2 seasons, especially season 1. I just find it hard to believe that people think the first 7 episodes of the show are better than pretty much every one that came after them, I've said before that I think the best run was seasons 3 - 6. I think season 3 on its own is the show's peak, far and away. They were hitting their stride in terms of getting their style down pat without being predictable. "Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows" and the first Christmas special are probably the show's absolute finest hour. You could tell the writers were aware of the "no character development" problem and just straight-up slowly fixed it. Top to bottom progression, with the hilarious irreverence firing on all cylinders. Once the show returned, there was a certain self-awareness that detracted from its charm and slowly steered away from this formula, leading to the problems the show eventually had in droves. Season 3 is why there was a "Family Guy" cult, and it was as deserved as any TV cult has ever been.
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Post by Throwback on Jan 12, 2013 7:58:14 GMT -5
I don't dislike the show. But because it's my g/f's favorite show and it comes on like 7 times a day. I've kind of gotten worn out on it. But I still watch the new episodes when they come on.
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