Family Guy - Season 1 [1999]

However, Family Guy does work, transcending its (occasionally annoyingly) obvious influences with reliably crisp writing and the glorious sight gags contained in the surreal flashbacks which punctuate the episodes. Most importantly, the show's brilliance comes from two absolutely superb characters: Stewie, the baby whose extravagant dreams of tyrannising the world are perpetually thwarted by the prosaic limitations of infanthood, and the urbane family dog Brian--Snoopy after attendance at an obedience class run by Frank Sinatra. Family Guy does not possess the cultural or satirical depth of The Simpsons--very little art in any field does. But it is a genuinely funny and clever programme. --Andrew Mueller

Whilst showing no special features, this DVD has managed to become the most watched in my collection. The outrageous and controversial humour will literally have you holding on to your sides, and at the same time, you'll cringe in disbelief and question whether or not they're allowed to do this.

The two discs hold 14 episodes, none which are disappointing, and some, including the pilot, which are truly classic Television. What's more, these episodes are uncensored and uncut, meaning the parts they didn't - no, couldn't - show on Television are all here, and each one is as beautifully offensive as the last.

If you don't own this DVD, get it, right now. If you do, run a search for Season 2 and pick that up too. You'll be quoting all the best lines in no time.


"Oh my ! It's so good it just has to be fattening !"   October 5, 2002
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

Animated sitcoms seem to have a niche that they aim for, the Simpsons is a family show, Futurama tends to the sci-fi fans we don't want to say we are, South Park is for the foul mouthed inner child in all of us. Family Guy has a stranger target.

Family Guy is the comedy equivalent to that piece of chocolate cake you nibble away at when you're supposed to be losing weight. You know it's wrong, but it's richer and more filling than anything else in your diet, that you can't help but cut yourself another piece.

It's the same with this, you know it's wrong to laugh about jokes about race, disability and other taboo subjects, so it shocks you to hear them, but when you see them in the nature of the show, they're either too surreal to accept as being true, like Hitler with his own TV show, or to show how unintentionally stupid and insensitive some characters are, like Peter's comments about his neighbour in a wheelchair who's better than him in pretty much every way, and it's because the writers find a way to talk about such taboo material in such an open way which exposes our dumb prejeduces, that adds a little shock to the humour because you never expect a show like this to be so upfront about it, and it's that shock that keeps you on the edge of your seat so you can try to catch the next one.

If any of what I've said puts you off watching it, then don't watch it, the show doesn't pull any punches, but if you're curious about how a baby can get away with saying he's "Cuckoo for Crack" or how you could get away with laughing to that and many other desktop-startup-worthy jokes and quotes, then go ahead and sound-proof the doors and windows so the neighbours won't complain from the fits of laughter when this arrives in the mail.


there's an evil monkey in my closet!!!   September 20, 2003
 13 out of 14 found this review helpful

Everyone compares this with the simpsons which is understandable, the family setup and the age groups and so on. Both are very good but I think that Family guy shades it. The reason is simple: Family guy has strengh in depth. The simpsons has the exceptional Homer, Mr Burns and a modicum of other good characters, but Family guy has three superstars in Peter, Stewie and Chris. In all three series there are moments so funny that it's hard to breath, i know that it sounds a bit sad to say that but it's true! It's also very rude and close to the bone on major topics but it seems to come up smelling of roses anyway! The subtle nature of some of the jokes is both clever and annoying at the same time as some of the jokes are targetted solely at the American auidence. That is only a minor fault. The show also boasts a plethora of hilarious side characters, watch out for Peters' sex crazed neighbour Quagmire and his strange boss who seems to be attracted to Peter Mr.Weed.I can't recommend this enough, once you watch season one i'm certain you'll order seasons one and two.Amazingly, the show was cancelled after three series and once you watch the DVD i'm sure you'll be as mystified as the rest of the people who've seen it.


Comedy?.....Absolutely!   October 20, 2004
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Considering the lack of quality cartoons that are suitable for adults (namely The Simpsons and Futurama), it's great to find a series like Family Guy surfacing out of your TV. Put simply, this show is hilarious, it's ingenious brand of immature, utterly random, and just plain stupid comedy is side-splittingly controversial, offending just about everyone and everything; including blacks, whites, rich, poor, gay, straight. I think you get my drift.
All the characters are brilliantly crafted and original, but the best are unquestionably the world-conquest obsessed baby, Stewie and the cultured, suave, martini-loving family dog, Brian.

If you enjoy laugh-out-loud comedy, then this is a must have, but make sure you dont miss the other two seasons as well.


So Funny   February 14, 2006
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This has got to be one of the best comedies of all time!

The wit is rarely sophisticated or particularly clever, but it will appeal to your childish side. It is so easy to just curl up on the sofa and spend a whole (and very relaxing) afternoon just watching this comedy and packing in a whole lot of cheap laughs.

The characters are so memorable and individual, and it is impossible not to find aspects that you can relate to with each of them.

This programme is funny to adults and children alike, and makes a fab addition to any DVD collection.

It is also pretty good value, as you get 18 episodes.