Did "Family Guy" Go Too Far?

Posted Sep 11th 2006 11:50AM by TMZ Staff

The FOX animated series "Family Guy" is known for pushing the boundaries between good humor and bad taste -- very few topics, if any, are out of bounds for the show. And normally the jokes just bounce right off us, but there was one last night that made even us cringe.

The episode, titled "Stewie Loves Lois," is about Stewie's newfound love for mom, Lois (normally he is trying to kill her). After Stewie becomes a little too clingy, Lois decides to ignore him to try and help him become less dependent. When Stewie's attempts at attracting her attention fail, he cries out, "What is this, a Tommy Lee pool party?"

For those that don't remember, a 4-year-old boy drowned at Tommy Lee's Malibu estate in 2001 during a birthday party for Tommy Lee's son, Brandon. Lee was sued by the boy's parents, but was found not responsible for the accident by a jury. Lee said in a statement at the time, "Although I am relieved that the court has found me not negligent, there are no winners in this sad situation."



Filed under: TV


Tags: family guy, FamilyGuy, tommy lee, TommyLee

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1. That was a sad situation but what kind of parent drops off a child at a pool party and leaves, knowing the child can't swim? That is what happened. Anyway, the joke may have been in bad taste but it is called dark humor!

Posted at 12:04PM on Sep 11th 2006 by h8er#1

2. Yes we remember and it was a tragic situatuin.
BUT what about Anna Nicoles son. He was 20 years old and died. TMZ do your homework and bring us the rest of this story. I feel so bad for that kid his moms a freek of nature and he always seemed embarassed by her but he stood by her side. I hope she can look back on his life and smile knowing she gave him a good one.

My heart goes out to her and her new baby girl.

Posted at 12:11PM on Sep 11th 2006 by C

3. So, it's OK to bash the five-month-old Suri but you have a problem with a comedy show? Hmmm, not really understanding the hypocrisy and logic of this article. Sounds like there was nothing to write about to me.

Posted at 12:21PM on Sep 11th 2006 by MB

4. So you wanna point out Famiy guy but you have nothing to say about the refugee camp episode of American Dad on the eve of 9/11...i thought that was a lil more f***ed up than making a stupid reference to something along time ago...

And I would NEVER let my 4 yr old child go to a B-day party...pool or no pool...without me!

Posted at 12:23PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Ky

5. Oh My God....quit making a big deal about absolutely nothing!!!!!! Family Guy is a freaking animated comedy, a show, not for kids for adults. The character's have said and done worse. Peter thought he was rapped after a prostate exam too, why not make a deal about that, that's nothing as well!!!!

Posted at 12:26PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Nicole

6. I loved the show. My boyfriend is from Mass and got me hooked last season. I was so excited for sunday night! The show is hilarious and if you don't like comedy like the show has then watch something else. They have better episodes of Family Guy on the swim chanel. Fox can't show those episodes!! LOL!!

Posted at 12:33PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Amber

7. This is a cartoon! If you want to dissect it, they are pointing out that fact that at a children's party there were clearly adults who were not paying attention to their children and worrying about partying. I never took my eyes off my kids around water until they were between seven and eight years old. The distinction is that Stewie is fuming over being ignored. Get a grip!

Posted at 12:38PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Lisa

8. The joke was funny, out of the manyhtings on that show that people choose to be upset about this is not it. I love this show so I may be a bit biasis but the show is just an sdult cartoon with crude humor. Our society claims to be free, hopwever, when an individuals expresses them self others call for boycotts and bans against that individual. I think if anything people would have been upset is hould have been when the Griffons tried family porn and not some joke about a family that could not keep an eye on their child and unfortunatly died as a result. The creators of the show should not be worried what some prudes int his country about heir show---I for one still love!!!!!!

Posted at 12:40PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Ty

9. big whoop.

Posted at 12:41PM on Sep 11th 2006 by RebeccaBBBBBBB

10. lol i love stewy.. ^_^

I feel really sorry for Anna.. why do people say he was 20? he was born in 1984 that would make him 22 or just turning 22... anywho he was a cutie

Posted at 12:50PM on Sep 11th 2006 by stewy is funny

11. I live in Arizona where unfortunately we read about several children drowning each summer. It’s always the same stories. People standing around the Pool or BBQ, no one was “really” paying attention, or “I picked up the phone but I was only on it for a few minutes”, or “I thought so and so was watching”. It’s very tragic for everyone involved but what’s really unfortunately is that the accidents could have been prevented if the Adult(s) had payed closer attention to the child. Tragic.

Posted at 12:57PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Tucson

12. Good lord, it's an adult cartoon. Stop trying to make it out to be some sort of bastion of morality! Shame on you TMZ. Shame.

Posted at 1:07PM on Sep 11th 2006 by seejayess

13. Any death especially a childs is always a tragedy,to make a "joke" out of this tragedy is horrible.More people should be outraged!

Posted at 1:12PM on Sep 11th 2006 by one too know

14. Don't remember the incident (as many people will not now).
Never noticed the line. Or if I did - refer to above.

Posted at 1:27PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Webbie

15. Family Guy is hysterical, and do they go too far, ya but its dark comedy, if you watch the show you know what to expect.

Posted at 1:46PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Kristine

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