Celebrity Justice
Carol Burnett Sues Over "Family Guy" Gag

Posted Mar 16th 2007 2:25PM by TMZ Staff

Peter Griffen, Carol BurnettComedian Carol Burnett is suing the FOX comedy "Family Guy" for using one of Burnett's signature characters and an altered version of her theme music without permission.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court yesterday, Burnett alleges that FOX requested permission to use "Carol's Theme" -- the theme music from "The Carol Burnett Show" -- in an episode of "Family Guy." When permission was denied, the lawsuit claims that FOX then went back and had the show rewritten to "disparage Ms. Burnett using Ms. Burnett's signature ear tug."

In the episode titled "Peterotica," the main character on "Family Guy," Peter, goes into a porn shop and remarks how clean it is. One of his friends says it is clean because "Carol Burnett works part-time as a janitor." The lawsuit says the camera then cuts to one of Burnett's signature characters from her TV show -- "Charwoman" -- wearing her "trademarked blue bonnet, bucket and mop" and "a slightly altered version of 'Carol's Theme' is playing."

Later in the scene, one character makes fun of Burnett's signature ear tug by saying, "She was really saying goodnight to her mom." To which another replies, "I wonder what she tugged to say goodnight to her dad." In fact, Burnett's ear tug was actually a hello to her grandmother.

Burnett claims this was all done without her permission or consent and is seeking in excess of $6 million in damages.

A statement from FOX reads: "'Family Guy,' like the 'Carol Burnett Show,' is famous for its pop culture parodies and satirical jabs at celebrities. We are surprised that Ms. Burnett, who has made a career of spoofing others on television, would go so far as to sue 'Family Guy' for a simple bit of comedy."

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Filed under: Celebrity Justice


Tags: carol burnett, CarolBurnett, family guy, FamilyGuy, fox

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151. Carol should feel lucky she is even getting any attention ,old bitch!!!!

Posted at 3:57PM on Mar 17th 2007 by Brandy

152. This is an interesting case. I watch Family guy pretty regularly (I keep hoping they'll be able to match their past glory days), but grew up watching Carol Burnett. I must admit, I'm torn. I was pretty offended by the Family Guy sketch, being a longtime fan of Ms. Burnett and a take-it-or-leave-it fan of Family Guy. On one hand, she's being pretty sensitive over a show that doesn't care who it makes fun of (and quite honestly, the majority of people who are watching it at the time aren't going to know or care who she is). On the other hand, you've gotta respect your elders. Family Guy probably wouldn't exist if she hadn't helped to pave the way for shows of its type. And, she told them they couldn't use the theme, and even though they didn't, they got pretty close, and there's legal precedent there indicating she will probably be successful in the suit (A friend pointed out to me Tom Waits similar suit against Frito Lays).
But if I have to choose a side, I'm gonna have to go with Carol. She was consistently funny without resorting to crudeness. That's a good and undervalued skill.

Posted at 4:15PM on Mar 17th 2007 by Jess

153. Let's address the facts:
Carol Burnett has been highly praised for her long running tv show, her roles in several hit movies, her Broadway roles, her guest starring roles in many tv shows, performances at Carnegie Hall. She can sing,dance, you name it. She is also very intelligent and every bit a lady. She did sue one of the tabloids and won and established a scholarship fund for acting students.
Now the errors:
Some of you make nasty comments about a celebrity, someone else addresses your comments as if they came from the celebrity and then start to demean her for saying such awful things. This is exactly what Carol Burnett is bringing suit about. A writer takes a very poignant and treasured signal to a family member and changes it. Then proceeds to infringe on copyrights. Don't blame Carol Burnett or attack her body of work because someone broke the law. If we all thought about the old adage "if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all" we would have fewer law suits and maybe a more caring and dignified society. JF

Posted at 5:11PM on Mar 17th 2007 by Judy Foster

154. I'm for Carol...Go get them.

Posted at 5:12PM on Mar 17th 2007 by Stan

155. Family Guy is a waste of computer bits. It is pathetic, especially compared to Simpsons or SouthPark. Carol Burnett is right to sue. I hope she prevails. For you youngsters, look her up on TVLand or something. That was true ensemble comedy, long before SCTV or SNL...

Posted at 6:24PM on Mar 17th 2007 by Paul Cauchon

156. is this a joke?!!!

Posted at 7:13PM on Mar 17th 2007 by Anthony

157. This episode that has her panties in a bunch , was shown a year ago and now she is complaining about. I really thought she was cool when I was a kid, I watched her show religiously. To think that she has to resort to suing for an 10 sec clip is ridiculous.

Posted at 9:18PM on Mar 17th 2007 by dirty chinese restaurant

158. When I saw that episode of " Family Guy " I was reminded of what a great talent and comic Carol Burnett is she should relax and enjoy the though that people still know of her and how great she is . "Family Guy" is one of the best programs ever produced . It is a welcome break from Cops, doctors, lawyers and regurgitated remakes of every thing that has been done in the last 40 years . It is one of the first original programs in 40 years to be produced .

Posted at 11:26PM on Mar 17th 2007 by Jim

159. First of all, I am 23 years old and I grew up watching Carol Burnett reruns and I am still a fan so the generalization that people under 30 don't know her is incorrect. Carol Burnett was touted as the next Lucille Ball (who I also am a huge fan of). I am a fan of Family Guy also, but I totally agree with her suing them. She is a legend and if they were denied permission and decided to do what they pleased anyway, then they are wrong. If they weren't going to respect her decision then they shouldn't have asked and went ahead with their plans anyway. Seth needs to pay up and maybe he will learn a valuable lesson through the process.

Posted at 2:34AM on Mar 18th 2007 by Jenai

160. I think that asking for her permission was more out of respect for her as a comic rather than actually for legal reasons. They make fun of people and shows (Dawson's Creek, Desperate Housewives, etc.) ALL the time. It's what the cartoon is about, making jokes about society and celebrities, as well as farts. FOX wouldn't air something if they thought it was going to violate copyrights, they're not stupid (though with some of their show choices you may beg to differ). Not to mention her show is ancient and has been off the air for a long time, so I'm sure many copyrights have expired.

Posted at 5:30AM on Mar 18th 2007 by JEM

161. Family guy is the best show with some of the best writing in the history of television. This really angers all of those want to be actors because there are no actors in the most popular TV shows right now, Simpsons and Family guy. Sorry! Time to get a real job like the rest of us.
Carol Burnett never had a funny show. I am 40 and I remember being tortured by having to watch that crap as a youth. She is old and broke from what I understand. Do we not remember this same Bitch sueing the Enquirer in the 1970's when they reported just the facts regarding her BIG drinking problem. Broke, old, miserable, she does not want everyone to see how tiny her estate is we she soon dies. Christ shes in her 70's.
I hope that Fox counter sues and leaves her on the street looking like her cleaning lady character.

Posted at 3:13PM on Mar 18th 2007 by DAVID

162. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpmWqPUpFUY

Posted at 3:47PM on Mar 18th 2007 by Jason P

163. Parody is perfectly legal & I'll cite weird al yankovic as an example. Al parodys the songs of many musicians and does ask for permission from the artists but legally he is not required to at all. Carole Burnett is a hypocrite due to the fact that she made a career from comedy that included parody and satire. The over-30 crowd would do well to stop clinging to the past and accept that humor will change and that things cant remain the same and must change with the times and current climate in society. I urge FOX to fight this lawsuit and defend the rights of comedians to comment and use satire and parody. If Ms.Burnett is given even one dollar...its a major blow to comedy and freedom of speech.

Posted at 8:11PM on Mar 18th 2007 by Daniel

164. Man, so much Carol-bashing!

Carol did comedy the hard way -- with some very smart scrips and dialogue, great talent and a knack for picking great fellow cast members and sometimes guest stars.

They all admired Carol, and righly so.

Family Guy, a shitty cartoon of ugly characters doing ugly things -- as usual pandering to the lowest-common-denominator of fans as viewers. Its entire conception is based on cruditiy, WHICH IS NOT NEEDED if there actually were some good (REAL) jokes there. Not to mention its total lack of some genuine talent behind the scenes.

Posted at 8:37PM on Mar 18th 2007 by WhiteRabbit (pass the mushrooms...)

165. Whoever said that the Carol supporters are over 30??????????????????
I'm wondering who Wierd Al Yankovic is?
I see Carol Burnett on TV Land re-runs and she is funny! She and her Company have a legitimate copywrite on the Theme Song and it was misused without their permission.
Carol Burnett is forever. Give her her due....

Posted at 12:17AM on Mar 19th 2007 by EJ Barry

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