Gee, this is just like that time I made a blog about Family Guy. From unused concepts to real world inspirations, here are 10 interesting facts about Family Guy.
#10: Seth MacFarlane made 2 kids show pilots before hand
Years before he made the adult show everyone knows and loves (some more than others), he created not one, but 2 kids shows that didn't take off. First for CN's Cartoon Cartoon Fridays, he made the show Larry & Steve. Then with the help of future Fairly OddParents creator Butch Hartman, he created the show Zoo Mates for Nickelodeon. For this entry I posted the Nostalgia Critic video on the subject because he basically tells the story better than I could.
#9: It was cancelled twice
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| The Simpsons ain't the only Fox show that refuses to die! |
It may be hard to believe given how Fox treats this show, but it was cancelled twice in its life. Both times it was cancelled because of low viewership, but it was renewed because of it's success in DVD sales and reruns on Adult Swim.
#8: Most recent episodes have 2 versions
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| If you want the really adult stuff, it'll cost you! |
A recent trend in modern Family Guy episodes is given the episodes 2 versions: The versions on DVDs having way more adult content than the versions that aired on TV. The motivation behind this was to sell more DVDs while still having episodes that are suitable avid TV watchers.
#7: Seth MacFarlane voices several characters
| He's a man of many voices! |
Seth MacFarlane provides the voices of several of the show's characters; Specifically Peter, Brian, Quaqmire and Stewie. Also worth noting, William H. Macy auditioned to voice Brian, but this didn't go through due to a lack of funds.
#6: The show was originally gonna be MADtv sketches
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| Now that's mad! |
Much like how The Simpsons started out as sketches on The Tracey Ullman Show, Family Guy was originally conceived as a primetime show for MADtv. This plan fell through as the company at the time didn't have a budget to do animation.
#5: Seth MacFarlane was almost killed in 9/11
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| For once alcohol saves a life rather than ruining it! |
Around the time of the show's 3rd season, Seth missed a flight he was scheduled to take because of a hangover. This turned out to be a lucky break, as the plane he was gonna take was one of the planes that was hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center.
#4: The opening is based on All In The Family
| Well ain't that a hoot? |
The scene of Lois playing the piano in the opening mirrors the same opening scene from the CBS sitcom All in the Family. This show's intro also pokes fun at that show with the lyrics "But where are those good old-fashioned values on which we used to rely?"
#3: Chris Griffin's voice is based on Buffalo Bill
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| Let's hope Chris doesn't start acting like this guy! |
Seth Greene based the voice he used for Chris Griffin off of Buffalo Bill of Silance of the Lambs fame. As if making a nod to this, there is a scene in the episode Stew-Roids where Chris recreates the dance scene from Silance of the Lambs.
#2: The phrase "What the Hell" is used in every episode
| This show mentions this place more times than Sunday School! |
Like many other shows, this cartoon has a catchphrase. In this case instead of a phrase that's unique to the show, every episode has a character say "What the Hell" at one point or another.
#1: Peter was based off a real person
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| Turns out there is a real world Peter! |
MacFarlane has admitted in multiple interviews that Peter Griffin was based off of a real world security guard with a big thick Rhode Island accent he knew while attending RISD. In 2013 ABC 6 News was able to identify this guy as Paul Timmins, the former director of public safety at RISD.
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