Seth MacFarlane Has Written Fewer Family Guy Episodes Than You Realize
Family Guy co-creator Seth MacFarlane is an essential vocal talent on the series - however, he's never been a mainstay in the show's writing room.
Family Guy co-creator Seth MacFarlane is known as the face of the series and viewers often conflate his involvement beyond his roles as the show’s developer and main voice actor. MacFarlane has made a name for himself in Hollywood as a writer of TV series and feature films, but he’s never been a core member of the Family Guy writing staff. In fact, MacFarlane hasn’t written for the show since 2005.
MacFarlane, who co-created the series with David Zuckerman, is an essential vocal talent on Family Guy. Since the show’s 1999 premiere, he’s voiced Peter, Stewie, Brian, Quagmire, and news personality Tom Tucker along with Carter Pewterschmidt and Dr. Hartman. MacFarlane’s episodes showcase science fiction themes (which correlate with Family Guy’s Star Wars parodies) and understated jokes that require a keen eye.
As an Emmy-winning animated series, Family Guy has made an indelible mark on adult comedy. MacFarlane’s contributions to the show’s development and his vocal talents put him in the history books alongside his creation. However, aside from his acknowledged tasks, MacFarlane is credited as a writer on two episodes and penned a segment in season 3, episode 21 “Family Guy Viewer Mail #1.” When applied to the series, MacFarlane’s writing style includes sci-fi sourcing and an appreciation for subtle humor that becomes apparent upon subsequent viewings.
Science fiction is a beloved theme in MacFarlane’s TV work and this theme is weaved throughout Family Guy. MacFarlane created, stars in, and writes for The Orville, a Star Trek-inspired sci-fi comedy drama which has also featured Star Trek cameos. MacFarlane penned the segment “Supergriffins” in Family Guy season 3, episode 21 “Family Guy Viewer Mail No.1.” Toxic waste dumped on the Griffin’s front lawn bestows superpowers on the entire family. Lois (Alex Borstein) exhibits super strength, Stewie garners telekinetic abilities from the “toxic stew,” Chris (voiced by Seth Green) can conjure fire and Peter gains control over every atom in his body as his morphing abilities take him from Britney Spears to Gene Shalit within moments. MacFarlane’s futurism and fantasy take Family Guy joke telling in an imaginative direction, but the approach isn’t out of place for a show that habitually sends main characters Stewie and Brian traveling through time.
Quick and subtle hits of humor are ubiquitous for MacFarlane, such as in season 4 opener “North by North Quahog.” When Peter becomes distracted by a Jughead comic and crashes the family car into a tree, his airbag goes off, but Lois’s doesn’t and she hits her head on the dash. Lois recovers instantaneously with no sign of injury and is ready to scold Peter for his driving. No reaction, no slurred words, and no bump on the head. The joke transpires seamlessly under the radar, just like in the Family Guy series premiere, “Death Has a Shadow.” Peter’s former boss Mr. Weed (Carlos Alazraqui) lectures a hungover Peter for sleeping on the job and tells him to “look sharp.” Mr. Weed walks away and Peter dozes off again, allowing a butcher knife, razor blades, and a porcupine through the assembly line. The supporting visuals build on Mr. Weed’s spoken line, producing actual wordplay.
Having survived a speculated second cancellation upon MacFarlane’s deal with NBCUniversal and now in its 20th season, Family Guy hasn’t fully veered away from MacFarlane’s temperament. It goes without saying that MacFarlane could slide into a guest writing gig, executing his sci-fi tendencies and clever farces once again. MacFarlane’s humor is undoubtedly within the Family Guy wheelhouse.
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