I have often wondered why perfectly sane people seem to like Family Guy more than The Simpsons (I'm looking at you and you, though there are many others). I have heard that The Simpsons writers despise the Family Guy writers, which makes absolute sense when you see this video of scenes they have ripped off. [via]
The entire Family Guy humor base consists of pop culture references from the formative years of its creator (born 1973). The Simpsons has been around since 1987. I don't think it's plagiarism at all. If anything, just several not-so-subtle homages to a very influential show for many of us.
But yeah, Family Guy is way f**king funnier and sometimes I think I'm gonna pee my pants watching it.
posted by alexis at 8:36 PM on May 7, 2007 
Even in the few possibly legitimate ripoff scenes, the Family Guy version is way funnier.
posted by chuck at 9:04 PM on May 7, 2007
"the Family Guy version is way funnier."
WRONG! The Simpsons has declined from its glory years, but the Family Guy never had any glory years to begin with. Sub Mad magazine ripoff I'd say.
Recently I heard Harry Shearer claim that the Family Guy was initially OK'd by Fox when the voice actors (including Shearer) were threatening to strike. McFarland did the voices himself, so they'd save big bucks.
posted by J. Herzog at 10:28 PM on May 7, 2007
I think Family Guy is often seen as funnier because it's 'edgier'. But if you listen to the commentaries on either show's DVDs, you hear the difference - FG's writers are like precocious adolescents while the Simpsons team are professional, adult and ridiculously funny.
'Course, I'm starting to get to that age where I'm nostalgic for the good old days, so...
posted by Nav at 12:34 AM on May 8, 2007
People who prefer 'family guy' over 'the simpsons' are like people who prefer 'the king of queens' over 'the office'. They are scientifically proven to be stupider.
One of my favorite simpson's moments is in 'Send in the Clones' where the family guy shows up in a field of Homer clones.
posted by felix at 2:50 PM on May 8, 2007
I can't sit on the sidelines for this one. The Simpsons is clearly superior. In 20 years, The Simpsons will still be funny and relevant. In 20 years, people will watch the Family Guy and wonder, "who was Margot Kidder?"
posted by Hans at 3:05 AM on May 9, 2007
I think both shows are repleat with dated references - ala Martin Prince wearing a 'Wang' computers t-shirt, having MST3K on the tv at Moe's, or Lisa referencing 'Herman's Head'.
Though I have to say - Sunday nites on Fox are the best TV nite! The only way it could get any better is if they put that final nail in 'War At Homes' coffin and brought back Arrested Development. I know, I know - wishful thinking.
posted by yamars at 5:36 PM on May 9, 2007
Didn't South Park fall under the same accusations, and they replied with an entire episode, "simpsons did it". I swear that youtube clip was done professionally, I recon the simpsons team put that together.
and amen to arrested development, everything else pales.
posted by Karl at 1:56 AM on May 11, 2007
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