When I say thinking outside the box, for Family Guy it is almost literal. They have moved beyond just television.
I read Chapter 13, Saturation, Fluidity, and Loss of Meaning of our class textbook, Media, Identity, and Culture. One section stuck out to me, The Internet as Virtual Playground I realized this related to Family Guy because I have seen several ads on TV about a virtual online Family Guy simulator.
I looked into this a bit more and found out you can create your own Family Guy like character. You run around with Stewie and Brian at the beginning. This allows the fans to feel as though they are directly interacting with the characters of Family Guy. Thus, proving the internet really is a playground when it comes to Family Guy
"...users are rendered free to develop their virtual identities in whatever way they desire." (Hodkinson 275)
Fans can create their character to look however they want, male or female as well. They are free to roam about Quahoag and must complete missions that the main and secondary characters may give them.
In conclusion, it becomes fairly apparent, by having the internet readily availible Family Guy creators were able to give their fanbase a way to "interact" with Peter, Lois, Stewie, Chris, Brian, Meg, and so on.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Lois Griffin- Typical Housewife?
This week we will be looking more in depth on Lois Griffin. She is the wife and mother on Family Guy. She does not have a job, shes involved with their Catholic Church, and she stays at home. She takes care of the baby, Stewie, and cooks and cleans. She sounds like the stereotypical housewife. Or is she?
To start, in season 4, episode 10 (Misbeahvior) Lois becomes a model. She says it was her lifelong dream. Proving she does not truly want to be a housewife. She eventually becomes so wrapped up in modeling she forgets her family. Not that it is a good thing, but it proves how she could hardly stand her role as a housewife.
I think the shows creators were making a point. Although she has never actually come out and said "I hate being a houswife, I need a purpose in life." They basically showed this is what she is thinking. I respect women who are housewives; for it can be a tideous job. But what irritates me is how on some shows, or most shows for that matter, the housewife always loves being a housewife. They never show any ambitions they mgiht have once had when they were younger or still have to this very day.
Family Guy shows a great example of people in real life. The show uses Lois to show how just because you perform a certain set of duties, such as a housewife or any other job, does not mean thats all you may want out of life.
To start, in season 4, episode 10 (Misbeahvior) Lois becomes a model. She says it was her lifelong dream. Proving she does not truly want to be a housewife. She eventually becomes so wrapped up in modeling she forgets her family. Not that it is a good thing, but it proves how she could hardly stand her role as a housewife.
I think the shows creators were making a point. Although she has never actually come out and said "I hate being a houswife, I need a purpose in life." They basically showed this is what she is thinking. I respect women who are housewives; for it can be a tideous job. But what irritates me is how on some shows, or most shows for that matter, the housewife always loves being a housewife. They never show any ambitions they mgiht have once had when they were younger or still have to this very day.
Family Guy shows a great example of people in real life. The show uses Lois to show how just because you perform a certain set of duties, such as a housewife or any other job, does not mean thats all you may want out of life.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Racism in Family Guy?
Family Guy has a few different races throughout the show. First there's Mort, hes Jewish. Cleveland, although not in the newer episodes, is African-American. And finally we have Peter, he is Irish. During the show all of these Racial stereotypes are made fun of.
To start, we have Mort. He owns a pharmacy and falls into the stereotypical thrifty Jew. The creators really play this up. At one point in the show, Peter and Lois have Mort and his wife over for dinner. They talk about how they plan on suing someone from high school for bullying them over 25 years ago. This is obviously a joke played to show how money concerned they are since they are of Jewish descent.
Cleveland is African American. His stereotype isn't made fun of as bad as Morts, but more so his now ex-wife Loretta is the butt of the joke. Loretta is overweight, loud, and often says things like "mmm-hmmm". Cleveland is also overweight, he is not very educated and has a low end job. He spends a lot of time at the bar. Loretta eventually cheats on Cleveland. This also is part of the black stereotype in todays world, showing how African Americans seemingly can't stay monogamous.
Finally, we have Peter. He is a Catholic, alcholic, Irish man. He gets drunk in front of his children and says very disrespectful things to his wife Lois. This is a typical Irish stereotype: The man is a drunk who treats his family awful. Peter is selfish and expects Lois to wait on him hand and foot. At one point he even misses a homecooked dinner, just to get drunk in his basement.
Knowing Family Guy, these racial stereotypes are meant to poke fun at societal views. However, I can't help but wonder, what if younger children are watching and they take this seriously? The show has a rating of TV-14, but I doubt many parents supervise their children that much. I think the show's producers need to be a little more careful with how they portray certain people on the show, funny or not.
To start, we have Mort. He owns a pharmacy and falls into the stereotypical thrifty Jew. The creators really play this up. At one point in the show, Peter and Lois have Mort and his wife over for dinner. They talk about how they plan on suing someone from high school for bullying them over 25 years ago. This is obviously a joke played to show how money concerned they are since they are of Jewish descent.
Cleveland is African American. His stereotype isn't made fun of as bad as Morts, but more so his now ex-wife Loretta is the butt of the joke. Loretta is overweight, loud, and often says things like "mmm-hmmm". Cleveland is also overweight, he is not very educated and has a low end job. He spends a lot of time at the bar. Loretta eventually cheats on Cleveland. This also is part of the black stereotype in todays world, showing how African Americans seemingly can't stay monogamous.
Finally, we have Peter. He is a Catholic, alcholic, Irish man. He gets drunk in front of his children and says very disrespectful things to his wife Lois. This is a typical Irish stereotype: The man is a drunk who treats his family awful. Peter is selfish and expects Lois to wait on him hand and foot. At one point he even misses a homecooked dinner, just to get drunk in his basement.
Knowing Family Guy, these racial stereotypes are meant to poke fun at societal views. However, I can't help but wonder, what if younger children are watching and they take this seriously? The show has a rating of TV-14, but I doubt many parents supervise their children that much. I think the show's producers need to be a little more careful with how they portray certain people on the show, funny or not.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Family Guy: A Brand
In Chapter 6 of Media, Culture, and Society:an Introduction, Hodkinson talks about consumerist myths. Symbolic values are discussed, this is the ideologic role of which the products are associated with.
Family Guy is a TV show, but what is easy to forget about it is that it is also a brand. It includes many different merchandise for sale such as clothing, character toys and stuffed toys, and many other things. Also, the advertising run during each show is part of that brand.
To better explain, think of it like this: Although the random commericials shown during the show are not part of Family Guy,it is geared towards it's viewers. This means if they show a commercial about a certain store, then they make sure that it appeals to the demographic watching the show.
There really are no symbolic values within Family Guy,but more so beyond the show in advertising and specific show merchandise.
Family Guy is a TV show, but what is easy to forget about it is that it is also a brand. It includes many different merchandise for sale such as clothing, character toys and stuffed toys, and many other things. Also, the advertising run during each show is part of that brand.
To better explain, think of it like this: Although the random commericials shown during the show are not part of Family Guy,it is geared towards it's viewers. This means if they show a commercial about a certain store, then they make sure that it appeals to the demographic watching the show.
There really are no symbolic values within Family Guy,but more so beyond the show in advertising and specific show merchandise.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Hero or Villain?
In every movie, tv show, or even song there are different roles for each character. Different roles include hero, villian, the helper, and so one. Some mediums have quite obvious roles for each character. However, some are not so obvious. They may present a character as a hero, then for dramatic effect, have that character be unveiled as the villain. Other times, a character will be a hero and villian to show the human traits of that character. To basically show that nobody is perfect.
In Family Guy, these roles exist too. They are not so black and white though. To start, its hard to say who is the hero of the series. It could be Peter. He is the main character, he is usually the focus of any plot or story line. He has done his fair share of fixing things, but at the same time he usually the one who messes things up to begin with. In my own opinion, I believe the hero is Lois, Peter's wife. She usually never gets the family into trouble and is good at fixing the problem. She also helps avert trouble, by calling Peter or anyone else out on their dumb shenanigans. I think it can be argued that everyone involved with the show is a little bit of a hero and a little bit a villian. The beauty of Family Guy is that it portrays a normal, semi-messed up family and friends. Nobody is perfect, their intentions may sometimes be good and sometimes bad.
A show like this shows that we are all human. In real life there really isn't anyone who is a complete hero. They may have done amazing things, but at the same time they have made mistakes too. Family Guy is a medium that portrays this truth, especially with the undefined roles.
In Family Guy, these roles exist too. They are not so black and white though. To start, its hard to say who is the hero of the series. It could be Peter. He is the main character, he is usually the focus of any plot or story line. He has done his fair share of fixing things, but at the same time he usually the one who messes things up to begin with. In my own opinion, I believe the hero is Lois, Peter's wife. She usually never gets the family into trouble and is good at fixing the problem. She also helps avert trouble, by calling Peter or anyone else out on their dumb shenanigans. I think it can be argued that everyone involved with the show is a little bit of a hero and a little bit a villian. The beauty of Family Guy is that it portrays a normal, semi-messed up family and friends. Nobody is perfect, their intentions may sometimes be good and sometimes bad.
A show like this shows that we are all human. In real life there really isn't anyone who is a complete hero. They may have done amazing things, but at the same time they have made mistakes too. Family Guy is a medium that portrays this truth, especially with the undefined roles.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Family Guy: A Postive Medium
Newspapers, the Internet, radio, and television: all of these things are considered mediums. They give out messages, good or bad, to the world. Mediums also depict the culture of the surrounding area. Merriam-Webster has a range of definitions of the word 'culture', the best definition given is, 'the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life} shared by people in a place or time. So in short, not everyone will receive the same message from mediums. Obviously over in the Middle East you won't be able to catch an episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey, Pretty Little Liars, or the topic I will be covering, Family Guy.
Family Guy is a popular cartoon that is considered adult and also controversial. Most people are quick to say that it conveys a negative message overall and therefore is a bad medium. That may be true, it does depict a lot of violence and has endless sexual and drug references. However, most people don't stop to realize that it can also be a positive thing. It is realistic about our society, about our culture.Despite that it is a part of our pop culture, it can make fun of our culture and of itself. In my own opinion, there is nothing better than being able to laugh and make fun of yourself from time to time.
Last night I watched the episode 'Padre de Familia'. In this episode, Peter becomes overly patriotic. He starts to really be against illegal Mexican immigrants, but his view is changed once he learns he himself is an illegal immigrant. He ends up having to work several stereotypical illegal immigrant jobs such as a maid and for the wealthy. The Griffins go live in a shed at Carter Pewterschimdt's house (despite the fact Carter is Peter's father-in-law) and are considered the help. Peter really starts to realize how bad life as an illegal immigrant is and feels sympathy for the others. Of course the show ends with everything being normal and the event is forgotten, never to be brought up in future episodes.
The fact remains though, that Peter learned from his mistake. He realized it was easy to say you don't like a certain demographic, but to be in there shoes is another story. In this way, it becomes easy to see how positive Family Guy can be for anyone. The show has the ability to show the viewers that maybe what they think is not always right, maybe they need to hold a little more compassion and understanding for others. Although there will always be a lot of crude humor and plenty of offensive comments, in the end Family Guy is a positive medium that helps people step back and reevaluate their opinions.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture
Family Guy is a popular cartoon that is considered adult and also controversial. Most people are quick to say that it conveys a negative message overall and therefore is a bad medium. That may be true, it does depict a lot of violence and has endless sexual and drug references. However, most people don't stop to realize that it can also be a positive thing. It is realistic about our society, about our culture.Despite that it is a part of our pop culture, it can make fun of our culture and of itself. In my own opinion, there is nothing better than being able to laugh and make fun of yourself from time to time.
Last night I watched the episode 'Padre de Familia'. In this episode, Peter becomes overly patriotic. He starts to really be against illegal Mexican immigrants, but his view is changed once he learns he himself is an illegal immigrant. He ends up having to work several stereotypical illegal immigrant jobs such as a maid and for the wealthy. The Griffins go live in a shed at Carter Pewterschimdt's house (despite the fact Carter is Peter's father-in-law) and are considered the help. Peter really starts to realize how bad life as an illegal immigrant is and feels sympathy for the others. Of course the show ends with everything being normal and the event is forgotten, never to be brought up in future episodes.
The fact remains though, that Peter learned from his mistake. He realized it was easy to say you don't like a certain demographic, but to be in there shoes is another story. In this way, it becomes easy to see how positive Family Guy can be for anyone. The show has the ability to show the viewers that maybe what they think is not always right, maybe they need to hold a little more compassion and understanding for others. Although there will always be a lot of crude humor and plenty of offensive comments, in the end Family Guy is a positive medium that helps people step back and reevaluate their opinions.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture
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