Nearly 1,000 students sat captivated by everything Seth McFarlene, creator of the TV show “Family Guy,” said during his visit to Ohio State Sunday night.
Throughout his lecture, those in attendance were privy to information regarding the next season of “Family Guy” and its lovable Griffin family in the city of Quahog.
After giving a short biography of himself, McFarlene played a rough cut of an episode for the upcoming “Family Guy” season titled “North by North Quahog.”
The episode displayed highlights that are reminiscent of “Family Guy” humor. Some gags to look for in this fourth season episode are a spoof on “The Passion of the Christ;” the Beyond section of Bed, Bath and Beyond; Louis’ love affair with Kermit the Frog; and Brian – the family’s talking dog – changing Stewie’s dirty diaper.
“Does it smell like servitude?” Stewie asks.
Other news McFarlene shared included details on the highly anticipated “Family Guy” movie, which will follow Stewie on his quest to find his real father. The movie is still in development, and should not be expected any time soon.
“We haven’t had time to do anything substantial yet,” McFarlene said.
The animator from Connecticut also revealed news about the return of the Evil Monkey that lives in Chris Griffin’s closet.
“We get very bizarre with the Evil Monkey,” he said. “Oh yes, there’s lots more of the Evil Monkey.”
Apparently the Evil Monkey will be holding a Hawaiian party in Chris Griffin’s closet that will prevent Chris from getting much sleep. But there will still be plenty of accusatory finger-pointings, McFarlene said.
Besides giving a glimpse of upcoming show details, McFarlene clarified many existing facts.
One attendee asked if Stewie was gay, or does he just have some kind of “Reverse Freudian Oedipus Syndrome?” The question was greeted by laughter from the audience.
“We don’t know if Stewie’s gay,” McFarlene said.
The creator also confessed his love for show tunes, which helps explain his use of them in the show.
“I love a big, giant orchestra playing a bouncy song,” he said.
Perhaps one the most pivotal answers came when OSU’s guest was asked if the family can understand Stewie, the youngest child of the family.
“Every writer in the (studio) room has a different take on that,” McFarlene said after some thought. “From episode to episode there’s really is no consistency.”
The answer: No one really knows. It’s up to the individual.
On a slightly more serious side of the questioning, McFarlene was asked about the struggles he has with the Federal Communications Commission. He explained that after the Janet Jackson incident during last year’s Super Bowl half-time, dealing with FCC has been difficult. He also said one episode coming in the fourth season will feature Peter’s attempt to take on the FCC.
In this episode, Peter will create a show called “I Dare You to Crap Off That.” The show will have Peter taking dares from callers who dare him to crap off different places.
Some questions from the audience prodded for more information on McFarlene’s new show, “American Dad,” which is set to debut after this year’s Super Bowl. He said the show will last for six weeks and will feature a right-wing conservative CIA agent at home with his family and all the resulting gags therein.
“It’s an exaggeration of the most disturbing of what’s going on right now (politically),” McFarlene said. He also said the new show will be like a modern-day “All in the Family.”
Some audience members were interested in the money that creator was making and if he needed any ideas for his show.
McFarlene and his team of writers seem to have a pool of comic genius, but the animator assured the audience that if they had an ideas they are welcome.
“Leave them in a suitcase outside the mall,” he said. “I’ll pick them up.”
