LOS ANGELES - Carol Burnett has filed a $2 million copyright infringement lawsuit against 20th Century Fox, claiming her cleaning woman character was portrayed on the animated series "Family Guy."

The U.S. District Court lawsuit, which was filed Thursday, said the Fox show didn't have the 73-year-old comedian's permission to include her cleaning woman character, Charwoman, in an April 2006 episode.

The episode shows Charwoman as a porno-shop maid, and it uses what the lawsuit called an "altered version" of Burnett's theme music. The characters in the show also perform Burnett's signature ear tug, the lawsuit said.

Besides copyright infringement, Burnett alleges 20th Century Fox violated her publicity rights.

The studio said it was surprised by the lawsuit over what amounted to about an 18-second scene.

"`Family Guy,' like `The Carol Burnett Show,' is famous for its pop culture parodies and satirical jabs at celebrities. We are surprised that Ms. Burnett, who has made a career of spoofing others on television, would go so far as to sue `Family Guy' for a simple bit of comedy," said 20th Century Fox Television spokesman Chris Alexander.

Hmmmm...

It's a SPOOF, Carol!! Get over it!!

I hope Margaret Mitchell's heirs sue Carol over her famous Gone With The Wind parody.:rolleyes:

:yeahthat

I think that at this point in her life Carol should be happy that someone on TV not only remembers her show, but is paying homage to it by doing a bit about it on Family Guy.

I mean seriously, how many younger Family Guy fans even know who Carol Burnett is?

;)

I hope every celebrity who gets made fun of on The Family Guy doesn't decide to sue the show, as that would include just about everyone in Hollywood!!! :eek: :lol:

The Facts of Life would have a hey day if they decided to sue. :lol:

Carol's taking herself to seriously.

Has Carol forgotten that she also made fun of everybody in The Carol Burnett Show? From ordinary people to scenes from a movie or spoof of a soap.

Put me on the jury and watch a $2M suit turn into a $20M one.

I hope every celebrity who gets made fun of on The Family Guy doesn't decide to sue the show, as that would include just about everyone in Hollywood!!! :eek: :lol:


I hope they do.

Has Carol forgotten that she also made fun of everybody in The Carol Burnett Show? From ordinary people to scenes from a movie or spoof of a soap.
This is exactly why I find it peculiar that she's doing this.

Not to agree with her decision, but she probably thought that the parody of her was too rude.

I hope every celebrity who gets made fun of on The Family Guy doesn't decide to sue the show, as that would include just about everyone in Hollywood!!! :eek: :lol:
:yeahthat I'll bet she settles out of court for royalties or something.

Family Guy not only makes fun of television shows and actors from bygone eras, but musicians, nudists, homophobics, bigots, culture differences, etc. Hell, even South Park makes fun of everyone, doesn't matter if it was famous or something unless you count Robert Smith of The Cure destroying the monster, Barbra Streisand, which did voice at one point.

:lol: But it is not to be taken seriously...hell, Spongebob Squarepants is also not serious in tone because its characters.

This is news to me