Sarah Palin Turns Bristol Loose on "Family Guy"
Angry over Fox show's treatment of son Trig, ex-guv sics Big Sis on show

By GREG WILSON
Updated 1:01 PM EST, Tue, Feb 16, 2010


Sarah Palin is angry about a recent "Family Guy" episode that seemed to mock her Down syndrome son Trig, but this time, the former Alaska governor let the boy's big sister speak for the family.

"Bristol was one who asked what I thought of the show that mocked her baby brother, Trig (and/or others with special needs), in an episode yesterday," Palin wrote in a Facebook post titled "Fox Hollywood -- What a Dissappointment."

"Instead of answering, I asked her what she thought," the former vice presidential candidate continued. "Here is her conscientious reply, which is a much more restrained and gracious statement than I want to make about an issue that begs the question, “when is enough, enough?"

With that, Mama Palin let rip daughter Bristol's angry missive:


"When you’re the son or daughter of a public figure, you have to develop thick skin. My siblings and I all have that, but insults directed at our youngest brother hurt too much for us to remain silent. People with special needs face challenges that many of us will never confront, and yet they are some of the kindest and most loving people you’ll ever meet. Their lives are difficult enough as it is, so why would anyone want to make their lives more difficult by mocking them? As a culture, shouldn’t we be more compassionate to innocent people – especially those who are less fortunate? Shouldn’t we be willing to say that some things just are not funny? Are there any limits to what some people will do or say in regards to my little brother or others in the special needs community? If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed. All they proved is that they’re heartless jerks. - Bristol Palin"

The show in question, which airs on Palin's new employer Fox, evoked Palin's 22-month-old son when animated character Chris Griffin asks out a classmate named Ellen who has Down syndrome. When he asks her about her parents, she says her mother is the former governor of Alaska.

"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane campaigned for Barack Obama and ridiculed Palin during the race between Obama and John McCain.


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As much as I love 'Family Guy', I did pick up on the obvious cheap shot in Sunday night's episode. Seth McFarlane campaigned for Obama? My condolences. Hey, Mr. McFarlane, how's that hope and change working out for ya??

Before anyone else has a chance to say it, yes, I believe in free speech and McFarlane has the absolute right to say anything he wants about anything or anybody.

That being said, I have to add that after seeing this story I'm "this" close to never watching Family Guy again, and I've watched it for many years. Yes, it's sometimes funny (though not nearly as much in the last few years), but whatever laughs I get out of it are really being blunted by the knowledge that these guys are pretty much bottom feeding for their comedy now, hitting at people who can't even strike back.

Comedy is supposed to take on the powerful and bring them down to size. How powerful is Trig Palin? How much of a task is it to humiliate those who through no fault of their own, are born with special needs?

Ms. Palin was right. These guys are heartless. And if you say "oh, come on, it's just a joke", well, that's an easy, lame way to abrogate responsibility for anything you do. Is this saying that no matter what horrible thing we say about someone, no matter how much it hurts someone who's never harmed anyone in their life, it's all OK as long as we cloak it in the guise of "it's just a joke?" Not this kid.

And this is coming from someone who really doesn't agree with a lot of Sarah Palin's positions. This has nothing to do with politics. This is just simple humanity. And I'm tired of crap like this.

Crap like this just makes me sick. I guess picking on the disabled is in style with some on the left, from the baffoon in the White House and his right hand man, Rahm Emanuel and now this. Shame on all of them. ohno:

I used to watch Family Guy. I'll make sure never to tune into that classless show again.

Family Guy is an idiotic show, its so not worth Mrs. Palin's time.

I have the utmost of respect for Bristol Palin and her passionate and gracious defense of her younger brother and indeed all people with special needs. As for the people behind Family Guy there is no defense for their actions and they are not worthy of any respect.

Seth McFarlane would have wowed them during another certain administration in Germany between 1933 and 1945. Everyone would have yukked it up as certain *undesireables* were loaded up and hauled off to Auschwitz, Dachau, Bergen-Belsen, and all these other wonderful places meant for taking care of untermensch.

Obama with his Special Olympics "joke", Emanuel with his comment about
"F'n *******", and now Seth McFarlane, Obama campaigner. Birds of a feather. ohno: Says something right there.


Just remembered that one of the Kennedys (forgot the name of the sister of JFK) started the Special Olympics. Wonder what she would have said to Obama after his little joke on t.v.?

That would be Eunice Kennedy Shriver who started the Special Olympics.

This is so not a political thing. Family Guy makes fun of everyone and everything. Everybody has a moment where they think the show has went too far. Mine was when they made fun of Karen Carpenter.

This is so not a political thing. Family Guy makes fun of everyone and everything. Everybody has a moment where they think the show has went too far. Mine was when they made fun of Karen Carpenter.


I'm going to disagree here. McFarlane is a hardcore Democrat. Palin isn't the president now, and yet he keeps hammering away. And have there been ANY parodies of the actual current president? Not that I could see.

Again, though I'm a Democrat, and probably agree with many of McFarlane's beliefs, his political bias is so obviously apparent in this show. I've seen episodes where the central theme was Christian bashing, pro marijuana use, anti-Fox news, etc. These weren't just one offs; they were the overarching theme of episodes. To say nothing of the time travel episode where Stewie found a McCain/Palin button on a Nazi.

I'm all for blasting Republicans, but I'm also all for blasting Democrats. That's what good comedy does; it doesn't discriminate. And to this viewer, McFarlane does, as Stewie would say "BIG time".

This is so not a political thing. Family Guy makes fun of everyone and everything. Everybody has a moment where they think the show has went too far. Mine was when they made fun of Karen Carpenter.
Making fun of Karen Carpenter is taking it too far. :mad: Even Bette Midler apologized (several times) for her Karen Carpenter anorexia jokes way back when. You have to draw the line someplace. ohno:

McFarlane is an *******, will he be mocking autistics next?

I made a page once called "100 People who are ****ing-up America" on Uncyclopedia, but since they were being stupid and not funny...I left the website and never going there again, but thankfully there's wackypedia.

What did that come from? In the "100 People who are ****ing-up America", Seth McFarlane is on the list! He's in the top-20 or something. I might make that into a book and include Uncyclopedia as well.

This is so not a political thing. Family Guy makes fun of everyone and everything. Everybody has a moment where they think the show has went too far. Mine was when they made fun of Karen Carpenter.
I agree, I'm not so shocked and offended that they did this, knowing that the guy bashes Republicans and everyone else, it was that he took such an obvious cheap shot that made him look stupid and pathetic. Uhh, Mr. McFarlane? Sarah Palin and her family?? IT'S BEEN DONE.

I agree, I'm not so shocked and offended that they did this, knowing that the guy bashes Republicans and everyone else, it was that he took such an obvious cheap shot that made him look stupid and pathetic. Uhh, Mr. McFarlane? Sarah Palin and her family?? IT'S BEEN DONE.

Besides the Clintons, I can't think of one prominent Democrat he's bashed.

Besides the Clintons, I can't think of one prominent Democrat he's bashed.
Clinton was an easy target on the show because he was made out to be a party animal, a real hit with the ladies.

I can't fatham why this show has been on so long. Sad when garbage like this is so popular.

I can't fatham why this show has been on so long. Sad when garbage like this is so popular.
Agreed!!!

Crap like this just makes me sick. I guess picking on the disabled is in style with some on the left, from the baffoon in the White House and his right hand man, Rahm Emanuel and now this. Shame on all of them. ohno:

Picking on the disabled is not in style on the left anymore than the right. There are jerks on both sides.

I'm ashamed of anyone who thinks that this was funny.

Too bad Fox Corp is separate from Fox News.. I had a smart ass remark. :rolleyes:

Picking on the disabled is not in style on the left anymore than the right. There are jerks on both sides.
Thanks. It really angers me when people act like "their side" is any better than the other when it comes to this stuff. Political affiliation has nothing to do with whether or not you're a jerk.

I never cared for Family Guy myself.

Picking on the disabled is not in style on the left anymore than the right. There are jerks on both sides.

I'm ashamed of anyone who thinks that this was funny.
"With some" on the left. I'm not referring to you. I'm referring to Obama, his Chief of Staff, and now this lefty Seth McFarlane. I can't think of anyone on the right ragging on the disabled.

Besides the Clintons, I can't think of one prominent Democrat he's bashed.
If I'm not mistaken, I think he's already taken a hit at Michael J. Fox too. If not, stand by, I'm sure he'll be next.

I've actually liked the show over the years, but there are times like this (and the Karen Carpenter one, plus one or two others that slip my mind at the moment) when he really goes over the line.


I can maybe see taking shots at various people, but when you bring illness and/or disability into it I just can't understand it at all. I'm surprised Stephen Hawking hasn't sued the guy for his portrayal (several times).

Thanks. It really angers me when people act like "their side" is any better than the other when it comes to this stuff. Political affiliation has nothing to do with whether or not you're a jerk.
I'm not acting like my side is better. It is the left that's taking cracks on the disabled lately. Obama on Leno, then his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel and this lefty Seth McFarlane. Don't get mad when someone points out the truth.

i like Family Guy but there are times when i think they cross the line with some of the jokes they make...and this would definitely be one of those times. they're much funnier when they stick to being more satirical instead of just ripping on people like that. there's really not a need for jokes like that, it's a funny show without dumb things like this.

I'm not acting like my side is better. It is the left that's taking cracks on the disabled lately. Obama on Leno, then his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel and this lefty Seth McFarlane. Don't get mad when someone points out the truth.

The left? The left of what? That's one thing I never have understood about politics...

It's the right who likes it... The right of what?
It's the left who likes it... The left of what?

Where did these meanings come from?

The left? The left of what? That's one thing I never have understood about politics...

It's the right who likes it... The right of what?
It's the left who likes it... The left of what?

Where did these meanings come from?
If you don't know what the left and right mean in politics, what are you doing on a Politic's board?

Political science 101 Mac style is here


Ding Ding schools in


Left wing-tends to be on the liberal side of issues, usually democrats. Think of people like the Clintons, Jimmy Carter, The Kennedys, Michael Moore, Bill Maher,and Barak Obama


Right wing-tends to be more conservative on issues: George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Sarah Palin, Johnny Ramone, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Chuck Norris, Richard Nixon



There is also the far left and they are usually communists, marxist, socialists and the like


There is also the far right which is made up of nazi's, Ku Klux Klan and various hate groups.


Hope that explains it.

This is also worth doing your own reading and research. :)

Hey, Mr. McFarlane, how's that hope and change working out for ya??
At this point, I think many are just hoping that things will change.

"With some" on the left. I'm not referring to you. I'm referring to Obama, his Chief of Staff, and now this lefty Seth McFarlane. I can't think of anyone on the right ragging on the disabled.

I didn't think you were referring to me. I simply don't think you have a right to say any one particular political group is "okay" with this sort of thing.

I didn't think you were referring to me. I simply don't think you have a right to say any one particular political group is "okay" with this sort of thing.
Why not? Wasn't too long ago, President Obama cracked a Special Olympics joke on Leno. He had to apologize. Last week, his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, had to apologize for calling people f-in *******. This week, lefty creator Seth McFarlane did a Family Guy skit on the disabled. I'm seeing a pattern here. Can you name me three on the right that have done it.

lol, i KNEW there was going to be a lot of pissiness about this here.

It didn't ruin the entire series for me, I'll still watch it. It would have been nice if they had been a little more original than doing an obvious cheap shot, but no surprise there.

I guess Sarah Palin knows that this is the way the liberal entertainment industry is, it's going to satirize her and everything else, it's nothing new. You can't let it get to you if you're running for public office (if she is in fact doing so). She does come across as being a stronger person than she was previously perceived.

lol, i KNEW there was going to be a lot of pissiness about this here.
A lot of pissiness? We call it debate. Oh how we look forward to your drive-by swipes at us. Your post is nothing but pissiness, the part I could get through anyway.

I guess Sarah Palin knows that this is the way the liberal entertainment industry is, it's going to satirize her and everything else, it's nothing new. You can't let it get to you if you're running for public office (if she is in fact doing so). She does come across as being a stronger person than she was previously perceived.
Sarah Palin always says that she can take anything they throw at her, but leave her family out of it. That's the way it usually is in politics. Chelsea Clinton was off limits. The Bush daughters were raked over the coals for drinking in college. The media acted as if they murdered someone. During the recent campaign, Obama laid down the law, "Leave my wife alone!" And left alone she was. I can only imagine if anyone did a skit on Obama's daughters. I couldn't believe the crack on SNL about the Palin father and how he "must be doing those daughters". David Letterman making jokes about Palin's daughter doing it with a player on the field. That's just one of his jokes. He's disgusting. A 62 year old man making filthy jokes about a teen. Looks to me like they only make fun of conservative children.

I thought it was in poor taste until I read about the actress (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/18/family-guy-actress-respon_n_468331.html) who did the voice-over. It turns out she has Down's Syndrome (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/family-guy-voice-actor-says-palin-does-not-have-a-sense-of-humor/).



I think her comments might put things in perspective...

In my family we think laughing is good. My parents raised me to have a sense of humor and to live a normal life. My mother did not carry me around under her arm like a loaf of French bread the way former Governor Palin carries her son Trig around looking for sympathy and votes.

Link (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/family-guy-voice-actor-says-palin-does-not-have-a-sense-of-humor/)

Andrea Fay Friedman, who has Down syndrome, was a voice actor in a recent episode of “Family Guy” criticized by Sarah Palin.Since it was shown on Sunday, an episode of the Fox animated comedy “Family Guy” has drawn the repeated condemnation of Sarah Palin, the former Republican governor of Alaska and 2008 vice-presidential nominee.

In the episode, the teenage character Chris dates a girl named Ellen, who has Down syndrome, and who tells him over dinner that her mother is “the former governor of Alaska.” Ms. Palin, whose son Trig also has Down syndrome, has said that the “Family Guy” show “really isn’t funny” and was the work of “cruel, cold-hearted people.” Ms. Palin’s daughter Bristol has written that the “Family Guy” writers were “mocking my brother and my family,” and called them “heartless jerks.”

One person who supports the “Family Guy” staff is Andrea Fay Friedman, the 39-year-old actor and public speaker who played Ellen in that episode. Like the character, Ms. Friedman also has Down syndrome.

In an e-mail message sent on Thursday to The New York Times, Ms. Friedman wrote:

I guess former Governor Palin does not have a sense of humor. I thought the line “I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska” was very funny. I think the word is “sarcasm.”

I thought it was in poor taste until I read about the actress (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/18/family-guy-actress-respon_n_468331.html)who did the voice-over. It turns out she has Down's Syndrome (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/family-guy-voice-actor-says-palin-does-not-have-a-sense-of-humor/).



I think her comments might put things in perspective...

In my family we think laughing is good. My parents raised me to have a sense of humor and to live a normal life. My mother did not carry me around under her arm like a loaf of French bread the way former Governor Palin carries her son Trig around looking for sympathy and votes.
Sarah never looked for sympathy for her son. Never once. Gee, I wonder if the actress is a lib who foams at the mouth with Sarah Palin derangement. Just because she thinks it's okay to make public fun at someone with Down's syndrome, doesn't make it okay.

Yeah, I've got to say that the fact that the actress portraying the character has Down's really does nothing to mitigate my dislike of the scene. So what? That's like saying, "oh it's OK to use racial epithets if you are a minority...". No, it's not. Bad behavior doesn't suddenly become "OK" just because you are in the minority being mocked (and yes, it was mocking; I don't think McFarlane does much "referencing" on his show without expecting a laugh).

And I don't care who you are or how you slice it; for me, the inescapable truth is that the scene attempts to draw humor just from the fact that the "former governor from Alaska has a son with Down's. There's no other feasible "catch" to that joke.

And again, McFarlane (and anyone) is perfectly within his rights to make it. Just as I am within my rights to think it's a cheap, easy shot that's beneath his obvious talents. Something like this is a kind of Rorschach test. Some will see it and say that pretty much anything is fair game for comics, that as long as its placed in the context of "hey, it's just a joke", it's OK. For others, there are boundaries that make certain subjects, no matter what the context, just NOT funny by definition.

I return to my original statement on comedy. I want comedy to take on the powerful. Rip away at Palin's beliefs, statements and record all you want. That's fair game, as is Obama's. But the stuff that's beyond their control and concerns family members who either can't fight back or did not ask to be part of a public life should be respected.

I don't hate McFarlane for doing this, or any of the other tasteless things he's done. But I do think less of him as a person because of it. He's not a comedy machine that doesn't make choices about his jokes. He's a human being who decides every day what to put in and what not to. And this time, I didn't think his joke was a bit funny.

^ Excellent post.

It didn't ruin the entire series for me, I'll still watch it. It would have been nice if they had been a little more original than doing an obvious cheap shot, but no surprise there.


yeah, i still like family guy. it's not the first time i thought a joke has been questionable. that's just how the show is, the stuff that's really 'offensive' is few and far between and the other stuff is funny enough for me to keep watching it. if the whole show was stuff like this it'd be a different story but generally i don't find it to be too over-the-top.

Link (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/family-guy-voice-actor-says-palin-does-not-have-a-sense-of-humor/)

Andrea Fay Friedman, who has Down syndrome, was a voice actor in a recent episode of “Family Guy” criticized by Sarah Palin.Since it was shown on Sunday, an episode of the Fox animated comedy “Family Guy” has drawn the repeated condemnation of Sarah Palin, the former Republican governor of Alaska and 2008 vice-presidential nominee.

In the episode, the teenage character Chris dates a girl named Ellen, who has Down syndrome, and who tells him over dinner that her mother is “the former governor of Alaska.” Ms. Palin, whose son Trig also has Down syndrome, has said that the “Family Guy” show “really isn’t funny” and was the work of “cruel, cold-hearted people.” Ms. Palin’s daughter Bristol has written that the “Family Guy” writers were “mocking my brother and my family,” and called them “heartless jerks.”

One person who supports the “Family Guy” staff is Andrea Fay Friedman, the 39-year-old actor and public speaker who played Ellen in that episode. Like the character, Ms. Friedman also has Down syndrome.

In an e-mail message sent on Thursday to The New York Times, Ms. Friedman wrote:

I guess former Governor Palin does not have a sense of humor. I thought the line “I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska” was very funny. I think the word is “sarcasm.”
Andrea Friedman is the same actress who played Corky's girlfriend/wife on Life Goes On. She also made a fine dramatic turn on SVU.

Andrea Friedman is the same actress who played Corky's girlfriend/wife on Life Goes On. She also made a fine dramatic turn on SVU.

I remember her on "Life Goes On"! Her and Corky slept together. And by that I mean they litterally got into bed and fell asleep together.

OJ >>>> Seth MacFarlane

LOL, didn't Palin Failin' give Rush Limbaugh a free pass on using the word "******" because it was considered satire? I don't think her whining should be considered valid anymore after that. :lol: GIRL, PLEASE.

Family Guy has always been about poking fun at everyone and everything. I agree that it goes too far sometimes but it's nothing new and Sarah Palin's feelings aren't superior to anyone else's. Heck, even the actress with Down Syndrome who played the character in question is making light of the situation and calling Sarah out on her crap. Are you going to defend her stance or call her a "heartless jerk" too?

OJ >>>> Seth MacFarlane
lol a murderer being a better person than someone who makes a tacky joke

LOL, didn't Palin Failin' give Rush Limbaugh a free pass on using the word "******" because it was considered satire? I don't think her whining should be considered valid anymore after that. :lol: GIRL, PLEASE.
She's such a hypocrite. I'm glad she got caught for writing notes on her hand after whining about Obama using teleprompters lol.

OJ >>>> Seth MacFarlane
erm....that's going a little far. the joke was out of line but it's just that, a joke. he didn't brutally murder anyone :confused:

She's such a hypocrite. I'm glad she got caught for writing notes on her hand after whining about Obama using teleprompters lol.
I'm thinking of the movie 'Memento'. ;)

I remember her on "Life Goes On"! Her and Corky slept together. And by that I mean they litterally got into bed and fell asleep together.
Yes, and I think they eloped in the last season.

Sarah Palin always says that she can take anything they throw at her, but leave her family out of it. That's the way it usually is in politics. Chelsea Clinton was off limits. The Bush daughters were raked over the coals for drinking in college. The media acted as if they murdered someone. During the recent campaign, Obama laid down the law, "Leave my wife alone!" And left alone she was. I can only imagine if anyone did a skit on Obama's daughters. I couldn't believe the crack on SNL about the Palin father and how he "must be doing those daughters". David Letterman making jokes about Palin's daughter doing it with a player on the field. That's just one of his jokes. He's disgusting. A 62 year old man making filthy jokes about a teen. Looks to me like they only make fun of conservative children.
That's true, when they get to a person's family, it can get brutal and completely cruel.


Wow, that was pretty smart of David Letterman. :rolleyes: Well, we know where his head is at. This is why I've had a problem with Seth McFarlane's attempt at humor in this situation--it's been DONE by another comic who made himself look pathetic. Stick a fork in Dave, he is DONE. :turkey:

I'm thinking of the movie 'Memento'. ;)
Never heard of it but I looked it up, lol.

She's such a hypocrite. I'm glad she got caught for writing notes on her hand after whining about Obama using teleprompters lol.Hypocrite? Writing three things on her hand vs reading an entire speech, and anything else that needs to be said off a teleprompter...... Hmm. She's such a rotten person-lol

LOL, didn't Palin Failin' give Rush Limbaugh a free pass on using the word "******" because it was considered satire? I don't think her whining should be considered valid anymore after that. :lol: GIRL, PLEASE.

Family Guy has always been about poking fun at everyone and everything. I agree that it goes too far sometimes but it's nothing new and Sarah Palin's feelings aren't superior to anyone else's. Heck, even the actress with Down Syndrome who played the character in question is making light of the situation and calling Sarah out on her crap. Are you going to defend her stance or call her a "heartless jerk" too?
Hey if she's okay with the media taking shots at her then I'm okay with that. It doesn't mean that she speaks for all people with Downs Syndrome.

Didn't Obama have his kids up on the stage with him during the Democrat Convention? I seem to remember that. I guess he was using them too. What would happen if someone in the media started to make jokes about them? I already know. I seem to remember threads on this board last year that went on about that. Kids of politicians should be off limits...period. They didn't ask to be in the spotlight and shouldn't be the subject of hateful jokes. I get a kick about all the hate there is for Sarah Palin from the left. The more I hear it, the more I like her.

Hey if she's okay with the media taking shots at her then I'm okay with that. It doesn't mean that she speaks for all people with Downs Syndrome.

Didn't Obama have his kids up on the stage with him during the Democrat Convention? I seem to remember that. I guess he was using them too. What would happen if someone in the media started to make jokes about them? I already know. I seem to remember threads on this board last year that went on about that. Kids of politicians should be off limits...period. They didn't ask to be in the spotlight and shouldn't be the subject of hateful jokes. I get a kick about all the hate there is for Sarah Palin from the left. The more I hear it, the more I like her.:thumbsup: Great post Sonny!!

:thumbsup: Great post Sonny!!
That's why certain First Kids, like Amy Carter, steer clear of the media and fiercely guard their privacy. Can't say I blame them.

This is so not a political thing. Family Guy makes fun of everyone and everything. Everybody has a moment where they think the show has went too far. Mine was when they made fun of Karen Carpenter.
For me, the show went too far with the "Quagmire's Cat" segment. The main theme about anti-drug laws and Brian and Stewie's song was funny, but the events leading up to it were very shocking and disturbing.