'Family Guy' to table read abortion episode

[Brian Damage]

"Family Guy" is taking its too-hot-for-Fox episode to the masses.
Twentieth Century Fox TV and Fox have given "Family Guy" the greenlight to do a live table reading next week of the show's infamous "abortion episode."

Given the delicate subject matter, Fox has opted not to air the episode -- the second time in "Family Guy's" history that the net has taken a pass on a seg.

Series creator-star Seth MacFarlane will take part alongside voice stars Alex Borstein, Mila Kunis, Mike Henry, Mark Hentemann and Steve Callaghan. (Seth Green is traveling in support of "Robot Chicken" and won't attend.)

The table read is part of an event next Wednesday at Hollywood's Ricardo Montalban Theater targeted toward Emmy voters, in light of the show's recent nomination in the best comedy category (the first for an animated show since 1961).

Despite the controversy surrounding the episode, MacFarlane said the show is fairly tame compared to some segs that have gotten on the air.

"The subject matter makes it sound like the raciest thing we've ever done, but it's a balanced episode," he said. In the episode, "Partial Terms of Endearment" (written by Danny Smith), a friend asks "Family Guy" matriarch Lois to be a surrogate mother, and she agrees. But when her friend unexpectedly dies, Lois isn't sure what to do.

"The whole last act of the show is one long debate by the family over the issue," MacFarlane said.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1

[browneyes106]

I think this could help get the episode on the air.