Sarah Palin Turns Bristol Loose on "Family Guy" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ABlairican Pie · 02-16-2010, 03:16 PM

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.

Getty images:

ABlairican Pie · 02-16-2010, 03:30 PM

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??

Retro4Life · 02-16-2010, 04:50 PM

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.

Janice · 02-16-2010, 05:26 PM

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.

bandito · 02-16-2010, 06:09 PM

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

MickeyMac · 02-16-2010, 06:55 PM

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

Marvo301 · 02-16-2010, 06:56 PM

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.

ABlairican Pie · 02-16-2010, 07:03 PM

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.

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.?

Marvo301 · 02-16-2010, 07:50 PM

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

JT · 02-16-2010, 09:19 PM

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.

Retro4Life · 02-16-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT

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".

catlover79 · 02-16-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT

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.

Even Bette Midler apologized (several times) for her Karen Carpenter anorexia jokes way back when. You have to draw the line someplace.

MrCleveland · 02-16-2010, 10:42 PM

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.

ABlairican Pie · 02-17-2010, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT

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.

Retro4Life · 02-17-2010, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

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.

02-16-2010, 03:16 PM	#1
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	Sarah Palin Turns Bristol Loose on "Family Guy" 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. Getty images: Attached Images
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

02-16-2010, 04:50 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	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.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives." Last edited by Retro4Life; 02-16-2010 at 06:37 PM.

02-16-2010, 06:09 PM	#5
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	I used to watch Family Guy. I'll make sure never to tune into that classless show again.
	__________________ bandito

02-16-2010, 06:56 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	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.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-16-2010, 09:19 PM	#10
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	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.
	__________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrEbJBFWIPk

02-16-2010, 03:30 PM	#2
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	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??

02-16-2010, 05:26 PM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	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.

02-16-2010, 06:55 PM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Family Guy is an idiotic show, its so not worth Mrs. Palin's time.

02-16-2010, 07:03 PM	#8
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	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. 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.?

02-16-2010, 07:50 PM	#9
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	That would be Eunice Kennedy Shriver who started the Special Olympics.

02-16-2010, 10:42 PM	#13
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,225	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.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)