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Family Guy

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Seth Green, Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Where to watch: Fox, Syndicated, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Contrary to its title, this isn't a family show.

Themes in this show include:   family relationships

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Erratic good deeds at best, character assassination at worst -- there's nothing remotely PC about this show.
  • Role models:

    As a rule, the characters are pretty clueless and and ineffective, even when they mean well. Dog Brian and baby Stewie are the smartest characters -- but Stewie is almost always plotting something evil. Plenty of stereotyping and mockery.
  • Violence:

    Plenty of slapstick/violence played for humor, but no main characters face life-threatening injury. Dad Peter owns a gun and produces it now and then.
  • Sex:

    Lots of sexual innuendo and references. Sometimes subtle, sometimes overt.
  • Language:

    Pretty frequent use of words like "damn," "hell," "bitch," and "ass," plus lewd references to body parts.
  • Consumerism:

    Tons of pop culture references.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink beer and wine frequently.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Family Guy

Parents need to know that Family Guy is very funny; the quirky scenarios can induce giggles or even guffaws in grown-ups. But Seth MacFarlane's show isn't meant to be watched by kids or young teens. Unpredictable is the name of the game in the town of Quahog, Rhode Island, where the Griffin family spends most of its time watching television and getting into trouble. The dog, Brian, and the infant, Stewie, are the most intelligent members of the family -- which might set off a few alarm bells in terms of inappropriate role modeling. Expect frequent sexual innuendo and salty language (of the "bitch" and "damn" variety), as well as some drinking and violence played for humor.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about when politically correct attitudes are helpful and when they can be harmful. Do you find this show's humor funny or offensive? Why do different people have different reactions to over-the-top humor?
  • What do you make of Peter's excessive love of television? Is this the way anyone should look at the world?
  • If tweens insist on watching this show, be sure to take the time to watch it with them to get a sense of what's going on.

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Our Members Say

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See all 273 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    family guy vs simpsons

    okay this show isn't exaclty the simpsons but i like to watch it. besides, little kids wouldn't get almost all the jokes. but the simpsons are the original and i think family guy stole some of their material

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Iffy for 15+.

    Iffy for 6+? NO WAY. I've read scripts for this show before, and it is definitly not appropriate for 6 year olds. I say this show is iffy for 15+.

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Iffy content

    This is a hilarious show but a lot of times my parents make me turn it off because it's too raunchy and times. Nothing is too explicit though. If your kids are not old enough the jokes will fly over their heads and it won't be as enjoyable for them anyway so basically your kids will have to be old enough to actually like the show. A lot of the jokes are controversial or about sex. There is mild cursing but again if your kids are too young for it then it wont be funny. The dog has a drinking problem and the dad and his friends are always seen at the bar. But Its a fantastic show!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    No no no! No one of ANY age

    I have only seen a tiny bit of this show and was like Oh My Gosh, each of the few times I saw a tiny bit of it i heard cursing and also not only that I've heard people talk about and the things i've heard about it are NOT very good! So just as this website says despite the title it's NOT for family viewing!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Horrible for everyone. Adults and youth alike.

    Absolute horrifying. Sexual Content of every kind meant to be made funny and appealing. The family dog wanting to have sex with the mother, The baby plotting to kill her, Scenes of nude boy masterbating, girlfriend having sex with everybody but her boyfriend, incest and more. Each part presented in a way to leave viewers giggling. Anyone who chooses to watch this chooses all that is evil and filthy.

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