Family Guy

TV review by Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Family Guy Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

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

Fox, Syndicated Comedy 1999
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 318 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 1016 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Family Guy is very funny; the quirky scenarios and characters can induce giggles or even guffaws in grown-ups. But Seth MacFarlane's show isn't meant to be watched by kids. 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 (voiced by MacFarlane), and the baby, Stewie (also MacFarlane), are the smartest members of the family -- which might set off a few alarm bells in terms of iffy role modeling. Expect frequent sexual innuendo and salty language ("bitch," "damn," "whore," and transphobic slurs), as well as drinking, drug use, and violence (some of it gory) played for humor. While the main family is White, the series features characters of several racial and cultural backgrounds, as well as LGBTQ+ and disabled characters, most of whom are treated with respect and are rarely the punchline.

Community Reviews

Lov333
Lov333 Adult
May 24, 2021
age 12+

Early Seasons Okay for 12+, Anything after season 10 is 14+

Let's start with this, I'm guessing all the ratings saying 17+ are people who watched the uncut later seasons. If your kid wants to watch this show, just know the first 9-10 seasons aren't any worse than shows like The Office and Friends, after that it gets more on the TV-MA side, and not only are the later seasons more inappropriate but their too political and lower quality, so your kid won't even want to watch them. Now let's talk about the early seasons, the early seasons are still crude (Worse than The Simpsons but far cleaner than South Park). They have TV-14 language (Bitch, ass, damn), mild drinking, slapstick violence and implied sex and sexual dialogue, a few of the jokes are pretty crude but they'll fly over any kids over 12's head. They're nothing worse than The Office or Arrested Development jokes and for that matter come off even less explicit just because it's cartoon. So yeah the first 9 seasons are pretty good and funny and kids will enjoy it.

This title has:

Too much sex
8 people found this helpful.
Bob The Train
Bob The Train Adult
December 22, 2021
age 13+

Hilarious, But NOT For Kids

This show is pretty funny, but you should not show it to your kids if they are under 13. There is violence, sex, and other stuff. I didn't count the language because everybody already knows all the words.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
3 people found this helpful.
See all 318 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A witty blend of slapstick and fantasy, Seth MacFarlane's FAMILY GUY has over 20 seasons to its name and is a TV show within a TV show. Characters include patriarch Peter Griffin (voiced by MacFarlane), who has visions that look like animated channel surfing; his supportive wife Lois (Alex Borstein), and their children -- angsty teenagers Chris (Seth Green) and Meg (Mila Kunis), and baby Stewie (MacFarlane again), who spews vitriolic one-liners as he throws his bottle across the room. Rounding out the Griffins is their dog, Brian (yup, MacFarlane does his voice too), a sensitive, well-read fellow who enjoys his wine and often serves as the family's conscience.

Is It Any Good?

This show's wacky brand of fast-paced humor isn't for everyone. But those willing to laugh along with its zany jokes, will find Family Guy hilarious. As a plot device, Peter's visions can serve as a distraction, ultimately disrupting what might be a storyline. On the other hand, the constant references to musicals, literature, plays, video games, and other TV shows might amuse some viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the humor in Family Guy. Do you find it funny, or offensive? Why might different people have different reactions?

  • What do you make of Peter's excessive love of television? Can you think of other characters who do the same?

  • Stewie is obsessed with creating chaos and doing things usually reserved for the villains in action/sci-fi films. How does the situation change when it's a baby acting this way? Is it funnier, or does it make no difference?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • The Simpsons Poster Image

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    Clever, fast-paced cartoon with edgy humor.

    age 12+
  • South Park Poster Image

    South Park

    Outrageous, shocking humor carries a message.

    age 15+
  • Robot Chicken Poster Image

    Robot Chicken

    Quirky animated series is too edgy for young kids.

    age 16+

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