"Family Guy" vs. "The Simpsons"

OK, this isn't actually a debate about which is better, because I honestly can't side with one over the other. However, the question has been posed to me by a not-very-cartoon-savvy acquintance: "What's the difference?" This brainless ingrate actually said, "Why would you watch 'Family Guy'? It's just a knock-off of 'The Simpsons' and not as good."

You know what I say? I say fuck that noise.

These two shows, while similar in setup, are not remotely the same in their sense of humor or basic premise.

Both shows are about a family and their acquintances in a smallish, unidentifiable town. Each family has a responsible mom, stupid dad and three kids (one of which is a baby). That is where the similarities end.

The basic premise of "The Simpsons" is that father figure Homer Simpson is the show's protagonist. In "Family Guy", however, the opposite is true. Peter Griffin, more often than not, is the antagonist. "The Simpsons" asks you to root for Homer because, stupid as his words and actions may be, he's a good guy. Peter, however, has no redeeming qualities. In fact, rooting for Peter is to usually root against everyone else on the show. Peter isn't the good guy, he's the bad guy. In fact, most of the primary characters on this show are bad guys.

And that simple fact carries a lot of weight....and it's all rooted in the kid of humor these different premises deliver. While both shows have smart dialouge, hidden jokes, running gags and loads of tangets..."The Simpsons'" humor is more mainstream and, generally, more situational (and it has, in recent years, just gone way over the top with guest stars and gimmicks). "Family Guy" has a far meaner sense of humor, largely based on cheap shots and dialouge points....and it tends to run the very edge of tasteand social acceptance far more often.

And a final difference in one that is often understated. The role of Brian the Dog on "Family Guy" is a crucial one when it comes to the difference between these shows. He's the straight man, to the point that he plays the viewer's role in this show. He's the scope through which we view this madness and he says, essentially, what we would say in response. "The Simpsons" lack of this narrator, normal character is what makes it universe and scope so large...and thus entirely different.

Thankfully, now that both shows are going to be on Fox the same nights, it isn't like you have to pick one. Watch them both, back-to-back, and see what I mean. Don't be fooled by the packaging: These two shows are seperate, but equally looming in their niche of television.