The 'Family Guy' creator talks about his 'Star Wars' fixation, his visit to George Lucas' ranch and being targeted by the Parents Television Council.
Seth MacFarlane, 36, created "Family Guy," Fox's animated sitcom, which this year became the first cartoon series nominated for a prime-time Emmy since "The Flintstones" in 1961. Fox just released the DVD "Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side," a follow-up to the 2007 "Blue Harvest" episode that spoofed the "Star Wars" franchise.
How often do the Fox censors tell you that certain gags have to come out?
Very often. About half the jokes that are on our standards list in every episode don't make it into the show. You trade. It's about quantity.
You raised another firestorm recently by suggesting that Stewie is gay.
No, that was a journalist printing only part of the comment and making a story out of it. I said we had written an episode at one point in which Stewie comes out of the closet. But we scrapped it because we felt like we got a lot more mileage out of him being uncertain and not making that decision just yet.
That whole press whirlwind was hilarious to me. It's not even news. He's not gay -- he doesn't even exist!
Carol Burnett also sued you -- unsuccessfully -- over a parody that spoofed her famous cleaning-lady character. Do you think she has a sense of humor?
I would certainly hope so. I was at the Creative Arts Emmys this year, and Carol Burnett was one of the presenters. And when she came out, everyone gave her a standing ovation, including me. It was a moment that you only get in Hollywood: Giving a standing ovation to somebody who sued you a year ago.
How did it make you feel?
Like I had no spine.
Very often. About half the jokes that are on our standards list in every episode don't make it into the show. You trade. It's about quantity.
You raised another firestorm recently by suggesting that Stewie is gay.
No, that was a journalist printing only part of the comment and making a story out of it. I said we had written an episode at one point in which Stewie comes out of the closet. But we scrapped it because we felt like we got a lot more mileage out of him being uncertain and not making that decision just yet.
That whole press whirlwind was hilarious to me. It's not even news. He's not gay -- he doesn't even exist!
Carol Burnett also sued you -- unsuccessfully -- over a parody that spoofed her famous cleaning-lady character. Do you think she has a sense of humor?
I would certainly hope so. I was at the Creative Arts Emmys this year, and Carol Burnett was one of the presenters. And when she came out, everyone gave her a standing ovation, including me. It was a moment that you only get in Hollywood: Giving a standing ovation to somebody who sued you a year ago.
How did it make you feel?
Like I had no spine.
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