Family Guy - Series 2 [1999]

Highlights of the 15 episodes here include Peter discovering his feminine side ("I Am Peter, Here Me Roar"), Stewie and Brian on an eventful road trip ("Road to Rhode Island"), Peter annexing his neighbour's pool and inviting the world's dictators round for a barbeque ("E Peterbus Unum") and, as a bonus episode, the irreverent "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein", which was deemed "too offensive for TV". It may be lowbrow scatological farce, but unlike its big-screen live-action cousins (think Farrelly Brothers), Family Guy is always warm-hearted and never vicious.

On the DVD: Family Guy, Series 2 is spread across two discs that boast Dolby 5.1 sound but standard 4:3 picture. There's no "Play All" facility (something else this release has in common with The Simpsons on DVD) and there are no extras other than the "bonus" episode. --Mark Walker

If you've seen the TV series, and you weren't exactly shocked, then that's because half of it is cut. The best parts, most offensive, and most brilliant parts are all here in glorious DVD quality. What's more, the Americans can't even buy Season 1 on DVD yet!

In Conlusion, buy this DVD. You won't regret it. It's definetely for the adult minded though, and is more intelligent than 'The Simpsons' - but not for Grandma. Nothing is sacred anymore - You'll be quoting this show to your friends and family in no time. Don't forget to get season 1 too!


Sheer Magic   March 13, 2006
Robert Smith (England)
16 out of 20 found this review helpful

First things first, Family Guy is a sensation!

Family Guy is one of those shows that has the 'X factor'; quite what it is about it that's so fantastic is hard to define in words, because the programme relies heavily on the excellent voices, the accuracy and hilarity of the various satirical impressions, and the lightning-fast pace of the gags, and none of these translate well to the printed page. But even so, it would be child's play to reel off a list of dozens of scenes, concepts or one-liners in this series that acheive the distinction of being "classic television"; the Chumbawumbas in "Wasted Talent", a sinful and irresistably funnny version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Peter 'sneaking' into Meg's school to replace her news report with an exposee; the giant chicken fight, Mk 1; "I created you - and I can destroy you!"; "If I don't get any airtime how am I supposed to get my own spinoff where I open a bar... at THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH!"; the entire sequence of scenes set around the "Diane" chat show.

So why is Family Guy so incredible? Hard to say - but I'll try.

To start with it must be said that at this point, the show still felt new, fresh, and daring, without being gratuitous. Unlike Series 3, which was by comparison rather sparse and slightly too nasty, each of these episodes is evergreen - crammed with joke after joke, lending itself to rewatching multiple times, just so you can drink in the laughs-laden atmosphere (hence why its advisable to buy the DVDs). And unlike Series 1, even the most bog-standard episode of Series 2 is indisputably a classic.

The first series of Family Guy gave us a dysfunctional American family, very self-awarely referential of the format of 'The Simpsons'. We have Peter Griffin, "self-described Hugenot (whatever that means)", the Family Guy himself - embarrassing, moronic, with many redeeming features but sadly absolutely no sense of how to behave appropriately; his loving but long-suffering wife Lois Griffin (nee Pewterschmit), an attractive and sympathetic redhead who gave up a fortune to be Peter's lifelong companion; Brian, the family dog, a scholar, a gentleman and an intellectual, with a taste for the sauce and an acid wit; and Peter and Lois' children - dorky teen outcast Meg Griffin, sweet-natured but not-all-there Chris Griffin, and last but not least - the secret of the show's early success - Stewie Griffin, an evil and camp one-year old with homicidal designs on his mother, plans for world domination, and a kick-ass line in put-downs ("That idiot slattern sent the dog?!"). Throughout the first two seasons his scenes were almost always the best: "I wouldn't bother visiting the Land of Make Believe today, Mr Rogers, I dare say you'll find it quite in ruins. That's right, all dead!"

Individually, the characters were riotously funny, and once they were brought together in one programme, failure was out of the question. It's tempting to say that Series 2 improves on the format, toning down Stewie from the unsustainable excesses of the first episodes (in which he builds a weather control device AND a time machine) to a happy medium, and - most importantly - showcasing Peter more. Peter, nominally the star but usually outshone by Brian and Stewie (the best TV double-act in recent years), comes out of this series very well indeed. The scene in "Let's Go To The Hop" (the episode is replete with parody of the high-school movie genre) where in order to defeat the drug problem at Meg's school, he exhorts the students in song to "give up the toad now" is surely amongst the strongest in the programme's illustrious history. Peter is romantic, moral when it counts, and a great dancer - it's just that his greed and intellect let him down, and he ALWAYS says the wrong thing! As such, he's lovable. Homer Simpson - but even better.

Adult, sexy, embracing all aspects of American culture (particularly its television) with satirical arms, and with an ingenious dose of surreal comedy (for instance Peter, on a day-trip to Australia, poking a crocodile into wakefulness with a stick, only to have a psychotic koala fasten itself to his face!), Family Guy is a classy product. The animation is excellent; the scripts, at this stage, top-notch, and accessible even for UK viewers. For anyone willing to take a little offence with the laughter, Family Guy series 2 is an utterly invaluable, even compulsory purchase!


What Futurama should have been!   December 13, 2002
A. J. Kirke (Plymouth, UK)
14 out of 24 found this review helpful

Years ago, everyone viewed Futurama as the creative "sequel" to the Simpsons. Phrases like "from the creator of the Simpsons" were bandied around. However the real "sequel" to the Simpsons is Family Guy. It takes the Simpson idea (dumb dad and his weird family, straight(ish) woman etc) and extends it into more sophisticated territory.

After watching multiple episodes of Family Guy on DVD, if I watch the Simpsons afterwards then the Simpsons humour almost seems quaint! :)

The only criticism I'd have of Family Guy is that a larger number of jokes require knowledge of USA culture. This is true to an extent in the Simpsons, but less so.

Overall I can't over-recommend this brilliant piece of comedy - Family Guy is a hilarious cartoon, with intelligent dumb humour. Probably the best of the 30 minute cartoons that are suitable for the more mature viewer.


freakin' sweet tv   March 4, 2005
ants (glasgow, scotland United Kingdom)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

If you are reading this review it probably means that you don't alredy have family guy season two so i would just like to say ....why not
in a recent poll family guy was voted 5th in the top 100 cartoons this doesn't nearly justify it's quality .
The simpsons is apparently the be best cartoon of all time but after watching family guy you will realise how the simpsons is no longer as funny as it once was and i am a simpsons fan homer is the only member of the simpsons that would make it into an episode of family guy .
the simpsons broke ground 13 years ago family guy is still breaking new ground .BRING ON SEASON FOUR,FIVE & SIX


Great   February 14, 2006
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

This has got to be one of the best comedies of all time!
The wit is rarely sophisticated or particularly clever, but it will appeal to your childish side. It is so easy to just curl up on the sofa and spend a whole (and very relaxing) afternoon just watching this comedy and packing in a whole lot of cheap laughs.

The characters are so memorable and individual, and it is impossible not to find aspects that you can relate to with each of them.

This programme is funny to adults and children alike, and makes a fab addition to any DVD collection. This series is as good as the 1st.

It is also pretty good value, as you get 18 episodes.