The Simpsons vs. Family Guy

[Stoowii]

Inspired by a comment made on another thread, I thought I'd make this. Didn't post it in the Entertainment because it'll be sort of a debate as to which one is "better."



The Simpsons is classic, has longevity and is probably the more famous of the two.

I don't dislike The Simpsons, but personally I prefer Family Guy (as if my username wasn't hint enough.)

Every single episode thus far has had at least one moment where I genuinely laughed out loud.

Over the past 4 years or so, Family Guy has gotten higher ratings, more viewers and was even nominated for a Primetime Emmy, something The Simpsons hasn't achieved. However, The Simpsons have one-upped FG with an Oscar nomination. Ironically enough, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane is hosting them. Speaking of Seth, he's another reason I lean more towards Family Guy. Imo, he's sexy and his voice makes me melt. There wouldn't be a problem of new voice actors with Family Guy since he voices the funniest characters of the show: Peter, Brian, Stewie and Quagmire.

Which of the two do you prefer?

[crimsonpaine]

I like both, but The Simpson's is my favorite, and I've been watching the show since the shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. I try and make a point to remember and watch every new episode when it airs.

[JayHawk]

I am a 'Family guy' guy. The Simpsons were ground breaking and I enjoyed them but the Family Guy story line goes much father and constantly uses current events and insults various pop culture... I seriously dig that. Plus how can you go wrong when a character is a intellectual, womanizing, pot smoking dog--- oh yeah that talks.

Maggie is cute as cat boots but Stewie is the repressed maniacal gay man in all of us....

Meg is a lovable lesbian even if she doesnt like women, Lisa is the wise but talented kid.

Bart is a genius at trouble while Chris is the insecure dork we all grew up as.

Marg is just subservient mostly while Lois is a sex crazed hippy slut with some Moxy

Finally homer is hapless and messes up alot while Peter is somewhat the same he has sex on his show....

[Laufey]

Present time I enjoy Family Guy more but I'm voting for The Simpsons because of the great classics.

I still watch it but most episodes today are mehhhh.

[bankside]

Family guy.

[guyfromNY]

The thing is, the simpsons is still a good and funny show while family guy was brilliant, but became unwatchable after about 7 years. The Simpsons has been going for over 20 years and the quality is still there.

[tigerfan482]

Family guy hands down. The Simpsons are great and have some funny moments, but Family Guy is more my type of humor.

[johaninsc]

<---------------loves Family Guy

[maxpowr9]

I prefer The Simpsons but they are both shit now. Family Guy was good till about Season 5 and then collapsed under its own weight and became extremely bad. They will have 1-2 good episodes per season but the rest are garbage. The Simpsons decline was much more gradual. I think around Season 14 is when the suckage started but like FG, they will have 1-3 good episodes per season now.

[Laufey]

It's the opposite for me I never even bothered with the first seasons of FG but they started to change it around season 4-5 to the point of me liking it much more.

[Anders123]

Neither, to be honest.

I'm more of a Futurama fan.

[Laufey]

I've always been scared of liking Futurama because their fans are mostly nerds. Never watched a whole episode.

[CupidBoy]

The Simpsons win hands down.

I'm more of a Futurama fan.

Mmmm, Bender.

[Thynight]

I prefer The Simpsons because Family Guy takes their jokes too far.



Also +1 for Futurama.

[BronzeBoyturnedBronzeMan]

tHE O.g OF ALL OGS THE Simps baby

[DonQuixote]

We don't watch either very often in my household - my womenfolk don't care for either.
I used to watch the Simpsons as I ate dinner before classes when I was finishing up my B.S. (as an adult).

I watched several episodes of Family Guy when I spent some quality time with my grand nephew about a year ago -
while he was in the hospital - many of the guys on here know the circumstances - I sent e-mails to them - I think I posted some on the boards, too.

In any event - I have to say I prefer Family Guy. The Simpsons have never struck me as anything more than some good, but gratuitous dark humour.

Family Guy actually manages to impart, albeit subliminally, some moral messages regarding how to treat one another. At least, I think that's what I remember.

He was watching Cartoon Network which transitioned to some late night that was definitely NOT what I wanted him to be watching, but since he was in extreme pain from 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 7-8% of his body AND broken bones, I was there to comfort and make his life as easy as possible, and encourage him to eat and drink more so he had the fuel for his body to heal.

It was probably another show that had a more visibly moral in the end message, but I still stand by Family Guy - fresher, more involved.

[refujiunderground]

there would be no family guy if there were no simpsons. never watched family guy and i stopped watching the simpsons on tv 10 years ago. i did see the movie when it came out though. i wanted my money back. don't remember if i paid for the movie ticket though.

[mitchymo]

I think they are both quality. I think its a little unfair to compare them, since The Simpsons appeals to a wider family audience, so kids probably appreciate it better than adults, and vice versa for FG.

I also like Futurama and American Dad, and Archer.

[Anders123]

I've always been scared of liking Futurama because their fans are mostly nerds. Never watched a whole episode.

Every fanbase has its odious members (Rule 34, anyone?), although I'd argue that 'nerd' in this context is an ambiguous term and doesn't necessarily fall into that category. Either way, the fans' personalities don't influence the content of the show, nor the enjoyment I get from watching it. Why would they? I watch it for my own personal entertainment, not to identify with others that do.

There's really nothing for you to fear about liking the show. Being a fan doesn't have to become a defining characteristic of your identity. You don't have to go out and buy plushies, or sign up to Futurama discussion boards, or buy and wear Zoidberg t-shirts everywhere you go. You can just sit down and enjoy an episode or two when you have some spare time or when you feel like it.

It's really not a big deal.

[Just_Believe18]

It's difficult to compare two shows from two different time periods. The Simpsons, as a whole, is the superior show in terms of the cultural impact it has had on television globally. It is the most successful television series of all time, and coincidently, a cartoon. In its earlier years, the show brought up relevant and important themes that really touched on mature issues. For example, there was a time when Homer Simpson was tempted to cheat on his wife with a new, female co-worker. It was a very powerful moment of television with a heart-warming message of fidelity.

Now, if you were to compare the quality of humor of the show to Family Guy today, I would say Family Guy is superior. The Simpsons is exhausted, and should have been retired seasons ago. However, the legacy of its cultural impact on the American psyche, keeps it alive because it is a beloved show still watched by millions every week. Family Guy is hilarious, and isn't afraid to test the limits of television comedy pioneered by The Simpsons. I enjoy the characters, and Seth Macfarlane has a deep love and appreciation for the classics, film, musicals, and past pop culture that is so cleverly interjected into his episodes.

[Lefty]

I am not an aficionado of the cartoons for people over age 10 genre.

Didn't care for the Simpsons from day 1. Family Guy is okay as long as

I'm multi-tasking. See Stoowi, you didn't want everybody to vote...

I do admire and respect S. Macfarlane and find Anders123 to still

be one of our more articulate/balanced members.

[CupidBoy]

I prefer The Simpsons because Family Guy takes their jokes too far.



Also +1 for Futurama.

Same here.

[LatimerRd]

I've never been able to watch more than, say, ten seconds of either show because I found I found them both so visually ugly. Friends tell me The Simpsons, in particular, is extraordinarily clever but I've never been able to get beyond the animation.

[BENDERBOY]

I prefer Family Guy or even American Dad over The Simpsons now, which has went way down in the last couple of years.

Plus The Simpsons Movie was a pile of shite.

[SilverFoXXXHunter]

Born a Simpsons man, I’ll die a Simpsons man.

[BreakTheIce]

Family Guy isn't that funny for me anymore. I loved season 4-5 and Family Guy but the newer seasons seem boring. There's probably like 1 good joke per episode, which is an awful rate.

[evanrick]

The simpsons and family guy are in different leagues.

The simpsons has tons of original comedy that is more geared towards adults.

Family guy has very topical humor more geared towards younger people.

Id say Seth McFarlane is part of the family, so im guessing that's why family guy is so brilliant.

[jft245]

I still watch both but personally I feel that neither one is as good as when they first started. The Simpsons started going down hill after about the 5th or 6th season. They come up with some very good story lines but can't seem to write a decent ending. Family Guy started becoming down right bad during whichever season Brian and Stewie got locked in the bank vault(viewers of the show know what happened). What used to be little digs at society has become just plain disgusting toilet humour. To me the best animated show on Fox right now is Bobs Burgers. Cleveland and American Dad (two more of Mcfarlens creations) are just plain shit.

[Scealle]

I watch both. But Family Guy just make me
So funny how they openly mock the celebrities.
I remember that episode where that made some reference to Alyssa Milano then they show the real life footage of her telling her manager "sue them" The manager i slike " I am on it , I am on it" lol

[M10000]

My vote for Family Guy just tied it up at 15 to 15 votes for each show

[tomboytoy]

The simpsons all the way (even though American Dad is really close behind). From what I've seen of Family Guy, episodes look more like a patch of ideas than a real story :-/ which is also probably why I really enjoyed the South Park episode where they were making fun of the Family guy writing

But to each its own

[crimsonpaine]

I'll add one for Futurama and Archer too (also Bob's Burgers since Archer is there too lol)

[umjreon88]

How dare you make me choose between two of my all-time favourite shows?!! The audacity! I love them both!

[alphaxxx]

I definitely prefer Family Guy.

[fotlkid]

Love Family Guy, but the Simpsons will always be my favourite. It's a tough call to make though because I fully acknowledge that the first 10 seasons of the Simpsons were by far superior to the later seasons, and Family Guy was far better in some seasons.

[Saybrooke]

South park

[GregKII]

I never really got into The Simpsons and Family Guy was total shit in the first two seasons--ugh I hated it, but as they started changing it, it got much MUCH better. I prefer FG so much more!

[geloge]

I prefer The Simpsons's old seasons but if we talk about both shows currently Family Guy is much better.

[-Callum-]

I voted Family Guy, just because The Simpsons kinda-sorta-really went to shit 2000s-onward. At least Family Guy has maintained the same writers and is relatively consistent.

[Axxess]

Neither. From what I've seen Family Guy relies heavily on monkey cheese.

[CupidBoy]

I prefer The Simpsons's old seasons but if we talk about both shows currently Family Guy is much better.

Good point, I think that's how I feel as well.

[Beachguyj]

The Simpsons is mostly cute and will make you smile. Stop watching it several years ago.

Family Guy will make you LOL. The quality is less and some shows are uneven and I don't watch every episode any more.

[G-Lexington]

Both are past their time, I think. Simpsons was better episodic television, and had a more rounded humor. Family Guy mainly mocked. It could be very funny, but it was usually in a vacuum - jokes on jokes, as they say.

Lex

[BrimstoneAndTreacle]

As others ahve said, the first nine-ish seasons of The Simpsons blow any season of Family Guy out of the water for me. However, current Family Guy is funnier than current Simpsons. Which is a shame, because I think the Simpsons universe is much richer: better characters, more developed relationships, better landmarks (Family Guy basically has just The Drunken Clam, while Simpsons has Moe's, the KwiK-E Mart, Springfield Elementary, the comic book shop, the nuclear plant, Shelbyville and Ogdenville, etc.). But the writers no longer USE those characters and environment anymore. They usually send the Simpson family to other cities and introduce new characters voiced by celebrities instead of using the banquet they already have right in front of them.

[Laufey]

Well I think it's because being funny wasn't the main goal for the Simpsons team. They wanted it to be entertaining and with a good storyline... with some funny scenes also. It made me smile much more often than it made me laugh.

Family Guy has the whole mocking joke style which is the main thing for the show so they don't focus as much on a total storyline including characters and landmarks.

[crimsonpaine]

The early Family Guy is weird, but after Mila Kunis replace Lacey Chabert it found a personality I found lacking.

[Audio Tech]

I like both, but Family Guy takes the edge for me. It has an edgier humor.

"We were playing clue.... It was Jasper in the bedroom with a lead pipe"

[SuperNatural]

American Dad

[Seventh Ghost]

The Simpsons, easily. One of the most classic shows of all time.

[SaskGuy]

The Simpsons! Family Guy used to be good in the first few seasons, but I just can't stand the show anymore. Although the Simpsons isn't what it used to be, it's still watchable.

Has anyone seen Bob's Burgers? That is quickly becoming one of my favourite new shows. Hopefully it lasts a while.