Wikipedia:WikiProject Animation/Family Guy work group/Reference desk

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Project status

Poorly staffed (care to help?), but surprisingly functional.

2007

When did Brian first ask this

When did Brian first ask whose dry leg you needed to hump to get a martini? And how many minutes into the episode was it? And what was it? -- Mr. Richard Feder from Fort Lee, NJ 01:24, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

"I Never Met the Dead Man". Family Guy. Season 1. Episode 2. 1999-04-11. 10:48 minutes in. Fox. / edg ☺ ★ 10:09, 2 September 2007 (UTC)

Griffin & golf

Was there an episode in which Peter claimed to have a Scottish ancestor who invented golf? 67.38.2.192 14:31, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

According to Bob's Poetry Magazine May 2005, the episode is "Brian in Love." The magazine says: "Peter Griffin has a lot of wacky relatives. We meet one of them in this episode, Angus Griffin, who invented golf and wrote its very simple rulebook: “No blacks, no Jews.”" Another Slappywag Among Petorians 23:43, 22 September 2007 (UTC)

name

originally posted in Talk:Blue Harvest (Family Guy)

why is it called blue harvest? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.155.201.145 (talk) 17:19, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

If you watch the special features for Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, you'll learn that the working title for that film was "Blue Harvest"; Lucas had hoped not to attract too much attention during production. Though I'm not sure this answers why the Family Guy team chose this title for this episode. Cromulent Kwyjibo 22:57, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Emission Impossible music

Does anyone know the title of the music that peter plays when he comes out of the bathroom during foreplay and lifts up his stomach fat roll to reveal the words "I LOVE LOIS" on the underside of it?—Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.237.88.209 (talk) 03:45, 2 August 2006

The subtitles call it "Latin instrumental" and the closed captions say "Salsa music." Sorry to take so long to give such an unhelpful answer. Cromulent Kwyjibo 22:40, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

I recall an Air Supply song being used in this episode, but that might have been when Stewie got in his "fantastic" spaceship. I'll watch that episode tonight. Remind me tomorrow. Cromulent Kwyjibo 19:56, 23 October 2007 (UTC) No one reminded me and I forgot. This time I'm writing this on an actual Sticky note, and not a computer Sticky note. Cromulent Kwyjibo 16:32, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Why UVM?

Just curious. Why did they preview it at UVM? --Drmike 22:32, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

Note: I moved it from the talk page of North by North Quahog TheBlazikenMaster 13:43, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

UVM? That would be the University of Vermont, right? Cromulent Kwyjibo 16:33, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Quagmire

Just curious could he be based on Johnny Bravo? They are both addicted to chicks. TheBlazikenMaster 23:44, 5 November 2007 (UTC)

I suppose it is possible, although I do not believe the show producers have ever commented on this. I think he is meant to be portrayed as just a horny person, I don't personally believe he is based on anyone. Cheers, —Qst 21:22, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

And by the fact that Quagmire was just like a '50s guy until he asked the social worker from "Love Thy Trophy" "I've got a question for you. Why are you still here?!". Check the DVD feturete on ther 2nd Vol and the comentary on "Blind Ambition." Seth MacFarlane said in both those that Quagmire's character wasn't there untill he said that. As soon as they came up with that line, the Quagmire we know today was born. Oh!--BrianGriffin-FG (talk)

Seth Macfarlane's choices?

moved from Talk:Family Guy

Why did Seth Macfarlane chose Alex Borstein, Seth Green, and Mila Kunis to do the voices of the characters that he could not do? Did he have any choice in the decision of who gets to be the voice actors of the main characters? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.69.75.15 (talk) 18:57, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

Ask Alex on her official website. Miranda 23:00, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Looks like a porn website. Hehe :) Qst 13:17, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

72.69.75.15's first question is quite interesting. In regards to the second, related, question: as executive producer, one would think Macfarlane would have quite some say on who is cast. The casting directors, Karen Vice and Linda Lamontagne (according to the IMDb) would probably have allowed Macfarlane to attend the casting sessions and listened to his input. Cromulent Kwyjibo (talk) 23:59, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Stewie Kills Lois Part I Reference

I didnt see this in the references section of this episodes article. Correct me if I am wrong but aren't the closing credits a reference to Star Trek The Next Generation, in how they would end their 2 part episodes. The font and trumpteting minor chords are the clues I think. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.80.255.59 (talk • contribs)

I don't watch Star Trek, so I don't know. Personally, I think that's kinda a coincidence, since that credit style is seen in a lot of shows and movies. However, if you feel that it's fit for the cultural references section, then be bold and add it in! The Chronic 07:52, 14 November 2007 (UTC)

Even a casual Next Gen fan should get the reference. That's how they liked to end Part I. If the music wasn't clue enough, the font for the producer credits seal the deal. ShutterBugTrekker 16:08, 14 November 2007 (UTC)

I do know Seth McFarlane is an avid trekkie.Toolazy21 (talk) 13:44, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

Brian a murderer?

In last nite's episode, Stewie says of himself and Brian, "We're murderers." Stewie has killed pleny of people, but Brian? Has Brian killed anyone? In last nite's episode he's not even an acomplice cause he didn't know Stewie was going set the place on fire.

Yes, you're right, but in Stewie's head, Brian might of helped by asking how they might get out ride of owning the house, therefor giving Stewie the idea to blow it up, therefor killing the electrican. But there are two other cases where Brian has been shown killing someone:

• In Brian in Love, he runs over Dean Koontz numerous times (though he may have just hurt him).
• In a Vol. 2 deleated scene entitled "Brian's Day Job," it is revealed that Brian is an assassinator, though this may just have been a cutaway joke

Hope I answered your question!--BrianGriffin-FG (talk) 20:02, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

Mcstroke

When will the new episode air? Thanks --89.60.231.146 (talk) 00:34, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

It will air on January 13, 2007 — you can read up about it at McStroke. Thanks, Qst (talk) 20:53, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

2008

Viewer Script

Hey guys, do you think that the Family Guy staff make an episode out of a viewer submited script if it was: 1) really good 2) it includes new characters and 3) they could change almost anthing about it (except the basic plot)? I really want opinions on this. And I mean more than one opinion. I just want to know what you think.--BrianGriffin-FG (talk) 20:35, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

I can't find any good links for this, but generally TV producers consider fan-submitted scripts to be a nuisance for legal reasons, and so generally unusable they are not worth the effort of sorting through. Here's Star Trek's policy. If someone you know is interesting in writing FG stories, they might find Fan fiction communities a good outlet. Here are a few FG stories on fanfiction.net / edg ☺ ☭ 22:28, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Consider the episode "Family Guy Viewer Mail 1." Brian and Stewie say the stories are based on viewer mail, but the writing credits are all for regular FG staffers.

Edgarde makes an excellent point about our overly litigious society scaring TV producers off fan-sub scripts. For each Lisa Klink you probably get a hundred bad writers and expose yourself to being sued if you write an episode that is vaguely similar to a bad one that you opened the envelope but didn't read. Cromulent Kwyjibo (talk) 00:13, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

Cromulent Kwyjibo, you've got a great point. But I believe that Viewer Mail #1 was based on viewier sugestions, not acual viewer scripts (that's why writers are named, not fans). I think they got so many sugestions for a episode, they picked the most popular ones and made an episode out of the (i.e. the Griffins somehow get superpowers=Super Griffins, Peter gets three wishes=No Bones About It, what the gang was like as kids=Lil' Griffins). But I'm talking about trying to become a part-time writer (i.e. write scrips and nothing else). Do you think that's possible? --BrianGriffin-FG (talk) 23:48, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

This sounds more like a question about whether or not you have the strength to follow your dreams regardless of what tough paths they take you thru. That's not a question I can answer. The most I would say is: wait and see how the writers' strike plays out before moving to Hollywood and trying to make it as a writer. Cromulent Kwyjibo (talk) 16:06, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

No, I'm mean becoming like a, shall we say, Ghost Writer? Hehehe. But seriously, I mean be like a part time writer, meaning sending them scripts, in which they can do their magic on. I would love to move out there, but I can't right now. --BrianGriffin-FG (talk) 21:57, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

I think you are talking about writing Spec scripts. Few if any TV shows today accept these. 30 minute comedies are usually written in a highly collaborative style. (Someone who has heard the Family Guy DVD commentaries can probably confirm FG works this way.) Writers pitch various ideas to a show runner, who decides which story is worth developing, and which writer gets which story. The customary difference between 30 minute comedies and 60 minute dramas is the comedy script returns to multiple writers to be "punched up", adding more jokes, typically in a group session. I've heard that some FG scripts are actually written almost entirely in the writers room in what are sweatily called "gang bangs". (Source: some NPR interview with a Gilmore Girls writer who knew a Family Guy writer. I am not someone who would have inside knowledge.)

Thus, writing talent probably needs to be regular staff. A show like this probably has more story ideas than they need. / edg ☺ ☭ 23:34, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

I think I get your point, but what I'm saying is sending them a script, of maybe even just a script outline, and letting them rework it (taking stuff out, adding jokes in, that kind of stuff) just like they would any other episode, and than if it's good, make it into an episode. I'm intrepreting your point, and I may be wrong, as being someone always sending them ready-to-make scripts, but that's not what I mean. You get my point?--BrianGriffin-FG (talk) 20:43, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

No television show will accept fan submissions or any unsolicited submission for legal reasons state above by another user. They won't even open them. There are occasional stories of writers being accepted to a shows staff through unconventional means and almost all involved some form of "who you know". The generally accepted way to get a gig writing for a television show is to get an agent and have them set up a meeting with the show. At the meeting (more than likely even before you get the meeting) you will be requested to show them at least one and maybe more spec scripts FROM OTHER SHOWS, usually but not necessarily in the same genre. A spec script means that it is written without guarantee to be filmed, on "speculation", and never in complete filming format (meaning very little in the way of directing in action statements and camera setups and such -- those are considered "shooting scripts"). They don't want to see your Family Guy script. What they are looking for is tone and character. Do you capture the tone of the show (that you spec'd, not the show you are auditioning for), do the characters ring true to what the original writers had going. This spec script will also help you secure the agent if it's any good. The bottom line is, you think your ideas are great, any they very well may be, but there are also quite literally tens of thousands of people sitting at home on their computer thinking the same thing of their works, hacking it out, wanting to be a show writer. There is a reason the word "writer" is often prefaced by the word "starving". Having the agent tells them before they have met you, that someone else from within the industry has read your work and approves.

If you have to explain it...

I know it's not funny if someone has to explain it to me, but still I would appreciate it if someone explained to me:

Why does Peter laugh so long and sarcastically in "Play it Again, Brian" after Chris shows up with a bass drum? Slappywag42 (talk) 00:40, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Odd Family Guy humor? If it is a refrence to something, I don't know it. --BrianGriffin-FG (talk) 15:17, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

I was in the kitchen when Chris came in with the bass drum. By the time I got back in front of the TV, Peter was done laughing. But note that Peter was laughing sarcastically (I'd say "sourly") to the TV viewers and not to the other characters in the scene. So I think it's most likely a reference to a criticism of the show. But I'll have to wait for the rerun to know exactly what Peter said. Cromulent Kwyjibo (talk) 21:39, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Family Guy question at Wikipedia:Reference desk/Entertainment

Family Guy question needing an answer at Wikipedia:Reference desk/Entertainment#family_guy. This is the day we have been preparing for. / edg ☺ ☭ 00:00, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

2nd in one week, probably too late to bother answering. See WT:WikiProject Family Guy/Reference desk#Should_this_project_move_to_WP:RD.2FE.3F for more thoughts on this subject. / edg ☺ ☭ 07:43, 3 April 2008 (UTC)

Next new episode

So... does anyone know if we're gonna have to wait until September for new episodes or if they will air a couple in the summer? Slappywag42 (talk) 17:28, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

From what I understand, we are gonna have to wait untill the new season in September. I hate it too. But hey, blame the WGA Strike. I did suport the strike by the way.--BrianGriffin-FG (talk) 14:05, 8 May 2008 (UTC)