Animation Domination

American Dad and family

Television nut that I am, Sundays from 8 to 9 are normally reserved for "Desperate Housewives". The debut was 9/25 (last night) and great as always. The best scene was a switching of neckties on a cadaver, right during a funeral service. But actually I digress. I'm here to talk about the Fox Sunday night lineup, which I took in during the last three weeks. Made use of a seldom-used bedroom VCR to record the Fox shows. No thanks to Toshiba, for that non-intuitive interface.

The night kicks off with "The Simpsons". This show is a personal favorite of mine -- much has been written about it already. The show is mildly seditious, but its long run (it's been on since 1989) has taken a toll on its quality. Nevermind that now -- its earlier contributions to pop culture (e.g., D'oh, kawabunga, Hi didly-i) will secure it a spot in the cartoon hall of fame. The show that comes on next is "War of the Worlds" (nothing to do with the Tom Cruise movie released earlier this year). It's a live action sitcom centering on a dysfunctional family headed by a politically incorrect dunderhead. He's played by comedian Michael Rapaport. The reviews I saw prior to watching it gave it a failing grade -- describing its humor as crass and juvenile. The Nielsen's tell another story -- it showed up as number 13 against killer competition on its premiere. Parts of it were outloud funny. I think envelope-pushing humor will always get a skeptical harrumph from mainstream critics. Older critics won't get the humor, and younger ones don't want to align with something that doesn't sweetly assuage everyone's feelings. If you want sweet assuaging, go to the WB network.

Next on the schedule is "Family Guy". I watched the first episode of this animated series when it debuted a few years ago. I was in a Simpsons-South Park mind set and couldn't shift gears fast enough mentally to appreciate the over-the-top gags this show offers. It was canceled, brought back by popular demand, and now I've come to love it. It's about an all-American family with maybe a couple of unusual features. The family pet is a dog named Brian; Brian has served in the Peace Corps, taught High School English and offered cogent adult advice to all the family members. The family's infant is named Stewie (voiced by Seth Green). Stewie is incredibly precocious, speaking in a haughty, British accent. He has giant ego and show business ambitions. Unfortunately, his brilliant rants sound like baby talk to the other family members so his genius is hidden. "Family Guy" will break every law of physics, math, propriety, comic timing, and what-have-you to do a gag. Sometimes it can veer toward the gross, but never on the scale of "Ren and Stimpy". The latter show commits the sin of grossing you out without any mitigating laugh. I have to admit that Stewie is my favorite character on "Family Guy". His sarcasm is sublime and almost always on the mark.

Next we have "American Dad", another animated series from the makers of "Family Guy". On initial episodes, critics thought it was too similar to "Family Guy" -- another series about a wacked out family. But on closer inspection, "Dad" has more political humor to mine. The father works for the CIA. The daughter is a strident liberal and the son is a Star Wars nerd. The character that buckles me over with laughter is a live-in alien named Roger who must remain concealed by the family. Roger is sarcastic, witty and a little fey -- OK maybe gay. On this week's episode, Roger is able to go to a Star Wars convention, because people will think he's merely in costume. He's recognized by a man whom he abducted and probed earlier on -- and the ensuing dialog is some of the most maddening, hilarious double-entendre ever done. What "Guy" and "Dad" have in common is an inspired madness, a willingness to do anything for a laugh. Some might compare the tone to "South Park", but "South Park" isn't as nuanced -- not as much character variety from which to mine humor.

Now, I'm mad at Fox. They've complicated Sundays by making me watch one ABC show while making sure to record their comedy fest. Fox's slogan is "Animation Domination". And that it is.