Family Guy Season 8
What?
Like any family, the Griffins have been through a lot. Over the years the show featuring the dysfunctional family have been made to compete in tough network television time slots, it’s been cancelled, faced lawsuits and eventually, thanks to strong DVD sales, brought back from the dead. The show has been nominated for eleven Emmys, winning three, and the creator, Seth MacFarlane, is the highest paid television writer in American and probably the universe. As I say, the Griffins have had their fair share of ups and downs.
I watch Family Guy every night. There I said it. The show is on BBC3 every single night at the perfect time and no matter how many times I’ve seen the particular episode airing, I watch it. I love the show. I love the nasty, close to the bone, insulting humour. I love the characters. Peter is the most quotable character on television bar none and Stewie is a character born from pure genius. It has been said by some that season eight is run of the mill, Family Guy going through the motions. I couldn’t disagree more. The eighth series is as fresh as ever, even nastier and yes, even more insulting. The jokes are laugh out loud hilarious and can be enjoyed over and over again. If you want an example of a series going through the motions then look no further than The Simpsons. The once great, groundbreaking series is a shadow of its former self. Lazy and tired, the series is in major need of a writing overhaul, unlike Family Guy which seems to get better with every season. In these tough times we are all in need of something to cheers us up and right here is the answer. Insert disc two, highlight 'I Dream of Jesus' and press play. "Oh have you not heard? It was my understanding that everyone had heard.".
Optics:
The image is bright and bold and everything you would expect from a brand new animated television series. The print is spotless and clear of any grime of damage, the jagged edges which were obvious in earlier seasons are still visible but nowhere near to the extent of older seasons. This is the best looking series of Family Guy on DVD so far.
Sonics:
Nothing much to report here. Although this is a Dolby Digital track, the show doesn’t call for any effects whatsoever. There is some steering across the front and the numerous musical numbers some clear and crisp but this is a very centre speaker orientated soundtrack as expected.
Extras:
Alongside the amusing audio commentaries we have a set of animatics and deleted scenes along with four very entertaining featurettes which fans no doubt enjoy. In particular ‘Family Guy Cribs’ is well worth a look for anyone interested in where the creators and staff actually work.
Well?
A real no brainer - thirteen uncut episodes, a handful of cool extras and a price of well under twenty pounds. Cheers yourself up.
Tom Day
Like any family, the Griffins have been through a lot. Over the years the show featuring the dysfunctional family have been made to compete in tough network television time slots, it’s been cancelled, faced lawsuits and eventually, thanks to strong DVD sales, brought back from the dead. The show has been nominated for eleven Emmys, winning three, and the creator, Seth MacFarlane, is the highest paid television writer in American and probably the universe. As I say, the Griffins have had their fair share of ups and downs.
I watch Family Guy every night. There I said it. The show is on BBC3 every single night at the perfect time and no matter how many times I’ve seen the particular episode airing, I watch it. I love the show. I love the nasty, close to the bone, insulting humour. I love the characters. Peter is the most quotable character on television bar none and Stewie is a character born from pure genius. It has been said by some that season eight is run of the mill, Family Guy going through the motions. I couldn’t disagree more. The eighth series is as fresh as ever, even nastier and yes, even more insulting. The jokes are laugh out loud hilarious and can be enjoyed over and over again. If you want an example of a series going through the motions then look no further than The Simpsons. The once great, groundbreaking series is a shadow of its former self. Lazy and tired, the series is in major need of a writing overhaul, unlike Family Guy which seems to get better with every season. In these tough times we are all in need of something to cheers us up and right here is the answer. Insert disc two, highlight 'I Dream of Jesus' and press play. "Oh have you not heard? It was my understanding that everyone had heard.".
Optics:
The image is bright and bold and everything you would expect from a brand new animated television series. The print is spotless and clear of any grime of damage, the jagged edges which were obvious in earlier seasons are still visible but nowhere near to the extent of older seasons. This is the best looking series of Family Guy on DVD so far.
Sonics:
Nothing much to report here. Although this is a Dolby Digital track, the show doesn’t call for any effects whatsoever. There is some steering across the front and the numerous musical numbers some clear and crisp but this is a very centre speaker orientated soundtrack as expected.
Extras:
Alongside the amusing audio commentaries we have a set of animatics and deleted scenes along with four very entertaining featurettes which fans no doubt enjoy. In particular ‘Family Guy Cribs’ is well worth a look for anyone interested in where the creators and staff actually work.
Well?
A real no brainer - thirteen uncut episodes, a handful of cool extras and a price of well under twenty pounds. Cheers yourself up.
Tom Day
Director:
Seth MacFarlane (creator)
Starring:
Seth MacFarlane
Alex Borstein
Seth Green
Mila Kunis
Mike Henry
Danny Smith
Patrick Warburton
John Viener
Best line:
"Haven't you heard?"
Tagline:
Description:
Fox
Region 2
Rated 15
4:3 full screen
Dolby Digital 5.1
Multiple audio commentraies
Animatics
Deleted scenes
'Take Me Out To Place Tonight'
'Family Guy Cribz'
'Comic-Con 2008'
'Family Guy Art Show'
Ratings: (Out of 5)
Film 4.5
Optics 4.5
Sonics 2.5
Extras 3.5
Overall 4.0
