In the wake of yesterday’s Super Bowl, there were 11 people gathered in my living room, watching The Simpsons and then the premiere that came after it, American Dad.
Watching this show ham-handedly strive for edgy humor was a sad affair. There was only one member of the gathering that wanted to watch it to the end, and she was the youngest of the group who was capable of speech. There was a moment in the show whe the space alien who lives with the titular CIA operative father spews green goo on the agent’s daughter. One member of the audience proclaimed “That’s gross!” I paused for a beat, then replied in a dry tone “no, it’s humor”. That got the biggest laugh of the show.
Years ago, I watched the first episode of Family Guy, another show by the same creator, and found it empty of anything that would bring me back. With the recent revival of the show, I had considered whether I should double-check my judgment. But I think I will let it stand.
