Family Guy seems to have a problem with attempting to push the line of what can be accepted and what is not. Where shows like South Park gain the additional benefit of being on a straight cable format (rather than on network TV), Family Guy is on Fox. This additional censoring has ensured that Family Guy has to play it a little safe, save for situations such as this one. Family Guy: Partial Terms of Endearment is the latest effort by MacFarlane and the gang, and it shows that there is still life left in the show. This DVD captures the 23 minutes that were previously only shown on the BBC, adding a few features to sweeten the pot.
For those individuals that need to have everything to do with Seth MacFarlane, Fox has placed the “Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show” on here. This special, only being given the light of day once, is a rarity in much the same way that the commentary (featuring practically everyone from the cast) is.
While there is some sense that US crowds, particularly the anti-abortion set, would have a field day with the title, Fox has actually done a pretty responsible thing. First off, they do not hinder MacFarlane’s show, they provide some control over who watches it (rather than broadcasting it on live TV), and they give viewers much more context for the episode than would normally be given. I wish more episodes were done like this; it just feels like the show has more depth and breadth after getting a chance to watch this release. If you find yourself a fan of Family Guy, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t plunk down the $10 and get your own copy.
Rating: 8.5/10
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
Contact: editor@neufutur.com