02/07/2005: Button Fakers.
In the elevator lobby at work, it’s pretty much every man for himself. No formal lines are formed, no courtesy is given to whom waits the longest or looks the least like they should be standing up for long. The only rule, however unspoken, is that you don’t break through the waiting crowd before one of the six elevators dock. It’s tough to explain why this is so annoying, but picture it…it is. Rulebreakers are always present, in all walks. Here is no different. We call them “button fakers,” or at least I do. They’re the fools who march through the waiting crowd — a big no-no — and hit the already pressed-and-lit-up button as if they didn’t realize everyone was standing around waiting for am elevator. Pressing an already pressed button does not give you the right to be up at front. I hate the button fakers. I will kill them all.
I didn’t see American Dad. I’d love to hear what you thought of it, though.

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

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02/07/2005: Button Fakers.
In the elevator lobby at work, it’s pretty much every man for himself. No formal lines are formed, no courtesy is given to who waits the longest or looks the least like they should be standing up for long. The only rule, however unspoken, is that you don’t break through the waiting crowd before one of the six elevator doors open. It’s tough to explain why this is so annoying, but picture it…it is. Rulebreakers are always present, in all walks. Here is no different. We call them “button fakers,” or at least I do. They’re the fools who march through the waiting crowd — a big no-no — and hit the already pressed-and-lit-up button as if they didn’t realize everyone was standing around waiting for am elevator. Pressing an already pressed button does not give you the right to be up at front. I hate the button fakers. I will kill them all.
I didn’t see American Dad. I’d love to hear what you thought of it, though.

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Discussion Thread: 95 comments
IMHO AD is not as good as Family Guy, or very good at all. but it has potential.
And yeah, rude people suck!
Almost forgot, 1ST POST! ^_^
Hmm. Dunno what to say. Rude people do indeed suck. That was the one thing I didn’t like about New York. No offense, Matt. You don’t seem as rude as a lot of other New Yorkers.

Posted by
Nate @ 02/07/2005 10:51 PM EST
American Dad. Sucked. A lot. Hopefully its because Seth is putting all of his creative juices into family guy and not because hes lost it.

Posted by
gougeaway1026 @ 02/07/2005 11:15 PM EST
I loved American Dad, just as good as Family Guy to me. There was even a Chocodile reference.

Posted by
Xylan @ 02/07/2005 11:57 PM EST
I wasn’t very impressed with American Dad, as it seems like a thin conceit that can’t be stretched very far. And I looked forward to that Simpsons all week, only to be let down terrifically. I second the call for more Futurama, and more chocodiles. Can’t find them anywhere these days.

Posted by
Shelby @ 02/08/2005 1:06 AM EST
American Dad was no Family Guy, but cmon people lighten up, for a show to do what you all seem to expect and blow Family Guy outta the water, well it sure as hell couldnt be on broadcast tv. However considering the fact that it is the first episode, and Im sure Seth and the rest of the crew havnt gotten everything down pat yet I still have high hopes. Matt, so ya know, this coming sunday Adult Swim will be airing American Dad again, at 11:30 I believe.

Posted by
The Dude @ 02/08/2005 1:24 AM EST
Well well well. I thought the Simpson’s ep. was actually pretty funny. I liked the Super Bowl Halftime show that Homer did, plus his dances, aw yeah. The Donkey Kong thing rocked, that was very funny indeed. American Dad sucked, it was like Family Guy, but not so much. Same type of voices…the alien thing with it’s voice reminded me of Stewy and his British voice. The Chocodile ref. was pretty cool though.
Since it took me a while to like Family Guy, I doubt if AD will be around long enough for me to like it. Oh well.

Posted by
kidneyboy @ 02/08/2005 1:31 AM EST
American Dad was ok, but I can’t judge it by only seeing one ep. I thought the nearly dead dog was funny.

Posted by
pikachulover @ 02/08/2005 2:32 AM EST
American Dad- enh. I agree that I’d much rather new Futuramas.
Wasn’t a good deal of the AD pilot lifted from an episode of FG? I can’t fully remember how American Dad (the fake series) was featured in Family Guy, but parts of the episode and the characters of the fish and alien seemed quite familiar. I could just be nuts.
As for elevator fakers, if possible I’d probably start taking the stairs. But then, I have issues with crowds, waiting, and elevators. And I could use the exercise provided it isn’t like 20 floors or something.
My fear of elevators isn’t a full-blown phobia, more of a dull wariness. But, this story doesn’t help: http://www.snopes.com/horrors/freakish/elevator.asp
It’s not that I’m so afraid of being the one decapitated, but just imagine being that woman stuck in the elevator with the head. I’m sure she’s scarred for life.
Oh, sorry for the downer.

Posted by
maglizrd @ 02/08/2005 2:47 AM EST
This is why its good to be South African: you can make rude comments about rude idiots in 11 Official Languages.
We sorta stare off into the middle distance and say things like: Shoo hey, these people who don’t know how queues work. Didn’t his mommy teach him how to wait his turn? Does he have potty training issues?
And when he turns around to start using F-words you can snarl: WAS I TALKING TO YOU? DO YOU HAVE A STUFFING PROBLEM, CULLEOLUS? Which is Latin for something rude. I love Latin…

Posted by
eminentfreak @ 02/08/2005 2:47 AM EST
Remember that scene in Spider-Man 2 where Spidey is in the elevator with Hal Sparks? That was awkward for both of them.

Posted by
Brad @ 02/08/2005 3:25 AM EST
FYI Matt, the American Dad pilot will reair on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim bloc on the 13th (this Sunday) at 10:30 CST.
I personally didn’t find it funny at all but I’m willing to continue watching it when it offically premiers in May.

Posted by
Brian @ 02/08/2005 4:36 AM EST
I am gonna give American Dad a chance. Pilots rarely tell you everything you need to know about a show. I will say, though, that the alien was a little annoying. I thought the whole Paul Lynde thing was a little forced. That voice stopped being funny a while ago. The fish had potential though. I think it may get better…

Posted by
Goody @ 02/08/2005 8:49 AM EST
I hate all rude people. And people who park backing into parking spaces. It’s just one of those things. It’s OK for parallel parking, but that’s not what I’m talking about. It’s like they just think they’re so great. MAN I’m getting worked up. Sorry. It’s probably just me.
American Dad was funny I thought. I however had the opposite feeling. I liked the alien, hated the Nazi goldfish.

Posted by
jhnnywalkr @ 02/08/2005 8:57 AM EST
Oh you city folk and your L-ee-vay-tors, he he he, ha ha ha, ho ho ho. Stairs my friends, stairs.

Posted by
Kennef @ 02/08/2005 9:18 AM EST
"As soon as that alien mentioned Chocodiles, I immediately thought of X-E."
ME TOO!
I wonder if Seth was inspired by Matt’s Chocodile article. 
just like your countless other fans, as soon as they mentioned chocodiles i thought of X-E…
i didn’t think the pilot was that funny… and i was high as shit… it had it’s moments, but to me it’s like the family in Family Guy but without the chemistry… but we’ll see what seth can do…

Posted by
b i gHEAD @ 02/08/2005 9:56 AM EST
I liked American Dad, it wasn’t as funny as Family Guy, but I didn’t think the first few episodes of Family Guy were all that great either. You’ve gotta give American Dad some time to find its place. Come May 1st we’ll have both American Dad and Family uy back on FOX, so everyone will be happy

Posted by
Agent Smithes @ 02/08/2005 11:41 AM EST
jsit to clear it up for Matt, the alien dude was supposed to be on a diet, and was pimping his essay-writing services to the oldest daughter for snack foods. Then, he tried the most holy of Hostess product: The ChocoDile. His reaction was priceless. The German goldfish was pretty funny, all horny and everything. But my Back-Of-The-Head Feeling(tm)* hints at A.D. being a kind of feint to make the audience appreciate Family Guy more. Mmmm….. ChocoDiles.
*It’s like ADD Spider-Sense, or an oracle full of Novocain.

Posted by
kingklash @ 02/08/2005 11:48 AM EST
American Dad had its moments, but I’m not gonna be too quick to judge. I remember not being impressed with the Family Guy pilot. It definitely has potential.

Posted by
Jeff Mack @ 02/08/2005 12:04 PM EST
Funny elevator story. Do you still wear shades inside all the time? As far as American Dad is concerned: Ill stick to the Daily Show for political humor.

Posted by
Eddie Lightning Frog @ 02/08/2005 12:11 PM EST
thought American Dad was okay…it was certainly better than that shitty Simpsons episode that aired right before. Yes, the Donkey Kong bit was gold, but all the religion/superbowl crap was just one long akward moment for me.
As for elevators…I hate it when there’s a little kid on the elevator and their parents give me that "let them push the button" look. Um…I wanted to push the button! I saw it first! I really enjoy pushing the button. It really floats my boat. Especially if it lights up once you’ve pressed the sucker. Ooohh yeah. That’s the shit.

Posted by
Kristal @ 02/08/2005 12:27 PM EST
As soon as that alien mentioned Chocodiles, I immediately thought of X-E. 

Posted by
Luap @ 02/08/2005 12:27 PM EST
See I really didn’t like the goldfish. I think that’s a one-joke character and it’s gonna get old.

Posted by
jhnnywalkr @ 02/08/2005 12:32 PM EST
family guy > american dad > simpsons.

Posted by
candice @ 02/08/2005 12:47 PM EST
Lousy fakers. Isn’t there any way around the elevator drama (that doesn’t involve 80 bazillion stairs)?
I was really looking forward to American Dad but I had other commitments. I read some ambivalent reviews, but I’m willing to give it a few episodes since Family Guy took awhile to really take off. Did anybody love it?

Posted by
squee4242 @ 02/08/2005 12:50 PM EST
I think American Dad has potential, especially the alien and goldfish. What it was missing is the random flashbacks and other side jokes that makes Family Guy so unbearably funny.
Oh No Oh No Oh No Oh No Oh Yeah!

Posted by
Chuckles the Robo-Turkey @ 02/08/2005 12:56 PM EST
I’m wasn’t a fan of Family Guy, but I liked American Dad. I see potential. But personally, I’d rather Fox bring back Futurama instead. Now THAT was a great show.

Posted by
JLAJRC @ 02/08/2005 12:56 PM EST
Ya know what American Dad is. It’s one of the shows that the characters on Family guy would watch. That’s what it is.

Posted by
goolump @ 02/08/2005 12:58 PM EST
Sort of like the way Al Bundy watches "Psycho Dad?"

Posted by
kingklash @ 02/08/2005 1:00 PM EST
Matt,
I share your pain. While I work in a much smaller NYC office building (only 12 floors), there are still some rude people. What always gets me is that people actually think pressing the buttons mulitple times will make the elevator either come faster or go to their desired floor faster. Not true. By the way, great to see the new updates over the past couple of days. Now if you’ll just take your Christmas lights down. 

Posted by
Melissa Y. @ 02/08/2005 1:07 PM EST
It was shitty

Posted by
Shawn Roy @ 02/08/2005 1:31 PM EST
I’m gonna have to go with the general concensus and say that I really wasn’t that impressed by American Dad. It had some funny moments, but all the characters seemed like knockoffs of the Family Guy characters to me.

Posted by
rob @ 02/08/2005 1:31 PM EST
Well the only elevator I have to deal with only has 3 people at most trying to get in. What I hate is people on the Metro. People that, even if your standing right in front of the door as it’s about to open, will cut in front of you from the sides, and then a million people follow them. Assholes.

Posted by
James @ 02/08/2005 1:53 PM EST
I can’t give much of an opinion of American Dad without getting too political, but I’ll just say that I agree with the TV critic that said a lot of the jokes with the (straw man) patriotic Republican gun nut father were funnier when they did them the first time, when the character was called Sledge Hammer!. But I suppose my objections are more or less like those people who complain that South Park sometimes tries to cram too much of an agenda down your throat, which doesn’t bother me because I usually happen to agree with whatever agenda Matt n’ Trey happen to be pushing but I suppose it can be heavy-handed if you don’t agree with it.
Anyhow, in other Fox cartoon news, even as someone who generally thinks The Simpsons has been going downhill for the longest time, I liked the "Jeff Albertson" revelation. (I’ll be nice and not give the full context, for those of you Simpsons-watchers outside of the United States and Canada who have to wait months to see the new episodes.) I’ve seen a lot of people complaining that it’s too ordinary a name, but I think that’s 90% of the joke.
I’m just hoping that Fox’s relegation of King of the Hill to the 7 p.m. "Sunday Night Timeslot o’Doom", where, if a football game is on just before it, KotH would almost certainly be pre-empted unless the game was freakishly short, doesn’t mean that Fox won’t be renewing it for a 10th season, since I still think King of the Hill is consistently great.
I hate to interrupt but heres the latest Coreey Haim news http://www.playbill.com/news/article/91043.html

Posted by
dr mindbender @ 02/08/2005 2:38 PM EST
James, I feel your pain. Jackasses here in NY still don’t know that you must let passengers off the subway before trying to get on the. Also, the senior citizens here in NY don’t think they have to stand in line like the rest of us for the bus. They just jump right to the front even if there are 20 people waiting before them. To top it off, they take forever to get up the stairs and THEN have the audacity to ask stupid question like "does this bus go across town?" when clearly the bus does as it’s on a cross town street.
My biggest, HUGEST gripe, however, are the women that clog the turnstiles in the subway while searching through their bags and wallets for their metrocards. They have to put the bag on the turnstile, open it, find the wallet, open the wallet, leaf through their 10 billion credit cards for the metrocard, swipe it, put the card back in the wallet, snap the wallet closed, drop the wallet into the bag, zip the bag, put the bag on shoulder and then, FINALLY, proceed through the turnstile. You’re entering the subway, have your freakin metrocard ready for chirssake.
Sorry about the rant, but that felt good.

Posted by
Pedro @ 02/08/2005 2:38 PM EST
doh I mean feldman

Posted by
dr mindbender @ 02/08/2005 2:39 PM EST
Corey Feldman’s also in the news today for other reasons, something to do with allegations about Michael Jackson, though, ABC News seems to be reporting it now without any specifics just to plug Martin Bashir’s 20/20 interview with Feldman on Friday.
Hmm…Is matt already sick of life in corporate america?

Posted by
Rosella @ 02/08/2005 3:17 PM EST
I only saw the last half of American Dad, but I wasn’t that impressed. It seemed to be a rip-off of Family Guy, which isn’t suprizing since it’s made by the same guy, but it wasn’t that original. I’ll probably watch it when it premires in May to give it a fair shot.
I have a fear of elevators and try to avoid them as much as possible, the snoopes story someone sent in didn’t help either. I guess if Hal Sparks was in the elevator I’d get in though. Mmmmm, Hal Sparks.

Posted by
Stacey @ 02/08/2005 3:37 PM EST
I though AD had it’s moments. The goldfish definately was the highlight of the show. Espescially the skiing. Let’s give ti a few more episodes before we sacrafice it to our god, Peter Griffin.

Posted by
Steve @ 02/08/2005 3:49 PM EST
Matt, methinks you work too hard. When you start plotting things against the randomn people you deal with every day, it’s time for a vacation.
I should know, I’m about ready to take a laser gun on my evening commute. Cut me off, will you?! Why, what’s that red mark on your forehead? BURN BABY BURN!
*coughcough* 

Posted by
Nikkii @ 02/08/2005 4:30 PM EST
Gee, I just wish I could get first post. Maybe if I could just sneak by these people ahead of me, real nochalant-like, like I don’t know any better. Yeah. That’s the ticket.

Posted by
jhnnywalkr @ 02/08/2005 4:35 PM EST
Matt, if I may interrupt your elevator ruminations for a moment, I was wondering if you got the e-mail I sent on Sunday to matt@x-entertainment.com? I know sometimes stuff doesn’t get through, and since this is a birthday-related item, I thought I’d check on it. Thanks!

Posted by
purplegirl247 @ 02/08/2005 4:50 PM EST
I share in the general consensus. American Dad is just a poor man’s Family Guy. At this point, definitely not appointment viewing.
I work in a company of 5 people, so elevators aren’t really an issue. My biggest issue is people taking for granted that I take care of stuff. I got stuck in traffic this morning and got in almost 10 minutes late. When I got here, no one had turned the night ring off the phone yet. It’s the little things, people.

Posted by
Lori @ 02/08/2005 4:58 PM EST
Next time you get in an elevator, step to the back, face the wall, and sing "Eve of Destruction" in your best Walken voice. When you get off, hold the door open, shake your head, and say, "I dreamed about all of you last night." Let the doors close, and laugh insanely just as they come together. Like Daffy Duck’s trick, you can only do it once.

Posted by
kingklash and the Great Glass Elevator @ 02/08/2005 5:23 PM EST
Now I want to watch something Walken-y. Suicide Kings sounds good.
Everytime I see "AD" (as in "American Dad", natch), I mentally process it as "Arrested Develpment", and for a split second, and confused by the insults on the show. Then my brain registers, and I realize my mistake(s). Duh.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest - I didn’t even watch American Dad. I think making American Dad is sorta like the guys who made Napolean Dynamite trying to make another movie. I don’t know that they could write a script that wasn’t A) a sequel to ND (or FG) and therefore not as good, B) trying hard to be as quirky as ND (or FG), thus making it look like they’re copying themselves and therefore annoying and non-versatile, or C) not as quirky as ND (or FG), which will disappoint fans and make them refuse to see it. They’re both kinda one hit wonders. The chemistry and the timing were perfect, but they may not be able to pull it off again w/o being compared to the first show/movie.

Posted by
trajeal @ 02/08/2005 6:59 PM EST
I hate button fakers too! And I agree with everyone who griped about NYC pet peeves (especially the subway, grrrr). I hate in subway/train stations when people go really slow down the stairs and aren’t over to the right enough for you to pass them (or worse yet, CONSTRUCTION blocking half the staircase). Then you end up missing the train

Posted by
jolie @ 02/08/2005 7:39 PM EST
Didn’t see "American Dad." I’m not a fan of "Family Guy" and my family took over the TV the moment the Super Bowl ended. I took a shower and went to bed instead.
I work in a 55-year-old, one-story grocery store and there are few elevators in a small town, so I’ve never encountered Matt’s problem.

Posted by
starwenn @ 02/08/2005 8:18 PM EST
I liked American Dad even though it seemed pretty much like Family Guy. A dorky son, a misunderstood daughter,a loud and sometimes bullheaded father, the alien and the fish are Stewie and Bryan respectively. But I still liked the show regardless, some bits were hysterical like the alien saying "douchebag." Nothing says comedy like alien cartoon characters saying "douchebag" and eating chocodiles.
The son was kinda annoying though. But that half dead dog bit made me laugh in a sadistic way and when the dad killed it, that was comedy gold. And I’m a Simpsons mark, except I was never a fan when they did the stuff with Lisa. Any Lisa driven episode always annoyed me, except the Buddhist and vegetarian one because of the flying pig. I think I had too much time on the podium…*sits down*

Posted by
Josh @ 02/09/2005 1:22 AM EST
American Dad was awesome. Definately didn’t disappoint. The thing with the Jack in the Box Man was hysterical (if you’ve been to my site this week, then you’ve probably guessed what I thought of it already…)

Posted by
Mars @ 02/09/2005 1:58 AM EST
even though a goldfish speaking in German is quite cool i think it’s not as cool as a baby plotting to take over the world. so sad…so true!
now, what amused me was this:
"Don’t mind our outdated look. We’re working on it. Really slowly."
hey that was really neat!!! the "Feverishly" was taking a new dimension to the word, so three points for you, matt (now I’m not sure if three points is goodnews or it’s just a crappy prize but hey, it’s three points)

Posted by
melonian @ 02/09/2005 7:12 AM EST
Thanks Matt for admitting the christmas design is being updated slowly. I really wasn’t buying that "working on it feverishly" line anymore.
I enjoyed the dolls review as well as the Fireball Island segment. I know you’re busy so thanks for taking time to write something.

Posted by
Carri @ 02/09/2005 9:49 AM EST
GOTO http://WWW.AMERICANDAD.COM to watch the epasode

Posted by
Jordin @ 02/09/2005 9:49 AM EST
I thought American Dad sucked. I couldn’t even make it thru the whole episode. I wasn’t crazy about Family Guy when it first started, so I’ll give AD another chance, but it just felt like a FG rip-off.

Posted by
mutton72 @ 02/09/2005 10:36 AM EST
Sometimes I am grateful that I live and work in the suburbs.

Posted by
Ubu Rex @ 02/09/2005 12:27 PM EST
Oh man, now that I’ve finally put together who Paul Lynde is I am SO in. I took a long time to warm up to Family Guy, so I’m willing to invest in a few episodes.
King of the Hill is another one I had to warm up to, but it’s one of my absolute favs. Futurama is also classic but it makes me a little depressed what with the premature cancellation and unresolved Frye/Leela love angst.
If AD is the way I’m imaginining, it could turn out to be a really kickass genre parody like That’s My Bush (hey, since we’re stuck with a second term shouldn’t we at least get a second season?)
Sundays are traditionally HBO nights around here but I’m having to work Arrested Dev into the schedule. As for the Simpson’s…um…I just can’t stand what they’ve done to Marge’s (and Lisa’s) character in the last few years so it’s not as fun for me anymore. Yeardley Smith (voice of Lisa) is opening a one woman show in LA soon (tomorrow, I think?). Anybody planning on going?

Posted by
squee4242 @ 02/09/2005 12:58 PM EST
American Dad was great IMO. People get all worked up about how its not as funny as Family Guy, but they don’t seem to remember that the pilot for Family Guy was not one of the best episodes.
Also, for me, it takes at least a couple of episodes for the characters to grow on me. So I’m definitely going to give it at least a few more episodes before I fully draw my conculsive opinions.
Elevators are… cool.
Here’s the bottom line:
SIMPSONS- Shadow of its former greatness
FAMILY GUY- an overly crass version of the Simpsons that can be funny but is ultimately very cheap and familiar
AMERICAN DAD-HUGE mistake to use same animation style and voice(s).
(Futurama was Groening-esque, not SIMPSONS-esque).
But, the masses will probably tell me I am wrong and that MAD TV is also very funny if "I just gave it a chance."
Emmie says hey.

Posted by
The Manimal @ 02/09/2005 4:30 PM EST
I fell asleep.

Posted by
Tom No Like @ 02/09/2005 4:33 PM EST
I agree with you on almost all counts, Manimal - except I think that Family Guy is much better than you give it credit for. Some of the humor is really creative and sly.
But yes - American Dad really, really sucked. It was like the evil Bizzaro World version of Family Guy.
It’s almost like Fox wants to stretch Seth Macfarlane too thin so that he’ll fail miserably, and they’ll be rid of Macfarlane shows once and for all.
The damn fish. If it had any comedic possibilities, they were exhausted in the one episode. It’s like a really poorly done combination of Stewie and Brian. Get rid of it.
The mother. Unlike Lois Griffin, she has no personality at all, no reason for being there. Get rid of her.
The daughter. She’s obviously the liberal voice of reason, the perfect foil to her crazy-paranoid-McHitler dad. That isn’t enough to provide fodder for a decent character. I swear, she’s only written into community college so that we won’t call her Lisa Simpson. The disguise isn’t good enough. Get her a real character, or get rid of her.
Keep the dad - make his paranoia more of an OCD thing than a "isn’t Bush evil?" thing. Keep the alien. Keep the son. Make them all just bit players among the cast of characters in Quohaug, and expend all Macfarlane energy on Family Guy instead.

Posted by
Stacy @ 02/09/2005 4:51 PM EST
American Dad was Seth MacFarlane’s own use at proving his leftist sense of humour which I usually have the utmost respect for, but for some reason his bizzare cast of Characters didn’t really work out too well. Family Guy is still a laugh riot, however the Simpsons golden age really was in full swing about 7 years ago… I was in 5th grade during some of the top seasons that had the true occult following. But reallly, we can’t be too upset, did Family Guy, King of the Hill, South Park, or Futurama get an Arcade Game?? I DONT THINK SO!! Basically my flowchart of animated Sit-Coms goes: Family Guy>Simpsons>King of the Hill>South Park>American Dad… This is coming from someone who has an amibition to work with animation timing, so I watch a shitload of cartoons

Posted by
Marcus @ 02/09/2005 4:55 PM EST
ATTENTION STAR WARS GEEKS AND ANYONE WHO’S SEEN RETURN OF THE JEDI AND DUG LEIA’S OUTFIT.
Look up leiasmetalbikini.com. If you can convince your girlfriend to put one of these on, you can do anything!
I’d better get my knee pads on, cause I’m gonna be doing alot of begging.

Posted by
turkeys can't fly? @ 02/09/2005 6:46 PM EST
American Dad is a recycled version of Family Guy. Same basic premis, trying to get laughs with uber-conservativeness. It was fuckin’ stupid. Bring back Family Guy if you want a new series.

Posted by
Warx @ 02/09/2005 8:04 PM EST
Ah, nothin’ quite like those little things that drive the sane person [Speaking for myself, of course. I'm 98% sane. Or so some quiz on some site says] off the edge. Mechanical pencils, for instance. You know that point where it extends fine, but as soon as you go to write it slides back up? Or erasers so blackened that they smear before they erase anything. Ooo, howsabout when you’re lining up, be it the supermarket or whatever, and a new till opens so you change lines and end up stuck behind someone with something that takes half an hour to quadruple price-check. Meanwhile, your original line has been and gone. Yay.
So…when is the site going to lose the Christmas look? It’s making me depressed that Christmas is so far away and it’ll make the upcoming one less special!

Posted by
Nani @ 02/10/2005 5:41 AM EST
Sho’ think dem big-city folks is rude. Whatsa subway ‘gain?
The joys of public transport (try it without the "l"). Of course, being in Africa, it’s a case of me wondering if there really is such a thing as public transport - I ain’t neva see it, dawg. (Sorry, I appear to be discovering an inner Panthro).
Be grateful you HAVE fast, cheap transport. Not the sort of thing likely to get you killed if you use it… Like SA minibus taxis. You ain’t neva seen a bad taxi-driver, yo.

Posted by
eminentfreak @ 02/10/2005 9:42 AM EST
I think I would rather watch Psycho Dad, than American Dad. BTW, AD should stand for Arrested Development, since that show is the bomb diggity! I hope no one takes my rape horn.

Posted by
kidneyboy @ 02/10/2005 11:06 AM EST
Marcus: South Park did get a pinball game.

Posted by
Behonkis @ 02/10/2005 12:51 PM EST
There was a Futurama game released. I know it was available for xbox & I think it was available for PS2. I’m also too lazy to open up another browser window & check.

Posted by
Jenno @ 02/10/2005 6:24 PM EST
A Family Guy game is in the works (not that I’m looking forward to it). You can’t really blame any recent animated show for not getting an arcade game as just finding places with actual arcade machines is hard enough in America.
I agree that last week’s Simpsons was pretty lame except for the Donkey Kong bit (which even then, was Simpsons’ trying-to-be-like-Family-Guy-ness it’s been doing in small amounts since the episode where they went to Japan). At least the show still makes me laugh from time to time.

Posted by
RewolfJ @ 02/10/2005 10:41 PM EST
AD should stand for Arrested Development, since that show is the bomb diggity!
Arrested Development’s second season is being cut short to 18 episodes. It’ll be replaced with….
..
..
.
American Dad.
Don’t hit me, Kidneyboy, I’m just the messenger.

Posted by
Mars @ 02/11/2005 1:43 AM EST
What would they *put* in a Family Guy arcade game?
Arcade games these days are too complicated. I liked arcade games from the era when I was a teenager (October 2nd, 1987 to October 1st, 1994) much better. During the middle of those years, it was the peak of the Final Fight-clone era, where, no matter what the licensed property is you’re trying to milk, the proper way to do it was to make the game exactly like Final Fight. I think the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game started that trend, but, to name just a few more licensed character games like that I’ve played, there was also The Simpsons, Aliens, Batman Returns (on the SNES), and several different Sailor Moon games (both arcade and Japanese console formats), the weirdest one being The Simpsons, since it took place in a city that was drawn in the same general style as early Simpsons, but it seemed to have been done by Japanese artists who had never seen an episode of the actual show as almost nothing in the city resembled Springfield (why was Moe’s underground?).
I think the only way to do a Family Guy arcade game would be to go retro and give it the 1991 Konami Final Fight clone treatment. (Yes, Final Fight itself was a Capcom game, but most of the clones featuring licensed characters were from Konami.)
Happy Belated Birthday Matt!
I didn’t like American Dad. I fell asleep in the middle of it, so maybe it ended strongly. I’m not a fan of Family Guy either. The Simpsons was just amazing though. The last two weeks have been some of the best stuff I’ve seen from that show.

Posted by
G4L @ 02/11/2005 2:10 PM EST
I think my elevator woes beat all….at my school here in Korea, there is a Korean lady whose job is to push children into the elevator- cram it SO full, that the "This elevator is too full" message blinks in big red Korean writing at the top…yup, those are the kind of elevators I have to deal with. CRAMMED FULL of scary children.

Posted by
Muppet Baby @ 02/11/2005 2:16 PM EST
I thought "eh."

Posted by
MJ @ 02/11/2005 3:24 PM EST
AD sucked but it was only the pilot.
Replacing the real AD to show more American Dad is a travesty.
Paul Lynde alien rules though but the show is still Family Guy lite and FG was never as good as The Simpsons or South Park to begin with.
Anyone who didn’t like The post Bowl Simpsons is a maroon.

Posted by
Paul @ 02/11/2005 10:11 PM EST
For all those saying "American Dad reminds me too much of Family Guy"…….That’s the whole point.
At the time the pilot was being made, Seth was unaware that Family Guy would be coming back, so he decided to create new show just like it to remind us all how great FG was.
And I loved the pilot ep. Especially the quote by Roger The Alien "There’s a bear claw up my ass."
And I think that the most brilliant joke of that whole episode was "I’m having my Steve." (people who didn’t see it yet…see the ep to truly get this joke)

Posted by
Invader Norbert @ 02/12/2005 1:58 AM EST
You guys make me want to watch American Dad all the more just so I can see for myself. But alas, being in a college dorm, I do not have TV.

Posted by
Nate @ 02/12/2005 4:59 AM EST
I was ticked about the A Dev/A Dad news; thanks for posting it here, Mars. (And thanks to Norbert for posting that other info too, cause it puts things in another perspective.)
The Onion AV Club has an interview this week with Mitchell Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested. I feel kinda dumb, but I had no idea until now that he had been involved with Golden Girls. Or that he’s emulating The Sopranos with AD.
Happy Val weekend, everybody. Hope your days are filled with chocolate hearts and romance.

Posted by
squee4242 @ 02/12/2005 11:32 PM EST
I was only one of 15 to get the Chocodile reference. I just about shit myself.

Posted by
George F @ 02/13/2005 4:30 AM EST
Hey, look, you can have Cat Woman Jenna Jameson go to the prom w/ Spiderman: http://www.entertainmentearth....om/prodinfo.asp?number=PF01005

Posted by
trajeal @ 02/13/2005 7:55 AM EST
The whole point of making American Dad really was to try and get Family Guy back out there….im sure American Dad isnt going to last that much longer…personally i think it was made less funnier to make all us F.G lovers out there miss Peter Griffen and the gang that much more…good work Seth!!!!
American Dad was ok…subpar at best…than again i wasnt much a fan of the first Family Guy neither…so maybe thats Seth Macfarlenes plan….
I was more dissapointed at the Simpsons….i love that show but….maybe im growing up? Who knows…it was just bad. I did like the Donkey Kong joke….very random…Simpsons need to be more like that.
The Simpsons issue is they arent ageing…Homer has played Baseball with Don Mattingly, and helped teach (i think Lebron James) how to dance?? Maybe we should see Bart and the gang…age a little!!!!! maybe just me…who knows. X-enetertainmenst main page is making me miss Christmas……….

Posted by
Ralph @ 02/13/2005 12:51 PM EST
X-Entertainment’s main page is making me hate Christmas. ;) I’ll try to get that fixed up as soon as possible — just want it done right. 

Posted by
Matt @ 02/13/2005 1:34 PM EST
Hey, it’s just like some of the houses in my neighborhood, keeping their lights up until mid-July!
The Simpsons this year could be my favorite season yet. Yes, I’ve seen every episode many times. I’ve laughed out loud and longer more times than ever. You can’t beat Quimby’s negative newspaper clippings framed on the wall behind his desk, "Commissioner says: Quimby Sucks!" Also, how Quimby made up the ‘Coverup 2005′ jackets with his, Homer’s, Bart’s, and Milhouse’s dad’s smiling faces on them. You can’t beat this material. "Love the lie," shaking fist.
P.S. Will there ever be a movie made about America’s favorite cartoon family, the Simpsons?
"We’ve just started — nine writers from our staff, along with [executive producer] Jim Brooks and [show creator] Matt Groening," says "Simpsons" exec producer Al Jean. They’re working toward a 2007 release. All the original vocal talent are committed. Now in its 16th season, the show is the longest-running cartoon in American TV history.

Posted by
G4L @ 02/14/2005 4:49 PM EST
G4L, how current is that news? Last I heard there were contracting issues.
Finally saw American Dad on Adult Swim. Definitely not that great and too similar to FG but hopefully it will improve further down the line. Outside of the alien all the characters were pretty forgettable and they definitely should have worked harder to differentiate the look of the show from FG. Every character looks like a background player from Quahog. No great jokes or obscure references either (Chocodiles excepted).
Squee, the news was in a special section in the Boston Sunday Herald. You can check it out at usaweekend.com though.

Posted by
G4L @ 02/15/2005 1:18 PM EST
Sorry, here’s the direct link to it. http://www.usaweekend.com/celebs/whos_news/

Posted by
G4L @ 02/15/2005 1:23 PM EST
American Dad was great. I was a little wary for a while… then Stan blew away the toaster and I lost it. The episode seemed much better after that event.

Posted by
G'Noose @ 02/15/2005 8:34 PM EST
american dad is nothing more than a right wing fest of utter b.s.

Posted by
matty g @ 02/17/2005 3:14 PM EST
I will admit to being a tad disappointed with AD, but I think most people here are overreacting. Give it some time to come into its own, like FG did. Besides - it had some really great lines, such as that generic TV mother who’d only said two lines previously suddenly coming out with a story of how she caused her teacher to kill himself. Classic McFarlane.
Just give it time.

Posted by
Random Guy @ 02/28/2005 5:09 AM EST
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH RANDOM GUY HERE!! IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MOST OF THESE CRITICS HAVE OVER REACTED!! FROM AN AUSSIES POINT OF VIEW I THINK AD IS UNREAL!! DON’T GET ME WRONG, FAMILY GUY IS GREAT TOO!! I JUST FEEL TOO MANY PPL ARE TRYING TO COMPARE IT WITH FAMILY GUY, WHEN IT ACTUALLY STANDS OUT BY ITSELF!! I JUST WANT MORE EPISODES TO BE RELEASED SO I CAN WATCH MORE OF THE CORRUPT, INSANE, PARANOID AN OVER PROTECTIVE WAYS OF STAN SMITH!! KEEP IT UP SETH!!!!

Posted by
CEBOXY @ 09/11/2006 6:06 PM EDT
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