After 25 Years, the Heroine of a Popular Animated Series Discovers Her Family’s True Feelings

Since his debut a quarter of a century ago, Patrick Warburton has become an iconic figure by lending his voice to Joe Swanson in “Family Guy”, better known as “The Griffins” here. However, despite his professional success, his family never really appreciated his involvement in the animated series. At a recent event celebrating the 25th anniversary of “Family Guy,” Warburton revealed to the general public the deep resentment his family feels towards the show.

Subscribe to Disney+

Financial irony and the persistence of spectacle

Despite the family disagreement, “Family Guy” continues to thrive with its iconic vocals and satirical humor. Warburton even joked about the irony that the money he made from the show was indirectly supporting his parents, who were at the same time trying to get the show canceled.“My mother belonged to the American Television Council and they were trying to get the show canceled” confided the actor. But then why such relentlessness? “Family Guy” is known for its offbeat and sometimes vulgar humor, and the comedy addresses a wide variety of subjects, often in a satirical manner. Through her eccentric characters and absurd storylines, she pokes fun at popular culture, politics, society and many other aspects of everyday life. The tone is very far from being consistent with the philosophy of the Warburton family according to him:

My father spent three months in a monastery. He almost became a monk. …My mother would go around the neighborhood when I was 13 to pass out pamphlets on the sins of masturbation – Warburton explained.

Perspectives on the future of “Family Guy”

Beyond these tensions and challenges, “Family Guy” continues to entertain audiences and support important causes through its profits. Both Warburton and creator Seth MacFarlane are optimistic about the show's future. They believe that there is no valid reason to stop the series as long as it continues to bring joy to viewers and support worthy causes. This optimistic perspective underlines the longevity and persistence of this type of series in the television landscape. Moreover, all 21 seasons of “Family Guy” are available on the SVOD Disney+ service.