Family Guy star Patrick Warburton refuses to apologise for the show

‘This world is a horrible satire’: Family Guy star Patrick Warburton refuses to apologise for the show’s humour… even after his own mother called the series ‘a destruction of morality’

Family Guy star Patrick Warburton has hit out of critics of the animated show, stating that he will ‘no longer’ apologise for being one of the voice actors. 

Patrick, 58, voices Joe Swanson on the sitcom, a paraplegic police officer who suffers with impotence and incontinence.

He has appeared on the controversial show since its launch in 1999 and despite his own mother condemning the series, he revealed that he thinks critics are just ‘taking themselves too seriously.’

Patrick told Fox News: ‘I used to apologize for being on Family Guy, and I apologise no more because this world is a horrible native satire.

‘Everybody takes themselves too seriously, and… I think in many ways become an overwhelming mess. But we need humor in our lives, and we need love and humor, acceptance. It’s all rather simple.’

Hitting out: Family Guy star Patrick Warburton has hit out of critics of the animated show, stating that he will ‘no longer’ apologise for being one of the voice actors

The TV series tells the story of endearingly ignorant Peter Griffin and wife Lois, who live in Quahog with their children, Meg, Chris and Stewie.

Baby Stewie is something of an evil genius baby who can’t stand his mother and wants to destroy the world.

Naturally, the family own a the talking dog called Brian.

Despite receiving generally positive reviews and good ratings, the show has come under fire for its use of offensive jokes including racial humor and violent, gory, and disturbing images.

One of the show’s main critics is The Parents Television and Media Council (PTMC), an American group that advocates for what it considers to be responsible, family-friendly content across all media platforms.

Patrick’s mother Barbara is a member of the group and in 2011 she confessed that she wanted her son to quit the show because she thinks he offends God by acting in it.

She said of the show: ‘The wrong messages are out there and that’s my main concern. Shows like these are leading toward the destruction of morality… nothing seems sacred any more.’

She described her son as a ‘compassionate, wonderful, caring and sincere person’, as well as calling him ‘an amazing father and son’.

Role: Patrick, 58, voices Joe Swanson on the sitcom, a paraplegic police officer who suffers with impotence and incontinence

But not only does her motherly love go as far as complaining about her son’s job, but Barbara admitted she had never actually watched an episode of the hit sitcom.

Speaking to the Destin Log, she added: ‘I have highly encouraged him to quit the show, but it hasn’t been very successful yet. I have always adored people in this industry who turn down roles because of their convictions, but Patrick isn’t one of those people.

‘It’s a dichotomy that we have… where he wants to do shows and work with people that offend God. I don’t want to offend God.’

The PTMC previously filed a formal complaint of indecency to the Federal Communications Commission to protest that the show makes fun of Christianity, homosexuality and other topics.

They were particularly offended about one episode which featured ‘bestiality, orgies and babies eating sperm’.

When asked about the complaint, Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane said: ‘That’s like getting hate mail from Hitler. They’re literally terrible human beings. I’ve read their newsletter, I’ve visited their website, and they’re just rotten to the core.

‘For an organisation that prides itself on Christian values — I mean, I’m an atheist, so what do I know? — they spend their entire day hating people…’

Change: In 2020 Mike Henry (left) stepped down from voicing Cleveland Brown after two decades with YouTuber Arif Zahir (right) taking over the role

Advocate: Mike stepped down as he and a number of animated shows committed to casting actors of colour to voice non-white roles

While the Family Guy cast have often hit back at critics they did address concerns raised when a number of animated shows committed to casting actors of colour to voice non-white roles.

In 2020 Mike Henry stepped down from voicing Cleveland Brown – a black neighbour and friend of the Griffin family – after two decades in the role. 

He tweeted at the time: ‘It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role.’

YouTuber Arif Zahir took over the role, saying: ‘Mike, you created something truly special and I promise I will do my absolute best to honor your legacy.’

Source: Read Full Article