Family Guy - Volume 2: Season 3 (DVD, 2003, 3-Disc Set)

It is an unfortunate fact that in the politically correct age we live in that edgy comedy is categorized as offensive when it is really just being silly. That is exactly what happened to "Family Guy" a series that laid siege to every one of our sacred cows (religion, sex, violence, race relations, etc.), but did so in such a matter of fact manner, I find it hard to believe that anyone could have taken issue with it. Nonetheless, the series is no more; fortunately, we have the DVD compilations featuring every episode in its uncut hilariousness.

Season Three comprises twenty-one episodes, one of which was never aired on television. Actually, "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein" exemplifies my point about political correctness, as its silly, even complimentary view of Judaism could offend only the most supremely sensitive person. But enough with the negative, as there are some genuinely hilarious episodes on these discs. Moreover, since Fox aired them somewhat sporadically during the final season, it's likely there are one or two episodes that will be new to the viewer. For example, I had never seen "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas" or "Road to Europe" both of which feature some of the best parody in the set. Other highlights include "A Fish Out of Water" which features a spectacularly fat Peter, "To Love and Die in Dixie" which is the best "Family Guy" tribute to a TV series with its "Dukes of Hazard" inspired storyline, and "Family Guy Viewer Mail #1" which features three shorts that abandon all pretense of a basis in reality and produce some the best sight gags ever seen during the show's run.

That said, anyone who buys this set probably already knows how funny this show is, but what makes this collection really impressive is the quality of the extras. First off is the packaging itself which features an episode guide on the back of each case, which makes it easy to find that specific episode you're looking for. Or, if you've got more time, the ability to play every episode on the disc consecutively is a great feature. In addition, the commentary which is available on five of the episodes ranges from informative to hysterical. However, the true highlights are to be found on Disc 3, which contains animatics (pencil drawings) of several deleted scenes, complete with dialogue. These are nice not only because they contain new material, but also because they offer some insight into how the episodes evolved into their finished form. Next are two short documentaries, which offer a funny, interesting look into the series' development, the voice talent, how the characters evolved, and ultimately, why the show didn't last. Finally, there is the "Family Guy" pilot that was pitched to the network; again it's interesting to see how these relatively crudely drawn (but well voiced) characters evolved into the show that become such a cult hit.

Ultimately, if you are a big fan of the show, you need this collection, and nothing I say here is going to make you more likely to buy it. However, if you're sitting on the fence, I can't emphasize enough what a great show "Family Guy" is. It is literally funnier than anything on TV today, and over time, I expect it will be even more broadly appreciated for its comic genius. If you want to laugh until it hurts, and aren't offended by humor on the edge, this is definitely a show for you. Finally, I would just like to point out that Seth MacFarlane alludes to a line written for Stewie in an episode that never aired, so let's all hope that there may be yet more to come!

Enjoy!

SEASON 3, VOLUME TWO INCLUDES THE EPISODES...

DISC ONE..

"THE THIN WHITE LINE"
"BRIAN DOES HOLLYWOOD"
"MR. GRIFFEN GOES TO WASHINGTON"
"ONE IF BY CLAM, TWO IF BY SEA"
"AND THE WIENER IS"
"DEATH LIVES"
"LETHAL WEAPONS"
"THE KISS SEEN ROUND THE WORLD"

DISC TWO..

"MR. SATURDAY KNIGHT"
"A FISH OUT OF WATER"
"EMISSION IMPOSSIBLE"
"TO LOVE AND DIE IN DIXIE"
"SCREWED THE POOCH"
"PETER GRIFFIN: HUSBAND, FATHER...BROTHER?"
"READY, WILLING AND DISABLED"
"A VERY SPECIAL FAMILY GUY FREAKIN' CHRISTMAS"

DISC THREE..

"BRIAN WALLOWS AND PETER'S SWALLOWS"
"FROM METHOD TO MADNESS"
"STUCK TOGETHER, TORN APART"
"ROAD TO EUROPE"
"FAMILY GUY VIEWER MAIL #1"
"WHEN YOU WISH UPON A WEINSTEIN" (NEVER AIRED EPISODE!!)

THIS DVD IS ANOTHER SEASON JAMPACKED OF HILARIOUS FAMILY GUY EPISODES. THERE ARE A LOT MORE SPECIAL FEATURES ON THIS SEASON WHICH WERE NOT ON THE PAST DVD SEASONS INCLUDING DELETED SCENES, THE ORIGINAL SERIES PITCH AND TWO OTHER FEATURES ENTITLED "UNCENSORED" AND "SERIES OVERVIEW". YOU ALSO GET TO SEE THE FACES BEHIND THE VOICES AND WHO DOES THE VOICES FOR THE SMALLER ROLES IN THE EPISODES. ANOTHER FANTASTIC COLLECTION!!

Family guy is genius plain and simple . Now that is my opinion but as you watch the simple animation and listen to and follow along the misguided plots and funny flashbacks and Hidden humor you will laugh . At times the show makes you feel liek a dumb blonde because you at times don't understand a little of the humor now and then , then BAM ! out of no where you just start laughing that you understood the joke.

Now to be a critique family guy is not for all ages mainly mature audiences , the reason this is , is some of the language and adult humor . Alot of times the adult humor is very hidden for younger people to understand but we must be adults and appropriate . Some of the show once in a while feel liek they were begging or reaching way out for a laugh and some of the humor once in a while is very edgy . But in an overall sense it is appropriate and genius how they work every little joke and flashback into the story line . Now some of the things I said above are a ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE factor not in every episode and does not affect the loveable characters in a whole .

Character descriptions .
Peter - the loveable father who is portrayed as a loud mouthed northern overweight man with a smart mouth yet stupid enough to say the wrong thing at the right/wrong time .

Louis - the attractive wife of peter , plagued with a distrait family and a child that wants to be her demise and somehow doesn't realize she can and should do better than peter but that's what makes it beautiful .

Chris - The baby Huey son of them peter and louis , he comes out with strange humor at times and is oversized , has most of his fathers stupidness but in an innocent way .

Megan - The daughter who is not liked by anyone is portrayed as ugly not drawn ugly and just is in her teens and expieriencing teenage drama which noone cares about .

Brian - The dog for the family , but this dog can talk and has a college education , somehow this doesn't matter to anyone a talking dog it's normal his antics with stewie and almost alcoholic habits create humor for all .

Stewie - The favorite of everyone's , he is the baby boy of louis and peter . He can talk yet that doesn't matter an infant as the grammer of a Ivy league professor and a genius of inventing death traps to kill his mother for some reason he hates but loves her the same . His smart alic comments and hostility for an infant are amusing and so loveable with the comic relief he brings by dancing in his diaper or finding out what heartbreak is .

There are so many other characters to describe but I cannot in the space alloted by ebay , they all change and interact with each other perfectly .

This show is not for everyone , mainly guided towards 18 - 30 yr olds but alot of the hidden humor is so enjoyable for all ages and can be enjoyed by anyone .

You literally have to watch the episodes more than once to truly see all the comments and skits performed because you don't realize it but you miss things then you watch it again and see something new that is what is so enjoyable by this show .

The DVD set is the perfect gift for anyone . Some do say the family guy is a rip off of the simpsons but in all actuality it's not . It plots and skits go everywhere and everything and the loveable simpsons have done everything out there so anyone can yell that it's almost a copy but it's so original you understand it is nothing like that at all .

Please Vote if this has helped you , thank you .

Be forewarned that there will be times that you may feel:
* Uncomfortable
* Queasy
* Offended
* Dizzy
* Or completely perplexed
...But trust me it worth it. The satire will take you directly to the edge & then whip you back. Main Characters:
1. Peter Griffin - Husband, worker, all around good guy with a certified retarded (not my words, watch the show you will see why I choose those words) heart.
2. Lois Griffin - A wife & a saint for putting up with Peter & his shenanigan. All believe this except for Francis Griffin (Peter's adopted overly catholic father).
3. Brian Griffin - The dog. Yes I put him no#3. If you watched the show you would understand that he is a big part of the show. He brings class, education (Come on he went to Brown University!! OK he dropped out but still he went.)Brian sort of plays the Jiminy Cricket for Peter the "Man-boy".
4. Stewie Griffin - Baby & would-be ruler of the world once he is potty trained. Molded partly from Fidel Castro, Hitler & Saddam Hussein. His main sidekick is Brian.
5. Chris Griffin - Middle son. Really not much going on there. He is there mainly for points of brief comedic relief.
6. Meg Griffin – Oldest & the daughter. Really she is the family’s whipping horse, scapegoat or just treated like the family dog or pet. Theses sentiments are even shared by the creators as she is usually the afterthought.
7. Peter’s Friends: Glenn Quagmire (Nymphomaniac), Cleveland (black guy of the show) & Joe (Paraplegic cop).
And if none of this seems to pull you in, forget it. You wouldn’t get it anyways!!

Family Guy - Volume 2

Season 3 was even funnier than Seasons 1 and 2. The episodes and jokes are even more outrageous and the laughs just keep coming. Volume 2 features all 21 episodes from Season 3 on 3 AWESOME DVDs.

The Episodes Included in Season 3 Are:

1. The Thin White Line (1)
2. Brian Does Hollywood (2)
3. Mr. Griffin Goes to Washington
4. One If By Clam, Two If By Sea
5. And the Wiener is...
6. Death Lives
7. Lethal Weapons
8. The Kiss Seen Around the World
9. Mr. Saturday Knight
10. Fish Out of Water
11. Emission Impossible
12. To Love and Die in Dixie
13. Screwed The Pooch
14. Peter Griffin: Husband, Father...Brother?
15. Ready, Willing, and Disabled
16. A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas
17. Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows
18. From Method to Madness
19. Stuck Together, Torn Apart
20. Road to Europe
21. Family Guy Viewer Mail
22. When You Wish Upon a Weinstein (Unaired)

Volume 2 features an unaired episode and commentaries on selected episodes. Family Guy just keeps getting better.

Final Verdict:

5/5

Rent or Buy?: You must own this collection and you must own it now. Family Gu ROCKS!!!!

IF YOU FIND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE. Thank you.