The newest season of "Family Guy" is premiering this Sunday, but it doesn't come without controversy. Season 13 of the comedy animated show features a very exciting premiere episode, in which there will be a "Family Guy" and "Simpsons" crossover. The two best comedy animated series in one episode? That will be monumental.
However, controversy sparked when a promo for the said episode started making rounds. A rape joke was featured and some people didn't take the joke lightly.
The story of the episode is that the Griffin Family is visiting Springfield, where they will meet The Simpsons. The joke happens when Bart and Stewie spend time together and decide to call Moe's Tavern, like what Bart always does when he's bored.
Bart sets an example by calling Moe's Tavern and looks for Keybum, Lee. They start to laugh once Moe looks for someone who sounds like leaky bum. Now, it's Stewie's turn to make a joke. He doesn't follow the example of Bart. Instead he says, "Hello, Moe? Your sister's being raped." And this is what the controversy is about.
The President of the Parents Television Council Tim Winter didn't like the joke at all. According to Associated Press, Winter wrote a letter to Matt Groening ("Simpsons" creator) and Seth MacFarlane ("The Family Guy" creator) to edit out the joke. However, neither has replied.
A spokesperson for Fox told Associated Press that the network won't comment on Winter's request, nor would they comment about the inclusion of the joke and even if there were second thoughts about it. Nevertheless, not everyone felt the same way about the joke like Winter did.
Katherine Hull Fliflet is a spokersperson for Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAIN). For Fliflet, the joke isn't offensive. "[The show] is making it clear that rape is not funny by how they are positioning the joke," is what Fliflet thinks about it. She is hoping that viewers will look at it the same way.
"Family Guy" Season 13 premieres Sunday on Fox. Be sure to catch full episodes of "Family Guy" via live stream online on FOX.
