Family Guy "And Then There Were Fewer"

     FOX's Family Guy began their fall season last week with a one hour special episode, "And Then There Were Fewer".  Spoofing a number of old movies, the traditional theme song was ditched in favor of more mood appropriate music as the Griffin family traveled in their car over many miles up to an old mansion, where they had been invitied to a dinner in their honor.  Turns out, many of the neighbors received the same invitation, and so there is quite a crowd at the destination.  They soon learn they have been invited by nemesis to all, James Woods (voiced by James Woods, Shark), who has become a born-again Christian, and wants to make amends with the citizens of Quahog.  Then he (and others) are murdered, and the race is on to find the killer before everyone dies.

     This episode brought back a number of familiar faces, pitting a bunch of the beloved characters against each other in an interesting setting.  The entire Griffin family was there: father Peter (creator of the show, Seth MacFarlane), his wife Lois (Alex Borstein, MADtv), son Chris (Seth Green, Robot Chicken, Austin Powers), daughter Meg (Mila Kunis, That '70s Show, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), infant-evil genius Stewie (MacFarlane), and dog Brian (MacFarlane).  Quagmire (MacFarlane) brought his overweight, annoying 'girlfriend' that he had been hiding from everyone.  Brian's ex, Jillian (Drew Barrymore) brought along her new beau, Derek (John Viener).  Joe (Patrick Warburton, Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement) and Bonnie (Jennifer Tilly) came, along with newscasters Tom Tucker (MacFarlane) and Diane Simmons (Lori Alan, Southland).  Suspected ephebophile, Herbert (the title character in The Cleveland Show, Mike Henry), the Griffin's former maid, Consuela (also Henry), Dr. Hartman (MacFarlane), the pirate with four wooden limbs, Seamus (MacFarlane), Carl (H. John Benjamin, Archer) and Jewish couple Mort (John G. Brennan) and Muriel Goldman (Nicole Sullivan, $#*! My Dad Says, Rita Rocks, MADtv) were also in attendance, as was Mayor Adam West (Batman's Adam West).  It provided some zany humor, and each member of this large cast got in a few jokes.

     I always enjoy when Family Guy does something different, and this episode was no exception.  Not only was it funny, but it didn't venture too far into the crass, or do too many pop culture side-scenes, as the series is sometimes want to do.  It was intelligently written.  I, for one, did not know who the actual murderer was until the end, though I quickly guessed correctly who took down the killer.  It was an example of what FG can be when it's not trying to be everything people expect it to be.  So, a great, classic episode for MacFarlen and company.

     What I wonder is, will the developments shown in this episode by permanent?  Family Guy has allowed change before, such as when Cleveland Brown (Henry) got divorced, and then awhile later, moved away for his spinoff.  Brian dated Jillian for a large part of the season, and when she returns, they still reference that old relationship.  This episode allowed the deaths of James Woods, Muriel Goldman, and Diane Simmons, as well as a couple just-introduced characters.  Does that mean Tom Tucker will have a new co-anchor whenever they show the news clips?  Is Mort now a widower?  I hope that they do go down that path, rather than reverting to everything back to normal next week.  If Diane shows up again, without some elaborate explanation, it will definitely cheapen this hour of television for me.

     Family Guy continues it's 9th season tonight at 9pm on FOX.

2010 Golden Globes results

     Ricky Gervais (the British version of The Office, Extras) hosted the 67th Golden Globes, the first host in fifteen years for the ceremony, and to no one's surprise, knocked it out of the park.  He started strong with an opening monologue mocking Steve Carell, NBC, Jay Leno, and cosmetic surgery, praising actors like Hugh Laurie (House) and Kiefer Sutherland (24), and pushing his Office DVDs.  The only sad part of Gervais's performance was how short it was.  Not allowing him more screen time was what hurt the Globes the worst.  Sir Paul McCartney wins for second funniest man of the night, when he said that cartoons aren't just for kids any more, but also "drug-taking adults".

     Some of the awards went to exactly who they should have gone to.  Glee won Best Musical or Comedy series, and hands down, it was the front runner.  The brilliant freshman show proves that geeks are definitely in vogue, and winners to boot!  Drew Barrymore, while having an unnecessarily long speech, came off sweet and sincere for her win portraying Little Edie in Grey Gardens.  Having finally seen the performance a few days ago, it was well deserved.  The series itself won, as I predicted it would.  Toni Collette certainly deserved an award, though I did not recommend her in my original picks. This was because I hadn't yet seen the show, but now I have, and I was blown away. My problem was which one she was given - Best Actress in a Comedy. United States of Tara is much more drama than comedy, but she is amazing in it, so I will overlook the gaff.

     Others were mistakes, at least in this reviewer's opinion.  Why, oh why, does Mad Men keep winning best series?  I tried to watch it.  I stuck with it for seven episodes.  It was incredibly boring.  Guess it's time to give it another chance, since it even beat True Blood.  And while I dearly love Alec Baldwin's performance in 30 Rock, there are other deserving actors.  He shouldn't keep getting the awards year after year.  I haven't yet seen Big Love so I shouldn't jump all over Chloe Sevigny taking the best supporting actress awards, but Jane Lynch is just so perfect in Glee that I can't help it!  Maybe supporting actor and actress need to split into Drama and Comedy categories like the other awards.  Next year, Jane Lynch!

     Other television winners included Michael C. Hall (Dexter) for Best Actor in a Drama, Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) for Best Actress in a Drama, Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance) for Best Actor in a Miniseries, and John Lithgow (Dexter) for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries.

     On a slightly more sober note, many of the stars wore red ribbons to the event in support of the tragedy in Haiti.  People all across the country, and the world, have contributed to relief efforts.  Even in Lexington, there is something you can do.  The easiest thing is just to give money.  To donate, please visit www.redcross.org or text 'Haiti' to 90999 for ten dollars to be added to your cell phone bill.