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Family Guy cartoon banned in Venezuela
I think we'd all agree that there are some bad TV re-runs out there that deserve to be taken off the air. But I'm not sure that Family Guy is one of them. Venezuelan authorities have banned the cartoon from future broadcast. Any TV station that doesn't drop the show will be fined.
What prompted this reaction? The recent episode in which Brian, the talking dog, started a campaign to legalize marijuana.
Watch out future cartoons, so you don't offend the Venezuelan government! It has happened before, and it will surely happen again. The Simpsons was banned there last year because of its "messages that go against the whole education of boys, girl, and adolescents."
Televen was one station threatened with a fine for showing The Simpsons in the morning hours. What did they do to avoid the fine? They were forced to show public service films as an apology. And they replaced The Simpsons with Baywatch.
Really, now. Baywatch is better?
It seems as though the government and TV in Venezuela are closely linked. President Hugo Chavez hosts his own talk show. And if new regulations go into effect, cable stations would be forced to broadcast all of Chavez's speeches.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, South America, Venezuela, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Aaron Sep 28th 2009 2:29PM
A sad day for the people of Venezuela, they will have to live without the funniest show on TV.
Amanda Sep 29th 2009 6:00AM
Agreed... Censorship makes me furious. Why are we so afraid of sex. Why is that taboo,but, violence is encouraged?
Vast Wasteland Sep 28th 2009 2:28PM
Okay, I admit that it runs against our American freedom of speech thing but, face it, Venezuela is not America and never pretended to be. And I really have to admit that there's a part of me that wants to applaud when somebody actually DOES SOMETHING to reduce the amount of pure crap that crowds our airwaves.
eirammarie Sep 28th 2009 2:40PM
Ahem, Family Guy is pure crap. How and why it last so long is a very sad commentary on an American society that is allowing itself to be brain washed by the FOX network.
tsk, tsk
Mike Sep 28th 2009 2:32PM
I watch it at night after my kids are in bed. It's hilarious. Clearly not for everyone, especially the easily offended types. I just thank God I don't live in Venezuela, or anywhere but the good ol' US of A where I can watch what I want.
Kat Sep 28th 2009 3:12PM
i wish more people could take a joke. family guy isn't trying to really offend anyone or anyting. they're just poking fun at things. i find it funny. people say 'oh my god it's so stupid.' it's supposed to be stupid, that's the whole point.
Paul Sep 28th 2009 3:44PM
AMEN TO THAT!
Malisa Sep 28th 2009 2:31PM
Well said, Vast :-)
J.T. Sep 28th 2009 2:40PM
How funny! A Drug Country banning a cartoon!
Kingbtd Sep 29th 2009 3:17AM
A drug country? I think if you check and see how much US pharmaceutical companies earn every year (supplying you with your 'superior white' drugs) I think you'll see Venezuela could never economically compete with a real drug country. Weird perceptions for weird people is how I suppose you arrive at your so-called moral judgments: White-men-drug good, yellow-brown-men-drug bad... white men helpum real world. Non-white-men helpum evil world.
You give me the creeps.
gobluespartyon Sep 28th 2009 2:41PM
Your a prude a Malisa and are out of touch and trying to shove morals down people's throats. And you support Hugo just because he banned a show that shouldn't be taken off the air just because you don't like it and boycotting is dumb as well it never works and that is a fact as well and your dead wrong as well. I'm always right.
Jenifer Sep 28th 2009 2:48PM
I wish they would ban it in the US. I had never watched the show before a few days ago and I was in shock at the sexual references on that show. COME on America where have the morals gone? The episode I watched briefly suggested sex between the lady and the dog. REALLY?? No wonder our country is in the shape its in with the violence and drugs and teenage pregnacy... Wake up America we need to put GOD back into our lives and teach our children better, its our right to stand up and speak up for what we believe in and protect our children.
gobluespartyon Sep 28th 2009 2:55PM
Your a prude Jennifer and out of touch as well and shoving morals down people's throats no you need to wake everything you have said is a lie. And you support cenorship is wrong just because you don't like Family Guy it's America free sreech and what you can watch if I want to watch Family Guy that is my choice it shouldn't be banned because a few people don't like the show.
Scarlett Sep 28th 2009 5:02PM
Jennifer, you should get a grip. I know your type, and you probably wear short shorts and silk blouses and pretend you have morals. In reality you probably do your neighbour, or would like too. Family guy is the funniest thing on TV, and yes, it takes a certain intelligence and humour to enjoy a talking dog and a 1 year old that wants to take over the world. Watch it several times, and maybe you will get it unless your IQ is stuck at 80/
ThisIsNuts! Sep 28th 2009 5:47PM
A FEW people don't like the show? Excuse me, but there are a whole lot more than a FEW. It isn't good TV. It's crap. And placed in the form of a cartoon so kids will watch it? What is wrong with Hollywood????
cyaml Sep 28th 2009 3:06PM
YAY!!
juststill Sep 28th 2009 3:07PM
well im waiting for my coke supply to come from venezuela, ahhhhh what a conservative country venezuela is!!!!
Harley Sep 28th 2009 3:06PM
It is a sad excuse for a cartoon I to have banned it and pray my son never watches it!! Can't we have better morals then the so called drugs countries as you guys have pointed out? If they have high enough morals to ban this crap why shouldn't the USA also? I think it should be forced to play on HBO or Showtime or premium channels cause of the nature of the issues in the show (yes i watched 2 episodes) and never will again!! so much sexual reference in just 2 shows I can't believe Fox is runninf it
William Sep 28th 2009 3:09PM
I agree with you completely, Malisa.
CoreyR Sep 28th 2009 3:10PM
Heaven forbid America have ANY morals anymore. After all, we should just do whatever feels good right? What if killing you is what "feels good" to me? I am sorry, I understand the concept of "freedom of speech" but there is a line where you are broadcasting filth over open airways. I have watched a couple of episodes of this "Family guy" show and it is pure trash. Allowing it to be available, say on DVD for purchase or rent is one thing, but it should not be broadcast. Then again, neither should most of what is on our TV's these days.