The Griffin Family: (L-R) Brian, Lois, Stewie, Peter, Meg and Chris in Family Guy. Photo / Supplied
The Griffin Family: (L-R) Brian, Lois, Stewie, Peter, Meg and Chris in Family Guy. Photo / Supplied
Steve Callaghan has seen some strange stuff while working at Family Guy, but nothing tops an email containing the subject line, "Butthole".
"I exchanged that email back and forth for weeks with [Fox network censors] Standards and Practices," sighs Callaghan, the show's executive producer. "It was about our use ofthat word in a gag and what would make it acceptable. Some of the conversations we have are ... so silly."
Family's Guy's constant discourse with censors is a sign that, after 14 seasons and 269 episodes, Seth MacFarlane's show hasn't stopped trying to push comedy boundaries.
Over that time, the animated comedy about the Griffin family - Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie and Brian - has done some truly bizarre things, from featuring a talking baby as a main character, to dedicating entire episodes to dad Peter's battle with a chicken called Ernie.
Along the way, there have been musicals, Star Wars parodies, road trips and even a crossover episode with former rivals The Simpsons.
Callaghan says the show's format, designed by creator MacFarlane, gives them plenty of scope for storytelling.
"The characters are fun, the dynamics between them are interesting and I love that we do cutaways and flashbacks. The tempo means we can do a lot of different types of episodes," he says.
With its latest season beginning on TV2 tonight, Callaghan admits Family Guy walks a fine line over its edgy humour.
