Comments on: Comedian Art Metrano sues Family Guy for allegedly stealing his bit

By: M Styborski

M Styborski — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:59:20 +0000

For “someone with a sense of humor,” you certainly are a hateful little jerk.

Most of Family Guy’s bits fall under the wide umbrella of parody and it’s usually made pretty clear. Since they decided not to reference where this bit originated, and it did indeed originate with Art Metrano, it’s theft, pure and simple. Had they added a ten second bit they could have saved a lot of trouble (and made it even funnier) by having someone in the crowd remark that they “saw Art Metrano do that act on the Tonight Show with Johnny Iscariot.”

As for Art Metrano, he’s been working the film and stage circuit for over forty years and he’s funny as hell. And I’m sure he’s made more people laugh than you ever will, “someone.”

By: mary

mary — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:05:59 +0000

What a terrible thing to say about Art Metrano…that his time is up…He gives nothing but joy to the world.

By: someone with a sense of humor

someone with a sense of humor — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:50:06 +0000

theft or propz? if any signature act or gesture used in satirical context is grounds for a lawsuit, everyone is screwed. i think the first guy who used the middle finger should sue the entire human race.

art, no one cares about you – alive or dead. your life is worth less than a cartoon. your time is almost up… *looks at watch*

By: Tom Piantanida

Tom Piantanida — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:26:49 +0000

The pseudomagic bit IS Art Metrano.

By: smartbunny

smartbunny — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:53:34 +0000

It’s a PARODY! Has Art Metrano never seen this show?? Jeez.

By: purple_slone07

purple_slone07 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:17:18 +0000

family guy

By: Kat

Kat — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:04:47 +0000

I saw Tim Conway do the same magic skit DECADES ago. Who’s stealing from who?!

By: Hil

Hil — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:31:44 +0000

Sometimes there’s a fine line between paying homage and theft. Personally, I think they crossed it. A reference is only a reference when something is commonly connected to a person. It’s a risk a lot of shows take … doesn’t mean they intended to harm, but I have to take Art’s back on this one.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:18:24 +0000

I don’t think you can call that stealing a bit. They were playing off Art’s fame and humor to make a funny moment in the show. Just seeing that segment of the show would be funny, but knowing that they’re imitating Art Metrano makes it that much funnier. This lawsuit severely limits creative freedom, writers are no longer allowed to create allusions to the shared experience of their audience? Part of what makes Family Guy so funny are the references that we all connect with.

By: b5media - Entertainment News & Festivities

b5media - Entertainment News & Festivities — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:54:19 +0000

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