Trey Parker and Matt Stone talk about Family Guy
July 16, 2008 by Wendy Boswell
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Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators, writers, and pretty much everything else of South Park, recently gave an interview to the Montreal Mirror. One of the topics they touched on was the rivalry with Family Guy:
M: How do you feel about Seth MacFarlane’s empire?
TP: There’s more and more stuff every day finding its way onto American television that I think is really great, but then you get this bubblegum shit that’s just, like, by the book, what we call 9-to-5 comedy writers…..
They mostly have families and kids and that’s the most important thing and then they go in to work and write comedy and when it’s five o’clock, it’s time to go. It’s gag humour, and gag humour drives us crazy. Where it’s just, like, “Here’s a gag, here’s a gag”—it’s got nothing to do with what’s going on in the show, just like, “Here’s a gag.” And anyone who writes comedy knows that that is the very easiest, simplest thing to do and you don’t really need any talent to do it, you just learn the craft and do it.
MS: Yeah, Family Guy’s just not a show I like. It’s funny, when we did that [Family Guy parody] show, it was more to point out that the similarities between our two shows is that they’re animated, and it stops there. They feel like very different shows. Family Guy, to comedy people, it’s kind of what that band the Offspring is to real punk rockers.
TP: The biggest thing is that you essentially kill yourself for a show—it’s like, you’ve got to die for it. When you’re an artist, you’ve got to say to yourself, “This is all that matters, and if it kills me, so be it.” And then you have the Family Guy writing staff who come in 9-to-5, write their gags and go home. But what I absolutely must say to you is that this totally, purely 100 per cent completely, comes from a place of jealousy. Because when we’re sitting there in our room, it’s three in the morning and we’re 12 hours from having to air and we don’t have, like, a third act, wondering why we do this to ourselves, we’re just totally jealous of their job. Seth MacFarlane is basically in the same position as us except he hasn’t written a fucking thing in four years. I wish I was him. - source
Honestly, I think there’s plenty of room for both shows to succeed; it just makes them look silly when they try to do rivalries like this.
Oh my god This rules. I have always thought that Family Guy is such a turd and that South Park is Great. Family Guy just bashes you over the head with its over the top jokes. It reminds me of that obnoxious kid on the school yard who would cackle at his own jokes chanting “hahaha get it?! GET IT?!” Yes I frieken get it. No sublety.
Interesting… so these two are a little elitist aren’t they… you don’t hear Seth McFarlane bagging anyone… but jealousy does ugly things to people. Besides, when did Matt Stone ever write anything anyway? Everyone knows Trey Parker does it all… I haven’t found South Park funny for years… used to like it but it’s just not funny any more - think it’s past it’s use-by-date personally. Personally I think Family Guy is hilarious. So I’m curious Jacqui.va. - if Family Guy is such a turd, what were you doing sniffing around this site? Really don’t get people who go onto a fan site of something just to knock it… nothing better to do?
Jacqui.va - I hate to say this, but you very obviously no absolutely nothing about comedy/humour if you think that your comparison of Family Guy to the “obnoxious kid on the school yard” is even remotely true.
South Park is funny, Family Guy is funny … but Trey and Matt are just being snobbish and elitist - that remark about ” .. to comedy people …” is basically as anal as you can get.
Jacqui, take your pathetic attempts at commenting to a more appropriate forum .. I suggest “Barney’s Big Purple Page of Wankness.”
I totally agree - they are being so elitist. And I don’t believe you have to be able to die for ‘your art’ either. Comedy is comedy, there are all types and if they don’t realise that, perhaps they aren’t the truly natural comedians that they think they are. Their attitude has actually put me off South Park. At least Family Guy is honest about the type of comedy it is, and isn’t worried about reputation or where it is in the comedy class system we never knew existed until Trey and Matt got all snobby on our asses. That sounds gross, sorry.
To be honest, it’s all been a natural progression in my mind. In days of old I could have said that The Simpsons was the funniest animated show on TV, ’cause it had a smattering of adult humor but as they flogged it to death it got to the stage whereby I could watch an entire episode and not even chuckle. Futurama featured somewhere along the line but it was an acquired taste and I never laughed at all by the time I saw the film. When South Park came along it was coarse, raw and undoubtedly one of the funniest programmes of its time. It made its creators a bundle of cash from merchandise but in later years it just didn’t stimulate. Family Guy (in my opinion) blew S.P. out the water and in contrast American Dad was a massive turkey that should have been avoided. It’s all a matter of taste I suppose but I know what I like and there’s only been 1 or 2 recent episodes that haven’t hit the spot and I still rate it above South Park. Perhaps Matt and Trey have got warehouses of stuffed Timmys they can’t shift, hence the sour grapes. Alternatively, they could just be on the wind-up and actually like F.G. and are just having us all on. What a larf, eh?
I think Trey Parker was trying to be slightly more diplomatic than Stone but they both are clearly vexed by the phenomenon of ‘Family Guy’.
I think Family Guy definitely has more in line with Futurama in how Andy said Futurama was an acquired taste — I wholly agree. Family Guy really does grow on some viewers, whereas everyone literally fucked South Park to death.
I think Parker & Stone should just focus on making South Park work for them. The rest will come if it is supposed to come.
Futurama was and still is one of the greatest programmes ever made. Bender alone is probably the funniest character I have ever had the joy to behold.
American Dad is also hilarious, and to me is as enjoyable as Family Guy .. maybe even a little bit more as it has not been saturated all over the telly.
This just goes to show one thing … comedy is one of the most subjective forms of entertainment out there. We all have different tastes … I just hate it when knob pasties like that Jaqui poster have to turn it into some sort of “my dad is better than yours” affair.
Honestly you consider them elitist, but they are so far from it in every aspect of themselves as creators, and what they put into their work(s).
Family guy has it’s moments, that is it though.
Nobody here even remotely understood what they were trying to say and that is sad, you could label anybody an elitist if what they say strikes you the wrong way, when honestly they have every right to judge other modern animated comedies.
Wake up people every corner of the world accuses us American viewers of being “dumb down” and “lacking wit” (putting it nicely) then any time someone with an educated opinion speaks to you (us) their blindly labeled elitist because they critiqued something with points of view that make total sense about something you didn’t realize yet.
Wake up family guy is bubblegum pop crap and they wouldn’t change that for the world, why sit here and try to pretend otherwise or lash out about someone who is more than qualified to voice an opinion at the time, I doubt any of you really tried to hear them out (insert a lie to yourself in your mind right now).
To Ghost D: So… here’s my problem with Matt Stone and Trey Parker… if they are so incredibly talented and not in the least bit elitist… why do they feel the need to bag anyone else’s show in the first place? I have never read an interview with Seth McFarlane knocking their show. He’s just doing his thing and being very successful at it. If MS and TP are so secure in their own abilities, why don’t they just shut up, get on with their own show and stop worrying about anyone elses?
Only @rseholes feel the need to bag someone elses’ work… insecure ones at that. If they didn’t feel threatened by Family Guy, they wouldn’t feel the need.
PS: Ghost D - since you think we missed it, could you also explain exactly what it is MS and TP were trying to say and how they weren’t elitist in that?
The whole point of the Cartoon Wars was the, “I am nothing like Family Guy,” mantra. They don’t like the show, and therefore comparing their product to it is insulting, and I am guessing common. Perhaps they should have said, “We don’t appreciate being compared to Family Guy.” instead they chose to express themselves in the way they know best.
I like early Family Guy, but in recent seasons I don’t feel like they are trying anymore. It has such a formula to it, “You suck Meg,” and [insert any gay Stewie inuendo here]. I think this is why you see so many Seth Macfarlane tangents (American Dad, the new Cleveland Show comming out).
Finally, South Park is Matt Stone and Trey Parker with a little help from their friends. Good or bad, funny or no, it is their product they put on television. I don’t know how much involvement Seth still has with Family Guy, but with the time to be involved in two other shows, I doubt it is all that much directly.
Enjoy both shows, because they both have their moments where they are amazing. However, respect the fact they are two entirely different entities, and for the love of Trey Parker, DON’T COMPARE SOUTH PARK TO FAMILY GUY! There is plenty of contrast to be found.
I completely agree with the only two levelheaded people that left comments on this site. Family Guy can and is funny…on a certain level. These two shows are on two complete ends of the spectrum. Oh and when did McFarlane ever create even one funny movie? I seem to recall that the two South Park guys creating numerous cult classics. Most the fans on this site are feeding on the protagonist nature of the article. To say they are elitist…. is like the ignorant comments of how Bush is like Hitler. South Park taps into social, political and religious issues by intelligent satire.
The love and following of this show is as immense as Family Guy…..and South Park isn’t even on a super large syndicate (i.e. NBC, ABC,etc.)
Right, wrong, what does it matter? Can’t we just enjoy the entertainment that is offered to us?
BTW, I stumbled on this website looking for recent news on the South Park guys.
Apples and oranges…
haha i have to agree with jaqui… i think family guy is over the top like that kid in the playground, yeah i get it! Their comedic styles are completely different and are received in completely different ways. I understand why matt and trey are jealous, they write their shows based on the most important (to them and to me) things to be addressed at the time and time is the only factor where as family guy could write 100 episodes in a day if they were up to it and it would still be funny.
Matt and Trey are just a bit pissed off Seth is making so much money off absolute bulls*hit and they work long and hard in satising and addressing todays issues which is to me is absolute gold cause “we need a good kick in the ass”.
Matt and Trey pay out south park alot more than they have payed out family guy in that one episode so i think they deserve it.
Hope they dont let their heads get too big, can almost smell the hipocrasy, if you’ve seen the episode we’re they steal music and britney has to settle for jet with only one tv in stead of five or something like that you will know what im getting at. Matt and Trey should just be happy that they write a great show and have changed alot people s way of thinking so just be happy with that. anyway….
I love South Park, and I also like Family Guy, but never for the same reason. I like South Park cause each episode is a story and has a plot to it as for Family Guy is just one of those shows were they throw out a gag and you laugh and then another, it’s funny but not something I could watch a marathon of. The older family guys were really good and a little more original, as for the newest one I’ve seen really are starting to annoy me with the repeated jokes used in different less humorous ways. And like what others have said, Trey and Matt have been with South Park for the long run as for Seth is already making newer shows like American dad (which kinda sucks :p)
But like the saying goes; fighting on the Internet is like being in the special Olympics, even if you win… your still retarded. So I’ll end it here.
the only difference between an elitist and a complete tool is that an elitist can articulate why they think something sucks, rather than just saying something sucks. you people suck. people who write on these websites are complete douches.
you know you are so right!!!!! I bet you never do normally. You are just way too cool for leaving comments on websites.
Just sayin’, towards Sez, referring to your comment on “sniffing around fansites”. Type in “Matt Stone and Trey Parker Website” on google, this is the fifth or so link.
Yeah, I, uh , have to say that, there are some interesting points of view here, but somewhere we missed the big picture as fans. The shows are simply entertainment and high quality at that. I have been a long time South Park fan because of its unique take on current events, so naturally, I was expecting a Family Guy reference once it became the Pop Culture and MS and TP certainly didn’t disappoint. I also expect the same type of satire on Family Guy, but I want it in a different setting which is why I enjoy Seth’s work. Think about it, South Park has pushed itself to wacky pointlessness just as much as Family Guy, even more since it has been out longer. (ice cream s#!tting taco, anyone?). What I would like to point out is simply this, if you tried to prevail South Park on this blog, then you probably have laughed at one of the gags of Family Guy, even if you didn’t want to. So how about giving credit where it is due, the shows kick-ass and South Park had an obligation to take advantage of Family Guy because TP always does that with current events. And we all know that this rivalry will only entertain America and force each show to step it up. Enjoy!
the thing about these guys is they have worked hard
(or not) and made you laugh at true humour and after all that ppl just go back to the run of the mill so so jokes and try and compare then with the former….which is impossible it;s pure talent to make” just another show” about kids funny….family guy is basically ripping off various elements of other shows ..the baby is burns from the simpsons ..a talking dog……homer with hair and whiny ass woman…… cartman is if anything calvin on steroids…but not too much mind you……major differences here ..similarities are purely coincidental similarities not ripping off deliberately…south park season 12 not written b y trey or matt for sure tho..sucks ass
that britney episode means exactly opposite t ur point u quality tool! southpark is one of the only shows that uplifted copyright laws on the internet. they were being ironic. are ur parents brother and sister???
well you see, derp derpy da derp da derp derp. but then again, derrrr da derp ba doo derp
so in conclusion, derp.
Seth McFarlain’s attitude is completely more self-rightouse than that of either Matt Stone Or Trey Parker if you compare the comentary on any SP DVD to that of FG DVD’s. Or if you concider the characters portrayed… the same is prevelant. I personally don’t like people who are full of themselves, so for me, SP above FG.
I have to say, I am a fan of both shows for different reasons. I agree with TP and MS when they say they don’t want to be compared with another show. However, I think the American public needs some bubble gum gag humor every once and a while. Not everyone can afford cable, and for basic cable, it is one of the only funny things to watch. Honestly, I respect Seth Mac Farlane for using his “Family Guy” cash to help support smaller shows, i.e-Robot Chicken into having the same success. And come on, we all know that Robot Chicken is NOTHING but gags, but is still intelligent and funny. Why not use 1980’s pop culture to entertain the people who grew up during that era? I loved South Park, but TP and MS need to chill out.
Correction: still love South Park;)
i honestly whole heartedly agree with ms and parker…. family guy is just one lame gag joke after another and its single handedly dumbing down the youth of america. There is really never a plot in the show and if you watch it enough you can honestly feel your I.Q. drop. the show has no morals and i think the show is only cool if you are still in grade school or going through puberty. honestly if i wanted to watch “Bush Bashing” i would turn on CNN and not family guy because at least they try and prove a point rather than use an animated dog to prove a point, its kinda sad that people would use “brian” as a credible source when mcfarlene isnt in the least a person to look up to for political affairs.
I enjoy both shows for different reasons, i respect the creators of both shows for the same level of integrity they share. sometimes i feel like a gag oriented onslaught, sometimes i require a plot driven episode. i dont feel one is ‘better’ than the other, (but i AM naturally driven towards Treys sense of humour) i think people are forgetting that liking one doesnt mean you cant like the other… i applaude the efforts of both shows and look forward to more classic comedy in the future from BOTH of them.
I’ve enjoyed both shows. I find it funny that the gag humor Matt Stone & Trey Parker complain about is exactly why I love Family Guy. It’s pretty clear that Matt & Trey are pretty jealous which it quite understandable given the production value, and money put into Family Guy verses South Park. I was a big fan of South Park in it’s earlier years. I really don’t think you can say either is better than the other, but rather just different.
Both shows usually use many of the same jokes, even though Matt & Trey seem to hate the comparison. It might even be awesome if they could set aside their differences, and work together, it might be awesome.
Regardless I wouldn’t want Family Guy to change just because MS & TP are jealous, and don’t perticularly like it’s style.
Both show are funny, and just as intelligent. Seth MacFarlane’s group has done well at making many people laugh.
Personally, I find both South Park and Family Guy to be funny. But recently, I have grown bored of Family Guy as all the jokes are the same really. I mean, in every episode mostly Peter says “It’s like that time when I……” and then it goes to when he did… whatever.
With South Park, the jokes and humor is different and a mixture, it’s not exactly repetative.
And everyone who thinks that South Park sucks, you have to give Matt and Trey some credit for working a load of hours before air time and getting an episode done in time.
i have watched alot of both shows, and like many people i agree that in recent season FG has gotten somewhat repetitive. which could easily be because seth mcfarlan is to busy doing other things…. As far as this article i have to give trey and matt alot of respect for saying they are jealous of seth mcfarlane not even having to write anymore when they work endlessley to get an episode out, and just that simple fact gives me even more respect for the s.p. creators cuz in all honesty they have a fantastic staff of writers also and could just as easily sit back relax and reap the benefits of others hard work… but instead they work harder because they actually care about their show, and dont want it to get old and repeatative….. and personally i think its gotten better every year… season 13 so far kicks ass.
I cant help but think that more thought is put into “South Park” than “Family Guy”. I like “Family Guy” but “South Park” seems to be a little more intelligent than “Family Guy”. However, I have tremendous respect for both parties.
“Real Punk Rockers”….there are none left you douche bags….Matt, Trey, get over yourselves. Both shows are great!!
Family guy is a piece of shit. It can be funny sometimes but it is not great. Mindless joke after another. South Park is great. You can tell these guys actually try a lot harder to make a story and to make it funny at the same time. I think thats hard to do and takes real talent to pull off. something family guy would never have to struggle with. Not with a table of brainless douche bags anyway.
Im not even gona b diplomatic about it, matt stone and trey parker are absolute douche bags, theyr so up themselves tht thy cnt evn see the geniosity cotaind in family. Ther isnt many shows 2day tht are designd solely to entertain n thts y family guy uses
So many cut-away pop-culture gags. Its funy because its an equal oppurtunity offender. To b honest i used to lyk south park, bt i gt bored…fast. I have a lot of respect fr al the team of family guy n i think thyr doin an amazin job. Jelusys a bad thng..
Mayb if tp n ms stoppd woryin about seths show n spent the time workin on theyr own thy mite begin to cum close! Thy shud gt ther facts straight 2 as seth is continusly writin episodes n gags. For those complainin, let me c u do betr.. Thn u cn bitch fs!