Palin Family Responds to 'Pathetic, Hurtful' Family Guy Episode
Forget boxes of chocolate and novelty handcuffs. On Valentine's Day, Family Guy sent fellow Fox employee Sarah Palin a heart-shaped episode entitled "Extra Large Medium." Only instead of a complimentary or sweet shout-out to the governor, the episode included a storyline in which Chris dates a girl with Down syndrome. And not just any girl with Down syndrome -- a girl who admits that "my mom's the former governor of Alaska." That particular line as well as Stewie's song "Down Syndrome Girl" ("And though her pretty face may seem a special person's wettest dream") stung Alaska's former first family enough to warrant two nasty Facebook tongue lashings at Seth MacFarlane & Co.
The episode, which was written by series showrunner Steve Callaghan, made a pointed reference to Palin's son Trig, who was born with the chromosomal disorder in 2008. Palin had been in the news lately for slamming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel for his use of the word "retard."
Early this morning, in a post titled "Fox Hollywood - What a Disappointment," Palin responded to the episode:
"People are asking me to comment on yesterday's Fox show that felt like another kick in the gut. Bristol was one who asked what I thought of the show that mocked her baby brother, Trig (and/or others with special needs), in an episode yesterday. Instead of answering, I asked her what she thought. Here is her conscientious reply, which is a much more restrained and gracious statement than I want to make about an issue that begs the question, "when is enough, enough?":
"When you're the son or daughter of a public figure, you have to develop thick skin. My siblings and I all have that, but insults directed at our youngest brother hurt too much for us to remain silent. People with special needs face challenges that many of us will never confront, and yet they are some of the kindest and most loving people you'll ever meet. Their lives are difficult enough as it is, so why would anyone want to make their lives more difficult by mocking them? As a culture, shouldn't we be more compassionate to innocent people - especially those who are less fortunate? Shouldn't we be willing to say that some things just are not funny? Are there any limits to what some people will do or say in regards to my little brother or others in the special needs community? If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed. All they proved is that they're heartless jerks. - Bristol Palin"
This morning, 8,175 liked the post on Facebook while over 3,000 Facebook users commented.
· Fox Hollywood - What a Disappointment[Facebook]
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Comments
The Palins are the biggest crybabies in America. She can lie to a room full of people about "death squads" and who caused the financial meltdown -- things that really make a difference in the day-to-day lives of real people, but when her high profile personna gets a bump she whines and moans like the unremarkable, spoiled brat she is. Please, America, deliver us from Palin.
I don't like Family Guy or South Park. The first time I saw both shows it made me sick to my stomach. The saddest part is that some people aren't smart enough to know that these things are wrong and think they are cool. It seems that people are so worried about Freedom of Speech that they don't care how many people are affected by this junk.
I have recently moved to a very impoverished rural community and see how this mess on TV is affecting them.
Yes, you and I may be smart enough to know better, but not everybody is that bright. Kids ARE learning their behavior from bad TV. People say, "Their parents are responsible . . . " But the parents are not around as much as they used to be. They have jobs. They are single parents. They have separate TV's. I could go on. People, please wake up to the reality of what this crap is doing to our country and our children.
Palin is a known opportunist and media junkie, not unlike the Octomom and Jon and Kate. If you seek fame and notoriety, and in her case, power, be careful what you wish for and for the family members who you bring along for the ride.
“when is enough, enough?” is exactly how I feel any time I see or hear anything about the Palin family. If not for public ridicule, then what is she here for?
Did she need to write “when is enough, enough?” on her hand to remember it?
The best thing Palin could do for her family and America is go back to Alaska and go salmon fishing or whatever she did before she thought she was a politician. It would greatly benefit her family and the whole country!
It would be a lot easier to agree with her opinion about the word "retard" if she'd just stop acting like one.
I don't care what Palin wants or likes, Palin and her ilk are what's wrong with this nation and the GOP is the reason the economy is in the crapper (all my money went to Iraq LOL)Palin deserves every bad thing coming to her. She is high on the fumes of her own BS, and her ego outweighs her brain.
I wonder how you people would feel if it was Obamas kids being made fun of. I bet you would be screaming in outrage. It's NEVER ok to make fun of a child with downs...NEVER, NEVER, NEVER. I'll say it over and over, there is no group of people more hypocritical then the left.
Gary, why do you wonder how people would feel if you already know the answer? Here's a question I can't answer, unfortunately: why don't you and yours fuck off?
Its freaking Family Guy, if some group is not offended every week they are not doing their job. If the Obama kids make idiots of themselves I am sure they would somehow make fun of them.. Yes its called Free Speech, ALL speech must remain free, the good, the bad ALL OF IT FOR EVERYONE. The PC police are ruining this country..
South Park is one of the smartest shows on television. The writers use something that PALIN was really talking up last week...called SATIRE. She used this for her defense of that retard Limbaugh calling democrats retards.
Anyone know how to email Seth MacFarlane & Co and/or Steve Callaghan? The "pointed reference to Palin’s son Trig" was way over the line and into the "shame on them" field. Maybe we should begin bombarding MacFarland and Callaghan with emails telling them how shameful and unacceptable it is to mock, make fun of, or hurt such innocent people as those with Downs Syndrome. No true American "Family Guy" could do that with any pride or sense of believing it is okay to do so!! Shame, shame, shame!
First off I love Family Guy and Palin annoys me. However I am also a father of a son with Down syndrome. Last night was the first time I have ever felt that Family Guy went a little too far. I know the shows make fun of every one and every thing but it usually does so in a crazy but logical and fairly truthful way. It was not the case last night when portraying Down syndrome people as rude, selfish and mean people. My little guy is by far the sweetest little man you will ever meet and he is like every one with down syndrome. They are generally all very loving and caring. Maybe I am a little biased but there does have to be some line where a person or show should not pass and I thought it was passed last night.
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Sarah know the child had Down's Syndrome prior t having it? If so, then shut up and deal with whatever comes your way... Choosing to have a "special needs" child is a privilege of the wealthy, so too bad if your feelings get hurt when someone says the word "retard". Is there any other politician in the history of the USA so completely out of touch with the rest of us. Go shoot a moose and shut up, you useless twat....
Sarah Palin is a red neck bimbo who actually accepted the veep candidacy in 2008... why?? ... I don't know. In the back of her head does she not realize that she is grossly under qualified for any government job other than dog catcher?
I believe she is doing this for attention and money, as a previous poster mentioned. She is no different that Jon and Kate, Octomom, and Ballon Boy.
She is the beauty queen of Alaska who is used to getting her way because she is cute..... fuck that...and we as a nation are so involved in entertainment and keeping up with beautiful people, we let her get away with it. Shame.
President Obama may go down in history as the worst president ever.. god knows that is what the gop wants...
But if Palin manages to make it to the highest office in the land....
He will have to hand his crown to her.
I'm personally surprised Palin even understood the message. She can't answer simple questions in the election, but she can understand a retard joke. She complains too much about herself. If she wanted less attention she should have hit the books and learned some literature instead of being a sports mom.
Regardless of whether you like Sarah Palin or not, derogatory/sarcastic remarks about people with disabilities are offensive, asinine, childish, cruel and totally unacceptable.
When Don Imus made an offensive reference to the Rutger's women's basketball team there was a huge outcry and he was fired. What's the difference between what he did and what the insensitive fools at the Family Guy did? The line was crossed and the pea-wit writers should be fired. They didn't just poke fun at the Palins, they poked fun at everyone with disabilities.
I'm for free speech too, but there are limits. The Constitution doesn't give everyone the right to publicly offend people left and right. A little conscience and sensitivity go a long way!
I CANNOT BELEIVE PEOPLE WONT LEAVE THE PALINS ALONE .I HAVE A RETARTED SISTER, ALSO AM OFFENED ABOUT THERE COMMENT.I SHOULD SAY MY SISTER IS METALLY CHALLAGED,AND I THINK MC FARLAND IS RETARDED.
Nice all caps Sandi..... you sure you aren't the retard? So FYI folks it's called comedy.... either everything is potential material and funny, or nothing is.
So which one of you jesus freaks are gonna start censoring what is considered funny now?
F Palin that stupid douche, her retard kid, and here whole capital "D"ysfunctional family. F you to all you idiots who are even taking this seriously.
Perfect example why the human race will always have war..... 'cause idiots won't go away by themselves.
Well said.
If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen or don't race with the big boys if you don't want to get hurt anyway that you put Sarah can dish it out but certainly can not take it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You felt it went a little too far? I'm amazed at how depraved and decayed our society has become. Go find some guts, and get a spine and stand up to these shallow, twisted morons.
I understand that this particular joke,to you, went a little too far. but what about all the jokes that you laughed at at others expense? Why is something "too far" when you are offended? The truth is , we are all going to be offended at sometime or another but censoring is not the answer. stop taking yourself so seriously and the world will become a much better place for all of us. Take your lumps like everyone else and understand the world wont blow up just because something tasteless was said.the idea that most people get their perspective from cartoons is foolish. it it were at all true ,there would be more instances of people getting anvils dropped on their heads......
Personally I just about despise Sarah Palin. But in this case, it is Family Guy that acted despicably. At some point the line is crossed but edhy humor and human decency. Drawn Together, an otherwise hilarious satire, made the same mistake with the "Other Cousin" (Bleh) Episode. Making fun of the mentally handicapped is never cool, and never funny under any circunstances. Gov. Palin might be worse than useless herlsef, but the isn't about Palin. It's about treating people with the dignity hey deserve. This is disgusting.
http://eddiecabot.blogspot.com
I have to say that I agree that there are limits and our Constitution also allows us the God given rights to Life, Liberty and Property. I'm astounded at the hate and venom portrayed in the majority of these posts. The power brokers are tearing this country's fabric apart and we should be respecting one another to a higher degree than what I see here. Lets be funny sure,,,but lets also follow the spirit of our Constitution and have some consideration and respect for one another. Choose Life!
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