"The Simpsons Guy" seems like something that, quite honestly, should have happened already. Family Guy meets The Simpsons; it's pure marketing gold, and considering both series are owned by Fox, it's surprising that it took over a decade's worth of Family Guy before the shows would meet.
Unfortunately, not everything about the episode is sitting well with viewers. One joke in particular has caused quite a bit of controversy, and while Family Guy is prone to such humor, the joke in question is extremely dark for the relatively family-friendly Simpsons.
Back in July, footage was revealed of Stewie Griffin and Bart Simpson making a prank call to Moe's Tavern. The joke seemed innocent enough until Stewie took over and said, "Moe? Your sister's being raped." Many called for the joke to be pulled from the episode altogether, but with the episode set to debut this Sunday, it seems that won't happen.
The line can be seen at the 1:15 mark:
Tim Winters, president of the Parents Television Council, has been a major advocate for the line's removal, stating that when the subject material is used for a punchline, "it becomes less outrageous in real life." Winters wrote Matt Groening in August, hoping the line could be removed from the episode, but has not yet heard a response. Winters cited recent current events, such as the Ray Rice controversy and widely-publicized sexual assaults on college campuses, as reasons for the line's removal.
Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, has defended the line, saying that "In context, it's pretty funny." Katherine Hull Fliflet, who acts as the spokeswoman for the Rape, Abubse and Incest National Network, also found the joke to be acceptable: "I think the show is making it clear that rape is not funny by how they are positioning the joke."
Family Guy is no stranger to controversy; in the years since the show debuted, jokes about Canada, legalization of marijuana, gay rights, Sarah Palin's special-needs child, the FFC and sexual misconduct have all earned the ire of advocacy groups on numerous occasions.
"The Simpsons Guy" was first announced by Fox in July 2013. During the initial brainstorming for the thirteenth season of Family Guy, the crossover was suggested, and Fox immediately greenlit the crossover. In July 2014, preview footage for the episode was first shown (including the rape joke) with a debut set for late September.
"I was blown out of my shoes when I saw the scene with the rape joke in it. It really troubled me," said Winters told the Associated Press.
There is still a chance that the line was, in fact, pulled from the episode, but given Family Guy's penchant for controversial humor, the joke will more than likely make its way on-air.
"The Simpsons Guy" will serve as the hour-long season 13 premiere of Family Guy, and airs Sep. 28 on Fox.
