On Friday, April 15th fans of Family Guy gathered to see the first live reading of an episode available to the public. It’s difficult to imagine anyone leaving the
Wiltern Theatre disappointed, because what happened inside was simply extraordinary. For this fan, it was a chance to see the faces behind the show that has appealed to, and perhaps dominated, his sense of humor more than any show in history.

After a meal comprised of steak and a few Heinekens, my two buddies and I left the pub we had found and headed for the theatre. It was just a little past 10 o’clock, and we found the line to the show was already the length of the entire block. While in line, I heard various imitations of the characters, songs from the show being whistled, and complimented the dude behind me on his shirt; an exact duplicate of the one our beloved Quagmire sports.

Once inside, we grabbed a beer and headed for our seats. The soothing sounds of Family Guy: Live in Vegas provided ample entertainment as we gazed at life-size cut-outs of the characters and the lay-out of the stage, equipped with studio chairs with a giant screen high in the background. At 11:15 I’m dying for the show to get started. And then it happens. The lights dim, a voice welcomes the 2,000+ seated fans, and the screen lights up with classic scenes from the first three seasons. At the end of the last scene, the “Eye of the Tiger” starts up, and with each blast from the guitar a different characters face would flash on the screen. The voice informs us that the creator, writer, and producer of the show is hitting the stage. And out walks Seth in a leather jacket holding a large cup of beer. After a long ovation, during which I stood, he spoke.

“Tonight, you all get the pleasure of seeing the cast of Family Guy… (he pauses)… Pretty much wasted.” The crowd cheered. He may have been kidding just a little, although his cup was pretty big and seemed awfully full. He continued to sip as he introduced the members of the show that would be accompanying him on the stage. One by one he introduced David Goodman (co-producer and narrator), Ricky Blitt (filling in for the original Jew, Peter Reigert), Danny Smith (salesman), Mike Henry (Cleveland) who by the way grabbed the mic from Seth and ran around the stage screaming “You’re never gonna catch me! You’re wasting your time!” to a sea of laughter, Seth Green, Mila Kunis (smoking’ hot in cut-up blue jeans), and Alex Borstein. Seth got seated, still sipping his beer, and the show started.
The episode they did was “When You Wish Upon a Weinstein.” Goodman would narrate and the cast would voice in the lines. It was simply brilliant.

Aside from showing the actual setting where the scenes takes place and a few animated minutes, the screen would show a close-up of who was speaking their lines at the time. When two cast members were talking, the screen would split to show both of them. The only reason I bring it up is because the first time you see Seth and Mike on it together, Mike would look up at the screen and start reaching to his right, as if to hug and caress Seth even though he was four seats away.

Seth looked up and upon realizing how it looked to us, he played along, seemingly making out and molesting Mike from afar. The crowd loved it. These guys were showing the chemistry that exists between the cast that just isn’t visible watching the show in its finished product. High points in the reading were classic interactions between Peter and the salesman, the ever-entertaining lines from Quagmire, Stewie losing to Sinbad on Star Search, and Alex and Mila doing the ridiculous chicks from Lifetime: Television for Idiots. Seth Green got fairly animated as well, particularly when Chris was fighting with the lamp. They also showed the 20 seconds that Quagmire supposedly searched for his keys, which for me will never lose its hilarity.

The highlight for this fan/reporter was seeing the screen when Seth sang “I Need a Jew.” It was one of the few times it was used for showing an actual animated scene, but what made it special was a small section in the lower corner showing Seth as he sang. Watching Seth and the character he created sing side by side will stick in my head as this new season approaches, which by the way is sure not to disappoint. The clip from the first episode had me literally crying I was laughing so hard. Remember this line… “You can’t eat all those cheeseburgers”… And try not to be drinking anything at the moment. Or it may end up seeping from your nostrils.