The following was a special request made by the staff of Family Guy that nearly all the major Family Guy websites put in their news columns. It was meant as a sort of pre-emptive protest to make sure the return of Family Guy would not be censored.

Special Request From Family Guy Staff
Thursday, November 18, 2004

The staff behind our favorite television show has made a request to its fans. "Family Guy" has consistently had to contend with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when trying to air content deemed controversial by the agency that dictates what can and can’t be aired on public television. In a recent broadcast of Monday Night Football, a pre-game skit containing the back a partially nude woman stirred up a supposed controversy that made headlines. The "Family Guy" staff has this to say to its loyal fans:

To Everyone:

The FCC has called an emergency session to discuss the recent ‘Desperate Housewives’ promo on Monday Night Football and decide if fines should be levied. They have received 500 complaints and feel this is enough to warrant this meeting. So, if you had no problem with the promo, please call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 and let them know just that.

There is no menu option to leave a message supporting something that aired, so you’ll have to dial “0” for an operator. The wait isn’t long. Just tell the operator you had no problem with the promo and he or she will personally type up your comment. The operator will most likely be confused that you want to leave a positive comment, so be prepared for that.

Most importantly, be polite to the operators. They are not the ones making these decisions and you want them to take your comments seriously and report them.

Some people here have come upon resistance from the operators, being told they can’t file a comment unless an FCC meeting is in progress. If an operator says this, call back and try to get another operator. If you encounter the same problem, send an e-mail to:

Chairman Michael K. Powell: Michael.Powell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy: Kathleen.Abernathy@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov

Again, we want our thoughts taken seriously, so don’t send a thousand e-mails.

Unfortunately, we’ve come upon a time where we have to actively protect the programming we love. People who have a problem always complain and those of us who don’t never say a word. With the FCC’s recent actions and attitudes, it’s vital to let the FCC know that not all of us are so easily offended. We need to maintain balance in broadcast television and this country.

Thank you,

The ‘Family Guy’ Staff