If Bravo's Inside the Actor's Studio wants to be taken seriously, then it needs to stop with some of the silliness (we are looking squarely at you, squirrely James Lipton) and, well, if you want to take a serious look at a comedy, or a comedian, then please do not ask them to reply to your nonsense as their characters, because it's cute for a nanosecond, but not going to add anything to our lives.
I knew that this week's episode, featuring the Family Guy cast and its creator, Seth MacFarlane, would only serve to disappoint — not because of the subject matter, but because Lipton had four people onstage and the show would not be longer than one hour. No time for any kind of meaningful discussion (not that Lipton was looking for one). In the first couple of minutes, we got to learn just how ambitious and passionate MacFarlane has been about animation since he was a very young child. Time for a follow-up? Nope. But plenty of time for sex jokes?! Yes, plenty of time for sex jokes, apparently. Although there is a Web-only clip in which MacFarlane talks about how he first came up with Family Guy and pitched it to FOX:
In part of the show that did air Monday night, MacFarlane also explained creating the Stewie character. He references The Simpsons, Rex Harrison, and linguistic erections. Note that Lipton also feels like he understands Stewie.
With regard to talent. I also have favorite actors, but, to judge the talent needed specifically for theatrical works, as the film footage – an indicator of talent, writers, directors, operators, and an actor, I’m sorry – a puppet pulled by the threads until your desired result. Let me repeat, I was delighted with the courage, and not from any other aspects.