Peterotica
| "Peterotica" |
|---|
"Peterotica" is the twenty-fourth episode from season four of Family Guy. The episode originally broadcast on April 23, 2006, and was written by Patrick Meighan and directed by Kurt Dumas.[1] The plot follows Peter starting to write erotic novels. After asking Carter Pewterschmidt for publishing money, Carter is sued after a man has a car accident whilst listening to an audio book of one of Peter's novels. Bankrupt, Peter attempts to help Carter realize that life as a middle-class citizen is enjoyable, but Carter soon gets his fortune back, and returns to hating Peter. Meanwhile, Stewie attempts to train for the Olympics, despite discouraging comments from Brian.[2]
Plot
Peter, Joe, and Cleveland accompany Quagmire to a sex shop. While there, Peter buys an erotic book entitled Much Ado About Humping, although finds it disappointing. After encouragement from his friends, Peter decides to write his own erotic novel, which is received well by all who read it. The novels he authors are converted into audio-books, as read by Betty White and published by Peter's father-in-law, Carter Pewterschmidt. While listening to one of Peter's new books, an aroused driver crashes his car while trying to take his shirt off, and sues Carter, as he is liable as publisher, and his assets are immediately seized. Angry at Peter for making him lose his fortune, Carter comes to the Griffin house intent on shooting Peter, but is persuaded otherwise by Lois, and Peter agrees to let him live with them until he has income.
Barbara, Carter's wife soon divorces him and marries Ted Turner. Peter attempts to teach Carter how to live as a regular person, but Carter doesn't take well to this, so Peter and Carter attempt to make some money, robbing a train as a last resort after several other failed attempts, but the train robbery is unsuccessful. Barbara returns to Quahog as Peter and Carter realise they will not be rich, and Barbara informs Carter he is rich again due to her divorcing Ted Turner and taking half his assets. Despite Peter helping him, Carter abandons him again, leaving him with no money. Lois informs Peter she refused 10 million dollars ten years ago, as money would just complicate things, which leads to Peter fantasising about killing her because of this. Meanwhile, Stewie trains to participate in the Olympic Games, although ends up with a shard of glass in his head during training.
Production
The "naughty flapper girl" gag was included in the original draft of the episode.[3] The original title of the episode was intended to be "A Connecticut Yankee and King Arthur's Butt", but broadcasting standards objected.[4][5] The scene of Peter reading his new erotic novel to Lois was never cut from airing, although the producers of Family Guy had some trouble originally with it, as it is the second semen joke of the episode.[3][5] The gag of Peter being a landlord over a rat was removed from television broadcasting for timing purposes.[6] Stewie is seen practicing for the Olympics and is disturbed by Chris; this scene was originally meant to be the start of a sub-plot which would see Stewie building a machine to make Chris intelligent, although it would be successful, Chris would become cleverer than Stewie, but it was scrapped due to it being deemed not funny enough.[4] A sequence showing all of the different erotic novels written by Peter was edited for the television version; one entitled "Catcher in the Eye" was removed from the television version, as broadcasting standards disliked the cover which implied her eye was a target for semen during ejaculation.[4][6][7]
When Lois' father, Carter sits down at the breakfast table, Lois states: "Daddy, did you remember to clean-up"; originally, she was meant to say "Daddy, did you remember to wipe yourself", but broadcasting standards objected, so it was modified to "Daddy, did you remember to clean yourself", but standards still objected, so it was changed to its current version, as that was the only version they would permit.[4] The "thinking grenade" sketch when Peter uses grenades to help him think was originally intended to be used in "PTV" in a scene in The Drunken Clam, but there were no windows in the Clam nearby for Peter to throw the grenade through, so, instead of adding windows directly for that episode, it was moved to this episode.[4]
Cultural references
The song Quagmire sings in the sex shop is a part of "Make 'Em Laugh" from 1952 musical film Singin' in the Rain.[4] The lawyer attempting to sue Carter is forced into a battle with a rancor, a character from Star Wars.[6] Peter is shown watching Blind Justice in his house, a reference to the show.[3] A reference to The Simpsons' appearance in The Tracey Ullman Show is made when the Griffins are shown as characters in the show. Show producer David A. Goodman comments that, contrary to what some think, the show were not trying to get at The Simpsons, rather trying to show the differences in voices and character appearance.[3][4]
Reception
In a review of Family Guy, Volume Four, Mike Drucker of IGN regards "Peterotica" and "PTV" as "new classics."[8] In a review of the episode, Bob Sassone of TV Squad commented on the scene where Peter acts as a landlord over a rat, writing "to be honest, I'm not even sure what the hell was going on there, it was so disturbing."[9] The episode sparked controversy over a depiction of the Charwoman cleaning character, a character used by Carol Burnett in The Carol Burnett Show was used in the episode without her consent,[10][11] although the case was later dismissed.[12]
References
- ^ "Episode Cast and Crew". Yahoo! TV. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ "Peterotica". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
- ^ a b c d Goodman, David (2006). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Peterotica" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g MacFarlane, Seth (2006). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Peterotica" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b Meighan, Patrick (2006). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Peterotica" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b c Elias, Mike (2006). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Peterotica" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Fertman, Kim (2006). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Peterotica" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Drucker, Mike. "Family Guy - Volume Four". IGN. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ Sassone, Bob (April 23, 2006). "Family Guy: Peterotica". TV Squad. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Comedian Burnett sues Family Guy". British Broadcasting Corporation. March 17, 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (March 17, 2007). "Burnett sues over 'Family Guy' spoof". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Nathan, Deborah (June 15, 2007). "Carol Burnett Loses Infringement Fight With 'Family Guy' Show". News.lp.findlaw.com. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
