Sneak Listen: Controversial Family Guy Abortion Episode

The Family Guy cast gathered recently for a live table read of the upcoming abortion issue, which has already made headlines in the media. So, did FOX’s animated prime time comedy tread very carefully around this hot-button issue? If you’ve got to ask, you just aren’t familiar with the show.

The episode, “Partial Terms of Endearment,” features a plot in which Lois Griffin (wife to title character Peter) becomes a surrogate mother for two friends. The couple goes on to die in a car accident, leaving Lois to ponder of the mysteries of life and possible abortion for the fetus she’s carrying. This story installment wouldn’t be dubbed “the abortion episode” if it didn’t feature Lois at least considering all her options.

FOX already aborted - pun intended - the episode once, saying the subject matter would be highly unattractive to advertisers. And somewhat against FOX’s right-wing agenda, no doubt. As such, the episode did not air and probably will not air on the network.

It will be included on the newest Family Guy DVD, however. Not to fear, new and still deliciously liberal episodes of the series will air on the network, including one starring Rush Limbaugh and Karl Rove, both of whom lent their voices to the dialogue.

“Family Guy tends to be very liberal, because it’s written by liberals,” creator and main voice talent Seth MacFarlane explained. “Let’s give the other side some face time,” he said the Limbaugh/Rove episode.