Family Guy is known for its irreverent humor and its willingness to poke fun at celebrities, politicians, and pop culture. But in season 21, episode 12, titled “Old West”, the show did something unexpected: it made a joke about David Geffen, the entertainment mogul and billionaire, and implied that he paid the showrunners $10 million to avoid being mocked.
Who is David Geffen?
David Geffen is one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry. He started his career as a music agent and manager, working with artists like Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jackson Browne. He later founded Asylum Records, which signed The Eagles and Bob Dylan, and Geffen Records, which launched the careers of Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, and Aerosmith. He also co-founded DreamWorks, the film studio behind hits like Shrek, Saving Private Ryan, and Gladiator. He has a reported net worth of $10 billion, according to Forbes.
What was the joke on Family Guy?
In the episode “Old West”, Peter, Quagmire, and Cleveland help Wild West, a cowboy version of Mayor West, escape from jail by using a Trojan horse on Joe. During their escape, Peter says, “We messed up worse than David Geffen.” The scene then cuts to a normal-looking picture of Geffen, with Joe wondering what that was about. Peter then says, “He paid us $10 million not to make fun of him.” The joke returns at the end of the episode, where Peter encourages viewers to tune in next week to “David Geffen’s Family Guy.”
The joke is essentially a meta-commentary on how wealthy and powerful Geffen is, and how he could buy his way out of any criticism or ridicule. It also implies that the showrunners of Family Guy are willing to sell out their creative integrity for money.
Why was it so funny?
The joke was funny for several reasons. First, it was unexpected and random, as Geffen is not a typical target for Family Guy’s satire. Second, it was clever and self-referential, as it broke the fourth wall and acknowledged the show’s own nature. Third, it was ironic and sarcastic, as it suggested that Geffen was so insecure and thin-skinned that he would pay a huge amount of money to avoid being made fun of by a cartoon show. Fourth, it was exaggerated and absurd, as it portrayed Geffen as having such a huge influence and control over the show that he could even change its name and logo.
The joke was also funny because it was based on some truth. Geffen is known for being very private and secretive about his personal life and business dealings. He rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances, and he has been involved in several lawsuits and controversies over the years. He has also been accused of being manipulative and ruthless in his pursuit of success and wealth. According to Looper, some of his critics include Cher, who called him a “tyrant”, and Courtney Love, who sued him for fraud and breach of contract.
How did fans react?
The joke received mixed reactions from fans of Family Guy. Some fans appreciated the joke and thought it was hilarious and brilliant. They praised the show for being bold and original, and for making fun of someone who is usually untouchable. They also enjoyed the meta-humor and the self-awareness of the show. For example, one Twitter user wrote, “David Geffen burn was TOO SAVAGE. Dude is rich and powerful enough to buy his way out of a lot of things, including an FG roasting apparently.”
Other fans were confused and annoyed by the joke. They did not know who Geffen was, or why he was relevant to the show. They also felt that the joke was lazy and unfunny, and that it wasted time and screen space. They also criticized the show for being hypocritical and sell-out, and for losing its edge and quality. For example, one Twitter user wrote, “Who the hell is David Geffen and why should I care? Family Guy is so lame and boring now. They should just end it already.”
Conclusion
The David Geffen Family Guy episode was a surprising and controversial joke that made fun of the entertainment mogul and billionaire. It was a meta-joke that implied that Geffen paid the showrunners $10 million to avoid being mocked, and that he owned part of the show. The joke was funny for some fans, who found it clever and hilarious, but it was annoying for others, who found it confusing and unfunny. The joke was a risky and daring move by Family Guy, and it showed that the show is still capable of making jokes that no one else would dare to make.