Was It Family Guy Or Did The Simpsons Do It?
- by Lucas Wesley
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Rapidly approaching 20 years on the air as a top rated primetime cartoon, any talk about Family Guy being a mere clone of The Simpsons should have ceased a long time ago. Granted, from a superficial standpoint, the two programs do have a great deal in common—both center around middle aged alcoholics with strangely supportive wives, a dimwitted son, a neglected daughter, a precocious baby, and a charismatic dog. Add or remove a single character, though, and that basically describes every single sitcom on television, so if any rip off is going on, it happened a long time ago.
That said, being the two highest profile cartoons in recent history, people will forever compare The Simpsons and Family Guy against one another. The fact they’ve always aired back to back as part of Fox’s Sunday night lineup makes it that much easier for fans to say which one they prefer on a weekly basis. Of course, that audiences can enjoy one show and dislike the other is a sign of just how different they are.
Fans who have seen more than just a few episodes of either show surely know this, with one of them often being more grounded to reality, while the other barely even understands the concept. We won’t tell you which is which just yet, though, because that could make the following quiz too easy. Find out if you know the answer by telling us if these plotlines happen on The Simpsons or Family Guy.
Which show’s patriarch works at a Nuclear Power Plant?
Lazy, obnoxious, and perpetually tired, neither Homer Simpson nor Peter Griffin make for the model employee. Amazingly, they both nonetheless manage to get hired for literally dozens of jobs across their respective series. They also both kept full-time jobs throughout all their temporary work. The Pawtucket Brewery has primarily employed one of them, while the other keeps their town alight at the local Nuclear Power Plant. Despite the vast difference in skill level required for such professions, it goes without saying that Homer and Peter are both terrible at their jobs. Whose incompetence could cause nuclear disaster?
Which show featured Michael Jackson voicing a mental patient who thought he was Michael Jackson?
Like most comedy writers, the scribes of both Family Guy and The Simpsons have played considerable service to pop culture throughout their shows. Between the two of them, virtually every major celebrity of the 20th or 21st centuries has popped up either to offer a voice or simply get parodied. The highest profile guest star either show ever experienced may well have been Michael Jackson, who once played a man named Leon Kompowsky. The lead character meets Kompowsky in a mental institution, where he’s been committed because, well, he thinks he’s Michael Jackson. Was he Peter’s roommate or Homer?
Which show features a talking dog?
Forget about the may human characters populating Quahog and Springfield, the two towns have some of the most expressive and active animals in all of cartoon history. The Griffins have their sophisticated pet Brian, while the Simpsons have two pets in dog Santa’s Little Helper and cat Snowball II, both of whom match their family’s penchant for living life footloose and fancy free. As entertaining and creative as all of these pets are, though, only one of them can talk. Which family’s pooch regularly joins in on the conversations?
What show has a character with an evil monkey living in their closet?
Not all animals can be as cute and playful as the Simpson and Griffin’s pets. Turns out one of the family also harbors a certain creature that exists solely to give them nightmares. Known for years as the “Evil Monkey” who lives in one of the family member’s closet, eventually, this disenfranchised simian is given a backstory as a man lost without purpose after learning his wife cheated on him. This doesn’t excuse the mean grimaces and angry points, though, as they made nighttime torture for either Bart Simpson or Chris Griffin. Who was it?
Which show’s patriarch constantly gets into fights with a giant chicken?
Fueled largely by alcohol and with a major grudge against the entire world, neither Homer Simpson nor Peter Griffin need all that much of an excuse to start fighting. Both of them have even had their pugnacious natures provoked without the influence of a single drop of Duff Beer or Pawtucket Ale, and in fact, there has never been any booze involved in their most violent and explosive feud. All it took was a bad coupon, and suddenly the greatest feud in cartoon history began, pitting either Homer or Peter against Ernie the Giant Chicken. Which one was it?
What show’s town commissioned a massive monorail?
Compared to normal folks living in the real world, the Simpsons and the Griffins could both be accused of being particularly unaware, unintelligent people. However, when standing next to other residents of Springfield or Quahog, they seem completely normal if not outright smart. Showing just how quickly these towns can fall into an absurdist hive mind of irrationality, it only took a single song from fast talking outsider Lyle Lanley before one of them immediately commissioned a monorail. Pay no mind to the fact neither Quahog nor Springfield is big enough to need one—the tune was really catchy.
Which show’s lead character has a secret half-brother named Herb Powell?
The longer Family Guy and The Simpsons continue, the more likely it is for either show to continue introducing new relatives to the mix that the audience was previously unaware of. Both shows have been guilty of this in the past, revealing all sorts of secret brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and so forth when the plot deemed it relevant to finally do so. Beating the charge in these surprising forgotten relatives was a man named Herb Powell, half-brother to either Peter or Homer and kept secret by their father until the men reached their late 30’s.
Which show did three full length Star Wars parody episodes commonly referred to as Blue Harvest?
As one of the most popular and heavily referenced films in history, it should be no surprise that both Family Guy and The Simpsons have made countless jokes about Star Wars over the years. Only one of them dedicated a solid six hours to the subject, though, recreating each original films in their own image. The family members played the pertinent roles of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and all the other necessary parts to tell the story. Of course, whether the answer is to this one, it’s worth noting Robot Chicken beat them to it.
Which show’s family sued an “All You Can Eat” buffet for false advertising?
Based on their hefty guts, it should be obvious neither Peter Griffin nor Homer Simpson have ever missed a meal in their lives. It takes a full stomach to soak up all the alcohol they consume, and even when they aren’t drinking, it often looks like their appetites know no bounds. This is never more clear than when one of them sued The Frying Dutchman for failing to deliver all the seafood they could eat. Tearfully, either Lois or Marge later recounted they drove around all night looking for another restaurant, and when they couldn’t find one, they went fishing.
What series introduced the world to Mr. Plow?
“Mr. Plow, that’s his name, that name again is Mr. Plow.” Short, simple, and to the point, this jingle might be the most famous piece of music created by either The Simpsons or Family Guy. It also made the related snow plow business extremely successful in Quahog/Springfield, with every one of the Simpson’s/Griffin’s neighbors begging for their services. Until a close friend stepped in with his rival service The Plow King, that is, with the ensuing war nearly destroying their relationship. What show saw it all go down?
Which show created a religion based around the Fonz?
Despite Marge and Lois forcing Homer and Peter to spend virtually every Sunday of their lives together in church, neither of them seem all that in touch with their spirituality. Aside from the part where the priest gives them some wine, nothing about mass is all that entertaining to them, so they’re just as well to sleep through the service and hope their wife doesn’t notice. If, however, the concept of religion was more in tune with their interests, they may give it more attention. That’s why one of them creates their own church, based around Fonzie from Happy Days.
What show’s main character went back to school under the false name Lando?
Unless the writers feel like getting particularly emotional for an episode or two, neither Peter Griffin nor Homer Simpson are all that great at fathering their children. This is especially true for their daughters Meg and Lisa, who get openly insulted and neglected for having higher aspirations than the rest of the family. That doesn’t mean they don’t care at all, though, as when one father learns their daughter might be exposed to bad influences in school, he created a character named Lando and enrolled alongside her to check out the situation. Was it Homer or Peter?
Which show’s family has a running feud with James Woods?
Believe it or not, out of all the celebrity guests to appear on both The Simpsons and Family Guy, the most impactful of all may well have been James Woods. The former Academy Award nominated actor made quite the splash in both Springfield and Quahog, briefly taking over the Kwik-E-Mart and somehow getting a high school named after him. However, only one of these arrangements leaders to either the Simpson family or the Griffin’s to start a long running feud with the guy, typically ending when he gets trapped in a box while picking up candy.
What show saw the main characters campaign to bring Gumbel 2 Gumbel: Beach Justice back on the air?
For all the references the Simpsons and Griffins make to television shows and movies that exist in the real world, both families will always prefer the fictional shows that will forever remain exclusive to Quahog or Springfield. Though it didn’t seem to last long and quickly got canceled, one of the most memorable fake obsessions of Peter or Homer was Gumbel 2 Gumbel: Beach Justice. Peter/Homer even loved the show so much that when it got canceled, he forced Bart or Chris to fake a disease and use his Make A Wish to bring it back.
Which show’s father and son duo got involved in the Bigger Brother program out of spite?
Given the relationships Peter and Homer have with their children, it’s entirely believable that any one of their children would pretend they don’t have a father. Heck, they might even prefer such a thing to the unfortunate reality they’ve been saddled with. That said, only one of them was rebellious enough to take this feeling public by claiming to be an orphan and enrolling in the Bigger Brother program. When Peter/Homer finds out, they stage their revenge by signing up as well and getting a new Little Brother.
Which show’s residents celebrate Whacking Day?
Perhaps the most violent and barbaric fictional holiday in the history of fictional holidays, Whacking Day celebrates the tradition of driving snakes out of Quahog/Springfield by force. Unsurprisingly, when the local government outright condones it’s residents to beat the tar out of reptiles, the entire Griffin/Simpson family is enthralled at the idea, training for weeks to whack those snakes. With one exception, that is, who soon employs guest star Barry White to save the poor animals and get the town to realize how crazy their celebration has always been.
Which show has a character that falls in love with an elderly opera singer?
While the Simpson and Griffin families are both lead by couples in strong marriages, their children and close friends are often starved for love and attention on a romantic level. Outside of Homer, Marge, Lois, and Peter, just about every major character in Quahog and Springfield is single and ready to mingle, but they all have their limits when it comes to who they see as viable lovers. Only a select few could feel that way about an elderly opera singer named Pearl Bailey, who won a certain character’s heart when she performed “Habanera” from Carmen decades earlier.
Which show’s lead character becomes obsessed with the song Surfin’ Bird?
Don’t you know about the bird? Why, everybody’s heard that the bird is the word! As if that weren’t true back in the ‘60s when the Trash Men wrote the tune, it certainly became a fact after either Peter Griffin or Homer Simpson heard it playing at a throwback restaurant’s jukebox and couldn’t stop singing it for days. The obsession reached a point where it annoyed his entire family, as Homer/Peter could hardly go 10 minutes without randomly reminding everybody what the word was that day.
What show saw a family member get a job on The Itchy & Scratchy Show?
Fighting and biting sounds like a daily activity for both the Griffins and Simpsons, so it’s no wonder that the family children would fall in love with a TV show based entirely around cartoon violence. While their parents don’t exactly share this affection, it’s been well established that Peter and Homer will take any job possible, and if they can impress the kids and make a few bucks at the same time, they’ll never say no. That’s why they join dozens of local amateur actors looking to take the gig when Itchy and Scratchy introduce a new friend named Poochie.
Which show’s main character is forced to attend a women’s sensitivity camp?
Despite somehow winning the love of Lois and Marge, neither Peter nor Homer are exactly champions of women’s rights. In fact, both men share views that border on straight up misogyny at times, and are in the very least considered a little bit backwards in a more progressive era. However, only one of them has ever expressed their opinions in such an offensive way it actually effected their work day. After telling a shockingly crass joke to a female coworker, either Peter or Homer were sent to a women’s sensitivity camp that opened up their feminine side.
Which show’s parents run against each other in the race to join the School Board?
For the most part, it looks like the couples leading the Simpson and Griffin families both love one another very much. Peter loves Lois and Homer loves Marge, and vice versa, no matter how dumb the husbands in the equation can often act. However, this doesn’t mean they agree on everything, and when it comes to particularly important issues like their children’s education, they’ll both fight to the end to get their way. This includes campaigning against one another for a position on the School Board, all because of a certain teacher one wants fired and the other wants re-hired.
Which show’s main character runs afoul of the Black Knight at a Renaissance Fair?
If the situation calls for it, both Peter Griffin and Homer Simpson would be happy to take up just about any job they happen to come across. On the off chance the job happens to be kind of awesome, they’ll immediately quit their regular employment for the mere chance at glory. That was definitely the case when the Renaissance Fair came to town and was looking for rookie jousters to participate in displays against the Black Knight. Leave it to men like Peter or Homer to upset the fabled cavalier, leading to a tense battle.
Which show’s patriarch was tempted by a woman named Mindy Simmons?
No matter how in love the tandems of Homer and Marge and Peter and Lois seem, each one of them has been tempted to stray outside of their marriages at least once. In some cases, they almost seemed to encourage one another to see other people, leading to highly divisive responses from fans who didn’t want to see the lovebirds split up. That doesn’t change how hard it was for them to “think unsexy thoughts” when face to face with gorgeous coworkers like Mindy Simmons, who put a serious strain on either Homer or Peter’s marriage.
Which show’s family once won an elephant from a radio contest?
Pretty much anything can happen in Springfield and Quahog, but that doesn’t mean the results will always be entirely smooth. For example, it’s entirely possible that either the Griffins or Simpsons could one day find themselves in possession of a giant African elephant. That’s exactly what happens when either Bart or Chris happened to be listening to a radio station at just the right moment, calling in to win a contest that offered either a pachyderm or a massive cash prize. Naturally, the naïve young man choose the elephant, not realizing the havoc it would cause.
Which show’s main character is sent to space in an attempt to make NASA more relatable?
Looking at Peter Griffin and Homer Simpson’s resumes, it seems very unlikely either man could ever end up flying into space in one of NASA’s jets. Surprisingly, that’s exactly what happened when the space program was looking for an everyman who could make the organization more popular and relatable. In that sense, they seem like the perfect guys for the job, aside from the fact their nonstop alcoholism would get in the way. Somehow, it didn’t, and either a Griffin or a Simpson got shot into space. Granted, their efforts were ultimately overlooked due to an inanimate carbon rod.
Which show’s main character spends the holidays desperate to watch KISS Saves Santa?
Being traditional Americans who in the very least pretend their very religious during the holidays, both the Simpsons and Griffins have celebrated dozens of Christmases, Easters, and any other special calendar event one could think of. However, as far as either Peter or Homer is concerned, none of their own seasonal capers were nearly as entertaining as those of the rock band KISS when they had to save Santa. It’s hard to question their logic, considering the painted musicians rocked and rolled all night past the threat of pterodactyls to bring Jolly Old Saint Nick back to his wife.
Which show’s family sells their daughter to make up for a tab at the local pharmacy?
Are there any two characters on TV treated worse by their families than Meg Griffin and Lisa Simpson? Neither of these poor young girls ever get any support from those around them, despite the fact they’re often the nicest, most genuine characters on their shows. For as terrible as they both get it, one of them is clearly treated worse, as exhibited when their father goes so far as to sell her off as a servant to the local pharmacist’s son when he can’t pay his tab.
Which show has an episode about sibling rivalry inspired by hockey?
Given the way they were raised, both the Simpson and Griffin children were highly competitive with one another from a very young age. Uncaring fathers like Homer and Peter make it difficult to win affection, with a love of sports one of the few ways Bart, Lisa, Chris, and Meg have to connect with their dads. Every one of these characters has attempted to kick a ball around in at least a cutaway or two, but only one sibling rivalry developed over hockey. Were Bart and Lisa on opposite sides of the rink, or was it Chris and Meg?
Which show’s family gets fed up with censorship and creates their own TV network?
From the very beginning, both The Simpsons and Family Guy attracted great controversy for bringing new meaning to the phrase “adult cartoon.” Granted, neither of them come anywhere close to the profanity of South Park or Beavis & Butt-head, but the Griffins and the Simpsons are nonetheless prone to dysfunction on a level much greater than the Flintstones or Jetsons, just to name a couple older examples. Only one family seems to mind all that much, though, responding to an oppressive FCC regulation against televised profanity by creating their own station.
Which show features a foray into a secret society known as the Stonecutters?
On the surface, no one in Quahog or Springfield seems like the sort of person who would get wrapped up in an underground society that secretly controls the town. Surprisingly, however, it turns out on of these cities has exactly this sort of an organization brewing just under the surface of society making life easier for everyone in the group and harder for everyone outside of it. Once Peter or Homer learn about the Stonecutters, they understandably make it their mission to join. It turns out they’re also the organization’s predestined leader, but this merely causes the group to crumble.
Which show’s characters discover a potentially Earth threatening comet?
Between both the Simpson and Griffin families, the only character who seems to have any interest in science whatsoever is Lisa. For that reason, we’ll give the hint that she was NOT the person who unexpectedly discovered a comet rapidly headed towards either Quahog or Springfield. The character who did discover the potentially destructive asteroid found it entirely by accident, only participating in any sort of stargazing as punishment. Of course, the person who first witnessed the thing doesn’t really matter, as the whole town would have been terrified no matter what.
Which show featured an episode about a serial killer called “The Fat Guy Strangler?”
With all due respect to the men behind the Simpson and Griffin families, both Homer and Peter have reason for alarm when a vicious murderer named “the Fat Guy Strangler” starts wrecking havoc in their town. As the killer’s name would imply, his modus operandi is tracking down heavy set men and choking the life out of them. It’s later revealed this uniquely violent proclivity was inspired by a shocking childhood incident with comedian Jackie Gleason. Regardless of how it began, did it end with the killer’s failed attempt to strangle Peter or Homer?
Which show has a character who owns a time machine?
As cartoons with floating timelines and infinite capacity for retconning, The Simpsons and Family Guy are basically allowed to do whatever they want with their characters and have none of it matter the next week. For this reason, when a person hears one of the shows has a character with a time machine, they may assume this scenario lasted for only an episode or two. That isn’t the case, though, as a certain member of either the Griffin or Simpson family is well known to have an actual time travelling device in their bedroom for the entire series.
What series sees the family get literally booted out of Australia?
Despite being single income families with several children to feed, both the Simpson and Griffin families are capable of going on countless extravagant vacations throughout the course of their series. Collectively, the two groups have been just about everywhere, from Russia to Mexico. This even includes at least one foray Down Under, filled with a number of strange Australian stereotypes that have since entered pop culture history. After a rousing game of knifey spoony and a serious offense to the government, which family gets sentenced to a literal booting out of the country with a kick to the behind?
Which show’s characters form a vigilante group to stop a cat burglar named Molloy?
No matter how lazy Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin may seem 90% of the time, light a fire underneath them, and there are few limits to what they can do. Well, until alcohol gets involved, at which point they’ll both just drink until they pass out and let someone else deal with the problem. That’s pretty much exactly what happens when a cat burglar named Molloy wrecks havoc over either Springfield or Quahog. Almost immediately, Homer or Peter round up the troops to seek revenge, only to drunkenly allow the crook to get away with the town’s prized cubic zirconia.
Which series saw the Mayor send the entire town’s police force to Columbia after watching Romancing the Stone?
It’s hard to understand how towns like Springfield and Quahog could become so universally crazy, until one looks to the local government and sees the kind of people they put in charge. Mayors Joe Quimby and Adam West are two of the most incompetent politicians on television, with a level of corruption and mismanagement that almost makes their real life counterparts look respectable. They also tend to make terrible decisions on complete whims, like deploying the entire police force to a foreign country after watching a movie from the ‘80s.
Which show’s baby is perpetually trying to kill their mother?
For all the animosity between the Simpson and Griffin families, deep down inside, there’s a large amount of love keeping them together. Well, for the most part, anyway. At least one family member has spent their entire existence desperately attempting to kill either Marge or Lois, at one point even technically succeeding before the traditional cartoon shenanigans brought things back to the status quo. Of course, part of said regular operating procedure included further attempts at matricide, with the caveat they were never successful again.
What show featured a bowling team called the Pin Pals?
For the most part, it feels unlikely that Peter Griffin or Homer Simpson could ever become huge stars in the sporting world. In fact, the mere idea of them winning a single game or match that requires athletic talent seems rather unlikely…unless said endeavor happens to be bowling, where a competitor’s physique doesn’t really seem to matter. If anything, bigger guys like Homer and Peter seem to excel at knocking down the pins, so it’s possible either one of them could form a successful team. Who actually did?
Which series saw Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush move next door to the main characters?
No matter how popular The Simpsons or Family Guy becomes, one audience they’ve yet to conquer is former Presidents of the United States. For whatever reason, people who attained the highest office in America haven’t been entirely fond of the Griffins or Simpsons, and while the real deals have wanted nothing to do with the show, that didn’t stop producers from using the power of parody to have them show up anyway. In fact, at one point, both former President Bush and Ford lived across the street from either the Griffins or Simpsons in a manner of weeks.
Which show’s daughter is inspired to become a born-again Christian by Kirk Cameron?
No matter how mischievous and rebellious the families seem, both the Griffins and Simpsons pay service to their god by attending church on a regular basis. That doesn’t mean they’re all that into it, as an earlier question on this quiz already alluded to. However, this suddenly changes in one episode after either Meg or Lisa catches the mumps and watches a long, drawn-out Kirk Cameron special on the power of Christ. Overnight, she suddenly sheds her family’s protestant history and dives headfirst into born-again Christianity, burning books and spreading the gospel until a relative talks her out of it.