Controversial and Unforgettable! The Most Outrageous Family Guy Episodes You Won't Believe Exist

Family Guy is renowned for its dark humor, often drawing from current events, but there are instances where the show pushes the boundaries too far. Since its inception in 1999, the animated series has captured audiences with its unique style of comedy. Through rapid and satirical cutaway gags, Family Guy humorously comments on real-life events, often involving the dysfunctional Griffin family. While the series has faced controversy for its depictions of traumatic events, its main goal is to provide a critical perspective on politics, religion, and celebrity culture using dark humor.

The distinctive and edgy comedy of Family Guy sets it apart from other adult animated shows. However, due to the show's deliberate attempts to offend viewers and its controversial humor, sometimes the humor gets lost in mean-spirited jokes. While Family Guy thrives on pushing boundaries and challenging norms, it occasionally oversteps, leading to episodes that have stirred controversy. In these instances, the show fails to consider how themes of domestic violence and racism may be sensitive to certain viewers. There are moments when shock value in Family Guy becomes excessive, and these episodes serve as prime examples.

10 Seahorse Seashell Party (Season 10, Episode 2)

9 Boys & Squirrels (Season 19, Episode 3)

Season 10, episode 2, called "Seahorse Seashell Party," showcases Meg from Family Guy bravely confronting her family after enduring countless instances of mistreatment. However, this pivotal moment only occurs after enduring even more relentless berating and abuse from her family throughout the episode. While sitcoms like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia thrive on characters who never learn from their mistakes, the conclusion of "Seahorse Seashell Party" allows for the continuation of Meg's mistreatment, which dampens the comedic value of her expression of hurt.

In "Boys & Squirrels," the third episode of season 19 of Family Guy, Chris Griffin demonstrates his relatability as he and Stewie discover a wounded squirrel while felling a tree. The two brothers extend their care to the creature, nursing it back to health and raising it as their own. Excitement fills the air as the squirrel takes its initial steps, only for the tranquility to be shattered by Brian's shocking act. This canine character, known for his grounded nature and usually reasonable actions, reaches a new low when he needlessly subjects the animal to a prolonged, torturous demise. Brian's instance of senseless animal cruelty remains the most egregious misstep in his journey throughout the series.

8 Road To Germany (Season 7, Episode 3)

7 Brian The Closer (Season 13, Episode 4)

"Road to Germany," the third episode of Season 7, is a part of the "Road To" collection, which focuses on the Family's adventures. In this particular episode, Brian and Stewie travel back in time to Poland in 1939, during World War II. The humor in this episode revolves around the historical context, often poking fun at fascist dictators. However, it is important to note that some jokes may be seen as highly insensitive. While "Road to Germany" stays true to the usual style of Family Guy, the abundance of Nazi-related humor in this episode surpasses previous instances. This is not entirely new, as MacFarlane's 2013 Academy Awards opening already featured a joke involving a Nazi.

The storylines in most episodes of Family Guy feature every member of the Griffin family. However, in season 13, episode 4, "Brian the Closer," these story arcs took things too far. And even when they didn't go overboard, they were extremely negative, even by Family Guy's standards. In this episode, Bonnie considers buying a house on a dangerous cliff to kill her husband, friends deceive one another, and there is even more animal abuse, even though Brian deserved it and possesses human qualities. "Brian the Closer" exemplifies the moral bankruptcy of all these characters, except for Quagmire, who is known for his deviant sexual behavior.

6 Fresh Heir (Season 12, Episode 14)

5 Con Heiress (Season 17, Episode 8)

Throughout its run, Family Guy has always had a penchant for racy jokes, particularly those of an incestuous nature. Surprisingly, even these risqué punchlines often managed to succeed in eliciting laughter, despite their inherent crudeness. Nevertheless, it is in season 12, episode 14, titled "Fresh Heir," where the show takes its preoccupation with familial intimacy to an entirely new and excessive level. In this installment, Peter, the main character, endeavors to marry his very own son, Chris, following the latter's sudden acquisition of the vast Pewterschmidt fortune. While the initial concept may have seemed comical, it is Peter's reprehensible actions that ultimately render the episode profoundly unsettling. Not only does Peter pilfer his wife's wedding ring to serve as a symbol of his affection towards Chris, but he stoops even lower by committing the abhorrent act of taking the life of an innocent child.

Pedophilia is another recurring theme in Family Guy, often embodied by the Griffin family's unsettling neighbor, Herbert. In season 17, episode 8, titled "Con Heiress," the show pushed boundaries that even dedicated Family Guy fans found uncomfortable. In this episode, Chris becomes envious when Herbert loses interest in him and instead develops a sexual attraction towards Peter, mistaking him for a teenager. What transpires is a disturbing storyline where both Chris and Peter vie for Herbert the Pervert's affection, leaving the viewer with a sense of unease rarely experienced in the show.

4 Partial Terms Of Endearment (Season 8, Episode 21)

3 Life Of Brian (Season 12, Episode 6)

Despite Family Guy episodes often crossing boundaries with their controversial and distasteful content, season 8, episode 21, "Partial Terms of Endearment" approaches the sensitive topic of abortion in a deeply unsettling manner. This specific episode stands out as one of the most contentious moments in Family Guy, to the extent that it was even banned. In this episode, Lois becomes a surrogate mother, but when the biological parents tragically pass away, she finds herself faced with the challenging dilemma of whether to carry the baby to term or opt for an abortion. The premise does not align with the typical lightheartedness associated with animated comedy shows, resulting in minimal comedic relief regardless of the audience's opinions on abortion.

In Season 12, episode 6 titled "Life of Brian," there is a lack of sensitivity regarding religion and abusive relationships, but the major point of controversy arises from the unexpected death of a beloved character. This particular episode of the renowned animated series Family Guy has gained notoriety for eliminating Brian, shocking fans worldwide. Making matters worse was the temporary replacement of Brian by the widely despised character, Vinny. While showrunners often make significant changes to invigorate a TV series, Brian's demise was unnecessary, considering the continued popularity of the show and its absence of signs indicating a decline.

2 Screams Of Silence: The Story Of Brenda Q (Season 10, Episode 3)

1 Turban Cowboy (Season 11, Episode 15)

In "Screams of Silence: The Story of Brenda Q," Season 10, Episode 3, the sensitive and distressing issue of physical and psychological domestic abuse is tackled. The storyline revolves around Quagmire's sister, who finds herself trapped in a toxic relationship with her fiancé. The episode attempts to approach this subject in a satirical manner, but it often comes across as ignorant and highly insensitive. Although the episode aims to shed light on domestic violence, the unfortunate truth is that it still trivializes such a serious matter, leaving no room for laughter. Kaitlin Olson, known for her comedic talent in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," portrays Brenda in this episode, making her guest appearance underutilized and wasted.

Episode 15 of Season 11, titled "Turban Cowboy," is widely considered one of the most offensive episodes of Family Guy. The show, unfortunately, often portrays minority characters as radical extremists who plan terrorist attacks in the United States. This particular episode takes it a step further by depicting Peter Griffin, the main character, confessing to running over several people at the Boston Marathon to win the race. This disturbing storyline is made even worse by the fact that the episode aired just three weeks before the actual 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.