The Shocking Lawsuit That Rocked Family Guy: Unveiling Carol Burnett's Legal Battle

Summary

The legal action was triggered by an episode wherein Peter makes jest of Burnett's past as a janitor, featuring her well-known persona, the Charwoman.

The judge dismissed the lawsuit, affirming Family Guy's right to create parodies and protecting the reputations of both parties.

Iconic comedian Carol Burnett filed a lawsuit against Family Guy, alleging that the animated series misrepresented her beloved sketch series The Carol Burnett Show. Despite Family Guy's reputation for controversial and crude humor, Burnett felt compelled to defend the legacy of her comedy. The Carol Burnett Show, which aired from 1967 to 1978, captivated millions of viewers, turning Burnett and her co-stars into household names and producing numerous unforgettable sketches and characters. In response to being mocked by Family Guy, Burnett decided to take legal action against the Fox series.

Burnett Sued Family Guy Over A Character

Burnett's lawsuit demonstrated how even the most seasoned comedy veterans have their boundaries. In the end, Burnett felt compelled to safeguard her esteemed reputation and saw no alternative but to file a lawsuit in order to halt the joke. The clash between Carol Burnett and Family Guy established a significant precedent, with one side unmistakably emerging victorious.

Carol Burnett filed a lawsuit against Family Guy regarding the season 4 episode "Peterotica." Originally aired in April 2006, the episode depicted Peter and his friends visiting an adult bookstore. Peter's concerns about the store's cleanliness are dismissed by Quagmire who jokes, "Carol Burnett works part-time as a janitor, it's pretty clean." A cartoon version of Carol Burnett, portraying her famous character, the Charwoman, is shown mopping the floor. Burnett sued 20th Century Fox for $2 million, claiming copyright infringement as the show did not receive her permission. The lawsuit also alleged that the TV show used an altered version of the Carol Burnett Show theme song.

The Charwoman became Burnett's signature character due to her frequent appearances in sketches on The Carol Burnett Show. Portrayed as a house cleaner, Burnett's charwoman would often let her imagination run wild. This resulted in her daydreaming and acting out an imaginary life, followed by Burnett concluding the sketch with a song and dance. Unlike the more risqué and vulgar comedy seen in Family Guy episodes, this character maintained a more light-hearted and innocent approach. Given the crude nature of the settings and jokes surrounding Burnett's character, it is understandable why she felt the need to safeguard her creation.

What The Outcome Of Burnett's Family Guy Lawsuit Was

20th Century Fox defended the Family Guy episode, arguing that it was simply a parody. The studio highlighted Carol Burnett's previous use of satire and mockery of famous personalities in her sketch show, implying that her legal action was an excessive response. Despite Burnett's request for the removal of the references from the episode, Fox adamantly refused to comply.

In June 2007, U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson dismissed Burnett's lawsuit against Family Guy, stating that the show had the right to create parodies under the First Amendment. Burnett did not receive any compensation from the studio, and Family Guy continued to air the episode without making any changes. Ultimately, neither Carol Burnett nor Family Guy suffered any damage to their reputations, as both have become established icons in the history of television comedy.

The premiere date for season 22 of Family Guy on Fox is scheduled for October 1, 2023.