Effin’ cry

Family Guy's cool. I like it. But it may be a little over-syndicated at this point.

Let me begin, as they say, at the beginning.

I've been a Family Guy fan since jump street. I'm often proud to admit that I used to tape – as in VHS tape – Family Guy because it was on opposite Friends, a show to which I was very devoted at the time. At one point, I think I had the "entire series" on VHS since it was, at the time, cancelled. I think I even signed a petition (back in my petition-signing days) vying for Family Guy's return during its brief hiatus.

So, I like the series. (I was also Stewie for Halloween one year.)

But here's the thing: On Mondays and Tuesdays in Wilmington, Family Guy is on seven times on three different networks (FOX, TBS, Cartoon Network). That's a potential four and a half hours I could spend watching Family Guy on those two nights. (It's also on at least three times every other weekday.)

When that's coupled with the fact that the show often relies on repetitive jokes – like Peter's fights with the chicken or Conway Twitty – or excessively drawn-out jokes – like when Peter hurts his knee or the second appearance of Conway Twitty – the cycle becomes almost unbearable.

This Family Guy syndication schedule makes me feel like my dad caught me smoking and made me smoke 20 cartons of cigarettes as punishment. At first, I'm loving it because I want to smoke anyway, but after a carton or two, I just can't put up with anymore.

This constant syndication has essentially made me want to quit Family Guy, especially considering the forthcoming Cleveland Show and American Dad, which surpassed Family Guy as my favorite Seth McFarlane show some time during last season.

I'm still stoked for the next season of Family Guy, but I'm now fed up with every other one.

Question of the Week:

What show can you watch the most of?

My take: I can watch Sportscenter pretty much all day, except Mondays during football season. Also Arrested Development.