Banned 'Family Guy' Abortion Episode to Be Released as DVD

An episode of Family Guy in which a character considers abortion will be released on DVD in September, 20th Century Fox announced. This comes almost a year after Fox decided not to air the episode of the controversial animated program, which has previously (and with a wink) skewered topics including marijuana legalization, Down syndrome, and Jewish stereotypes. Titled "Terms of Partial Endearment," the script involves the character of Lois, the titular family's matriarch, agreeing to be a surrogate mother for a friend. When the friend dies, Lois considers ending the pregnancy.

The New York Times has the story, including thoughts from the episode's writer, the president of Fox's home entertainment unit, and Family Guy creator/voice actor Seth MacFarlane:

Mr. MacFarlane said that the word abortion may simply be a "comedy red zone that you just shouldn't enter," noting that Fox had also made him change a joke because it contained the phrase World Trade Center.

But he did not criticize Fox for its decisions, which he said revealed more about mass audiences than about the networks.

"People in America, they're getting dumber," Mr. MacFarlane said. "They're getting less and less able to analyze something and think critically, and pick apart the underlying elements. And more and more ready to make a snap judgment regarding something at face value, which is too bad."

Read the full story at The New York Times.