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Forget Sex, Crudeness Sells

Madison Ave ditches wholesome toons for 'edginess' of 'Family Guy'

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 18, 2008 10:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – Advertising execs usually like spokesmen to be safe, wholesome, family-friendly figures. So why the heck are the Griffins their new darlings? From Coca-Cola to Subway, everyone seems to be tapping the "Family Guy" clan, despite the show’s tendency to joke about sex, religion, AIDS, and other wholesome, family-friendly topics. It seems crude is “in,” the New York Times reports.

Advertisers like the demographics that "Family Guy" hits, and note that cartoon characters can’t get in off-screen trouble the way real actors can. But there were still “folks who thought it was a little controversial,” said one Subway executive. Of the six scripts submitted for commercials, “four, we couldn’t use,” he said with a laugh. “We’re still a family restaurant.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

An inflatable Stewie promotes "Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story." These days, Stewie can promote a lot of things, because edgy is "in." (Getty Images)

The animated cast of the "Family Guy" is shown in this undated publicity photo. (AP Photo/Fox, file)

This image was provided by Fox TV to promote its "Family Guy" cartoon series episode that parodies the movie "Star Wars," airing at 9 p.m. EDT, Sunday, Sept. 23. (AP Photo/Fox)

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Forget Sex, Crudeness Sells