You ever watch F is for Family? If so what'd you think of it? Also lemme know what similar shows I should check out! Also there's a random Bill Murphy jumpscare like 4 minutes in which definitely is NOT an editing mistake so please ignore that :)
I think the most touching thing about this show is that Bill is writing a show centred around his own father. It’s like he’s trying to come to terms with his own feelings on him and sympathize with his struggles. It’s what a lot of kids with…troublesome parents do. Bill though seemed to genuinely love his dad
Just the simple act that he is voicing his father and so much of his shitty dad moments kind of remind me of Burr's stand up, how he uses this upbringing to fuel his humor and sorta revels in this "angry unreasonable" persona he has
If they had animated this show frame-by-frame and maybe even tried to make it look like an early 70s cartoon, I think it would have pushed it into the masterpiece territory.
Yeah you can tell they were trying to go for that wholesome family values illustration style from the 60s and 70s, so it’s a shame they couldn’t commit to it. I imagine it had a pretty restrictive budget so it’s forgivable even if disappointing
@treeghettox I think the comedy hits more often than not tbh, calling it "not even the least bit funny" is not really being fair lol. It could be much better of course but that's really not that much of a negative for me. I didn't really watch it for the comedy anyway.
I think the reason Maureen is written the way she is because she’s kind of meant to represent how girls were raised around that time period. Especially being the youngest, she’s the most coddled and spoiled out of the three children, because, being a little girl, she’s seen as weaker than her brothers. Doesn’t make for a likable character, but it’s realistic.
For sure, as someone who was the youngest and raised as the only girl, there was a lot in Maureen that i could relate to. Specially wanting to do boy things but being shot down because you're a girl
She also highlights innocence on Two fronts. Being a young girl in the70s and everything that comes with, but also being a child in general. You can even see it based on the body language in the end of the intro where Bill is appearing embarassed/shelled off, because he's starting to experience how bad the world can be. Kevin being so discontent and rebelious against life and his family, he's not just crossing his arms, but facing away from the family, meanwhile Maureen is smiling, hugging Frank's arm, because she loves her father and hasnt fully realized how fucked shit or more so, how "human" things are, even her "hero" her father, until later in the season when you see her start rebeling as well.
I think it would be cool if they did one more season but set in the 2000s. Where Maureen for instance was also put into the gender roles at the time where she was interested in computers but nobody took her seriously because it wasn't seen as feminine but it would be ironic if out of the 4 siblings she ends up having the best career which involves computers and software
I was an animator on this show! It was sure a lot of fun to work on. I understand I wish we could slip in more 2D hand drawn animation, but the deadlines are :(((
You neglected to mention the several times in the series that frank shuts down his daughters attempts to branch out from "normal girl stuff" and she slowly begins to reject it throughout the series.
That’s an exact interpretation from real life. Traditional Roman Catholic Irish American families will almost never let their daughters pick up “manly” hobbies. I had to use TH-cam to learn everything because my dad refused to even show me how to change a tire because “that’s my boyfriends job”
Not necessarily. Initially he does, but as the series goes on he accepts it. Plus he did let Maureen join the computer club at the end of the day, and wear that one Halloween costume.
@@cassiec9008wow. Completely different, I was raised in a house with all girls and I was the youngest and I change the oil and tires on my sisters cars 😮😂
@@allison4976 I’ve seen it go both ways. Now that I’m older my dad lets me do whatever I want car wise but is still uncomfortable with video games, dirt bikes, and motorcycles
Bill Burr is the entire reason I watched this show to begin with. He's an outrageous comedian that has never failed to make me laugh with his jokes in standup and writing in the show. Easily one of the best comedians in modern comedy
It's interesting that you call it "ugly." I thought it was nice to see a show that didn't look like 95% of the animated American series out there. Does a fantastic job of recapturing aesthetic of the time period. I'd like to see another show done in this style, maybe something with the same 'universe.' It is definitely a very stressful and depressing a lot of the time, but such a wonderful heart at its core.😊
Not the best style but not directly ugly and fits the story honestly. PPG, Simpsons, wannabe anime, or others wouldn't worked in my opinion. It's interesting how important art style fitting the story really is, but not many talk about it..!
It's not the best artstyle we've ever seen, but I'm glad it didn't look like a Clone of every other show out there. Especially shows like Big Mouth and a couple other Netflix originals, they all look the damn same. This show has a very original style and feel, it doesn't look like anything else, which is awesome.
far better than modern family guy where everything looks stiff and lifeless. this art style may be a tad off but it at least isn't trying to be everyone else.
The F is for Family's art style might not be everyone's cup of tea (personally, I think it looks ok for what they're going for), but the writing definitely make up for it. It's one of the more underrated adult animated shows.
I kinda liked Maureen. I related to her a lot. Mostly in the final season where she was being ignored and just desperately wanted to be her dad's princess again. I hate that they dropped the storyline of her wanting to be a scientist. She really got shifted in the development until the last possible second.
@carnifex which also shows in a great yet simple way that kids change as they grow. They lose interest in somethings like becoming a scientist, and find a new found passion like becoming a mortician.
Maureen was an inconsistent character, especially when she changed from a bullying sister in the first season. However, she's only a kid, so it makes sense that she doesn't quite know what she wants to be yet. But yeah, I sympathize with her reasons for why she became the way she is. She wasn't disciplined growing up and now has to struggle with the realization that the world doesn't revolve around her. She's just a deconstructed example of a typical evil sitcom child.
I haven't got through the video yet but the intro legitimately describes my thoughts on this show, as a comedy the gross out humour and the hit or miss of jokes can let it down a little however as a story based show it's honestly amazing, the characters all reflect on the situation at the time, the pace of the show never is thrown off continuity and the overall way things are written and played out really makes you feel for the characters and put yourself in their shoes. Honestly a really great show and while the flaws are there they don't drag it down.
@@frogglen6350 Oh not people can critique things without being able to produce better things, we all know macdonalds is bad, but some home cooks are even worse. Or movie critics, they know their shit, but almost none actually direct things.
My theory for the 4th season is that the reason Frank's father is being so nice is bc he was already dying and had to much pride to tell Frank and just thought if he showed Frank hes diffrent he would get closure with his son
This honestly seems like a grounded, realistic look at familial toxicity and abuse in general. Which is refreshing, I feel like those topics are too often told rather than shown, or overexaggerated or blown off as a joke. Good stuff.
Honestly, as a person of color, the Rosie side plot I really enjoyed, it’s actually almost parallel to Frank’s character development as well however, it has the added racial implications added to his character. Not to mention, he’s almost like two sides of the same coin as Frank, because although they have similar struggles, I could argue that Rosies was a little harsher, not to mention the way he treats. His family is almost directly opposite of how Frank treated his family and although Frank does not always get to succeed at the end of the day, Rosie at least got somewhere that was a little bit more successful for black men in the 70s. I think it’s pretty good. And I’m glad they gave him more character than just aggravted black guy friend
honestly i got a little pissed of when the author of this video mentioned that he didnt care for the side plots(several times) .. i think its just undermining the work that got put into the world building , and how greatly is the old 70s world depicted, these side characters purpose is not to pay more attention to them the main characters, or their stories to have the same value, its just to show that other people around them exist to, that the Murphy's arent the only miserable people, and their experience wasnt something tougher or more unique for the 70s and many people struggled too, sometimes even more then the murphies i feel like what i got really sad about in this video that he literally didn't mention anything about the serious topics discussed, and barley even told the story properly.. i mean atleast like think about it for a bit? just because you didnt seem to care first , and isnt that relevant, doesnt mean it is trash and doesn't matter, atleast like speak on it a bit. i feel like theres 0 though put into these critique videos, and is just a hour long video of just spitting out random story moments and putting judgemental opinions here and there. it was a great video, mean i didnt watch this hour long video for 0 reason, and i obviously enjoyed it, but honestly, i feel like its just a quick overrun of his opinions and the things i really wanted for someone to speak about, just got brushed over, ignored or not even mentioned at all.
Yeah... when he mentioned that Vic was the only interesting side character in this show, my first thought was "Wait, what about Rosie?" Rosie was probably the most important character in the series that wasn't a Murphy overall plotwise
@@ნატალიაგამყრელიძეI think it’s that, as a non-American (judging by his accent) he can’t really understand or appreciate the way the show portrayed Rosie and his entire character arc as a Black-American family man in the 70s. It’s a unique experience and it’s not a thing that people are globally privy to. But it did really irk me that Rosie was basically the only character in the show that the author of the video didnt care for/about. Rosie was the depiction of Black men making strides for themselves and their communities, only to be kicked down repeatedly by the system they operated within. But as a family man, he had to have hope that continuing to maneuver the trials therein, he could eventually prosper, per the “American Dream”. And that is absolutely something to care about.
@@imaginExistingIRLI totally agree with you. The show’s main focus is definitely about family trauma and Frank, obviously, but to say that the other difficult subjects the show was also trying to portray are not interesting is a weak and lazy take. It’s about all aspects of life in the 70s in America. It wasn’t all disco and groovy, there was a LOT of racism and misogyny. I love Rosie’s character and his family and I would have loved to see more of them!
Best show in 20 years. Best comedy? Not so much, but my God does this show hit if you had an abusive Dad. My Dad actually passed away a week before the last season premiered, and it'll probably be the most TV has ever helped me through anything in my life.
I hope you have been doing okay, I’m preparing to lose my father who I had a similar relationship with so I’m feeling for you. Be kind to yourself ♡ ✌🏼
If you can afford it, therapy is incredibly helpful. Seeing a therapist won't reflect poorly on you or anything, just try to make sure they're licensed and evidence-based. I also grew up in an abusive home and shudder to think of what I would be like today if I had never started seeing a therapist. Either way, just try to remember that none of what happened to you was your fault / you weren't a "bad" kid. I hope you're doing well.
i remember when i was like 14 my brother and i watched the first 3 seasons of this with our dad, and it all hit so close to home that none of us were saying ANYTHING lmao. at the time i didnt know why dad kept putting this on over dinner (especially considering how bad the humor was), but now i can see he was just trying his best. i love my dad
Frank’s realization at the end is what some people go to therapy, church, or AA to finally understand. Acceptance is a hard lesson for some and he got to it kicking and screaming.
I'm not even going to call this show a guilty pleasure, it's just a damn pleasure to watch. I've been a fan since season one and it sorta reminds me of BoJack, not to the same scale obviously but in the way is explores imperfect characters and digs into why they are the way they are, it just hits for me
I think the reason we don't see more of it is because the 70s were kind of an "off" decade: the trends were tacky, the nation was reeling back from the fallout of Vietnam, the economy was in the toilet, not a lot of people who lived through it look back at it too fondly. The things from the 70s people seem to remember more fondly were the things that seeded 80s trends (the car aesthetic that matured in the 80s started in the 70s, etc). The 70s is kind of this weird limbo between 2 iconic decades and while not being a necessarily horrible decade it wasn't a very great or iconic one either.
@@funnelvortex7722 except it wasn't tacky it was incredibly well designed like cedar contemporary style architecture and mansard roofs and "malaise" era cars also have incredibly good style. the 70s deserve more recognition and appreciation and not to be just written off by millennials and gen X and boomers. the people who think the 70s are tacky and dated replace 70s interiors with incredibly bland and soulless gray rooms so maybe what they think on style should not be taken too seriously, you also liked your own comment
@TheGlassesPro I really wished that the TV CEOs hadn't affected Family Guy, I remember season 1 through 3 fondly, sure Peter made mistakes during this period of the show but there was always a lesson at the end of each episode. There was a genuine feeling of a family bond, Seth MacFarlane stopped writing sometime after season 4 I believe. It's like what Nickelodeon did with SpongeBob after the first SpongeBob movie.
@@pascal-janssen Thankfully Futurama hasn't suffered the same fate, even though later seasons had many hit or misses or had unintentionally dated episodes around mishandled topics. I chop those up to genuine mistakes that wasn't meant with ill intentions. I can't wait for the Hulu seasons to start, I believe it's coming around this summer.
@@Im-BAD-at-satire If I'm not mistaken Family Guy was cancelled after Season 3, and then got revived 2-3 years later. I imagine a lot of the original writing staff didn't come back.
Can we please get Mark to watch Moral Orel? Another cynical cartoon that is in a way super depressing but coated with so much nuance and positive lessons as well. EDIT: This comment is going crazy holy shit- at this rate hes gotta see it MARK IF YOURE READING THIS YOU ARE NOW MORAL ORELLY OBLIGATED.
Bill Burr is a true artist. When he does something he makes sure it's done right. He never liked Star Wars but when he got a part in the TV series he became the fan favorite character of the season. He cares about his projects and this is no different.
my favorite joke in this series is when everyone puts the blame on Jimmy, I remember laughing a lot when Chet reports Frank and when the cops ask who reported him he says "Jimmy Fitzsimmons"
F is for Family is something that I genuinely enjoyed for the drama. The comedy was never that great for me (but there were some proper laugh out loud moments), but by season 2 I genuinely liked the characters and wanted them to succeed.
I'm glad you are covering this. Bill doesn't get enough credit (I quite like the animation, but understand why you don't). Bill had a story, he told it and then he laid it to rest.
Personally I really liked this show. There’s a lot that you didn’t talk about that really spoke to me, such as Kevin’s journey through his trauma of almost drowning as a baby because of his dads negligence as an example. I’ve watched it several times through and this show will always be a stand out for me.
I found it funny that his neighbor was most likely a serial killer, and nobody noticed no matter what weird situation they found him in. Also, I like that the show actually ended before it ran on too long and ruined everything.
Honestly, the real finale clears the seemingly perfect endpoint just before it. It just wouldn’t be F is for Family without another way everything has blown up in the Murphy family’s face, and after every happy reaffirming moment or point where things seem like they’re about to look up, life punches you in the gut and you just gotta roll with it. Show was always real as hell like that, and it’s something I continue to relate to conceptually. I also think Rosie got just enough of a subplot to really highlight the Murphy reality even more. They may be absolutely going through it at all times and that’s important to empathize with, but there’s people out there with the same kinds of hardship plus massive heapings of racism to deal with on top of it. It’s also a nice contrast to see a major character who manages to overcome things and genuinely learn how to ‘play the games’ of society as it were and improve his life and his community, opposite the way it’s always one step forward, too steps back for Frank and co. Yet even for him there’s always more BS ahead. It’s honestly a shame Bob Pogo is used so consistently for one note grossout ‘fat glutton’ humor because I would say that when he’s treated seriously, he’s another of the better supporting characters; this guy was Frank’s best friend for years and lost a lot of his own dreams and it can be compelling stuff. Even if he’s no Vic or Rosie.
I got into this show late during it fourth season. But I ended up freaking enjoying the hell out of this show, the best thing that this show so good is the fact that it takes place in a different times they don't need to rely on pop culture reference of today. Also this show can be both funny, can tell good jokes, have character development and tell a story all at the same time, it's rare to find adult animated shows that just don't rely on adult jokes alone just because it's a adult show. If there is a way to describe what I love this show it can be some up to three things. 1) It humors 2) Nudity, actually nudity, some adult cartoon seem to not take advantage of the facts since they are making cartoon for older people that mean they show nudity in theirs show 3) Maureen and Bridget, two of favorite characters on this goddamn show I love them.
My bro and i decided to warch every adult animated "comedy" on Netflix, surprisingly enough this was the best one that we saw by far. While not the funniest ahow I've seen, it definitely had the best writing by far since the characters were believable and while not likeable, they were entertaining to watch
Yeah this is definitely one of the best imo. Especially since it’s not entirely episodic and I been wanting story arcs from Adult Animation for awhile. Also even though the characters can be crass, I guess from growing up in a dysfunctional family I do find the likeable attributes in them, even Frank (well that was specifically after finding out his Dad (Grandpa) was even worse and specifically after Frank was trying to change/express his feelings). Just a relatable show that’s also fun and entertaining while also having writing that was relevant in the 70s-80s and relevant now lol
I don’t think Billy Burr gets enough credit for this show. He showed a ton of insight and introspection with this show, obviously trying to understand why he’s such a psycho. This show displays his growth
As someone who was born a woman and has always felt they have had to go against the grain to be seen as something "equal" to men, Maureen was one of my favorite characters. I could feel her struggles when she was constantly put down for being a weak girl when she wanted to do things that are seen as "masculine". Everytime her ideas were put down or her interests ignored, I felt it deeply. She was a character who was born a girl in a time that girls were only destined to become housewives and shouldn't aspired to anything else. She wanted to be like her brothers and she wanted to do what was "boy stuff". She was put down, so she took it out on her brothers by annoying them and being a little twerp. I see a lot of myself in her.
I felt Maurine was a good stand in for all the obvious words they wanted to say about how gayness/abnormality was deemed horribly wrong and disgraceful for the family. As they show with the one woman's husband, these people obviously exist but the understanding of their personality is marred by the stereotype. The one gay character is literally just there to make 'im gay/I could be a bottom or top' kind of jokes. To me it would have been soo interesting to have Maurine meet up with this character and have an actual talk about how you don't have to fit into the status quo, you don't have to live for other people and you're allowed to like things outside of your gender; it doesn't make you less of a person or in Marines case it actively makes you a revolutionary trend setter..
Great video. I wanted to point out Vic. I think Vic for being a side character, is a fantastic character. He goes from a cocaine addict to trying to get clean, can’t handle the withdrawals due to OCD and goes back to cocaine. Even worse than before. Almost crashing a helicopter in the process. And also the aggression within him at Kevin throughout some points in the show. Then comes the huge 180 in his character when he has a child to raise by himself. He comes clean off cocaine for good, and tries everything he can to be a good dad. So far as to ask Sue for advice and joining her class. I think Vic is a great character. I love his whole little arc. Throughout the show, and even my memories of the show, Vic is who I always think of. I thought Vic was going to end up ODing a few times. It was refreshing to see him trying his best to give his son a good life. Clean off cocaine. I rooted for Vic more than anyone at certain points in the show. And for the ending, i’m happy with it. Because Vic made it out clean and happy with his son.
i love characters like him where he begins as a comic relief character and they slowly add more and more dimension to him. one of the best characters in the series
its my favorite show for just how real it is. i grew up in the 90's and 00's but my dad is just like frank in every way. hard working man, who doesnt want help from anyone, just trying to make sure his family succeeds. and a lot of that rubbed off onto me. say what you will about this show but its great. might be to real for some. maybe they could find enjoyment in watching velma.
@@AmericaTheSimpleMinded man you nailed it. yessir my dad was the very same. i didnt want to bring hank into it lmao i already live in texas, that show was just fantastic. grew up watching it and now i live it lmao
What I love about Bill Burr is that deep down, I think he's trying to spread out the right lessons to people. I like to use his voice as a motivator to make better decisions in my head. Like an internal life coach or somethin'.
31:17 this is honestly one of more realistic portrayals I've seen of an abusive relationship. I feel like a lot of media doesn't acknowledge other forms of DV besides physical abuse, or the fact that abusers usually come off as likeable to the general public.
This is better imo. Bojack Horseman, for all it does well, handles politics really poorly. Also the writing for Mr Peanutbutter bordered on character assassination at times. Wasn't frequent, but was a problem.
@@cultreader9751 understandable, I enjoy f is for family more as well, although I think Bojack horseman is better written than F is for Family, not to say it isn’t well written
Me and my girlfriend loved this show, I honestly kinda wished they made another season though. I know that the story has already been pretty much finished with Frank bettering himself and starting to make his family his priority, but I would've liked to see them more yknow. It's just always that when a good show ends (or gets cancelled, why Netflix why) though I understand it's much better to end well than to prolong it until it becomes stagnant
it took a few seasons for me to understand that I liked F is for family so much cause it felt like a family drama that just happened to be animated, that is really refreshing to see when most "adult" animations are trying to be edgy, or constantly going for jokes or slap stick, there is nothing wrong with that just nice to see other genres explored in american animation besides a comedy cartoon.
Watching this show after growing up in a dysfunctional family and bearing the weight of the immense pressure to take care of my family financially really hits me in the feels sometimes in the slower moments and I definitely know where some of the characters are coming from when they act horrible
I think I'm a similar way with the show for the same reason, the tough part is talking about my mother being an abusive wife to my father without coming off as a misogynist or something. It was an extremely unhealthy marriage.
Honestly i liked Maurine and the admittedly oftenly ignored [maybe by the writers more than anything] trait about her wanting to be in the tech industry despite everyone around her still treating her like just some sweet little girl who'll be a future housewife, it almost gives those terrible qualities of her a kind of reason for happening, everytime she wants to chase her dreams, she's prevented before she can even try, and i really wish that was more developed on, but i dont think i ever saw most of S4 or 5, so i might need to...
Why is it that the adult animated shows that tackle heavy subjects with respect are always the ones that get the least amount of attention when they originally release? Is it too much to enjoy a show where they don't poke fun at everything in a tasteless way
The art style might not be aesthetically pleasing to everybody, but it is very memorable. With better animation quality and a different color palette it could look really good, because I do like some of the character designs quite a bit.
i feel like reducing Bridgette down to a b!tch is a little unfair, her mother is dead and her father is abusive. she's a kid displaying what she believes to be normal behavior
Love this show to death, it's like the only other show besides Bojack Horseman that's ever stood out as having actual characters rather than just caricatures of people, also respect for mark as a fellow SMT fan, I can recognize Digital Devil Saga music from a mile away
Bill Burt's rants turned into a family comedy was something I had the joy of benging for years! It's too hilarious, relatable with the right amount of cynic humor in time where you really COULD get away with what the norms were at the time!
Ended up watching this as it was coming out during a very tumultuous time for my family and it became a comfort show. I’m glad to see Mark covering it - not only does it mean so much for me personally, but its narratology is incredible. A very very underrated show.
F is for Family is one of my favorite shows of all times. I thought it would just funny and gross but it had heart and a surprising amount of depth. The show is truly incredible.
I love Bill and F is for Family. The reality of the show is very spot on and relatable while also having the crazy situations that are highly unlikely irl. And the 70's backdrop makes it so that we don't have to have any modern issues shoved in our face. It's important to talk issues in cartoons. But this show takes the issues and applies them broadly. The issues in this show apply to any timeframe, but the backdrop makes it so that there's no worry of seeing something that currently may be controversial. I mean the shows controversial in nature, but that's the point. However it doesn't really hamfist anything in other than Bill's experiences and outlook.
Man oh man....I am so glad someone finally gave out a video review about this show. I loved this show front to back by the time the 5th season ended. The family dynamic the Murphys had was something that hit home for me and from watching it a couple times you really start to see the whole world being active even "off camera". Btw did you ever realize that Jeffery Dahmer was a reoccurring character in this show?
OMG I love the Jefferemt Dahmer references and how the Murpheys are almost single-handedly responsible for how he turned out 😂 that little speech his cop dad gives is genuinely hilarious to me
I've always loved Bill Burr's comedy, and when I saw that he was creating a show, I was all on board. I ended up really enjoying the show, and watched each season as it premiered. For anyone that hasn't watched Bill Burr's comedy; he has talked a lot about what his father was like, and these traits are fully exemplified by Frank Murphy, so it is almost guaranteed that he based Frank off of his own father
This show was so uncomfortable but it felt real, it wasn't just shock and apathy, it had heart that made the discomfort actually discomforting, you felt bad for characters, you felt disgusted and angry. It played it straight, even with the humor there, it didn't just set up punchlines, deliver them, repeat. Chet was really interesting, an absolute demon, that maximized the discomfort and the "Fear" from having so much stronger and more influential making them Frank's nemesis, but that final scene with him, was really interesting with a lot more to it than just the surface level, while he's in the hospital dying and asks Frank to hold his hand, and then slurs against him to "Stick it to him". Immediately it seems like he's just being the same demon to the end, but, I think it was genuine, he was just afraid, and he didn't want to accept it so he tried to defensively "Make it a joke" to stick it to Frank, but, then he's alone. No wife, no friend, not even the nurses are around for him. It really kinda makes you wonder if he was actually afraid. It plays a bit with the idea of Chet having PTSD and being broken by it and just becoming an awful person, definitely inexcusable, but, showing a bit of how he pivoted to be such an awful person, to the point where he ends up alone, afraid, cold and dying. Sue really frustrated the hell out of me, but the irrationality came off as genuine, not just writer's convenience for conflict, but an actual "So messed up that no signal seems to go in or out right" that starts so many fights. You'll see it a lot with people suffering depression or otherwise stressed and miserable. It's an amazing achievement to make you not just get fed up with the writers when they make a character like this and it's not just for plot progression. I really liked her resolution at the end too, and her "getting better" at the end is satisfying, it's a great moral and message. For someone like my mom, the message of "You don't need a career to be fulfilled, you are contributing" and that having a child you raise is great, and it's honestly something too many people need but not enough hear, feeling despair over not having a "Career". There's so much more to life. Frank and Big Bill is also an amazing ambiguous relationship, demonstrating Frank isn't just looking at his childhood with "trauma tinted glasses" and that Big Bill really did act as he remembered, but also seeing him actually trying to be decent, and it makes it a lot more complex than just "Oh Big Bill is just pretending because he's a natural manipulator/narcissist that wants to be the star", he still crosses the line pretty obviously, but you also see him putting in the effort to not be awful. You also see how many failures Big Bill had and how most of his outbursts come from "Failure" and he lashes out at smaller mistakes, parallel to Frank and his own family, and you learn why Frank is how he is. It's scary looking at the intergenerational trauma in action, but also, how it leaves you on a note questioning just how genuine Big Bill was, if he's like Frank, a hurt man who lashes out despite trying his best for them, or if he's in it for himself and his own image alone.
I feel like for Sue, it wasn’t entirely just not about having a career, but also about feeling unfulfilled in life. I think for a lot of people, depending on what you want, there comes times where you’ll get what you want and in the front of your brain you’re thinking, “well… this is it…?” especially in a time for people where having the nuclear family was aspirational. But i do agree that her arc was about finding meaning again in having family than just pursuing a new profession that is a MLM lol Plus iirc, wasn’t her family upper class? So that makes sense in regards to her wanting more (but I could be remembering wrong). Big Bill imo DEFINITELY was sincere in his approach to how he acted in the “present day” … now, that meanness will probably always be within him, but there are definitely irl people who used to be horrendous, but with age and time, seem to calm down. It sucks because it’s almost as if they’ve forgiven themselves for how unjustly and wrongfully they’ve treated people, but don’t allow others to grieve the same. Not to say that they’re doing that intentionally, but it’s such a hard conversation to bring up for some people, especially in regards to Parents/Family.
I think the slowly poisoning thing is great. they could’ve definitely done more but i think it shows how quickly life can shift and change so abruptly because life doesn’t always go as thought.
To me, the artstyle feels like it's going for less of a Family Guy and more of a King of the Hill. And despite not watching KotH back in the day I have heard nothing but good things about it.
I loved this show. I resonated with me so much it didn't feel like a slap stick comedy like every adult cartoon is, it felt real, like you could make it a live action show and it would be the exact same. The realistic family, the unhappy cliff hangers, find meaning in what you put your efforts and time into, this show was real. And I think that's why it isn't as popular as it should be. Cartoons are seen as supposed to come off as humorous and comedic in some way or another. That why bojack gets praise, although it's also dark and heavy, it has silly talking animals doing silly and animalistic things so I feel some people look past the real and dark stuff. But great vid mark, I love your explanation and take on this series! Bravo!
14:00 you’re telling me you didn’t find Rosie’s story a strong B plot and important showing how black men were still treated in America? It’s a dark and sad commentary that’s definitely played too much for laughs, but a strong narrative nonetheless
i feel like people are too quick to assume animated shows are supposed to be a comedy. I dont remeber laughing at much in this show but it never felt like i was supposed to. I like the fact that even if you dont think its funny the jokes dont really matter at all. its like king of the hill in that way. you didnt laugh? okay that wasnt the focus anyway we were trying to tell a story of the depressing/mundane reality of the american dream and growing up 🤷♂️
I didn't expect to love this show as much as I do, and watching it with my mom made it all the better, because she can comment on it's accuracy for the time period she grew up in and how little of it is hyperbole 🤣
Man, I wish I could get my mom to watch a show like this with me 😭 She love’s regular show (we have always wanted matching mordecai and rigby tattoos lol) so shes open to cartoons and we LOVE bobs burgers but she thinks shows like this are ugly and wont bother 😭
Super excited to see you cover this. I loved the earlier seasons but then it just got off the rails Later. I loved the characters but the plot was family guy nuts at times. Happy to watch this review.
What didn’t you like about the later seasons and how was it like Family Guy? Not jumping on you but I don’t remember the later seasons changing drastically.
@@AmericaTheSimpleMinded some of the different gross out humour especially with victor and his girl friend. The tv show stuff as mark said was a little off putting. I thought the plot got a bit weird like when the guy got shredded in the plane or when Kevin fell through the ice and relieved trauma. Outside of that it made sense for the most part.
I loved it, I thought it was great! The scene where Frank is yelling at Kevin about his grades and making a huge spectacle at the table will forever live in my head rent free. "Strike up the band! Da, dalah, da, da, da! Three cheers for my d minus son!" "D PLUS!"
I don’t know but as someone who’s family has decades of inter generational trauma parts of this show really hit hard. I relate so hard to the kids in that they all represent reactions to family trauma, one tries to be the innocent happy angel that glues the parents together, one acts out whilst constantly seeking approval and one wants nothing to do with their family feeling trapped by the fact they are a child who relies on their parents for the basics.
I feel like this show was even more amazing knowing the fact that Bill Bur dedicated this to his father. This show is exactly what the name is, Family. Frank is by no means nice but he has a reason for being the way he is, his life was messed up. I especially love the ending where it showed the contrasts of the first episode where Frank was just a product of his messed up childhood and how in the final episode he is determined to break the cycle. I found it heartwarming.
"Guess which one is meant to be Bill Burr" You fell for the bait. Were you to know more about Bill Burr from his comedy specials and mainly his podcast, you'd know he pretty much is Frank Murphy. Edit: Also, even without taking Frank himself into account, Kevin is still a lot closer to real life Bill Burr than Bill Murphy is.
Frank also has elements of his dad, like the story of how his dad would walk in and flip the table in "anger" (Later found out just as a scare tactic for them to not disrespect him) or when he would kick in the doors yelling at them for not doing chores and such (Planned on replacing the doors).
I liked and hated this show, Frank really felt like a real character, I grew up around people like him, exactly the same. Even my dad shares so many of the same traits as Frank so it was hard to watch at times. At the same time I think it helped me understand why those people acted the way they did, I still won't forgive what was clearly abuse but at least I sort of understand the reasons behind their behaviour.
I LOVE series like this. I may have to check it out. I love series that are funny but don't force it but at the same time, knows when to get real and Dark. Something Family Guy will never be.
I personally love the animation it feels like a cereal or toy box from the time it was set in. I think the animation while simple is able to convey the family better along with the Time period since ong as soon as I saw the poster on Netflix I thought it was based in the late 70s or 80s.
What I like about this family is they don’t all cartoonishly hate each other. They love each other, they’re all trying the best they know how, even if they often fail. It’s a refreshing dynamic, and I feel like by the end of the show they all understand each other in a much healthier way.
Thank you for covering this show. To me, this is the best adult animated show in a real long time. I was glad to give it a chance when it first came out, and I hope more people will give it a chance and watch it. It truly was an amazing show!
Bill burr actually likes animation, I remember he said he liked One punch man on Twitter and everyone went crazy and it wasn't like he looked at it at a surface level to he saw the subtext from the beginning.
You ever watch F is for Family? If so what'd you think of it? Also lemme know what similar shows I should check out!
Also there's a random Bill Murphy jumpscare like 4 minutes in which definitely is NOT an editing mistake so please ignore that :)
First
@@Ity698 Nobody CARES
I love that show, one of my favourites tbh 😂
I watched it and loved it for its unapologetic look back at life in a time seldom shown in sitcoms these days.
I'm definitely not going to look for the not editing mistake now
I think the most touching thing about this show is that Bill is writing a show centred around his own father. It’s like he’s trying to come to terms with his own feelings on him and sympathize with his struggles. It’s what a lot of kids with…troublesome parents do. Bill though seemed to genuinely love his dad
Just the simple act that he is voicing his father and so much of his shitty dad moments kind of remind me of Burr's stand up, how he uses this upbringing to fuel his humor and sorta revels in this "angry unreasonable" persona he has
I was wondering if he did lmao
This is...the misunderstood core of the show. How dad after dad after dad fails when it comes to listening their kids.
The animation quality, in my opinion, is the best thing about this show
He's telling us that he wants us to laugh at his childhood.
If they had animated this show frame-by-frame and maybe even tried to make it look like an early 70s cartoon, I think it would have pushed it into the masterpiece territory.
That’s exactly what I was thinking
Yeah you can tell they were trying to go for that wholesome family values illustration style from the 60s and 70s, so it’s a shame they couldn’t commit to it. I imagine it had a pretty restrictive budget so it’s forgivable even if disappointing
@treeghettox I think the comedy hits more often than not tbh, calling it "not even the least bit funny" is not really being fair lol. It could be much better of course but that's really not that much of a negative for me.
I didn't really watch it for the comedy anyway.
@treeghettox But hey, we all got our own tastes lol
I think this show would be incredible if it looked similar to clutch cargo. Maybe without the mouths though.
I think the reason Maureen is written the way she is because she’s kind of meant to represent how girls were raised around that time period. Especially being the youngest, she’s the most coddled and spoiled out of the three children, because, being a little girl, she’s seen as weaker than her brothers. Doesn’t make for a likable character, but it’s realistic.
For sure, as someone who was the youngest and raised as the only girl, there was a lot in Maureen that i could relate to. Specially wanting to do boy things but being shot down because you're a girl
She also highlights innocence on Two fronts. Being a young girl in the70s and everything that comes with, but also being a child in general. You can even see it based on the body language in the end of the intro where Bill is appearing embarassed/shelled off, because he's starting to experience how bad the world can be. Kevin being so discontent and rebelious against life and his family, he's not just crossing his arms, but facing away from the family, meanwhile Maureen is smiling, hugging Frank's arm, because she loves her father and hasnt fully realized how fucked shit or more so, how "human" things are, even her "hero" her father, until later in the season when you see her start rebeling as well.
The show for it's decade is not really for anybody.
I think it would be cool if they did one more season but set in the 2000s. Where Maureen for instance was also put into the gender roles at the time where she was interested in computers but nobody took her seriously because it wasn't seen as feminine but it would be ironic if out of the 4 siblings she ends up having the best career which involves computers and software
I love her anyways
I've always hated how underrated this show was. It was so well written and I'm glad to see someone giving it the credit it deserves.
I was an animator on this show! It was sure a lot of fun to work on. I understand I wish we could slip in more 2D hand drawn animation, but the deadlines are :(((
Sure
Ohh, any cool Trivia?
@@onslaughtmp wow! These are some pretty wild assumptions for a person you DO NOT KNOW.
@@onslaughtmpthe misogyny is cray
@@onslaughtmpit’s more like being an animator is a tough and stressful job
I swear every "comedy" thing Bill Burr does is just a means of expressing childhood trauma and it always hits.
Childhood trauma is the best thing to have if you wanna be funny
@@willbrown423 no it not
Real
@@willbrown423 not really
@@koolk1ddeClamidia is worse.
You neglected to mention the several times in the series that frank shuts down his daughters attempts to branch out from "normal girl stuff" and she slowly begins to reject it throughout the series.
That’s an exact interpretation from real life. Traditional Roman Catholic Irish American families will almost never let their daughters pick up “manly” hobbies. I had to use TH-cam to learn everything because my dad refused to even show me how to change a tire because “that’s my boyfriends job”
Not necessarily. Initially he does, but as the series goes on he accepts it. Plus he did let Maureen join the computer club at the end of the day, and wear that one Halloween costume.
@@cassiec9008wow. Completely different, I was raised in a house with all girls and I was the youngest and I change the oil and tires on my sisters cars 😮😂
@@cassiec9008Tragic because so many young men don't even know how to do that lmao
@@allison4976 I’ve seen it go both ways. Now that I’m older my dad lets me do whatever I want car wise but is still uncomfortable with video games, dirt bikes, and motorcycles
Bill Burr is the entire reason I watched this show to begin with. He's an outrageous comedian that has never failed to make me laugh with his jokes in standup and writing in the show. Easily one of the best comedians in modern comedy
I think his casting as Frank Murphy was perfect. He just has this really good "Angry Stepdad" energy that comes out through Frank
Found Bill Burrs youtube account
Same actually
bill burr only does boomer humor
@@donovanlocust1106 he wrote the show
It's interesting that you call it "ugly." I thought it was nice to see a show that didn't look like 95% of the animated American series out there. Does a fantastic job of recapturing aesthetic of the time period. I'd like to see another show done in this style, maybe something with the same 'universe.' It is definitely a very stressful and depressing a lot of the time, but such a wonderful heart at its core.😊
It looked ugly because the 70's were ugly
Not the best style but not directly ugly and fits the story honestly. PPG, Simpsons, wannabe anime, or others wouldn't worked in my opinion. It's interesting how important art style fitting the story really is, but not many talk about it..!
I do like this style and it’s one of the reasons I liked this show. It’s kinda like King of the Hill if it was set in the 70’s instead of the 90’s
It's not the best artstyle we've ever seen, but I'm glad it didn't look like a Clone of every other show out there. Especially shows like Big Mouth and a couple other Netflix originals, they all look the damn same. This show has a very original style and feel, it doesn't look like anything else, which is awesome.
far better than modern family guy where everything looks stiff and lifeless. this art style may be a tad off but it at least isn't trying to be everyone else.
The F is for Family's art style might not be everyone's cup of tea (personally, I think it looks ok for what they're going for), but the writing definitely make up for it. It's one of the more underrated adult animated shows.
İ think it suits the show pretty good it's simple yet kinda chaotic
love it
I kinda liked Maureen. I related to her a lot. Mostly in the final season where she was being ignored and just desperately wanted to be her dad's princess again. I hate that they dropped the storyline of her wanting to be a scientist. She really got shifted in the development until the last possible second.
Same!
she kept it kind of. she wants to be a mortician by the end of the show, which is just as cool.
@carnifex which also shows in a great yet simple way that kids change as they grow. They lose interest in somethings like becoming a scientist, and find a new found passion like becoming a mortician.
Maureen was an inconsistent character, especially when she changed from a bullying sister in the first season. However, she's only a kid, so it makes sense that she doesn't quite know what she wants to be yet. But yeah, I sympathize with her reasons for why she became the way she is. She wasn't disciplined growing up and now has to struggle with the realization that the world doesn't revolve around her. She's just a deconstructed example of a typical evil sitcom child.
It's not the writers' fault that an executive producer and Michael K. Williams died.
I haven't got through the video yet but the intro legitimately describes my thoughts on this show, as a comedy the gross out humour and the hit or miss of jokes can let it down a little however as a story based show it's honestly amazing, the characters all reflect on the situation at the time, the pace of the show never is thrown off continuity and the overall way things are written and played out really makes you feel for the characters and put yourself in their shoes.
Honestly a really great show and while the flaws are there they don't drag it down.
It's a better show than anything LS mark can produce. He's just a man child who can't even animate
@@frogglen6350
I don’t understand why you needed to say that or attack Mark like that but err…..good burn I guess?
@@frogglen6350 Oh no, other people having different opinions than me. The horror!
@@frogglen6350 Oh not people can critique things without being able to produce better things, we all know macdonalds is bad, but some home cooks are even worse. Or movie critics, they know their shit, but almost none actually direct things.
600th like
My theory for the 4th season is that the reason Frank's father is being so nice is bc he was already dying and had to much pride to tell Frank and just thought if he showed Frank hes diffrent he would get closure with his son
oh wow i never realized but it makes a lot of sense, ur probably right
That's always the only way I saw that, idk what other interpretations there are
@thisgoddamusernamestoodamnlong All wrong, and I havent seen a single episode. Will not elaborate. Have a good day ❤ I believe in you
@@GleppaPiggvery mentally ill huh?
This honestly seems like a grounded, realistic look at familial toxicity and abuse in general. Which is refreshing, I feel like those topics are too often told rather than shown, or overexaggerated or blown off as a joke. Good stuff.
Honestly, as a person of color, the Rosie side plot I really enjoyed, it’s actually almost parallel to Frank’s character development as well however, it has the added racial implications added to his character. Not to mention, he’s almost like two sides of the same coin as Frank, because although they have similar struggles, I could argue that Rosies was a little harsher, not to mention the way he treats. His family is almost directly opposite of how Frank treated his family and although Frank does not always get to succeed at the end of the day, Rosie at least got somewhere that was a little bit more successful for black men in the 70s. I think it’s pretty good. And I’m glad they gave him more character than just aggravted black guy friend
honestly i got a little pissed of when the author of this video mentioned that he didnt care for the side plots(several times) .. i think its just undermining the work that got put into the world building , and how greatly is the old 70s world depicted, these side characters purpose is not to pay more attention to them the main characters, or their stories to have the same value, its just to show that other people around them exist to, that the Murphy's arent the only miserable people, and their experience wasnt something tougher or more unique for the 70s and many people struggled too, sometimes even more then the murphies
i feel like what i got really sad about in this video that he literally didn't mention anything about the serious topics discussed, and barley even told the story properly.. i mean atleast like think about it for a bit? just because you didnt seem to care first , and isnt that relevant, doesnt mean it is trash and doesn't matter, atleast like speak on it a bit. i feel like theres 0 though put into these critique videos, and is just a hour long video of just spitting out random story moments and putting judgemental opinions here and there.
it was a great video, mean i didnt watch this hour long video for 0 reason, and i obviously enjoyed it, but honestly, i feel like its just a quick overrun of his opinions and the things i really wanted for someone to speak about, just got brushed over, ignored or not even mentioned at all.
Yeah... when he mentioned that Vic was the only interesting side character in this show, my first thought was "Wait, what about Rosie?"
Rosie was probably the most important character in the series that wasn't a Murphy overall plotwise
You’re not a man
@@ნატალიაგამყრელიძეI think it’s that, as a non-American (judging by his accent) he can’t really understand or appreciate the way the show portrayed Rosie and his entire character arc as a Black-American family man in the 70s. It’s a unique experience and it’s not a thing that people are globally privy to. But it did really irk me that Rosie was basically the only character in the show that the author of the video didnt care for/about.
Rosie was the depiction of Black men making strides for themselves and their communities, only to be kicked down repeatedly by the system they operated within. But as a family man, he had to have hope that continuing to maneuver the trials therein, he could eventually prosper, per the “American Dream”. And that is absolutely something to care about.
@@imaginExistingIRLI totally agree with you. The show’s main focus is definitely about family trauma and Frank, obviously, but to say that the other difficult subjects the show was also trying to portray are not interesting is a weak and lazy take. It’s about all aspects of life in the 70s in America. It wasn’t all disco and groovy, there was a LOT of racism and misogyny. I love Rosie’s character and his family and I would have loved to see more of them!
Best show in 20 years. Best comedy? Not so much, but my God does this show hit if you had an abusive Dad. My Dad actually passed away a week before the last season premiered, and it'll probably be the most TV has ever helped me through anything in my life.
I hope you have been doing okay, I’m preparing to lose my father who I had a similar relationship with so I’m feeling for you.
Be kind to yourself ♡ ✌🏼
I'm ngl I really related to the characters and their dad reminded me of my dad.
If you can afford it, therapy is incredibly helpful. Seeing a therapist won't reflect poorly on you or anything, just try to make sure they're licensed and evidence-based. I also grew up in an abusive home and shudder to think of what I would be like today if I had never started seeing a therapist. Either way, just try to remember that none of what happened to you was your fault / you weren't a "bad" kid. I hope you're doing well.
Breaking bad
In 20 years is crazy lol
What you fail to realize is that it was never a Family Guy clone at all... It was a King of the Hill clone
😂I was thinking the same thing
given the early designs of the characters looked like rejected koth/beavis and butthead designs, yeah I believe that notion.
Nah, Bill Burr based every story on his childhood, it was an expression of his life as a kid from the point of view of his father.
best take
Also King of the Hill was mostly about propane and propane accessories.
i remember when i was like 14 my brother and i watched the first 3 seasons of this with our dad, and it all hit so close to home that none of us were saying ANYTHING lmao. at the time i didnt know why dad kept putting this on over dinner (especially considering how bad the humor was), but now i can see he was just trying his best. i love my dad
Frank’s realization at the end is what some people go to therapy, church, or AA to finally understand. Acceptance is a hard lesson for some and he got to it kicking and screaming.
I'm not even going to call this show a guilty pleasure, it's just a damn pleasure to watch. I've been a fan since season one and it sorta reminds me of BoJack, not to the same scale obviously but in the way is explores imperfect characters and digs into why they are the way they are, it just hits for me
I just love that this show took place in the 70s. I wish more animated shows would take places in that era more often.
Me too! There's a lot left to be explored there
@@Flaccidtetris architecture, interior design, and cars were cool as hell in the 70s
@@circleinforthecube5170 Couldn't agree more, I adore the aesthetics of the 70s. Especially the cars 😳
I think the reason we don't see more of it is because the 70s were kind of an "off" decade: the trends were tacky, the nation was reeling back from the fallout of Vietnam, the economy was in the toilet, not a lot of people who lived through it look back at it too fondly. The things from the 70s people seem to remember more fondly were the things that seeded 80s trends (the car aesthetic that matured in the 80s started in the 70s, etc).
The 70s is kind of this weird limbo between 2 iconic decades and while not being a necessarily horrible decade it wasn't a very great or iconic one either.
@@funnelvortex7722 except it wasn't tacky it was incredibly well designed like cedar contemporary style architecture and mansard roofs and "malaise" era cars also have incredibly good style. the 70s deserve more recognition and appreciation and not to be just written off by millennials and gen X and boomers. the people who think the 70s are tacky and dated replace 70s interiors with incredibly bland and soulless gray rooms so maybe what they think on style should not be taken too seriously, you also liked your own comment
Frank Murphy is like what if Peter Griffin was like a sympathetic person.
@TheGlassesPro I really wished that the TV CEOs hadn't affected Family Guy, I remember season 1 through 3 fondly, sure Peter made mistakes during this period of the show but there was always a lesson at the end of each episode.
There was a genuine feeling of a family bond, Seth MacFarlane stopped writing sometime after season 4 I believe. It's like what Nickelodeon did with SpongeBob after the first SpongeBob movie.
Goomer kinda looks like Peter.
@@Im-BAD-at-satire or what fox did with the simpsons... damn that 90's seasons 3 to 9 was such comedy gold
@@pascal-janssen Thankfully Futurama hasn't suffered the same fate, even though later seasons had many hit or misses or had unintentionally dated episodes around mishandled topics. I chop those up to genuine mistakes that wasn't meant with ill intentions.
I can't wait for the Hulu seasons to start, I believe it's coming around this summer.
@@Im-BAD-at-satire If I'm not mistaken Family Guy was cancelled after Season 3, and then got revived 2-3 years later. I imagine a lot of the original writing staff didn't come back.
Can we please get Mark to watch Moral Orel? Another cynical cartoon that is in a way super depressing but coated with so much nuance and positive lessons as well.
EDIT: This comment is going crazy holy shit- at this rate hes gotta see it MARK IF YOURE READING THIS YOU ARE NOW MORAL ORELLY OBLIGATED.
YES
Dude Mark already lives in Statesota
he needs to man that show is a masterpiece in writing and story department
Moral Orel is actually a masterpiece of modern animation.
Please !!
Bill Burr is a true artist. When he does something he makes sure it's done right. He never liked Star Wars but when he got a part in the TV series he became the fan favorite character of the season. He cares about his projects and this is no different.
The recurring jokes were hilarious. My favorite one being "My name is Jimmy Fitzsimmons!"
my favorite joke in this series is when everyone puts the blame on Jimmy, I remember laughing a lot when Chet reports Frank and when the cops ask who reported him he says "Jimmy Fitzsimmons"
I can't tell you how many times I busted out laughing whenever something went wrong and a character runs away shouting "My name is Jimmy Fitzsimmons!"
F is for Family is something that I genuinely enjoyed for the drama. The comedy was never that great for me (but there were some proper laugh out loud moments), but by season 2 I genuinely liked the characters and wanted them to succeed.
Same. Also liked how they even explored storylines for characters outside of the family as well.
I'm glad you are covering this. Bill doesn't get enough credit (I quite like the animation, but understand why you don't). Bill had a story, he told it and then he laid it to rest.
It’s lazy animation
first name terms are ya
@@mohamadmahmoud6926 lazy would be big mouth
after big month and other visual massacres in the world of adult animation this animation is more passable then it used to be tbh.
@@mohamadmahmoud6926 then you pay them better yet you make a show that doesn't get cancelled on Netflix
Personally I really liked this show. There’s a lot that you didn’t talk about that really spoke to me, such as Kevin’s journey through his trauma of almost drowning as a baby because of his dads negligence as an example. I’ve watched it several times through and this show will always be a stand out for me.
I found it funny that his neighbor was most likely a serial killer, and nobody noticed no matter what weird situation they found him in.
Also, I like that the show actually ended before it ran on too long and ruined everything.
Dont forget theres also a Jeffrey Dahmer character as well
@@bob5253 where?
Honestly, the real finale clears the seemingly perfect endpoint just before it. It just wouldn’t be F is for Family without another way everything has blown up in the Murphy family’s face, and after every happy reaffirming moment or point where things seem like they’re about to look up, life punches you in the gut and you just gotta roll with it. Show was always real as hell like that, and it’s something I continue to relate to conceptually.
I also think Rosie got just enough of a subplot to really highlight the Murphy reality even more. They may be absolutely going through it at all times and that’s important to empathize with, but there’s people out there with the same kinds of hardship plus massive heapings of racism to deal with on top of it. It’s also a nice contrast to see a major character who manages to overcome things and genuinely learn how to ‘play the games’ of society as it were and improve his life and his community, opposite the way it’s always one step forward, too steps back for Frank and co. Yet even for him there’s always more BS ahead.
It’s honestly a shame Bob Pogo is used so consistently for one note grossout ‘fat glutton’ humor because I would say that when he’s treated seriously, he’s another of the better supporting characters; this guy was Frank’s best friend for years and lost a lot of his own dreams and it can be compelling stuff. Even if he’s no Vic or Rosie.
I got into this show late during it fourth season. But I ended up freaking enjoying the hell out of this show, the best thing that this show so good is the fact that it takes place in a different times they don't need to rely on pop culture reference of today.
Also this show can be both funny, can tell good jokes, have character development and tell a story all at the same time, it's rare to find adult animated shows that just don't rely on adult jokes alone just because it's a adult show.
If there is a way to describe what I love this show it can be some up to three things.
1) It humors
2) Nudity, actually nudity, some adult cartoon seem to not take advantage of the facts since they are making cartoon for older people that mean they show nudity in theirs show
3) Maureen and Bridget, two of favorite characters on this goddamn show I love them.
many adult shows show nudity. Boondocks, BoJack, etc. You're just a normie pleb who hasn't experienced much. Not to mention anime.
Gonna have to call Chris Hansen to keep tabs on you
Bro really mentioned naked people and underaged kids in the same sentence smh
@@awesomebeast7509and I don't regret a single part of it.
Most just show dicks when it says nudity. That's the equivalent of the kid who just draws dicks in his trapper keeper all day.
My bro and i decided to warch every adult animated "comedy" on Netflix, surprisingly enough this was the best one that we saw by far. While not the funniest ahow I've seen, it definitely had the best writing by far since the characters were believable and while not likeable, they were entertaining to watch
Yeah this is definitely one of the best imo. Especially since it’s not entirely episodic and I been wanting story arcs from Adult Animation for awhile. Also even though the characters can be crass, I guess from growing up in a dysfunctional family I do find the likeable attributes in them, even Frank (well that was specifically after finding out his Dad (Grandpa) was even worse and specifically after Frank was trying to change/express his feelings). Just a relatable show that’s also fun and entertaining while also having writing that was relevant in the 70s-80s and relevant now lol
I don’t think Billy Burr gets enough credit for this show. He showed a ton of insight and introspection with this show, obviously trying to understand why he’s such a psycho. This show displays his growth
As someone who was born a woman and has always felt they have had to go against the grain to be seen as something "equal" to men, Maureen was one of my favorite characters. I could feel her struggles when she was constantly put down for being a weak girl when she wanted to do things that are seen as "masculine". Everytime her ideas were put down or her interests ignored, I felt it deeply. She was a character who was born a girl in a time that girls were only destined to become housewives and shouldn't aspired to anything else. She wanted to be like her brothers and she wanted to do what was "boy stuff". She was put down, so she took it out on her brothers by annoying them and being a little twerp. I see a lot of myself in her.
I felt Maurine was a good stand in for all the obvious words they wanted to say about how gayness/abnormality was deemed horribly wrong and disgraceful for the family. As they show with the one woman's husband, these people obviously exist but the understanding of their personality is marred by the stereotype. The one gay character is literally just there to make 'im gay/I could be a bottom or top' kind of jokes.
To me it would have been soo interesting to have Maurine meet up with this character and have an actual talk about how you don't have to fit into the status quo, you don't have to live for other people and you're allowed to like things outside of your gender; it doesn't make you less of a person or in Marines case it actively makes you a revolutionary trend setter..
Fascinating.
Most women are born as girls.
I knew one that was born a turnip. @@sidnew2739
Skill issue
@@sidnew2739I can’t tell if you’re being snarky or just stupid tbh
Great video. I wanted to point out Vic. I think Vic for being a side character, is a fantastic character. He goes from a cocaine addict to trying to get clean, can’t handle the withdrawals due to OCD and goes back to cocaine. Even worse than before. Almost crashing a helicopter in the process. And also the aggression within him at Kevin throughout some points in the show. Then comes the huge 180 in his character when he has a child to raise by himself. He comes clean off cocaine for good, and tries everything he can to be a good dad. So far as to ask Sue for advice and joining her class.
I think Vic is a great character. I love his whole little arc. Throughout the show, and even my memories of the show, Vic is who I always think of. I thought Vic was going to end up ODing a few times. It was refreshing to see him trying his best to give his son a good life. Clean off cocaine. I rooted for Vic more than anyone at certain points in the show. And for the ending, i’m happy with it. Because Vic made it out clean and happy with his son.
ikr, vic was my favorite character
You're right but he had a lot more problems than cocaine lol
i love characters like him where he begins as a comic relief character and they slowly add more and more dimension to him. one of the best characters in the series
This isn't even my snowmobile!
its my favorite show for just how real it is. i grew up in the 90's and 00's but my dad is just like frank in every way. hard working man, who doesnt want help from anyone, just trying to make sure his family succeeds. and a lot of that rubbed off onto me. say what you will about this show but its great. might be to real for some. maybe they could find enjoyment in watching velma.
Born in the same era and my dad was like a combination of Frank and Hank Hill. Except more outgoing.
@@AmericaTheSimpleMinded man you nailed it. yessir my dad was the very same. i didnt want to bring hank into it lmao i already live in texas, that show was just fantastic. grew up watching it and now i live it lmao
100th like
That punchline didn't land at all.
@@XXXXX8 oh well. Continue watching Velma.
What I love about Bill Burr is that deep down, I think he's trying to spread out the right lessons to people. I like to use his voice as a motivator to make better decisions in my head. Like an internal life coach or somethin'.
Love him or hate him he definitely has that voice that lends great to a "don't do that dumbass" type attitude. Like a Red Foreman type.
31:17 this is honestly one of more realistic portrayals I've seen of an abusive relationship.
I feel like a lot of media doesn't acknowledge other forms of DV besides physical abuse, or the fact that abusers usually come off as likeable to the general public.
This show tackled narcissism and father issues perfectly
Just like Bojack Horseman even though I didn't fully watch the show?
I love this show so much, probably my favorite Netflix original along with Bojack Horseman
Hey aren’t you the commenter from Ls marks videos
This is better imo. Bojack Horseman, for all it does well, handles politics really poorly.
Also the writing for Mr Peanutbutter bordered on character assassination at times. Wasn't frequent, but was a problem.
@@cultreader9751 understandable, I enjoy f is for family more as well, although I think Bojack horseman is better written than F is for Family, not to say it isn’t well written
"Normal words but a horse guy"
@@cultreader9751 why do you think it handles politics poorly?
Me and my girlfriend loved this show, I honestly kinda wished they made another season though.
I know that the story has already been pretty much finished with Frank bettering himself and starting to make his family his priority, but I would've liked to see them more yknow.
It's just always that when a good show ends (or gets cancelled, why Netflix why) though I understand it's much better to end well than to prolong it until it becomes stagnant
Funny how you did to Mourine what everyone does to Mourine, ignore who she is to put her in a preconceived Box.
Rip Maureen lol
Exactly. How sad, she deserves better
it took a few seasons for me to understand that I liked F is for family so much cause it felt like a family drama that just happened to be animated, that is really refreshing to see when most "adult" animations are trying to be edgy, or constantly going for jokes or slap stick, there is nothing wrong with that just nice to see other genres explored in american animation besides a comedy cartoon.
Watching this show after growing up in a dysfunctional family and bearing the weight of the immense pressure to take care of my family financially really hits me in the feels sometimes in the slower moments and I definitely know where some of the characters are coming from when they act horrible
I enjoy this show, but I take my time with it. I grew up in an abusive home and the hostility can really get to me sometimes.
I think I'm a similar way with the show for the same reason, the tough part is talking about my mother being an abusive wife to my father without coming off as a misogynist or something.
It was an extremely unhealthy marriage.
@@Im-BAD-at-satire My mom is definitely the abusive one. I get Will and Jada Smith vibes from my parents.
Bill being traumatized in the show never gets old 😂
Goddamn, an adult show with _story?_ _Characterization?_ That's just unheard of.
Honestly i liked Maurine and the admittedly oftenly ignored [maybe by the writers more than anything] trait about her wanting to be in the tech industry despite everyone around her still treating her like just some sweet little girl who'll be a future housewife, it almost gives those terrible qualities of her a kind of reason for happening, everytime she wants to chase her dreams, she's prevented before she can even try, and i really wish that was more developed on, but i dont think i ever saw most of S4 or 5, so i might need to...
@@daisy9181 are you okay? are you conscious right now?
Why is it that the adult animated shows that tackle heavy subjects with respect are always the ones that get the least amount of attention when they originally release? Is it too much to enjoy a show where they don't poke fun at everything in a tasteless way
Demons. They don’t like it when God is actually in the center of the picture in reality.
Animator who worked on the show, second season, Scoop's death, freeze frame the explosion, you'll find an Easter egg, enjoy :)
It must be hard for Frank to have a happy family life when he moonlights as the AVGN
The art style might not be aesthetically pleasing to everybody, but it is very memorable. With better animation quality and a different color palette it could look really good, because I do like some of the character designs quite a bit.
i feel like reducing Bridgette down to a b!tch is a little unfair, her mother is dead and her father is abusive. she's a kid displaying what she believes to be normal behavior
Love this show to death, it's like the only other show besides Bojack Horseman that's ever stood out as having actual characters rather than just caricatures of people, also respect for mark as a fellow SMT fan, I can recognize Digital Devil Saga music from a mile away
Bill Burt's rants turned into a family comedy was something I had the joy of benging for years! It's too hilarious, relatable with the right amount of cynic humor in time where you really COULD get away with what the norms were at the time!
Ended up watching this as it was coming out during a very tumultuous time for my family and it became a comfort show. I’m glad to see Mark covering it - not only does it mean so much for me personally, but its narratology is incredible. A very very underrated show.
F is for Family is one of my favorite shows of all times. I thought it would just funny and gross but it had heart and a surprising amount of depth. The show is truly incredible.
I love Bill and F is for Family. The reality of the show is very spot on and relatable while also having the crazy situations that are highly unlikely irl. And the 70's backdrop makes it so that we don't have to have any modern issues shoved in our face. It's important to talk issues in cartoons. But this show takes the issues and applies them broadly. The issues in this show apply to any timeframe, but the backdrop makes it so that there's no worry of seeing something that currently may be controversial.
I mean the shows controversial in nature, but that's the point. However it doesn't really hamfist anything in other than Bill's experiences and outlook.
Man oh man....I am so glad someone finally gave out a video review about this show. I loved this show front to back by the time the 5th season ended. The family dynamic the Murphys had was something that hit home for me and from watching it a couple times you really start to see the whole world being active even "off camera". Btw did you ever realize that Jeffery Dahmer was a reoccurring character in this show?
OMG I love the Jefferemt Dahmer references and how the Murpheys are almost single-handedly responsible for how he turned out 😂 that little speech his cop dad gives is genuinely hilarious to me
I've always loved Bill Burr's comedy, and when I saw that he was creating a show, I was all on board. I ended up really enjoying the show, and watched each season as it premiered. For anyone that hasn't watched Bill Burr's comedy; he has talked a lot about what his father was like, and these traits are fully exemplified by Frank Murphy, so it is almost guaranteed that he based Frank off of his own father
This show was so uncomfortable but it felt real, it wasn't just shock and apathy, it had heart that made the discomfort actually discomforting, you felt bad for characters, you felt disgusted and angry.
It played it straight, even with the humor there, it didn't just set up punchlines, deliver them, repeat.
Chet was really interesting, an absolute demon, that maximized the discomfort and the "Fear" from having so much stronger and more influential making them Frank's nemesis, but that final scene with him, was really interesting with a lot more to it than just the surface level, while he's in the hospital dying and asks Frank to hold his hand, and then slurs against him to "Stick it to him". Immediately it seems like he's just being the same demon to the end, but, I think it was genuine, he was just afraid, and he didn't want to accept it so he tried to defensively "Make it a joke" to stick it to Frank, but, then he's alone. No wife, no friend, not even the nurses are around for him. It really kinda makes you wonder if he was actually afraid. It plays a bit with the idea of Chet having PTSD and being broken by it and just becoming an awful person, definitely inexcusable, but, showing a bit of how he pivoted to be such an awful person, to the point where he ends up alone, afraid, cold and dying.
Sue really frustrated the hell out of me, but the irrationality came off as genuine, not just writer's convenience for conflict, but an actual "So messed up that no signal seems to go in or out right" that starts so many fights. You'll see it a lot with people suffering depression or otherwise stressed and miserable. It's an amazing achievement to make you not just get fed up with the writers when they make a character like this and it's not just for plot progression. I really liked her resolution at the end too, and her "getting better" at the end is satisfying, it's a great moral and message. For someone like my mom, the message of "You don't need a career to be fulfilled, you are contributing" and that having a child you raise is great, and it's honestly something too many people need but not enough hear, feeling despair over not having a "Career". There's so much more to life.
Frank and Big Bill is also an amazing ambiguous relationship, demonstrating Frank isn't just looking at his childhood with "trauma tinted glasses" and that Big Bill really did act as he remembered, but also seeing him actually trying to be decent, and it makes it a lot more complex than just "Oh Big Bill is just pretending because he's a natural manipulator/narcissist that wants to be the star", he still crosses the line pretty obviously, but you also see him putting in the effort to not be awful. You also see how many failures Big Bill had and how most of his outbursts come from "Failure" and he lashes out at smaller mistakes, parallel to Frank and his own family, and you learn why Frank is how he is. It's scary looking at the intergenerational trauma in action, but also, how it leaves you on a note questioning just how genuine Big Bill was, if he's like Frank, a hurt man who lashes out despite trying his best for them, or if he's in it for himself and his own image alone.
I feel like for Sue, it wasn’t entirely just not about having a career, but also about feeling unfulfilled in life. I think for a lot of people, depending on what you want, there comes times where you’ll get what you want and in the front of your brain you’re thinking, “well… this is it…?” especially in a time for people where having the nuclear family was aspirational. But i do agree that her arc was about finding meaning again in having family than just pursuing a new profession that is a MLM lol Plus iirc, wasn’t her family upper class? So that makes sense in regards to her wanting more (but I could be remembering wrong).
Big Bill imo DEFINITELY was sincere in his approach to how he acted in the “present day” … now, that meanness will probably always be within him, but there are definitely irl people who used to be horrendous, but with age and time, seem to calm down. It sucks because it’s almost as if they’ve forgiven themselves for how unjustly and wrongfully they’ve treated people, but don’t allow others to grieve the same. Not to say that they’re doing that intentionally, but it’s such a hard conversation to bring up for some people, especially in regards to Parents/Family.
F is for family is a phenomenal show. Criminally underrated when it comes to Netflix animated shows. It should be talked about more often.
I think the slowly poisoning thing is great. they could’ve definitely done more but i think it shows how quickly life can shift and change so abruptly because life doesn’t always go as thought.
To me, the artstyle feels like it's going for less of a Family Guy and more of a King of the Hill. And despite not watching KotH back in the day I have heard nothing but good things about it.
In this world, only three things are certain: death, taxes, and Mark sneaking Brian Griffin into every one of his thumbnails.
I loved this show. I resonated with me so much it didn't feel like a slap stick comedy like every adult cartoon is, it felt real, like you could make it a live action show and it would be the exact same. The realistic family, the unhappy cliff hangers, find meaning in what you put your efforts and time into, this show was real. And I think that's why it isn't as popular as it should be. Cartoons are seen as supposed to come off as humorous and comedic in some way or another. That why bojack gets praise, although it's also dark and heavy, it has silly talking animals doing silly and animalistic things so I feel some people look past the real and dark stuff. But great vid mark, I love your explanation and take on this series! Bravo!
yo the eldest kid is literally rodrick heffley
That’s the first thing I thought
Also the dad in diary of a wimpy kid is named Frank.
except more emotional
@@the_br0wnie294and the mom is named Susan or Sue
i dunno why, but that scene where they're moving the tv and he calls the dog a "fucking maniac" sent me more than anything else in the show
I kinda thought the dad character was meant to be the angry video game nerd
I love the new art for this channel, it’s so pleasing to look at
14:00 you’re telling me you didn’t find Rosie’s story a strong B plot and important showing how black men were still treated in America? It’s a dark and sad commentary that’s definitely played too much for laughs, but a strong narrative nonetheless
Thank you for giving this show the love it deserves. I was pleasantly surprised it took more of Everybody Hates Chris, Malcolm in the Middle approach.
i feel like people are too quick to assume animated shows are supposed to be a comedy. I dont remeber laughing at much in this show but it never felt like i was supposed to. I like the fact that even if you dont think its funny the jokes dont really matter at all. its like king of the hill in that way. you didnt laugh? okay that wasnt the focus anyway we were trying to tell a story of the depressing/mundane reality of the american dream and growing up 🤷♂️
I didn't expect to love this show as much as I do, and watching it with my mom made it all the better, because she can comment on it's accuracy for the time period she grew up in and how little of it is hyperbole 🤣
Dead ass
Man, I wish I could get my mom to watch a show like this with me 😭
She love’s regular show (we have always wanted matching mordecai and rigby tattoos lol) so shes open to cartoons and we LOVE bobs burgers but she thinks shows like this are ugly and wont bother 😭
@@mjg-98 she's not wrong, the show is ugly, but worth watching.
Super excited to see you cover this. I loved the earlier seasons but then it just got off the rails Later. I loved the characters but the plot was family guy nuts at times. Happy to watch this review.
What didn’t you like about the later seasons and how was it like Family Guy? Not jumping on you but I don’t remember the later seasons changing drastically.
@@AmericaTheSimpleMinded some of the different gross out humour especially with victor and his girl friend. The tv show stuff as mark said was a little off putting. I thought the plot got a bit weird like when the guy got shredded in the plane or when Kevin fell through the ice and relieved trauma. Outside of that it made sense for the most part.
@Doggo I mean the ice thing happened all the way in season 2 and it tracks since it adds another element to how rocky his and Frank's relationship is
I loved it, I thought it was great! The scene where Frank is yelling at Kevin about his grades and making a huge spectacle at the table will forever live in my head rent free. "Strike up the band! Da, dalah, da, da, da! Three cheers for my d minus son!" "D PLUS!"
I don’t know but as someone who’s family has decades of inter generational trauma parts of this show really hit hard. I relate so hard to the kids in that they all represent reactions to family trauma, one tries to be the innocent happy angel that glues the parents together, one acts out whilst constantly seeking approval and one wants nothing to do with their family feeling trapped by the fact they are a child who relies on their parents for the basics.
I feel like this show was even more amazing knowing the fact that Bill Bur dedicated this to his father.
This show is exactly what the name is, Family. Frank is by no means nice but he has a reason for being the way he is, his life was messed up. I especially love the ending where it showed the contrasts of the first episode where Frank was just a product of his messed up childhood and how in the final episode he is determined to break the cycle. I found it heartwarming.
It's amazing how it is an adult cartoon but not a Family Guy clone, that's what makes it so good.
Im so happy this show is getting
recognition This show is so underrated
"Guess which one is meant to be Bill Burr"
You fell for the bait. Were you to know more about Bill Burr from his comedy specials and mainly his podcast, you'd know he pretty much is Frank Murphy.
Edit: Also, even without taking Frank himself into account, Kevin is still a lot closer to real life Bill Burr than Bill Murphy is.
Every character is bull Burr. Or at least an aspect of him and the family is basically just him arguing with himself
@@jaiden3473 damn bill burr as a wife is kinda bhad
Frank also has elements of his dad, like the story of how his dad would walk in and flip the table in "anger" (Later found out just as a scare tactic for them to not disrespect him) or when he would kick in the doors yelling at them for not doing chores and such (Planned on replacing the doors).
@@jaiden3473 Damn even the dog was Bill Burr? Jesus Christ that explains so much.
9:09 - I forgot that Major was humping Sue's leg while she was crying. Jeez
0:16 “but somehoaoaew”
"SömehŒÆw" 💀
If you were a child of the late 70s 80s or even early 90s… this show was incredibly relatable.
I liked and hated this show, Frank really felt like a real character, I grew up around people like him, exactly the same. Even my dad shares so many of the same traits as Frank so it was hard to watch at times.
At the same time I think it helped me understand why those people acted the way they did, I still won't forgive what was clearly abuse but at least I sort of understand the reasons behind their behaviour.
I LOVE series like this. I may have to check it out. I love series that are funny but don't force it but at the same time, knows when to get real and Dark. Something Family Guy will never be.
"baby is born, halleluiah, everything's right with the world- BOOM... Dead dad" 🤣
Babe wake up, a TH-camr you’ve never heard of with an accent posted a 45+ minute video on a show you only see from TH-cam shorts clips
I really enjoyed this show, it was dark, like a lot of adult animated shows, but there was real heart underneath the cynicism.
I personally love the animation it feels like a cereal or toy box from the time it was set in. I think the animation while simple is able to convey the family better along with the Time period since ong as soon as I saw the poster on Netflix I thought it was based in the late 70s or 80s.
No joke I’ve seen this video six times…SIX TIMES!!! This shows how good this video is. Love you (platonically) Mark
What I like about this family is they don’t all cartoonishly hate each other. They love each other, they’re all trying the best they know how, even if they often fail. It’s a refreshing dynamic, and I feel like by the end of the show they all understand each other in a much healthier way.
It's a terrible sitcom, and immaculate emotional piece of media. Has always reminded me of Bojack in that aspect
I honestly love this show. The feel, characters, animation, and historical feel of how certain people would be in the time the show takes place in.
Thank you for covering this show. To me, this is the best adult animated show in a real long time. I was glad to give it a chance when it first came out, and I hope more people will give it a chance and watch it. It truly was an amazing show!
This was beautifully done ❤
38:27 E-102 Gamma's theme in the background here was a nice touch ☺
Bill burr actually likes animation, I remember he said he liked One punch man on Twitter and everyone went crazy and it wasn't like he looked at it at a surface level to he saw the subtext from the beginning.