Television programs facing harsh critique by Seth MacFarlane for their overwhelmingly gloomy and cynical outlooks
In a recent interview on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, expressed his concern about the current state of television and film, arguing that Hollywood has become overly focused on bleak, pessimistic, and dystopian narratives.
MacFarlane criticized the industry for its reliance on antiheroes and dark themes, citing shows like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Sopranos as examples. He contrasted this with classic shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, where characters like Captain Picard offered hope and inspiration.
The creator of The Orville emphasized the importance of balanced storytelling, arguing that it's crucial to explore the consequences of failure, but also to celebrate success and positive change. MacFarlane believes that Hollywood has a significant role to play in providing audiences with uplifting, hopeful stories, especially since public interest in celebrity opinions has waned, and people resonate more with the emotional impact of stories.
MacFarlane's own show, The Orville, reflects this vision by blending comedy and sci-fi to deliver optimistic messages despite tackling complex themes. This approach directly counters the prevailing trend of negativity and violence on screen.
In summary, MacFarlane called for Hollywood to shift back to narratives that offer hope and inspiration, asserting that this approach is necessary and the “only worthwhile” role Hollywood can play in today’s cultural climate. However, he did not discuss any specific strategies for increasing the amount of hopeful content in Hollywood.
The creator of The Orville, Seth MacFarlane, has expressed his wish for Hollywood to focus more on uplifting stories, like the ones found in shows such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, in contrast to the frequent dark narratives seen in series such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Sopranos. Recognizing the potential influence of Hollywood, MacFarlane believes that it should play a role in providing audiences with hopeful, inspiring stories, especially in today's world, where public interest in celebrities has diminished, and people seem to resonate more with the emotional impact of stories.
