Bird is the word!

Bet you’re sick of hearing that by now, aren’t you? It seems Family Guy, once wildly popular and controversial and full of memorable lines such as that one, is no longer this generation’s “go-to” show for gratuitous humor.

As two of my classmates so aptly pointed out, Family Guy “used to be funny.”

I’d agree.

The second and third seasons in particular were outrageously entertaining. Heck, the episode, “Wasted Talent” still makes me laugh to this day, if only for its flawless Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory parody.

But those salad days are long gone and it’s no secret: the show isn’t what it used to be. Right?

False. It’s not that Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s sense of humor changed in those seven or eight years; it’s that us, as an audience, have changed. What we found funny when we were 13 is most likely vastly different from what we find funny today.

A long-winded segment about Peter Griffin tripping and busting his knee was hilarious for me when I was a kid, and when my only worry in life was passing eighth grade. But I’m older now, and presumably a bit wiser.

My interests have changed, certainly, as have the times I live in. So far be it for me, or any other former Family Guy fan, to think the show’s glory years are behind it.

When I was about eight or nine, Beavis and Butthead was the one program parents absolutely did not want their children to watch. Mike Judge’s lewd toon about two lifeless, booger-eating slackers was the epitome of “taboo television” for my age group.

I still remember sneaking a peak at episodes like “The Great Cornholio” while my dad was making dinner, only to be yelled at shortly thereafter. Looking back on it, Beavis and Butthead is no longer revolutionary, no longer controversial and no longer all that amusing.

Again, that isn’t because Mike Judge himself is no longer a funny guy; it’s because senses of humor, among other things, don’t remain stagnant through the years.

Look at it this way: Do you think your grandmother always loved Werther’s Original Caramel Candies? I doubt it. Tastes change throughout life; Beavis and Butthead and Peter serve as prove of that.

— Posted by Derek Waler, 10/10/08

On “The Late Show,” David Letterman called out Anne Hathaway on her private life and personal secrets.

Was he out of line, or was he just doing his job?

With their faces plastered all over the television and movie screens, the stars are placed on a pedestal as everyone hopes to be just like them. Too often the public falls in love with the character the person is playing, and often forget to realize that there is a real person behind the public persona with feelings, desires, and choices to make just like any other person.

As David Letterman interviewed Hathaway, he barely let her breathe before asking her if she is doing something different to look more beautiful. With rumors flying that she was fighting some sort of eating disorder, Letterman wasted no time in eluding to being curious as to whether she was battling a disorder herself.

Hathaway gave him a shocked look before responding that she had quit smoking and drinking, while also giving up meat.

Obviously Letterman could have made small talk before hitting her with such a bold question about her personal life, but Hathaway handled it with class. In Letterman’s defense, there is not much time to be wasted in a ten minute interview, but he could have began with a less imposing question.

Most people have heard rumors as to Hathaway’s last boyfriends recent legal troubles that have landed him in jail. Right after hitting Hathaway with questions about her image, Letterman asked about her relationship by referring to it as “the relationship that went crashing and burning.”

Letterman failed to hesitate before pouncing on Hathaway about how long she knew the guy and if he would be in jail for a long time.

In response, Hathaway answered the questions calmly and with a few jokes, but she was certainly uncomfortable to be having her personal relationship broadcasted on television. Letterman did give her the opportunity to stop him from asking too personal of questions, but knowing Letterman, he would not have resisted.

So, although the public does have the right to know about the choices the stars are making as role models, it is important that it is done tastefully. Letterman came off appearing to care more about the gossip of Hathaway’s life rather than her next upcoming movie, which was the reason she was there.

Letterman should have stuck to questions about filming the movie, so in that sense he failed to do his job.

A separate interview should have been made to discuss Hathaway’s personal life so as not to just hit her unprepared all at once. Letterman should just be thankful she did not get all emotional and fall apart, or he would be receiving a lot of angry e-mails from the “Princess” who has charmed the big screen.

— Posted by Lindsey Kastning, 10/10/08

I’m a bit of a TV junkie.

When networks air promotions for the following week, I expect results. As an avid viewer and faithful fan, I expect that if something is advertised, the product is delivered. I don’t think this is a lot to ask.

The CW, apparently, disagrees.

And this happens all the time. This past week, after “Gossip Girl” and “One Tree Hill,” promos aired for the next episode. Looking no different than any other episode advertisement, they throw in the next airdate is Oct. 13.

Seriously, if you’re going to make us wait, just say so. Don’t package it all cute with a bow on top in sparkly, attractive paper and call it a gift. Say it’s an IOU and we’ll be getting in at a later date. No harm, no foul.

Like I said, however, networks evidently do this all the time. This isn’t new. They don’t want to lose viewers by not airing the things fans want when they want them. They still, however, haven’t gotten the drift that people watch shows to find out what happens next. If you know there are going to be 18 weeks in a season, for Pete’s sake, tape 18 show. Don’t take 13 and package five reruns as sparkly, happy, shiny things. That’s just rude.

I’ll stop ranting and go back to watching my reruns. I just wanted to get that off my chest.

— Posted by Nyssa Bulkes, 10/9/08 1:39 a.m.