Seth MacFarlane's animated comedy series “Family Guy” debuted in 1999 as, in effect, a crude rehash of “The Simpsons.” This was a telling development in popular culture because “The Simpsons,” which had debuted a full decade earlier, was seen as a crass rehash of most traditional sitcoms. The exceptionally busty Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) was replaced by the boorish idiot Peter Griffin (MacFarlane). “The Simpsons” often featured juvenile humor, but it was clearly written by intelligent people who liked to sprinkle high-class literary and scientific references into their scripts. By contrast, “Family Guy,” a frat boy bore largely prone to tasteless (and grimly funny) jokes about sexual assault, racism and celebrity culture. “Family Guy” relied on pop culture references, especially remembered by those born in the mid-1970s.
“Family Guy” also aged up its child characters. On The Simpsons, Bart (Nancy Cartwright) and Lisa (Yeardley Smith) were 10 and 8 years old, respectively. In Family Guy, Chris (Seth Green) and Meg (we'll get to that) were 14 and 17, respectively.
In the show's first season, Meg was played by (uncredited) Lacey Chabert, who was still starring on the then-hit soap “Party of Five.” Chabert was a rising star, having already appeared on stage as young Cosette in “Les Misérables” and had also voiced numerous animated characters. However, Chabert was eliminated from “Family Guy” after only 15 episodes, and in the second season she was replaced by Mila Kunis. In 2000, Kunis became famous for her small roles on “7th Heaven” and “Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher,” and had just launched a lucrative career on “That's '70s Show.”
“Family Guy” fans once spread rumors that Chabert had been fired from the show, but it looks like the real answer isn't as salacious as it may seem. Chabert, who was attending school while also appearing on “Party of Five,” simply didn't have the time to continue starring in the animated series. She talked about her departure in a 2006 interview with GameSpy.
No injuries
To clarify: Lacey Chabert has no ill will towards MacFarlane, Kunis or any of the creators of “Family Guy.” She wasn't fired, fired, or even unhappy. She was simply too busy with other projects to stick with this particular animated show. She also couldn't have predicted that “Family Guy” would have such legs; the series has returned after being canceled and is currently in its 22nd season. Chabert wasn't thinking about the program's potential success, just what it was missing. Chabert said:
“No, I actually left the show on my own accord. And just because I was at school and doingParty of five then. But I think the show is funny and I don't blame (Mila Kunis) at all. I think she's a great actress.”
Chabert may have dodged a bullet, too. While Kunis has had great success as Meg Griffin, the character is a sad sack and subject to repeated abuse. The characters constantly mock her for her appearance, and the writers plague Meg with all sorts of strange ailments and mutations. Throughout the series, it is revealed that Meg has a small child that she keeps in her locker, was born with a tail, and even has a heart located in her skull, next to her brain. That's why she always wears a pink knitted hat.
Chabert appeared in the 2003 cult comedy “Mean Girls” (which has since been adapted into a Broadway musical and a film version of the musical) and played Eliza Thornberry in the popular Nickelodeon series “The Wild Thornberrys.” He now has his career in order, regularly appearing on Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, which is a fine art in itself. Her next film is a Netflix Christmas movie titled “Hot Frosty.”
