Patrick Warburton is well-known for voicing Joe Swanson, one of the iconic characters on Seth MacFarlane’s enduring animated series “Family Guy.” As one of Peter Griffin’s closest friends, along with Cleveland and Quagmire, Joe frequently joins the crew at their hangout, the Drunken Clam, sharing stories filled with laughter and reckless decisions. Despite being a police officer and showcasing capability that often surpasses his able-bodied friends, Joe also represents a rare figure in mainstream television as one of the few disabled characters, residing in a wheelchair.
“Family Guy” has built its reputation on humor that can be described as vulgar and provocative, often pushing boundaries, including making jokes at Joe’s expense. A 2017 study highlighted that Joe’s disability was mocked in approximately 15 percent of his appearances during the show’s initial 15 seasons. Warburton, who himself does not have a disability, is aware of the show’s edgy nature. He carries out his role convincingly while accepting that many of the show’s audacious jokes might not align with his own principles. For those who find offense due to sensitivity, “Family Guy” may not be the right fit.
However, in a 2019 discussion, Warburton disclosed that MacFarlane has occasionally taken things a bit too far. He recalled a particular instance where an offensive gag prompted him to withdraw from participating in an episode altogether. Interestingly, the controversial joke was not even related to Joe Swanson’s character. Instead, it had a religious context that Warburton found distasteful. As a lifelong Christian coming from a politically conservative background, he is also aware that his work on “Family Guy” often puts him at odds with his mother’s ultra-conservative media watchdog organization, the Parent’s Television Council.
Warburton specifically mentioned that a joke involving the Crucifixion crossed his personal line. He stated, “There was an episode one time… this has only happened once in 20 years of being on the show, the episode was so offensive I can’t repeat it now. […] It had to do with Christ on the cross but there was no humor in it and it was just so, so horribly offensive. It wasn’t a Joe line, but I said, ‘Guys, I can’t participate in this episode if that line is in it. It’s a personal thing.'”
The actor recognizes the space satire occupies, understanding the rules and exemptions comedy has, particularly with a show like “Family Guy.” Nevertheless, the particular joke about the Crucifixion lacked any comedic value for Warburton, who professed that it was offensive to his beliefs. He remarked on the paradox of an offensive joke diminishing the overall impact of humor in the series.
Despite his concerns, Warburton clarified that this was an isolated incident during nearly two decades on the show. He acknowledged his role as a team player and maintained that he enjoyed good communication with the show’s creators, stating, “In 20 years, there’s only been this one episode. We have great communication all the time. They are all great and listen to you.”
Given that a conservative Christian like Warburton has only found cause for objection once over two decades, it reflects that MacFarlane, despite his often audacious humor, appears to navigate the creative territory with a degree of respect.
