TV Review: F is for Family, Season 1

By Tyler Hodg

Netflix’s latest original adult-oriented cartoon, F is for Family, is racist, homophobic, and misogynistic–all in the name of satire.

The show is the brainchild of respected stand-up comedian Bill Burr, and if you’re aware of his act, you know that nothing is off limits whenever he is involved. With F is for Family, Burr’s dialogue with viewers is more subtle than it is on stage, but still more in-your-face than most shows.

Burr voices Frank Murphy, an irate husband and father of three. The Murphy family is similar to other cartoon families (blue collar husband, submissive wife, rebellious oldest child, grounded middle child, and slight terror youngest child), but the characters are written with enough conviction to warrant overlooking the tired formula.

The show centers around a fluent commentary on family dynamics in the 1970s. For some, it may be a throwback to their own upbringing, and for others, it’s a mordant look at how far we’ve come as a society (or haven’t, in the case of some people).

Despite being a comedy, there are quite a few heartbreaking moments in the first season, most of which involve middle child Bill. Stuck in obscurity between hated and loved siblings, the 11-year0old is often the brunt of his family’s dysfunction, despite being the least deserving of torture.

In addition to the Murphy family, a solid group of supporting characters help make the show well-rounded. Any scenes involving exuberant neighbor Vic or Frank’s favorite over-the-hill action star Colt Luger are instantly gold.

The six-episode season delivers just enough content for viewers to peek behind the curtain of potential. Burr has proven himself as a successful stand-up comedian, and he can now include showrunner to his resume. F is for Family is pungent and memorable, and it would be a crime not to continue the show (hint hint, Netflix, hint hint).