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Fact check: The Dick ratio scene in the tv series Silicon Valley was a level of comedic writing far beyond the abilities of the writers of Family Guy, who rely is simple cheap gag joke writing.

Checked on June 30, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provide strong support for the first part of the original statement regarding Silicon Valley's sophisticated comedic writing. The "dick ratio" scene is extensively documented as a highly sophisticated piece of comedy writing that involved substantial research and mathematical concepts [1] [2]. The show's creators and writers invested considerable effort into making what could have been a simple crude joke into a complex, mathematically-grounded comedy moment that required technical consultants and real mathematical principles [2].

However, the analyses provide limited direct evidence for the comparative claim about Family Guy's writing quality. While sources discuss Family Guy's controversial humor [3] and acknowledge both creative and lazy writing elements in the series [4], there is no direct comparison between the two shows' writing approaches or quality levels.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks several important contextual elements:

  • No acknowledgment of Family Guy's longevity and cultural impact - The show has maintained popularity for over two decades, suggesting some level of writing competence that resonates with audiences
  • Different comedy styles serve different purposes - Family Guy's "cheap gag" approach may be intentionally designed for rapid-fire humor and broad appeal, while Silicon Valley's approach targets a more niche, tech-savvy audience
  • The comparison cherry-picks one exceptional Silicon Valley scene against Family Guy's general approach, which may not represent a fair assessment of either show's overall writing quality [4]
  • Industry recognition context is missing - The analyses mention Emmy-nominated comedy writing in shows like Hacks and The Bear [5] [6], providing a broader landscape of what constitutes high-quality comedy writing in television

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The statement contains significant bias through selective comparison. It elevates one specific Silicon Valley scene (albeit an exceptionally well-crafted one) and uses it to make a sweeping generalization about the entire writing staff's abilities compared to Family Guy's writers.

The characterization of Family Guy as relying on "simple cheap gag joke writing" oversimplifies the show's writing approach and ignores evidence that the series contains both creative elements and weaker material [4]. This binary framing suggests the author may have a predetermined preference for Silicon Valley's style rather than objectively evaluating both shows' merits.

Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge that different comedy formats require different writing approaches - Family Guy's rapid-fire, multi-reference style serves a different comedic purpose than Silicon Valley's more methodical, character-driven humor. The comparison may be fundamentally flawed as it judges both shows by the same criteria when they operate in different comedic frameworks.

Want to dive deeper?
What makes the Dick ratio scene in Silicon Valley a notable example of comedic writing?
How does the writing style of Silicon Valley differ from that of Family Guy?
What are some other notable examples of comedic writing in TV series?
How does the use of satire in Silicon Valley contribute to its comedic effect?
What are some criticisms of Family Guy's reliance on cutaway gags?