Family Guy Drags The Simpsons Into ‘Rape Joke’ Controversy Ahead Of Crossover Episode

Family Guy’s season premiere airs in the US this weekend with the much-heralded The Simpsons crossover… but criticism has been levelled at a rape joke in the trailer which may have been removed from the final broadcast.

The line appears as Bart Simpson embarks on one of his legendary pranks to Moe’s Tavern, before Stewie Griffin asks for a turn and not completely getting the point asked: “Hello, Moe? Your sister’s been raped.”

Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television Council, says he is a long-time Simpsons fan and is concerned for younger fans who will tune in to the Family Guy episode without knowing what they’re in for.

“I was blown out of my shoes when I saw the scene with the rape joke in it,” he said, according to the Kansas City Star. But RAINN, a major anti-sexual assault organisation, have said they see no real issue. “I think the show is making it clear that rape is not funny by how they are positioning the joke,” their spokesperson said. “It’s my hope that would be the viewers’ take-away.”

Family Guy meets The Simpsons (Photo: Fox)

Fox have not responded to questions of whether or not the line has been cut altogether from Sunday’s broadcast, which is expected to log bumper ratings.

The Simpsons’ own season premiere will see the death of a major character, while it is also set to crossover with Futurama and the Tracey Ullman version of itself over the course of the 26th season.