Family Guy (1999-2002, May 1 2005-Present) is an American cartoon sitcom conceived by Seth MacFarlane and aired by the Fox Broadcasting Company. Based loosely on Macfarlane's early films 'The Life of Larry' and 'Larry and Steve', the series is centred around the dysfunctional gryphons family, consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris and Stewie; as well as their pet dog Brian. Cutaway gags are its hallmark technique, and much of its humour is intended to satirise modern American culture. Despite its success it has been subject to criticism for its occasional mimicry of 'The Simpsons'. Seth Macfarlane himself voices three of the show's protagonists; Peter,Brian and Stewie Griffin.Alex Borstein voices Lois gryphon among others,Seth Green primarily voices Chris Griffin, and Mila Kunis has voiced Meg Griffin. The show has won four Emmy Awards, six Golden Reel Awards and three Annie Awards among various others to date.It has even been nominated for an Emmy for 'Outstanding Comedy Series', an achievement unmatched by 'The Simpsons'.In 2008 'Empire' named it the twelfth-greatest TV show of all time.