The first three seasons are kind of underappreciated by the masses

Something I've noticed is that most Family Guy memes and online discussion tend to centre around Seasons 6–9, with Season 8 in particular being the most frequently referenced. That also happened to coincide with the period when Family Guy was at the peak of its mainstream popularity and cultural relevance. By comparison, the first three seasons are rarely the focus of memes or discussion.

Those early seasons were often overlooked by mainstream audiences because they were considerably tamer than the post-cancellation era, which led many people to dismiss them. There was a modest resurgence of appreciation for them during the 2010s, but they still remain relatively underappreciated. While it's true that the early seasons shared some similarities with The Simpsons, I also think they had a level of wit and sophistication to their humor that often goes unrecognised. They were arguably more charming than they're typically given credit for.

I also think much of that style and sensibility eventually evolved into shows like American Dad! and Wilfred, since David Zuckerman was a major driving force behind the classic era, but the early seasons of Family Guy laid the groundwork. It's a shame that, at a time when Family Guy nostalgia is stronger than ever, those original seasons continue to be overshadowed.

Part of the reason may simply be that the early seasons have a stronger millennial appeal, whereas the post-cancellation seasons resonate more with Gen Z audiences.