His ‘Family’ is happily off-center

Q. Why do an extended “Star Wars’’ parody?

A. Everybody knows “Star Wars’’ - at least, everybody in our audience. And Lucasfilm is probably the only company out there right now that is progressive enough to allow this. Certainly we would have a laugh doing this with “Indiana Jones’’ or “Wrath of Khan.’’ But I can’t imagine in a billion years that Paramount would give us permission.

Q. So you actually cleared this with George Lucas?

A. The first episode came about because we were doing so many “Star Wars’’ gags that finally Fox’s legal department said, “Hey, we got to start clearing this with Lucas or we’re gonna get sued.’’ We got very depressed and thought, “Well, this is it.’’ But to our surprise, Lucasfilm said something we never, ever hear: “OK, you can do it, just make sure the characters look exactly like they do in the movies.’’

Q. But wait - Stewie, the baby in “Family Guy,’’ doesn’t exactly look like Darth Vader, even though he plays him in this film.

A. Other than the distortion to fit Stewie’s head, the helmet is pretty much the same. The Stormtroopers look like Stormtroopers.

Q. Except yours are wearing mesh shirts.

A. Exactly. They’re dressed a little gayer.

Q. You’ve got quite the empire yourself now. It turns out that “The Cleveland Show,’’ the “Family Guy’’ spinoff starring the Griffins’ black neighbor, has been a surprise hit on Fox this fall.

A. No one really knew what to expect, because Cleveland is not the obvious choice for a spinoff. But the things that we were hoping would work have in fact worked. It feels like its own thing, not just another episode of “Family Guy.’’

Q. But you’ve made some powerful enemies along the way with your tasteless humor. The Parents Television Council, the advocacy group, consistently attacks your show.

A. I always thought it would be funny to have the Parents Television Council write an episode of “Family Guy’’ and give them full creative control. Then see how good the episode is. That’s something we’ve actually discussed in the writers’ room. We haven’t proposed it yet, but if somebody from the PTC reads this, it might be worth discussing.

Q. How often do the Fox censors tell you that certain gags have to come out?

A. Very often. About half the jokes that are on our standards list in every episode don’t make it into the show. You trade. It’s about quantity.

Q. Carol Burnett also sued you - unsuccessfully - over a parody that spoofed her famous cleaning-lady character. Do you think she has a sense of humor?

A. I would certainly hope so. I was at the Creative Arts Emmys this year, and Carol Burnett was one of the presenters. And when she came out, everyone gave her a standing ovation, including me. It was a moment that you only get in Hollywood: giving a standing ovation to somebody who sued you a year ago.

Q. How did it make you feel?

A. Like I had no spine.