Judge rules song, based on Disney's "When You Wish Upon a Star" humorous, use proper.
Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane performs "I Need A Jew" live in Chicago.
The actual clip from the show has been removed by YouTube and other online video sights because Fox is claiming copyright infringement – a claim that clearly would not hold because the song in a small portion of the entire show and is the focus of a court case and news coverage.
The entire show, including the song, can be seen on FamilyGuy.com.
Now, here's the original from Disney's 1940 hit Pinocchio:
Heeb Magazine has the story:
When Peter Griffin sang the song "I Need a Jew" on Family Guy, not everyone was amused. The song, which begins with Peter singing out the window while gazing longingly at the nighttime sky, is an arms-length parody of "When You Wish Upon a Star." The copyright holders of the classic song from Disney’s Pinocchio filed an infringement lawsuit against Fox, which produces and broadcasts the show.
Yesterday, a Federal District Court judge dismissed the case, finding the song to be humorous and sufficiently different in character from the original. Judge Deborah Batts wrote that the original song’s wholesomeness makes it fair game for “ridicule by parodists seeking to take the wind out of such lofty, magical or pure associations.”
In the episode, titled "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein," Peter looks for a Jew to manage his money. The song ends with a knock on Peter’s door, and when he opens it, a character named Max Weinstein says his car broke down and asks to borrow the phone. Peter then turns to the camera and sings, "Now my troubles are all through/I have a Jew."
Nothing else has worked so far
So I'll wish upon a star
Wonderous shining speck of light
I need a Jew
Lois makes me take the rap
Cause our checkbook looks like crap
Since I can't give her a slap
I need a Jew
Where to find
A Baum or Steen or Stein
To teach me how to whine and do
my taaaaaxesss...
Though by many they're abhored
Hebrew people I've adored
Even though they killed my Lord
I need a Jew
"When You Wish Upon a Star" lyrics:
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true