Carol Burnett sues for misuse of character

LOS ANGELES, March 17 (UPI) -- Fox TVs' "Family Guy" violated copyright laws by using Carol Burnett's signature "Charwoman" character, a $6 million lawsuit filed in Los Angeles said.

In the lawsuit, Burnett also alleged the animated adult sitcom disparaged her well-known ear-tug closing on her long-running "The Carol Burnett Show" as well as modified "Carol's Theme", the show's theme song, TMZ.com said.

In the "Peterotica" episode that aired last year, the main character on "Family Guy," visited a porn shop and remarked on its cleanliness. One friend says it was clean because, "Carol Burnett works part time as a janitor," the lawsuit filed Friday said.

A subsequent scene showed "Charwoman," with her "trademarked blue bonnet, bucket and mop" and in the background "a slightly altered version of 'Carol's Theme' is playing," the suit said.

Later in the episode, one character jokes about Burnett's signature ear.

Fox, in a statement, said, "'Family Guy,' like the 'Carol Burnett Show,' is famous for its pop culture parodies and satirical jabs at celebrities. We are surprised that Ms. Burnett, who has made a career of spoofing others on television, would go so far as to sue 'Family Guy' for a simple bit of comedy."