"Family Guy" Reunion in the Works (FOX considers resurrecting the series)

E! News online (via Yahoo TV) ^ | 11-19-03 | Lia Haberman

[Petronski]

"Family Guy" Reunion in the Works Wednesday November 19 4:30 PM ET

By Lia Haberman

Victory may still be Stewie's.

The pint-sized tot with plans of world domination could return to Fox as the network considers resurrecting its animated comedy Family Guy.

Truth be told, strong DVD sales and not Stewie's heavily accented scheming are reportedly behind the move to reinstate the cartoon 18 months after it was yanked from the airwaves.

At this time, production of the dysfunctional family cartoon is "under discussion" according to a Fox spokesperson.

Calls to creator Seth MacFarlane's rep were not returned.

As many as 35 new episodes could premiere in January 2005, according to the Fox spokesperson, which would mark the first time a canceled series has been revived on the strength of its DVD sales and syndication ratings.

Fox head honcho Sandy Grushow told USA Today the series was a late-blooming phenomenon that may have aired before its time.

DVD and cable viewers have "created a kind of groundswell that could lead to better ratings," said Grushow.

Indeed, despite being canceled after only three season, Family Guy is this year's top-selling TV title and the fourth best TV series seller ever, according to Video Store magazine.

A DVD set released in April of the show's first 28 episodes has sold close to 1 million copies while a second collection of 22 episodes has already passed the 500,000 mark. Reruns of the show also rank number one among adult viewers on Cartoon Network.

Family Guy premiered to 22 million viewers on Super Bowl Sunday in 1999 and high praise from critics ("gloriously twisted" said TV Guide). Created by then 24-year-old MacFarlane, the show revolved around the dysfunctional Griffin family of Quahog, Rhode Island, including talking toddler Stewie who vowed revenge for being incarcerated in his mother's "cursed ovarian Bastille" for nine months.

MacFarlane had his stamp all over the Emmy-winning series, lending his voice to the roles of patriarch Peter Griffin, son Stewie and family dog Brian, while Seth Green and Mila Kunis played sibs Chris and Meg Griffin, respectively.

However, the series had difficulty maintaining its following as Fox bounced the show all over its schedule. The series was also the target of an advertiser boycott instigated by MacFarlane's former prep school headmaster, the Reverend Richardson Schell.

Schell convinced several advertisers to abandon the 'toon, alleging that it contained anti-Semitic, racist and sexist content. Schell had previously asked MacFarlane to change the cartoon family's surname. Griffin was the same last name as that of Schell's assistant, Elaine Griffin.

More than 125,000 fans fired back with their own online petition announcing their intention to boycott the network and its advertisers if the series was canceled, all to no avail.

Now, the last laugh may be MacFarlane's. Not only is the network considering reviving the sassy series, but earlier this year he revealed that a direct-to-DVD project featuring the animated Griffin family could be in the works for next year.

[bigeasy_70118]

"Oh Schneider, is there anything you won't say?"

--Brian Griffen, Family Dog

[Petronski]

I always loved the newscasts:

Diane Simmons: And so ends a dark and shameful chapter in the history of Quahog, RI. One which leaves this reporter asking 'How much moral bankrupcy and perversion must we the people endure?'

Tom Tucker: Next up, stay tuned for our special investistigative report on the clitoris, "Nature's Rubik's Cube."

[Petronski]

[jmc813]

YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Family Guy is by far the most genius cartoon on television.

[jmc813]

You guys ever watch Family Guy? Judging by the sense of humor I've seen y'all display on FR, I think you'd be into it.

[Petronski]

Peter: Oh my God, Brian look! There's a message in my Alpha-Bits, it says oooooooooo.
Brian: Those are Cheerios.

[jmc813]

And furthermore, if anyone complains about this being in Front Page News, they should be banned from FR IMO.

[Petronski]

(watching sesame street)
PETER: hey... is The Count a vampire?"

BRIAN: what?

PETER: i mean hes got those fangs...did they ever show him doing somebody in and feedin on them?

BRIAN: let me get this straight....you're asking if they've ever done an episode of sesame street in which The Count kills somebody....and then drinks their blood for sustanence....

PETER: yeah

BRIAN: no, i dont think they've ever done that

[Green Knight]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up, there, Tex. What was that about a Farscape mini-series? What channel's it gonna be on and when does it premiere? Got any links to where I can find info on it?

[Petronski]

And furthermore, if anyone complains about this being in Front Page News, they should be banned from FR IMO.

It belongs in breaking news, actually, but I figured I wouldn't get away with it.

[Lancey Howard]

I remember when we showed up at the Floridian at Disney World in 2000 and as we walked into the main lobby from the monorail my daughter said "Wow!", and sang, "This house is freakin' sweet!"

[Paul C. Jesup]

You want Farscape news, here it is: http://www.watchfarscape.com/index.php

Let's see, possible return of Farscape, Family Guy, and the creator of Outlaw Star (Anime) says he going to start working on a direct sequel to Outlar Star early next year.

This is turning out to be a good week.

[Texas Federalist]

(when the cable got knocked out)
TOM: "of course...nobody is watching so it really doesnt matter WHAT we say.... I am the Lord Jesus Christ! I think ill get drunk and beat up some midgets"
DIANE: "and I just plain don't like black people"
CAMERAMAN: "uh....we're still on in Boston..."

[Texas Federalist]

One more:

Diane Simmons: Our top story tonight: I will be playing the role of Ana in the Quahog Player's production of "The King and I." Tom?
Tom Tucker: Thanks Diane. In other news, I won't be going to the play because I'm sure it will be lousy.
Diane: Tom, I'm getting late word that you're a petty, jealous closet case.
Tom: In breaking news, we now go live to Diane being a bitch. Diane?

[skinkinthegrass]

Lets see... 867-5309. No!, Thats not right. DAMN YOU TOMMY 2 TONE!

DA*N!...another ear bug.

[N. Theknow]

The pint-sized tot with plans of world domination

Can't hold a candle to.....The Brain!

Narf!

[hattend]

K, never reallyt got into this show. Is Stewie and the dog real talking, interacting, members of the family or are we just hearing them speak their thoughts?

[discostu]

My favorite Brian line will always be "who's leg do you have to hump to get a dry martini around here".

[Petronski]

Judge: The Jury finds Peter Griffin guilty and to be sentenced to death.
Peter: Oh no!
Lois: Oh no!
Chris: Oh no!
Meg: Oh no!

Kool-aid Man: [as he breaks through the courthouse walls] Oh yeah!
[awkward pause as Kool-aid Man walks out]

[hattend]

What about the announcement Farscape is getting a miniseries after its cancellation?!" Shep, God bless him, ran the news on Farscape (and a great clip of the show) right after.

More info please. Farscape is finally getting the final season promised? Yes!