Seth MacFarlane, the creative force behind “Family Guy,” recently shared his thoughts on the show’s journey and its previous cancellations. Despite the challenges, MacFarlane believes the show has become a staple in television, stating that it continues to resonate with audiences. In an interview with the LA Times last year, he remarked that as long as people still enjoy “Family Guy,” it would remain part of the programming landscape. With a legacy spanning 25 years, the Griffin family remains as beloved as ever.
MacFarlane emphasized the positivity that “Family Guy” brings to viewers, explaining that the show’s success enables charitable contributions, such as to the Rainforest Trust. He reflected on moments when he considered concluding the series but felt they’ve now reached a point where pulling the plug wouldn’t make sense.
The animated sitcom, much like “The Simpsons,” has been part of television for so long that it has created a unique relationship with its audience, one that MacFarlane believes deserves to continue rather than conclude with a grand finale. It’s notable that “Family Guy” has faced cancellation before—specifically, it was abruptly axed in 2000 after just two seasons. However, strong DVD sales and popularity through reruns prompted Fox to revive the show for a third season.
During this time, MacFarlane admitted he didn’t fully grasp the industry’s dynamics. He remarked on his initial experience of landing a show and then facing its cancellation, noting, “I thought, ‘Oh, I guess this is normal.’ When I got canceled, I was like, ‘OK, I guess this is normal too.'” Nonetheless, his partnership with Fox endured, leading to the show’s eventual revival.
MacFarlane recounted feeling a surge of excitement during the revival talks. He shared that Fox approached him with the idea of “sneaking” the show back into production, a moment he had believed was long gone. It was during this period that he felt a keen sense of unfinished business, having attempted various projects in the meantime.
Interestingly, the show has humorously acknowledged its own history of cancellations within its episodes. The fourth season premiere features Peter Griffin breaking the news of their cancellation to the family, comedically listing other Fox shows that met the same fate. This self-referential humor lampoons Fox’s quick decisions on show cancellations while also celebrating “Family Guy’s” return to television.
Furthermore, in an iconic parody of “Star Wars,” the show quips about Fox’s past missteps, questioning how shareholders can support a company that makes impulsive decisions. The underlying humor allows the show to critique those early cancellations while still emphasizing the camaraderie it shares with its audience—a relationship that continues to thrive with each new episode.
