Family Guy Spin-Off!
February 29, 2008

The world can always use more Family Guy and that's kind of what they'll get with a planned spin-off from the hit Fox show that needed to be canceled to become a TV classic. It's amazing that a show that was deemed unworthy for renewal by Fox not that long ago is now getting the spin-off treatment, but that's what Reuters reports today. So, who gets the spin-off? Sorry Quagmire fans (that's what we were hoping too) but it looks like you'll have to clear your schedule for Cleveland, a pilot being written by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, writer/producer Mike Henry (who also voices the hen-pecked character), and Rich Appel, who is an executive producer on the other MacFarlane Fox creation, American Dad!

If you're unfamiliar, the character of Cleveland plays off a lot of black stereotypes but is also essentially the most straight-laced character in the bizarre Family Guy universe. He's hen-pecked by his wife, accident-prone (especially with bathtubs), and easily the most normal of Peter Griffin's friends.

Family Guy was once-canceled by Fox but has now become one of the biggest moneymakers for the networks with DVD sales and toys making the company incredible amounts of money. Reuters reports that Family Guy is as much as a $1 billion franchise for Fox with red-hot DVD and merchandise sales. Don't be surprised if it's on for another decade or more. But Fox needs another hit animated comedy, something that they haven't been able to produce - American Dad! does well but not great. Reuters reports that they have several animated comedies in the works including an animated version of the 2003 short-lived live-action comedy The Pitts. There is also news today that Fox is planning a female prison spin-off of Prison Break. Less exciting news, but news nonetheless.

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