News

Hilary Duff is set to return to Hulu to star in a beauty pageant drama series, titled “Pretty Ugly.”

The new show, which is currently in development at Hulu, hails from Kirker Butler (“Only Murders in the Building”), who writes and executive produces. Duff will also EP alongside Silver Tree, who is also attached to direct, as well as Aaron Kaplan. 20th Television and Kapital Entertainment are producing.

Duff will play former teenage pageant queen Miranda Miller, whose mission in life is to make her 10-year-old daughter Bailey the most successful child pageant contestant in the United States. It’s a dream that involves endorsement deals, beauty brands and maybe even a TV show,...

Hilary Duff will star in a single-camera comedy series at Hulu titled “Pretty Ugly.”

The show is based on Kirker Butler’s 2015 novel of the same name, and it hails from director Silver Tree, 20th Television and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment. Butler will also write the series.

Duff will play Miranda Miller, a mother whose mission in life is to make her 10-year-old daughter Bailey the most successful child pageant contestant in America.

“A former teenage pageant queen herself, Miranda dreams of endorsement deals, beauty brands, maybe even a TV show,” reads the logline. “Bailey, however, wants none of it. She’s been doing pageants since she was three months old and is burned out. But Miranda can’t imagine slowing down. In fact, she’s seven months pregnant and already mapping out her unborn daughter’s future pageant career.”

Meanwhile, while Miranda busies herself with building a pageant empire,...

Exclusive: How I Met Your Father star Hilary Duff is returning to Hulu and reuniting with 20th Television for Pretty Ugly, a drama series she is attached to star in and executive produce. The Disney streamer is developing the project, from writer Kirker Butler, director Silver Tree and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment.

Butler is writing Pretty Ugly based on his 2015 novel of the same name. Miranda Miller’s (Duff) mission in life is to make her ten-year-old daughter Bailey the most successful child pageant contestant in the United States. A former teenage pageant queen herself, Miranda dreams of endorsement deals, beauty brands, maybe even a TV show. Bailey, however, wants none of it. She’s been doing pageants since she was three months old and is burned out.

But Miranda can’t imagine slowing down. In fact, she’s seven months pregnant and already mapping out her unborn daughter’s future pageant career.

It’s ironic that, despite their importance to the adult animated comedy genre, the Fox Broadcasting Company doesn’t know a good show when it kicks them in the ass.

Back in 2008, Fox made a series of controversial moves regarding the direction of their animated comedy strategy around the same time that raised eyebrows. Fox abruptly announced that it was ending Mike Judge and Greg Daniels’ beloved series King of the Hill following the show’s 13th season, right before the network revealed that it had greenlit a Family Guy spin-off series called The Cleveland Show, which would fill the vacant timeslot that the King of the Hill cancellation conveniently opened up. The Cleveland Show would go on to run for four seasons amidst mixed reviews, and King of the Hill rode off into the sunset, seemingly for good.

Then, in 2023, Hulu announced that it was developing a revival season...

It's not so surprising anymore when a successful adult animated series ends up with a spin-off or two. Whether it was The Cleveland Show, which spun off from Family Guy, Aqua Teen Hunger Force from Space Ghost Coast to Coast, or Human Resources from Big Mouth, there are usually popular characters that warrant their own stories. However, Rick & Morty has decided to go in a surprising direction with its new spin-off, centering the show around an unexpected character: President Curits. The announcement came along with a surprise appearance from returning actor Keith David at San Diego Comic-Con, to help generate excitement for the upcoming show.

Adult Swim announced on Friday that they had green-lit the project, titled President Curtis, a Rick & Morty Spinoff Show, with Keith David in the starring role. To celebrate the announcement, David surprised fans with a special appearance at San Diego Comic-Con. The television network also...

FX has picked up the comedy pilot “Movers” from a team of “Reno 911” alums, Variety has learned.

The improvised workplace comedy is said to revolve around “the erratic and codependent lives of a crew of movers.” The husband and wife team of Robert Ben Garant and Cathy Shim are the stars, co-creators, and executive producers of the pilot.

In addition, the pilot has set five cast members. Those are: Rebecca Quin (a.k.a Becky Lynch of WWE fame), Maz Jobrani, Darius Homayoun, Tanael Joachim, and Manny Montana.

“Reno 911” executive producers Stacey Sher and Peter Principato are also executive producers on the pilot along with Jonny Shipes. 20th Television is the studio.

Garant is repped by CAA, Artists First, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Shim is repped by Global Artists Agency and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Jobrani is repped by CAA and Mainstay Entertainment. Homayoun is repped by Gersh. Joachim is repped by Artists First.

FX has picked up the new workplace comedy pilot Movers, from creators and executive producers Robert Ben Garant and Cathy Shim. Garant co-created Comedy Central’s Reno 911!, in which Shim also starred. That mockumentary’s executive producers, Stacey Sher and Peter Principato, will EP the pilot with Jonny Shipes (Bmf: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire).

Garant and Shim will also star in the 20th Television-produced project alongside Maz Jobrani (Friday After Next), Darius Homayoun (Sex/Life), Tanael “Tj” Joachim, Manny Montana (Ironheart) and WWE’s Becky Lynch (real name Rebecca Quin) co-starring.

Movers is an improvised workplace comedy revolving around the erratic and codependent lives of a crew of movers.

Reno 911! is a mockumentary comedy series that parodies law enforcement and premiered on Comedy Central in 2003. Garant co-created the series alongside Thomas Lennon and Kerri Kenney-Silver.

Garant most recently co-produced the TruTV Pilot Seoul Hunters,...

Actor Craig Robinson has found a new path to pursue in life. Best known for his comedy roles, including a run on the hit TV series The Office, Robinson has announced that he is stepping away from comedy, hinting that he has big news to share soon about what's coming next.

"Life update: I’m officially quitting comedy to focus on my true calling," Robinson said in a video shared on Instagram. "Stay tuned. I’m working on something huge."

In the video, Robinson added, “Hey, everybody! Just wanted you to hear it from me. I am quitting comedy, But not for nothing. It’s been an amazing run, and you all have been amazing and wonderful. But, I’m following something bigger. So, thank you so much, I love you, and stay tuned.”

The actor went on to share another post with another tease about his next venture. Curiously,...

Update: It’s looking more like Craig Robinson’s “quitting comedy” bit is actually part of a new marketing campaign. Go here for more.

Craig Robinson might be leaving comedy for good.

In a recent video post on Instagram, “The Office” actor revealed that he is giving up comedy to focus on “something bigger.” In the caption of the post, he wrote, “Life update: I’m officially quitting comedy to focus on my true calling. Stay tuned. I’m working on something huge.”

“Hey, everybody! Just wanted you to hear it from me: I am quitting comedy,” Robinson said in the video. “But not for nothing. It’s been an amazing run, and y’all have been amazing and wonderful, but I’m following something bigger. So, thank you so much, I love you and stay tuned.”

However, it seems likely that Robinson’s claims are part of a stunt of some kind.

Craig Robinson is leaving the world of comedy.

Last week, the 53-year-old comedian and actor – best known for his roles on The Office, The Cleveland Show, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine – announced that he is retiring from comedy and teased plans to start a small business.

Keep reading to find out more… “Just want you to hear it from me. I am quitting comedy, but not for nothing,” Craig said in a video posted on Instagram. “It’s been an amazing run, and y’all been amazing and wonderful. But I’m following something bigger. So, you know, thank you so much. I love you, and stay tuned.”

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A post shared by @mrcraigrobinson

In a subsequent video, Craig asked for advice on starting a small business, admitting that he’s hit a “few bumps in the road.”

“Turns out having a dream and building a business with...

Craig Robinson is leaving the comedy world behind for what The Office alum says is “something huge.”

In Instagram posts – watch them below – Robinson announces that he’s retiring from comedy and teases that he intends to start a small business.

In the first video, Robinson, whose post-Office career includes roles on The Cleveland Show and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, says, “Just want you to hear it from me. I am quitting comedy, but not for nothing. It’s been an amazing run, and y’all been amazing and wonderful. But I’m following something bigger. So, you know, thank you so much. I love you, and stay tuned.”

In a subsequent video, Robinson, who played warehouse foreman Darryl Philbin in The Office, asks for advice on starting a small business, saying he’s hit a “few bumps in the road.” That video is captioned, “Turns out having a dream and building...

There was a point in time where Seth MacFarlane was on top of the animation world. "Family Guy," which MacFarlane created, wrote, and starred in, joined the ranks of "South Park" and "King of the Hill" as one of the most popular adult animated shows on television. Fox canceled the show twice in its first few years, only for it to come back bigger than ever. "Family Guy" still airs new episodes today and, much like "The Simpsons," it will go on long after we're all dead. Out of the show's wake came "American Dad" and "The Cleveland Show," but it was becoming clear that MacFarlane had the drive to expand into feature films. The man was born to direct a musical, but alas, maybe one day.

MacFarlane's feature directorial debut, "Ted," ended up being a massive critical and financial success. For every joke that's aged like milk, the 2012 comedy...

If you’ve ever laughed at a talking baby trying to take over the world or a beer-loving dog dishing out life advice, then you’ve already had a taste of Seth MacFarlane’s wild imagination. As the creator of Family Guy—one of the longest-running animated comedy series of all time—MacFarlane has cemented his place in pop culture history. Known for its blunt humor, sharp satire, and delightfully absurd moments, Family Guy is a chaotic ride that doesn’t care who it offends, and fans can’t get enough of it.

But while we’ve spent years quoting Peter Griffin’s absurd dialogues and adoring Stewie’s twisted schemes, how much do we actually know about the man behind the madness? Seth MacFarlane isn’t just a one-hit wonder. He’s a writer, director, voice actor, singer, and all-around creative powerhouse with a knack for blending pop culture,...

It’s become an upfronts tradition for networks to mock their competitors. But during NBCUniversal’s upfronts, “Ted” and “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane took the ribbing a step further, singing an elaborate song complete with smiling backup dancers and several cocktail breaks that took shots at all the major TV players.

First up was Netflix. “You can give all your money to Netflix just to have your commercials autoplay,” MacFarlane sang. “But I got news, buddy, all your views are Tinder dates just busy getting laid.”

He had kinder words for Netflix’s streaming rival Hulu, singing, “I can vouch that they’re mostly decent folks,” a nod to the fact that “Family Guy,” “American Dad,” “The Cleveland Show” and “The Orville” are currently available to watch on the streamer. But that still doesn’t mean he’s going to watch “The Bear.” “It’s a comedy with everything but jokes,...

Quick LinksJason Alexander's Post-Seinfeld Career"Intro to Felt Surrogacy" Is Community's Most Underrated EpisodeWhat Went Wrong With Community Season 4?

The life of a full-time television actor, while it seems luxurious, is often precarious and risky. Leaning into the world of Hollywood glitz and glam can mean global acclaim and countless monetary rewards, but it can also mean a total lack of job security. With the threat of unemployment looming, the holy grail of success for a young actor is a lead role in a weekly sitcom, especially a successful one. In the best case scenario, a sitcom performer might never have to work again after securing this type of gig. Re-runs and syndicated TV rule the world, and shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and The Office have proven that. The success of these three shows, however, pales in comparison to the broadcast TV dominance of NBC's Seinfeld.

When "Family Guy" first came on the air, it was quick to draw comparisons to other animated adult sitcoms. The dynamics, such as having Peter Griffin (Seth MacFarlane) as the bumbling patriarch against his much more forgiving wife, Lois (Alex Borstein), were certainly similar, but "Family Guy" broke the mold, too. It utilized cutaway gags that were funny even divorced from the context of the episode. Plus, the show leaned far more into pop culture references than many of its contemporaries.

Plenty of shows reference movies and other TV series, but "Family Guy" turned it into a work of art, such as by having an extended sequence ripping off "Amadeus." This can also be found in the way "Family Guy" utilizes its guest stars. Sometimes, a person returns repeatedly to voice a recurring character, but oftentimes, celebrities play exaggerated versions of themselves to hilarious effect.

MacFarlane has already said "Family Guy...

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For lifelong cinephiles, the kinds of folks determined to experience as many movies as the medium has to offer before they hit the soil, revisits are an extravagance. Sometimes, they're essential. Jean-Luc Godard's films are dense with ideas and, especially later in his career, visual information. You leave the first viewing with merely an impression of what he's saying, but the meat of his thesis doesn't completely shake out until a second or perhaps third go-round. Meanwhile, a film like "Memento," with its fractured narrative told from the perspective of an amnesiac, might not make total sense until you retrace Leonard Shelby's journey on a subsequent watch.

And then there are movies we return to over and over because they never fail to work their rare magic. Dating back to my early childhood, I've seen Steven Spielberg's "Jaws...

Four seasons after "Family Guy" started, Seth MacFarlane and the rest of the creative team behind the Griffins' hilarious world decided to launch another series with "American Dad." The show features a slightly more intelligent father figure, Stan Smith (but just barely), who, like "Family Guy" patriarch Peter Griffin, is voiced by MacFarlane himself. With so many overlapping creative aspects, such as the voice actors, edgy comedy, and distinctive animation style, it's understandable if you've ever wondered whether "American Dad" and "Family Guy" exist within the same universe. Well, it turns out they do a little.

Debuting in 2005, "American Dad" occasionally winked at the audience, making fragile connections to MacFarlane's other beloved animated series early on. Characters from "Family Guy" and "American Dad" would also cross over into one another's series via cameos, most notably in the "Family Guy" parodies of "Star Wars" and one of the show's best episodes,...

Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2 continues to bolster its star-studded cast as it adds a comedy veteran to the ranks. The anticipated sequel reunites star Adam Sandler with a new addition in acclaimed actor Kym Whitley.

Via The Hollywood Reporter, Whitley will portray Bessie, a friend of Sandler's title character from a support group. Whitley has starred in various comedies dating back to the '90s, appearing in The Wayans Bros., The Parkers, The Upshaws and The Neighborhood, while also having voice roles in The Boondocks and The Cleveland Show.

RelatedAdam Sandler's Back on the Golf Course in New Look at Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2

Netflix unveils a new Happy Gilmore 2 image spotlighting Adam Sandler taking a big swing.

The Happy Gilmore follow-up reunites Whitley with Sandler and Ben Stiller, who starred together in the 2020 horror comedy mystery film, Hubie Halloween. The Netflix film, which also starred the late Ray Liotta,...

Netflix is set to bring comedy fans a highly anticipated sequel to the 1996 cult classic “Happy Gilmore,” with Kym Whitley joining Adam Sandler in the upcoming film. The movie, which completed filming in December, promises to reunite fans with the beloved golf comedy while introducing new talent to the franchise.

Whitley will play Bessie, a member of Happy Gilmore’s support group, marking another collaboration between her and Sandler following their work in “Hubie Halloween.” Her addition to the cast continues her impressive comedy career, which includes roles in popular TV series like “The Parkers” and “The Neighborhood.”

The sequel boasts an impressive ensemble cast, bringing back original stars Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, and Ben Stiller. Joining them are exciting newcomers including Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, and NFL star Travis Kelce, adding fresh energy to the beloved comedy.

Behind the camera, Kyle Newacheck will direct the film, with original director...

The titular golfer played by Adam Sandler in the Netflix sequel Happy Gilmore 2 has a new support system.

Actress Kym Whitley has joined the cast of director Kyle Newacheck’s comedy feature that is set to premiere later this year on the streamer. Filming wrapped in December on the movie that sees Sandler reprising his role as the long-driving phenom that he originated in Universal’s 1996 film Happy Gilmore.

Whitley will play a friend to Happy Gilmore. Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen and Ben Stiller are among the performers returning from the original film, while new cast additions include Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie and Travis Kelce. Also reprising his role from the first movie is Dennis Dugan, who directed the original Happy Gilmore and executive produces the sequel.

Returning to produce Happy Gilmore 2 are Sandler, Tim Herlihy, Robert Simonds and Jack Giarraputo. Sandler and Herlihy wrote the...

Quick Links David Lynch Had an Unexpected Acting Career After Inland Empire David Lynch Still Had an Influence on the Voice of Bill Cipher Why David Lynch Would've Been the Perfect Choice For Bill

The film industry was recently hit with another tragic loss with the death of Academy Award-nominated director, David Lynch, and his passing has had fans around the world collectively celebrating the influence of his directorial efforts throughout both film and television. His hit series, Twin Peaks, has been credited for changing the TV landscape and influencing so many of the shows that have since followed. Not many people would have guessed that it would’ve also helped spawn one of the most popular animated Disney Channel series, but Gravity Falls creator, Alex Hirsch, has cited Twin Peaks as a major source of inspiration for his hit series. The influence wasn't just obvious in its setting, mysterious tone,...

In the wake of the recent passing of beloved director/part-time weatherman David Lynch, it's worth remembering that one of his best talents was his acting. He always nailed it in his live-action performances, be it as Gordon Cole in "Twin Peaks" or as John Ford in "The Fabelmans," but he brought his A-game to voice acting, too. Case in point: The 2016, season 15 episode of "Family Guy," "How the Griffins Stole Christmas." Lynch doesn't play a major role, but he does pop up in a cutaway that asks the question, "What if instead of Santa Clause coming down the chimney, it was David Lynch? The result is something that any "Twin Peaks" fan can surely appreciate:

What's nice about this cutaway is that the writers of it clearly seem to have actually watched Lynch's work and can make specific jokes about it. On social media, you'll often see people attempt...

Chicago – Filmmaker and cultural icon David Lynch passed away on January 16th, 2025. As a life-in-film admirer, I (Patrick McDonald) knew a regular obituary was not enough … besides you can find more high falutin’ tributes elsewhere everywhere. So, I decided to do a video tribute (below) as if I were doing a eulogy.

First, a bit of a conventional obituary. David Keith Lynch was born in Missoula, Montana, and was a visual artist, musician, and actor. He received acclaim for his films, which are often distinguished by their surrealist, dreamlike qualities. In a career spanning more than fifty years, Lynch is considered one of the most important filmmakers of his era.

David Lynch, 1946-2025

Photo credit: David Lynch Facebook Page

Lynch studied painting before he began making short films in the late 1960s. His first feature-length film was the independent surrealist film “Eraserhead” (1977), which saw success in the first era of midnight movies.

David Lynch is gone, and I'm not handling it well. Lynch was the very definition of a singular artist — there will never be anyone else like him. For over 50 years, Lynch was a filmmaker who almost never compromised, making unique, challenging, mind-blowing art on his own terms. We were immensely lucky to have him, and we are worse off without him. Perhaps we all should've known this was coming — death eventually comes for us all, and last year, word broke that Lynch's health had deteriorated due to emphysema (a fact Lynch confirmed on Twitter/X). And yet, a world without David Lynch feels almost cosmically wrong. I'm sure I wasn't alone in thinking that despite poor health, Lynch would somehow keep on going, and somehow make another movie or TV show again. Just one more.

In addition to his unique directing career, Lynch would sometimes act. Not only did appear...

The great David Lynch has passed away at the age of 78. And while the legendary artist and filmmaker will no doubt be remembered for his surreal, often nightmarish works, what arguably made him such a beloved cultural fixture was his sense of humor.

While one might expect the guy who made Eraserhead and Blue Velvet to be a brooding, self-serious loner, Lynch was anything but. He was a uniquely charming, offbeat character who wouldn’t shy away from the talk show circuit. He made regular appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and once decided that David Letterman’s Late Night was the ideal place to ask fans of Twin Peaks to write into the network to help save the struggling show.

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Almost all of Lynch’s films contain at least some comedic elements; like how Mulholland Drive includes a mini-comedy of errors about an incompetent hit man.

Legendary film director David Lynch has passed away at the age of 78

News of his death comes courtesy of a post on his official Facebook page.

“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” the statement reads.

Director David Lynch smokes a cigarette as he attends the “Twin Peaks” screening during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2017 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images)

“We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’

“It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way,” the post concluded.

The last line is a reference to Lynch’s...

In case it wasn't obvious from his sci-fi comedy show "The Orville," TV guru Seth MacFarlane is a huge, huge Trekkie. "The Orville," in its construct, lighting, and character types, very much resembles "Star Trek: The Next Generation," just with a few crass jokes and flippant commentary added throughout. MacFarlane also once presented William Shatner, in character as Captain Kirk, on a big screen at the Academy Awards. Some might even know about the "Star Trek" fan film that MacFarlane made back in high school, wherein he cast himself as Captain Kirk. 

His Trekkie credentials don't end there. On one of the "Next Generation" Blu-rays, MacFarlane hosted a commentary track for the episode "Cause and Effect," talking to the episode's writer, Brannon Braga. He was also in the documentary "Trek Nation," and has included myriad "Star Trek" references in his animated sitcoms "Family Guy," "American Dad!," and "The Cleveland Show.

Still going strong 21 seasons after debuting in 2005, the best American Dad episodes show why it’s such a beloved Seth MacFarlane show - and manage to squash any unfair comparisons to Family Guy. Arriving on Fox almost a decade after Family Guy introduced the world to Seth MacFarlane’s animation style and unique brand of humor, American Dad focuses on CIA agent Stan Smith and his quirky family.

While it took a few seasons to gain traction and step out of Family Guy’s shadow, all 372 episodes of American Dad have hilarious moments throughout. By the 2020s it has a dedicated following in its own right, and it’s the unique hilarity of the best American Dad episodes that arguably secured it a fanbase. Relying less on cutaway gags than Family Guy and more on repeat jokes and character humor, the greatest American Dad episodes of all time showcase why...

Family Guy is set to return to Adult Swim's late night programming block in 2025. The network will air a special marathon to celebrate the occasion.

Variety reports that a three-day-long marathon of Family Guy episodes will kick off on Adult Swim starting on Jan. 1. Back-to-back episodes of the long-running Seth MacFarlane comedy series will air from 7 p.m. Et/Pt until 5 a.m. Afterward, episodes will continue to air "every weeknight from 10:00 - 11:30 p.m. Et/Pt thereafter." Family Guy stopped airing on Adult Swim in 2021 after its license expired with the network. Reruns of the show then moved over to Fxx, which had an exclusive agreement to air reruns of the show after they aired on the original network, Fox. Now, the show has a non-exclusive agreement with Adult Swim, with reruns allowed to air elsewhere.

Related 'How Do I Make Him Different?': Anthony Ramos'...

There’s something uniquely fun about a TV spin-off – it’s like revisiting old friends in a new place or meeting side characters – ones that you thought you would never meet again but hadn’t realized you wanted to know better.

A poster for Better Call Saul | Credits: AMC, Netflix

What’s also oddly thrilling about spin-offs is how they surprise us. Some go in directions we never expected. And in certain instances, these shows even outshine their original outings, taking on lives of their own. Here’s a ranking of 30 of the best TV spin-offs ever, considering their popularity, quality, and if they indeed, lived up to or superseded the original.

30. Joey (NBC)

Spun From: Friends

Original Airdates: 2004–2006

Matt LeBlanc is Joey | Credits: NBC

When Friends ended, NBC wasn’t ready to say goodbye entirely, so they took the next logical step: give Joey Tribbiani, the lovable goofball played by Matt LeBlanc,...

Seth MacFarlane has quietly been one of the busiest men in Hollywood for a while now, and his efforts have resulted in him being responsible for the creation of five TV shows over the course of his career. Although MacFarlane has also had several cameo appearances in other movies and TV shows, those projects often had very little to do with him other than casting him as an actor. However, MacFarlane's talents extend beyond his impressive voice and live-action roles, as he's also heavily involved when it comes to keeping things going behind the scenes.

Seth MacFarlane has created shows of various genres, and some have even made the list of longest-running sitcoms of all time. Although he specializes in animated projects, he has also stepped outside the medium and into the world of live-action. MacFarlane is quite often the figure the rest of the show is built around, although...

Although most Family Guy characters tend to be a constant part of the sitcom, some do leave and come back again, and the show's biggest example of this had mixed results. Seth MacFarlane voices many Family Guy characters, which pretty much guarantees that the Quahog residents he brings to life aren't going anywhere. However, no matter how essential he is to Family Guy, there are other key cast members who the show would not be the same without. However, the show did experience life for a while without an original character, and his absence created a fun string of storylines.

As one of the longest-running sitcoms of all time, Family Guy has made its way through every available trope. With Family Guy season 23 currently on the air, MacFarlane's flagship project continues to thrive. One of the downsides of a show lasting so long is that writers need to dig deep...

Netflix's latest Western TV drama, Territory, features a strong ensemble cast centered around the main Lawson family. Described frequently as a Yellowstone-like family epic but set in the northern regions of Australia, Territory tells the story of a power struggle following the death of Daniel Lawson, the owner of the Marianne Cattle Station. With no clear candidate set to take his place, a conflict ensues between rival cattle farmers, gangsters, mining magnates, and members of the Lawson family. Headlined by Anna Torv and Michael Dorman, the performances are undoubtedly the show's strong suit.

To construct an authentic feeling for the series, Territory's main cast is made up entirely of Australian and New Zealand-based actors. So, while there may be a handful of fresh faces for audiences watching on Netflix, there are also some familiar stars playing prevalent roles. Actors Anna Torv, Michael Dorman, and Robert Taylor have all...

Bones was a dramedy crime procedural television series that debuted on Fox in 2005 and ran until 2017. Over the course of 12 seasons, the program broadcast 246 episodes. The series was loosely based on the life and novels of Kathy Reichs, a forensic anthropologist who also served as a producer on the show. Temperance Brennan, the title heroine, was named after the main character of Reichs' crime fiction series. The play on words is reversed in the Bones television world, where Dr. Brennan creates popular mystery books with a fictitious forensic scientist by the name of Kathy Reichs.

Each episode of Bones centered on an FBI lead investigation into a mystery surrounding human remains that FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) brought to forensic anthropologist Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel). While the investigations drove the episodic stories in the series, it was the characters themselves, their will-they-or-won't-they relationships, and dramas that were...

Quick Links King of the Hill's Original Run and Revival Announcement Logistical Issues Early in the King of the Hill Production Process Deceased and Non-Returning King of the Hill Cast Members

King of the Hill is coming back to our TV screens, we tell you h'what. Or at least, we think it is. A revival of this iconic Fox animated hit was ordered for Hulu in January 2023. But since then, news regarding production, casting, and potential release dates has been slow to trickle out.

King of the Hill was one of the longest-running animated shows of all time, airing on Fox from 1997 to 2010. It was creator Mike Judge's second animated project after Beavis and Butt-Head, which also received a revival of its own in 2022. Given how popular King of the Hill was and is, it would make sense for the revival to be a top priority. Yes, animation is a time-consuming process,...

American Dad is one of the most popular and long-lasting animated sitcoms, and while it has suffered from cancelation attempts and network changes that threatened the continuation of the series, American Dad has always managed to come back stronger. The animated sitcom sets itself apart from other Seth McFarlane shows, like Family Guy and The Cleveland Show, by focusing more on social commentary, absurd comedy, and character-driven storylines.

Some of the best American Dad episodes lean into what makes each character shine, while other episodes prove that high-concept storylines also work well for the series. With characters like Roger the alien, and Stan, who works for the C.I.A., the door is open for American Dad to feature more fantastical storylines than other animated sitcoms. Many episodes center around the Smith family, Stan's missions for the C.I.A., and Roger's multiple personas. And some of the best episodes...

Howard Stern went from an outrageous personality to a serious conversationalist, making his interviews a source of revelations from celebrities. Seth MacFarlane shocked Stern by revealing he missed a flight on 9/11, escaping death, showing how coincidences happen. Comedian Steve Rannazzisi admitted to lying about surviving 9/11, apologizing for the hurt caused and learning from his mistake.

Howard Stern has become known for his outrageous personality and pushing the envelope. He caused controversy with his on-air antics and became a symbol of fighting against censorship. Stern would ask celebrities questions nobody else would dare, and he developed a reputation for going against the establishment.

However, over the years, Stern has matured and evolved into a more serious conversationalist. His interviews have become the source of revelations from the world's most recognizable celebrities.

When Seth MacFarlance appeared on Stern's show in 2009, he shocked both the host and Robin Quivers when discussing one aspect of his story.

The Cleveland Show provided a realistic family perspective with a unique comedic formula. The spin-off had humorous storylines rivaling Family Guy, featuring guest stars and adventurous episodes. Despite its cancellation, The Cleveland Show offered a refreshing take on suburban America and developed Cleveland Brown's character.

When Family Guy announced a spin-off surrounding Cleveland Brown back in 2009, fans were excited to see how this unusual side character would blossom on his own two feet. The Cleveland Show allowed the Brown family to craft an animated sitcom on their own terms, but the tribe still managed to see the Griffins every so often. Thus, it seemed that Fox had the perfect formula; Family Guy was loved by fans all over America, and Cleveland seemed to be the perfect resource for a long-running spin-off.

Yet, The Cleveland Show never really took off and was canceled after its fourth season. However, the main...

Seth MacFarlane's Western comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West boasts a talented ensemble cast and numerous celebrity cameos. Seth MacFarlane directs, writes, and stars in the film, playing the lead role of a wimpy sheep farmer who gains courage thanks to a mysterious newcomer played by Charlize Theron. Celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Jamie Foxx, and Ewan McGregor make brief appearances in A Million Ways to Die in the West.

Seth MacFarlane's 2014 Western rom-com A Million Ways to Die in the West features a stacked ensemble cast and a number of fun, blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameos. A Million Ways to Die in the West is directed by Seth MacFarlane, who also co-wrote the screenplay with his frequent collaborators, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild, and stars in the lead role of Albert Stark, a wimpy frontiersman and incompetent sheep herder who hates the deadly existence and subsequently miserable lifestyle inherent to the Old West.

It seems today that all you see is cartoon shows with little continuity.

Nevertheless, Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy, as obscene and silly as it may be, decides to switch up its “canon” every so often. Whether it’s due to the passing of a cast member, attempts at a ratings stunt, or (unintentional) acts of progressiveness for its characters’ development, the Griffin family’s world within Quahog for the past 25 years of airing has only expanded.

Here are some of the most significant canon changes in Family Guy history.

Revival With Yolo Energy

Due to low ratings, Family Guy faced the cancellation gun early into its lifespan. But in its death, the great bird-is-the-word got around via DVD sales and rerun airings on Adult Swim. Thus, in its rebirth on Fox in 2005, the show became cruder, bloodier, and edgier than ever, both in its art style and spirit. The...

The Family Guy movie is still in development, despite the long wait. Seth MacFarlane confirms that he has had a plan for the Family Guy movie for 15 years. Scheduling conflicts have caused the movie's long delay.

Despite its long pre-development, the Family Guy movie is still on the way. The show first premiered in 1999 and features an animated family of five and their dog, Brian. They live in a small town and constantly get into ridiculous antics that reflect politics, raunchy topics, and anything related to comedy. Despite efforts by the show's creator, Seth MacFarlane, there has not been a feature-length movie since Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story in 2005. The movie came shortly after Family Guy was saved from cancelation.

The Family Guy movie was first announced in 2007 and was officially confirmed in 2011, but it has never fully made it to production. While MacFarlane was speaking at the Paley Fest LA event,...

Star Wars fans haven’t seen Lando Calrissian – that is, the Billy Dee Williams version – on the big screen in five years. But will we ever again? With so many Star Wars projects on the horizon, it’s possible that Lando could turn up in some corner of the galaxy…But would Williams ever don the cape again? Sure – provided you show him the dough.

As Billy Dee Williams told Radio Times on any potential return to the character, “Pay me a lot of money and I’ll sell my soul.” As portrayed by Williams, Lando Calrissian first appeared in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, a former friend of Han Solo’s and one-time owner of the Millennium Falcon, the lore of which would be explored later in the Star Wars saga. Williams would return as Lando for 1983’s Return of the Jedi but wouldn’t reprise the character again – in the flesh,...

At the moment, Mark Wahlberg is content with growing older and taking on the roles that go along with it. He is currently in a family-friendly phase of his career that will continue with Arthur the King, his upcoming flick.

However, fans of the hit comedy franchise Ted might have to remain patient for another installment. Indeed, Wahlberg has recently announced that he is focusing on more family-friendly projects at this point in his career. While this may be disappointing news for fans eagerly anticipating his return to the raunchy and hilarious world of Ted, Wahlberg’s commitment to “age-appropriate roles” is admirable.

Seth MacFarlane and Mark Wahlberg in a still from Ted

The story of John Bennett, a lonely young boy who longs for a friend like Ted—his beloved teddy bear—is beautifully told in Ted, the highest-grossing comedy film of 2012. The narrative then switches to an adult Bennett,...

Animation mastermind Seth MacFarlane made a name for himself with the creation of "Family Guy." After working on Hanna-Barbera cartoons like "Dexter's Laboratory" and "Johnny Bravo," MacFarlane would bring his irreverent riff on the animated family sitcom to Fox in 1999. Though the series was initially canceled after three seasons, the show's release on DVD resulted in renewed interest from both audiences and the network, and the show has been running for 22 seasons and counting. Since then, MacFarlane has created several more animated hits, including "American Dad" and the "Family Guy" spin-off "The Cleveland Show," but he's also shifted into both live-action TV and movies, which includes the raunchy buddy comedy franchise "Ted."

"Ted" follows the antics of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a thirty-something who is best friends with a teddy bear that magically came to life after wishing on a magic star when John was just a boy. It might sound family friendly and whimsical,...

Ted season 1 was released on Peacock to rave reviews, leaving room for a potential season 2 and more stories to tell about John and Ted's "unique" life. A potential season 2 could explore John and Ted's lives as young adults in the working world and how they handle responsibility outside of Mom and Dad's house. Another idea for a new season could act as a prequel to the prequel, exploring Ted's early Hollywood career and how it shaped him into the foul-mouthed figure we know and love.

Seth MacFarlane is one of the biggest names in adult television. The mastermind behind Family Guy, American Dad!, The Orville and The Cleveland Show (remember that?) has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years. In 2012, MacFarlane ventured onto the big screen for the first time with Ted. This R-rated flick told the story of the magic of young John Bennett's wish as it brought his...

As odd as it may seem to admit, Seth MacFarlane may be one of the most influential forces in 21st-century comedy. With their emphasis on cutaway gags, frequent popular culture references, intentional lack of narrative consistency, and aptitude for evoking controversy, MacFarlane’s shows Family Guy, American Dad!, and The Cleveland Show had an outsized impact on the development of animated programming intended for adult audiences. While the anarchic comedy MacFarlane epitomized has temporarily succeeded in making entertaining shows, their frequent disregard for consistent characterization has significantly diminished their longevity. While his humor is often more influential than it is endearing, MacFarlane proved with his 2012 directorial debut, Ted that he could succeed when telling focused stories.

Spinoffs of successful sitcoms can be risky and often fail due to changes in cast or the show's dynamic. Rebooting a show without the original cast can risk changing the show too much and damage its appeal. Spinoffs that don't understand what made the original character popular or try too hard to recreate the original show's humor can often fall flat.

Rumors have began to heat up once more about a potential spinoff or reboot of The Office, but showrunner Greg Daniels should learn some lessons from failed sitcom spinoffs of the past. Plenty of popular sitcoms have attempted spinoffs in the past, but for every Frasier or Young Sheldon which lasts for many seasons, there are dozens of failed attempts to launch a spinoff. Sitcoms are a delicate art, and disrupting the chemistry of the cast or the writer's room can ruin a popular show. This is why so many spinoffs fail,...

Seth Macfarlane’s animated series Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, and American Dad have become as culturally significant as The Simpsons. With edgy humor and non sequitur galore, MacFarlane segued to the big screen with the fantasy comedy Ted starring Mark Wahlberg about a man-child and his teddy bear who has come alive. Full of gross-out humor and equal amounts of heartfelt comedy, Ted was a smash hit and spawned a sequel. Since then, MacFarlane has made A Million Ways To Die In The West and the more serious science fiction series The Orville. Now, MacFarlane is returning to Ted with a Peacock prequel series that blends the sitcom format of his animated shows with that same blend of crass and feel-good comedy that has become his trademark.

Ted, the series, goes back to the high school years for John Bennett (Max Burkholder taking over for Mark Wahlberg) as he...

Fans of the movies Ted and Ted 2 starring Mark Wahlberg and the voice of Seth MacFarlane as the sentient title character Teddy Bear will be curious about the new Peacock series Ted. As a prequel to the movies, the comedy takes place in the ‘90s, a decade after Ted first came to life. He now lives with the Bennett family and has become best friend to only child John, a 16-year-old dealing with typical coming-of-age challenges.

The series, which presents like a twisted sitcom, is not for the faint of heart. There are vulgar jokes, foul language, and inappropriate conversations. This isn’t a family show. But anyone who loved the movies will be delighted at how Ted shows another side to the hilarious fantasy story. There are a few interesting things to note about the show before diving in.

The Show Is R Rated <img alt="John and Ted sitting on the floor in his room in a scene from the Peacock series ted." data-image-id="1755083" data-mobile-optimized="true" height="700" src="https://static0.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ted-series-john-ted.jpg" width="1400" /> Both Ted, released in 2012 and Ted 2,...