A fourth Seth macfarlane show announced [Archive]

Peter Paltridge

01-17-2010, 10:21 PM

Why is everybody complaining and we don't even know what it's about yet? Seth has actually been producing hits, so I can see why Fox wants to stick with him.

As the YT link says, the odds are pretty good it'll be about a middle-class family with a goofy dad, at least one awkward child, and Supporting Characters Who Aren't Likely To Talk.

That cocky low-voiced man is really getting on my nerves now. Even the people commenting on that FG site have no enthusiasm for it.

I have no idea where they want to put it -- they wouldn't dare knock The Simpsons out of its long-time established slot, so.......

Kevin

01-17-2010, 10:22 PM

I thought The Simpsons was supposed to be on for at least two more seasons. But anyway, while I think Seth McFarline can be funny (especially with Family Guy), it wouldn't be fair that Fox has the entire Animation Domination block completely devoted to his shows.

Blackstar

01-17-2010, 10:29 PM

Another question to ponder is, on what night and time is FOX going to air this new Macfarlane comedy? The Animation Domination block is already all MacFarlane shows except for The Simpsons, and we know that the higher ups at FOX would sooner chew their own arms off before they took The Simpsons off of Sunday nights at 8, so when is this new MacFarlane series going to air?

cohenmarioman

01-17-2010, 10:33 PM

I have a single comment.

If the second and third ones didn't live up to the hype Family Guy had, why keep on going? When a movie (93 minutes is a movie?) bombs, why would they want another show, when money can be made elsewhere for FOX, seeing as they already hired Sarah Palin as a commentator for their much more popular news station. Just pump more money into that, and much more money will be made then another Seth travesty.

Eleanor Hugbees

01-17-2010, 10:40 PM

As the YT link says, the odds are pretty good it'll be about a middle-class family with a goofy dad, at least one awkward child, and Supporting Characters Who Aren't Likely To Talk.

That cocky low-voiced man is really getting on my nerves now. Even the people commenting on that FG site have no enthusiasm for it.

I have no idea where they want to put it -- they wouldn't dare knock The Simpsons out of its long-time established slot, so.......

Another question to ponder is, on what night and time is FOX going to air this new Macfarlane comedy? The Animation Domination block is already all MacFarlane shows except for The Simpsons, and we know that the higher ups at FOX would sooner chew their own arms off before they took The Simpsons off of Sunday nights at 8, so when is this new MacFarlane series going to air?

Did anybody consider that it might not actually air on Sunday? Maybe it would be a Saturday or a Friday night staple. Either way, I need more information before I can criticize it.

J. B. Warner

01-17-2010, 10:56 PM

The article only says FOX is considering the option for a fourth Seth series; they haven't decided on it yet. This might not even go anywhere.

And if it does, who's to say that Seth will necessarily have four shows going at once? Maybe they'll wait until one of his current shows ends. "American Dad" seems to be on the thinnest ice right now, what with its 9:30 death slot, low ratings, a total lack of merchandise, and an upcoming midseason hiatus, so if any of Seth's shows would get the plug pulled, it'd probably be that one - which stinks, because it's the funniest thing he's got right now.

Chazooma

01-17-2010, 10:59 PM

He must be a pretty busy guy, goodness. (3 wasn't enough?)
Four shows is a lot on one person's plate.

I'll check it out when/if it comes, but I've lost interest in his shows lately.

Space Cadet

01-17-2010, 11:01 PM

veemonjosh

01-17-2010, 11:12 PM

Maybe they'll wait until one of his current shows ends. "American Dad" seems to be on the thinnest ice right now, what with its 9:30 death slot, low ratings, a total lack of merchandise, and an upcoming midseason hiatus, so if any of Seth's shows would get the plug pulled, it'd probably be that one - which stinks, because it's the funniest thing he's got right now.

Doesn't American Dad ALWAYS go into a month-long hiatus around February? Like, really, it always gets temporarily replaced with some lame live-action sitcom that tanks horribly, and then it reappears in March like absolutely nothing happened; been that way for several years now. And I agree with Mugen, how is 9:30 a death slot?

Though, yeah, American Dad is the most likely one to be replaced by a fourth show, unless The Cleveland Show suddenly does a 90 degree nosedive in the ratings.

mumbo

01-17-2010, 11:30 PM

Did anybody consider that it might not actually air on Sunday? Maybe it would be a Saturday or a Friday night staple.
Fox Saturday nights are and forever will be Cops and America's Most Wanted. Their Friday nights have been so disastrous - even more than the other networks - that it's beginning to look doubtful they'll try any more scripted programming on that night. But maybe.

If a new Seth show went on Sunday, American Dad would definitely be the show that would get moved or removed for it. Actually, I imagine that they would compare the performances of the new Seth show and American Dad and stick with whichever one did better.

Though if they're still only considering the option for a new Seth show...it's a looong way off from premiering, if it even comes into existence in the first place. So no need to worry about it now.

OnePark

01-17-2010, 11:43 PM

I think Cleveland may still go. We need to see how it holds out for a while. American Dad seems to be getting steady ratings, and was just given the go ahead for a sixth season.

MasterofRoku

01-17-2010, 11:48 PM

Hopefully, this never happens (a 4th show greenlighted).

The moment I read the thread title, I thought about American Dad getting axed after it's 6th season.

Mixiboi

01-17-2010, 11:50 PM

Well Fox has 7:00pm and 7;30PM to fill when Football Season is over....

Remember when Futurama was put in that slot, then King of the Hill?

Hopefully American Dad doesn't move there....After all they finally got to HD(but still behind in number of shows produced) so it's not going to be cancelled anytime soon(meaning at lease two more seasons)....

And Seth has a FIFTH show out there...but its live action....

soundmonkey44

01-17-2010, 11:52 PM

a 4th seth show.....HAS THE WORLD GONE MAD!

I kid, seth is a good animator, I like his art style...but his shows have just been well...Not so good, as of late.

I really hope this 4th show is somthing that won't premire till one of his exsisting 3 is over.:sweat:

mumbo

01-17-2010, 11:53 PM

Well Fox has 7:00pm and 7;30PM to fill when Football Season is over...
7:00 and 7:30 are death slots, they use those slots to burn off ending shows or show reruns. Or occasionally as a sort of temporary "holding tank" to make room for something else (like American Dad moving there to temporarily make room for other premiering shows, as was planned for Sons of Tucson).

They're not going to premiere a new series there, especially not one they have any hopes of success for.

Mixiboi

01-17-2010, 11:58 PM

7:00 and 7:30 are death slots, they use those slots to burn off ending shows or show reruns. Or occasionally as a sort of temporary "holding tank" to make room for something else (like American Dad moving there to temporarily make room for Sons of Tucson).

They're not going to premiere a new series there, especially not one they have any hopes of success for.

Which is why I said I see American Dad moving to the 7:PM slot with reruns of something else.

Sadly, AD is going to be over in two years, as Seth is already been hinting at it since the ComicCon.

But that can change, as two years in animation can be four years, matter how many scripts they get greenlighted from now till they get the announcement..

chdr

01-18-2010, 12:13 AM

American Dad seems to be on the thinnest ice right now, what with its 9:30 death slot, low ratings, a total lack of merchandise, and an upcoming midseason hiatus, so if any of Seth's shows would get the plug pulled, it'd probably be that one - which stinks, because it's the funniest thing he's got right now.Ironically, I hear the reason why AD is still around is because the show sells a lot of merchandise. Regardless, the show is safe for a few years. There's one entire season unaired, and another one in production.

My guess is that the new show will just push something expendable to Fox (probably AD) to 7:30.

Eleanor Hugbees

01-18-2010, 12:58 AM

Fox Saturday nights are and forever will be Cops and America's Most Wanted. Their Friday nights have been so disastrous - even more than the other networks - that it's beginning to look doubtful they'll try any more scripted programming on that night. But maybe.

If a new Seth show went on Sunday, American Dad would definitely be the show that would get moved or removed for it. Actually, I imagine that they would compare the performances of the new Seth show and American Dad and stick with whichever one did better.

Though if they're still only considering the option for a new Seth show...it's a looong way off from premiering, if it even comes into existence in the first place. So no need to worry about it now.

I could actually see it in the slot Mad TV used to be in. I don't see the Wanda Sykes show lasting at all. But it's only being considered at the moment, so no big deal.

rallyrev

01-18-2010, 02:41 AM

Bring it on. I haven't yet seen the Seth MacFarlane show I dislike. I don't want them to cancel The Simpsons by any means, but if they want to extend Animation Domination by a half-hour or start another animation block some other night, that works for me.

ThePRPD

01-18-2010, 06:27 AM

Ahem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRE0jYaOlzg
I would have found that funny if it wasn't just mostly focusing on the father, son, and talking animal characters.
====
If a fourth show does get green lighted I have no problem with it. It sounds interesting. For all we know it could be completely different than the already established shows and if any show should be pulled from Animation Domination in order to make it happen I'd say it should be either The Simpsons or American Dad.

The Simpsons only has good episodes every now and again and I just don't find American Dad that funny.
I usually just look forward too The Cleveland Show and Family Guy when I watch Animation Domination.

Silverstar

01-18-2010, 08:51 AM

The article merely said that Fox is considering the option of a 4th MacFarlane series, not that there's definitely going to be one. Not everything that's announced will ultimately ever be made.

I already feel that Seth is spreading himself a bit too thin right now, but I'll have to wait and see what (if anything) becomes of this new series before I can pass judgment on it. This isn't enough to go on.

Urusei Yatsura

01-18-2010, 09:47 AM

I was overreacting a bit, but I still don't like the idea. I'm sure Seth could do something marvelous if he put more creativity in his shows. They're all basically the same formula. I wish he would add something new... But I doubt he will.

ThePRPD

01-18-2010, 10:17 AM

They're all basically the same formula.

American Dad doesn't rely on cutaways and major pop culture references from what I've seen and The Cleveland Show is amazingly character driven.

J. B. Warner

01-18-2010, 11:01 AM

American Dad doesn't rely on cutaways and major pop culture references from what I've seen and The Cleveland Show is amazingly character driven.

I can't speak for "The Cleveland Show" (I have no interest in watching it), but I will say that "American Dad" is almost the polar opposite of "Family Guy". No pointless cutaways, no hollow pop culture jokes, no aimless plots, and likable characters who actually have personalities, as well as humor that comes from those personalities. "American Dad" is basically what the first season of "Family Guy" tried to be, only many times funnier - and it doesn't come across as derivative to me at all. It's about a dysfunctional family, sure, but the similarities absolutely end there.

It's proof that Seth doesn't necessarily have to lean on the same formula. And he has the sense to surround himself with people like Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman who can take his concepts and make them even stronger. If he were to do a fourth show, something that bears no attachment to any of his previous projects and working with a new crew of people, who knows what he'd come up with?

HG Revolution

01-18-2010, 11:29 AM

Urusei Yatsura

01-18-2010, 11:38 AM

That's not what I meant, really. I was talking about Seth's typical dysfunctional family, talking animal, nerdy kid, etc.

By creativity, I mean do something not involving a dysfunctional family. Like what Matt Groening did with Futurama.

And yeah, I'd say that American Dad is the best of the three, but I really dislike Steve as a character... And the others don't do much for me, either.

ThePRPD

01-18-2010, 11:41 AM

That's not what I meant, really. I was talking about Seth's typical dysfunctional family, talking animal, nerdy kid, etc.

Well too be fair American Dad only came on when FG was canceled and I don't think TCS would have held up well if it was only Cleveland and Jr. but at least the talking animal in TCS is a supporting character and not apart of the main family.

Urusei Yatsura

01-18-2010, 11:47 AM

I'm just saying I would be happy if he did a different setting, and unique characters.

TCS is a little better because Cleveland isn't a complete idiot, but the annoying side family (Rallo in particular) doesn't make up for that.

Dr.Pepper

01-18-2010, 12:13 PM

I am not a fan of any of his work, but I say that I only want to see a fourth show be greenlit if another one of his shows ends.

Ickis

01-18-2010, 01:47 PM

I swear if this replaces the Simpsons I will be pissed. He doesn't need four freaking shows. :mad: He dosen't even need 1 sho... no, he dosen't even deserve a show! Okay thats a bit much, leave American Dad and remove the others. I can't stand the so-called voice "acting" in any of his stuff, its as if he did hire people off the street!

DarthGonzo

01-18-2010, 03:42 PM

Yay, Seth MacFarlane's name popped up in a thread title, so lets trash everything his name is attached to!

But seriously, The Simpsons is in no danger of going anywhere. I think that's pretty much a no brainer. The Cleveland Show was one of the top rated new shows of the season, so it's going to stick around for a little bit longer. It's American Dad that's in danger. 9:30 isn't a death slot, but it's the least desireable of the two hour Animation Domination block: the show that "FOX is limping to the barn with" to quote Peter. And how exactly is AD merchandise selling so well? Aside from DVDs I don't see any American Dad merchandise at all.

And IMHO I find it weird how people can say American Dad has likeable characters when Stan is a gruff, uptight jerk, Roger is amoral, nasty lush and Francine is a whiny shrew. I like Steve but that's really about it.

Urusei Yatsura

01-18-2010, 04:03 PM

Hopefully they'll (if they actually go through with it) move it to a different night instead of sunday. Or put it at 6:30. (7:30 for you eastern-ers)

I loved that video mentioned earlier in this thread. Another reason I dislike his shows... Lack of creativity.

Bradyrands

01-18-2010, 04:05 PM

I would prefer this not happen.
First, I recently realized how genius American Dad was, I liked it before, but only recently I realized how much better it was than Family Guy. You guys are scaring me with all this "American Dad" getting the boot business.
But at the same time, you're not. "American Dad" is great and it is currently assured to a 7th season knowing fox and holdover episodes. If it ends there, thats fine, because I don't want it to outstay its welcome like Family Guy is, in my opinion.
Plus, Season 7 is when Family Guy got really, ummm, ugh is the word. And I wouldn't be able to bear that happening to "American Dad".
I would, actually, want Family Guy to go. 9 Seasons is enough. I don't want it to go for 20 seasons and by that point be a pile of.....feces. The Simpsons is fine, but cutaway jokes for 20 seasons? No. Not gonna happen. But I know Fox won't cancel Family Guy, because they'd probably be scared too. It has too much of a fanbase and someone would probably burn down the Fox building if they did that.

Anyway, if this show does happen, then I'll be interested in seeing what it's about. As long as it just isn't another Family. Unless its REALLY different. Like, no talking animals or ANYTHING like that, then I'll be impressed.

ThePRPD

01-18-2010, 05:23 PM

I think it would be best if the thread title should be changed to "FOX Considering A New Seth MacFarlane Show" to avoid confusion.

I loved that video mentioned earlier in this thread. Another reason I dislike his shows... Lack of creativity.
Expect that video mainly focused on Father and son characters and talking animals... nothing else. And Steve is a lot more confident and witty then the portrayal of the sons in that parody video and TCS doesn't have a talking animal being apart of the main family.

Urusei Yatsura

01-18-2010, 05:33 PM

I agree that he did add some different characters in AD and TCS, but he needs to explore uncharted territory, and use his creative skills. (which he has)

And I don't hate his shows, I'm just getting weary of them.

Hanshotfirst113

01-18-2010, 05:54 PM

Ahem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRE0jYaOlzg

I just saw brilliance.

Space Cadet

01-18-2010, 06:12 PM

American Dad and Cleveland Show aren't as popular as Family Guy, but they still have way more viewers than the average FOX News broadcast.

Of course. Two are airing on network television while the other is a cable network.

Karl Olson

01-18-2010, 07:08 PM

Well, it might be Seth just putting pressure on Fox to ensure he's always got something in rotation on the network. He's seen how Fox can ditch out on a good idea midstream first hand, but if Seth always has something with another 2-3 years by contract to go on it, he always has something he might be able to nurture into another hit. I mean, I have no indicators that is his strategy, but it'd be a good one, and it'd keep him clear of the troubles some of the other previously creators in animation have run into. I mean, it's exact same move Klasky-Csupo ran with Nick for years - always have another pitch in the pipeline that looks good enough that the network would rather option it for atleast few seasons rather than let it walk to a competitor. It took a string of mediocre titles before that faded, and Seth is nowhere near that problem yet.

From Fox's direction, having seen CN and Nick both lose creative talent by not taking pitches from known talents (CN passed on Spongebob and Fairly Oddparents, Nick passed on Adventure Time and lost a lot of Spongebob's early staff to various CN shows,) and with Seth being a reliable source of income at the moment, they probably look at it being better to take the risk of having to recoup costs on DVD sales and syndication to [adult swim] than risk losing advertising, merch and DVD sales for a hit directly to [adult swim].

RonDrakenfan17

01-18-2010, 07:58 PM

LAMO A forth show? I love Family Guy, have been enjoying The Cleavland show. Um um I just hope they do a Stewie and Brian spin off, some people such as myself want it :p

JasonFox

01-18-2010, 08:17 PM

All I can say is...

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af302/KendrickROX/Evil-Monkey-family-guy.jpg

Rud

01-18-2010, 08:37 PM

....im going to make an insane and probably incorrect prediction, this 4th show will be like nothing Seth Macfarlane has ever made before... lets see how mighty my instincts are.

Blackstar

01-18-2010, 08:47 PM

LAMO A forth show? I love Family Guy, have been enjoying The Cleavland show. Um um I just hope they do a Stewie and Brian spin off, some people such as myself want it :p

Yeah, they won't. Stewie and Brian are both too important to Family Guy. The show would fall apart without them. Besides, why would they need to be spun off when they practically run the show that their already on?

JasonFox

01-18-2010, 08:51 PM

Yeah, they won't. Stewie and Brian are both too important to Family Guy. The show would fall apart without them. Besides, why would they need to be spun off when they practically run the show that their already on?

The Cleveland show only worked because Clevelands the most Normal of the 4(Not by much) but other than that theirs no other characters with that "own show" personailty. If Seth McFarlane did another show it would probably be another spoof of a sitcom but more of an originial twist than his others.

J. B. Warner

01-18-2010, 08:53 PM

And IMHO I find it weird how people can say American Dad has likeable characters when Stan is a gruff, uptight jerk, Roger is amoral, nasty lush and Francine is a whiny shrew. I like Steve but that's really about it.

I know they're not exactly positive role models or anything, but I think what endears them to me is that they have about a hundred times more depth than the cast of "Family Guy". Episodes like "Roger 'N Me" and "The One That Got Away" have an emotional core that you'd never find on "Family Guy" these days, and it makes the characters feel a lot more real. Yes, Stan's a shortsighted blowhard, but he does what he does out of love for his family, even if his way of showing it is extraordinarily inappropriate. Yes, Roger's a self-centered drunk, but he's still got feelings, even if he has a hard time expressing them. Yes, Francine can be whiny, but again, she's always got her family's best interest in mind. Steve may be kind of a jerk sometimes, but it's because he's got such an unwavering faith in his dad, and you just realize that he's a good kid who picked the wrong role model. Hayley may be aggressive, but at least she stands up for what she believes in, and that's extremely admirable. And sure, Klaus is a pervert, but who cares 'cause he's in the body of a fish and he can't actually act on his urges.

These little touches ground the characters in reality, something that "Family Guy" doesn't bother with. And I prefer a show with a structure behind its madness rather than a show where the only rule is that there are no rules. Anarchy sounds like fun at first until you realize that the law of the land existed for a reason.

Fool's Gil

01-19-2010, 10:25 AM

eh I'm mixed overall. Seth's shows have gotten really good as of late, and I doubt that a fourth show will be terrible. However there is a lack of diversity from both ends-FOX and Seth. Fox won't give another animator a chance, and Seth can't move beyond his set archetypes, meaning we will still be getting the exact same thing.

cohenmarioman

01-19-2010, 10:35 AM

American Dad and Cleveland Show aren't as popular as Family Guy, but they still have way more viewers than the average FOX News broadcast.

I wouldn't think so, but I would have to see a ratings chart.

Dudley

01-19-2010, 11:49 AM

I know they're not exactly positive role models or anything, but I think what endears them to me is that they have about a hundred times more depth than the cast of "Family Guy". Episodes like "Roger 'N Me" and "The One That Got Away" have an emotional core that you'd never find on "Family Guy" these days, and it makes the characters feel a lot more real. Yes, Stan's a shortsighted blowhard, but he does what he does out of love for his family, even if his way of showing it is extraordinarily inappropriate. Yes, Roger's a self-centered drunk, but he's still got feelings, even if he has a hard time expressing them. Yes, Francine can be whiny, but again, she's always got her family's best interest in mind. Steve may be kind of a jerk sometimes, but it's because he's got such an unwavering faith in his dad, and you just realize that he's a good kid who picked the wrong role model. Hayley may be aggressive, but at least she stands up for what she believes in, and that's extremely admirable. And sure, Klaus is a pervert, but who cares 'cause he's in the body of a fish and he can't actually act on his urges.

These little touches ground the characters in reality, something that "Family Guy" doesn't bother with. And I prefer a show with a structure behind its madness rather than a show where the only rule is that there are no rules. Anarchy sounds like fun at first until you realize that the law of the land existed for a reason.

I concur with that. One of the problems with Family Guy now is the lack of depth. While Stan is hard and does crazy things is because of his stance on his belief, Peter does crazy things because he's reckless for humor's sake.

Ickis

01-19-2010, 11:57 AM

Rick Jones

01-19-2010, 12:03 PM

So it looks like this show idea is for an animated one. I wouldn't be too surprised if it was something similar to Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy, and nothing but cutaways. I wonder if he'd ever consider live-action, like The Winner, again. Heck, maybe even a sketch/variety show

JD08

01-19-2010, 12:03 PM

Ok I have some mixed feelings. On one hand I Macfarlane's animation because it's funny and so far Cleveland show hasn't dissappointed me and American Dad is starting to get funnier than Family Guy aside from the straitjacket episode. On the other hand his sense of humor is getting pretty risque and disgusting, I mean do we really need another show that utilizes vomit, sex, and fart jokes as their funny ace in the hole? And on top of all that it's been the same format as others have talked about I can't see him doing anything other than family sitcoms maybe a business setting or a school setting could be nice but brutal irony for SDSU if it does good.

But will just have to wait and see if it's another family sitcom I'll check it out but if it's the same style we've been getting I may tune out. But in all fairness Hannah/Barbera threw out the same settings and plots and now they're hailed as classics.

Karl Olson

01-19-2010, 12:18 PM

But will just have to wait and see if it's another family sitcom I'll check it out but if it's the same style we've been getting I may tune out. But in all fairness Hannah/Barbera threw out the same settings and plots and now they're hailed as classics.

Well, the flipside of that is for all the variations on a theme Hanna Barbera did (like the countless Scooby Doo clones,) they did also try to experiment a little on the side (like with the original Sealab and Space Ghost,) and really, Scooby Doo has been the only franchise that stuck around past the initial order. They never did a Josie or Jabberjaw or Chan Clan reboot (or atleast nothing recently,) but Scooby Doo has always found a home on TV, and often gets a new version. Plus, I've seen some animation fans call that period of clone shows from HB a dark age for the medium.

In short, just because HB did it for a bit in 1960s/1970s doesn't mean it's a model for Seth to emulate in the 2010s.

Shredhead

01-19-2010, 12:35 PM

The way I see it there considering anther Seth show because they might consider dumping American Dad after the sixth season and there looking for something to replace it. I like Seth shows and will be waiting to see what he comes up with if they do do this series.

JD08

01-19-2010, 12:42 PM

In short, just because HB did it for a bit in 1960s/1970s doesn't mean it's a model for Seth to emulate in the 2010s.
Even if people did call it the dark decade most of those shows still are viewed as H/B's finest. And maybe years from now maybe most of Macfarlane's show will also be viewed as his finest. But what I'm saying is don't try to cast him off as a one-note creator when many others aside from H/B do it and are still recognized as greatness.

Rick Jones

01-19-2010, 12:48 PM

If they were trying to get rid of American dad, I don't think they'd really try to get a new Seth show to do it. Seth is a hitmaker for them and they're probably just trying to get another one for another night.

ThePRPD

01-19-2010, 03:49 PM

I mean do we really need another show that utilizes vomit, sex, and fart jokes as their funny ace in the hole?

I don't think the writers constantly rely on them. If this does get passed I wonder if it'll have the same animation as the others. Would be interesting if it's a different style.

Bradyrands

01-19-2010, 04:21 PM

I don't think the writers constantly rely on them. If this does get passed I wonder if it'll have the same animation as the others. Would be interesting if it's a different style.
My main complaint about Seth's shows are the horrid animation, or lack of movement, so if it is done differently I hope its a style where the characters will move instead of occasionally lift an arm.

JD08

01-19-2010, 04:34 PM

My main complaint about Seth's shows are the horrid animation, or lack of movement, so if it is done differently I hope its a style where the characters will move instead of occasionally lift an arm.
I hear that so much but I never see it. This is a show with 5 minute chicken fights now if that isn't lack of movement I don't see what is.

Bradyrands

01-19-2010, 05:13 PM

I hear that so much but I never see it. This is a show with 5 minute chicken fights now if that isn't lack of movement I don't see what is.
Oh no I'm not refering to the chicken fights, I mean scenes where there sitting in the kitchen or living rooms, or when there driving in cars and such like that. No, chicken fights and all other related sequences don't count.

ThePRPD

01-19-2010, 06:08 PM

I don't really see the big deal when it comes to the lack of movement when characters are sitting, sitting at a table, driving, standing casually, etc.

Bradyrands

01-19-2010, 09:09 PM

I don't really see the big deal when it comes to the lack of movement when characters are sitting, sitting at a table, driving, standing casually, etc.
I Guess I'm too used to having so much movement in cartoons since I watched alot of Looney Tunes, spongebob, and ren & stimpy when I was younger.

Peter Paltridge

01-19-2010, 09:14 PM

The lack of movement is a stylistic choice -- MacFarlane animated his pilot that way; he feels the jokes are better punctuated by jerky sudden movements.

Of course, for Fox, it doesn't hurt that it's also cheaper.

Monterey Jack

01-20-2010, 01:00 AM

My main complaint about Seth's shows are the horrid animation, or lack of movement, so if it is done differently I hope its a style where the characters will move instead of occasionally lift an arm.

I remember an episode with a cutaway with Stewie imagining himself as Jiminy Glick (for whatever reason) interviewing Colin Farrell, and Farrell does absoultely nothing while Stewie/Glick is spastically flailing his arms around on the other side of the screen. Seriously, they didn't even bother to animate him blinking or anything, he just sits there not moving. It was like watching Clutch Cargo. :shrug: To often, MacFarlane characters who are being spoken to just stand/sit there, occasionally binking or something, but not really doing anything.

Dudley

01-20-2010, 09:44 AM

According to artists on Family Guy, it's come to the point that all they do now is just trace off of model sheets (as opposed to just simply using it as reference)

I miss the animation from the first season. It was more fluid in comparison

Classic Speedy

01-20-2010, 12:21 PM

Bradyrands

01-20-2010, 04:37 PM

While were on the animation topic, was "Family Guy" ever done in cells?

Fool's Gil

01-20-2010, 04:54 PM

Only way I'd be interested is if the art/animation style was different from his three current shows (for example, why did he abandon his style seen in the CN short Larry and Steve?). Even different executions on the jokes would be nice. Sadly, the chances of that are slim to none.

Now there's a thought. Instead of a fourth show for Fox, Seth should go to Cartoon Network and repitch Larry and Steve.

:pIt'll be Family Guy for kids!:p

ThePRPD

01-20-2010, 05:20 PM

I miss the animation from the first season. It was more fluid in comparison
To be honest I like the current animation style a little more. For some reason looking at the older animation is a little painful to watch for me.

Rho

01-20-2010, 11:54 PM

I got to wonder how this guy is able to make so many shows at once.
Are they simple to make, like South Park?

OnePark

01-21-2010, 12:05 AM

J. B. Warner

01-21-2010, 09:53 AM

Just like anything animated, it takes quite a while to animate. So, many are animated at once, take into account for writing and you're okay.

It's not like Seth actually writes every episode. The most he actually does is write a joke or two.

Well, he also supervises the scripts and gives each one his personal stamp of approval. And he does voices for all three shows, so he's there for table reads and recording sessions and stuff. All told, he still puts in a pretty decent amount of work on each show. But from what I understand, he's more heavily involved in the writing sessions for "Family Guy" than he is for his other two shows.

Plague Rat

01-21-2010, 04:26 PM

Ahem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRE0jYaOlzg
This made my day.

American Dad doesn't rely on cutaways and major pop culture references from what I've seen and The Cleveland Show is amazingly character driven.
Really? From what I saw from the Cleveland Show it was... well, kinda meh. Not even my mother, who LOVES Family Guy, could get into it... which says something. Plus I didn't like many of the characters... especially Cleveland's baby son... I wanted to punch him in the face every time he was on screen... why is he in the show again?

I don't want to think of American Dad getting replaced though. It's Seth's better show in my honest opinion.

But regardless of my personal opinion on Seth MacFarlene (which is mixed), I do agree that a 4th show is pushing it, I mean how many shows can one guy possibly control at once?

Urusei Yatsura

01-21-2010, 04:35 PM

This made my day.

Really? From what I saw from the Cleveland Show it was... well, kinda meh. Not even my mother, who LOVES Family Guy, could get into it... which says something. Plus I didn't like many of the characters... especially Cleveland's baby son... I wanted to punch him in the face every time he was on screen... why is he in the show again?

Definitely agreed. Everyone but Cleveland doesn't click with me. It's a pretty weak cast if you ask me.

OnePark

01-21-2010, 04:42 PM

Well, he also supervises the scripts and gives each one his personal stamp of approval. And he does voices for all three shows, so he's there for table reads and recording sessions and stuff. All told, he still puts in a pretty decent amount of work on each show. But from what I understand, he's more heavily involved in the writing sessions for "Family Guy" than he is for his other two shows.
In an American Dad commentary, Seth stated when recording Roger and Stan he has to take a day for each character. I wonder if the same goes for Family Guy?

Besides his thumbs up, though, he doesn't write. I imagine he still puts forth jokes and such.

Peter Paltridge

01-21-2010, 04:46 PM

Definitely agreed. Everyone but Cleveland doesn't click with me. It's a pretty weak cast if you ask me.
What's really lame is that they've learned nothing from introducing Meg undefined ten years ago. "Here's Cleveland's daughter, and she's....Cleveland's daughter." When you're developing a main cast member, fleshing them out beforehand is kinda important.

Leaping Larry Jojo

01-21-2010, 04:52 PM

Maybe this time it will be his patented family formula but with an Asian family instead! The excitement! :yawn:

speedy fast

01-21-2010, 05:18 PM

When a movie (93 minutes is a movie?) bombs, why would they want another show, when money can be made elsewhere for FOX, seeing as they already hired Sarah Palin as a commentator for their much more popular news station.

I don't quite understand why this was brought up... So a movie bombed and somebody made another show because of it, or what? I don't understand.

Somebody said that one of those shows could end by then, and some thought it could be American Dad. I read somewhere that Seth MacFarlane was planning on having Family Guy end in a few years. Maybe that show will end and this new one will begin.

ThePRPD

01-21-2010, 06:11 PM

I read somewhere that Seth MacFarlane was planning on having Family Guy end in a few years. Maybe that show will end and this new one will begin.
He said that he wouldn't want Family Guy to be a show that never ends and will end it at the perfect time.

Or something along those lines.

"Here's Cleveland's daughter, and she's....Cleveland's daughter." When you're developing a main cast member, fleshing them out beforehand is kinda important.

She has been getting development in the recent episodes.

J. B. Warner

01-21-2010, 11:11 PM

In an American Dad commentary, Seth stated when recording Roger and Stan he has to take a day for each character. I wonder if the same goes for Family Guy?

Actually, what he said was that he does all of Stan's lines on one day and then does the rest of the script the next day, because doing Stan's voice takes so much energy out of him. (Which makes sense - it's a big booming voice that's always full of vim and vigor, like a 1950s propaganda film narrator, and doing that for an hour and a half would wear anybody out.)

Marvin Tikvah

01-22-2010, 12:39 AM

Heh, only at Toon Zone can a thread about Seth MacFarlane get a 5 page discussion on character development and the only legitimate chance of The Simpsons getting cancelled :p

From the looks of things, he's not getting a 4th show unless one of the current shows gets axed, or if his crew feels like trying something new. After 3 family sitcoms, ones bound to get creative burnout right?