Brian Damage
06-21-2008, 10:29 AM
Is Stewie gay? Why did Cleveland get the spin-off? Which celebrity complained about being mocked on "Family Guy"? Will Cleveland leave Rhode Island?
"Family Guy" executive producer Seth MacFarlane answered questions about the show, its upcoming "The Cleveland Show" spin-off and the long-rumored movie at Promax/BDA annual conference in midtown Manhattan. Luckily, THR.com's Paul Gough was there and taking excellent notes:
"Most likely," MacFarlane said in response to the Stewie/gay question, "in some way it's going to be worked into the plot of the 'Family Guy' movie if we ever have the time to get it off the ground," MacFarlane said.
For the Fox midseason spin-off, MacFarlane confirmed Cleveland's family will leave Quohog and return to his hometown in Virginia
"It'll be worth it. You'll love the talking bear, believe me," he said.
He held out hope that Cleveland might come back for a visit -- "crossovers are cool" -- but added that his place on "Family Guy" would be taken by another character. Who? No decision yet in the long term. But at first, Brian will get more screen time.
"We're going to pump Brian up a little more," MacFarlane said. "He'll be the one who hangs out with the guys at the bar." He also said a crossover of "American Dad" and "Family Guy" might happen next season.
MacFarlane said he's often asked why Clevelandwas chosen for the spinoff and not Quagmire, the lecherous airline pilot. "This is not a guy you want to invite into your hone on a weekly basis," he said.
He said that Cleveland had opportunities for heartfelt moments as a character was "so complex and tortured and introspective."
As for which celebrity has complained about being lampooned on the show, MacFarlane said most don't complain ... except former "SNL" cast member Ellen Cleghorne," and former "Sanford and Son" co-star Desmond Wilson and, weirdly, Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart.
“Jon Stewart got really upset but I won't go into that,” he said.
When asked what’s his secret to staying creative, MacFarlane’s answer was very actionable. He said to watch this specific YouTube clip. Really.
"You're going to ****ing thank me for that one," MacFarlane said.
And if he’s still creatively blocked? He says he searches for canceled Fox sitcom "Back To You."
"You'll be pleasantly surprised that there are some people even more creatively blocked than you are," he said.
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/06/macfarlane-reve.html
"Family Guy" executive producer Seth MacFarlane answered questions about the show, its upcoming "The Cleveland Show" spin-off and the long-rumored movie at Promax/BDA annual conference in midtown Manhattan. Luckily, THR.com's Paul Gough was there and taking excellent notes:
"Most likely," MacFarlane said in response to the Stewie/gay question, "in some way it's going to be worked into the plot of the 'Family Guy' movie if we ever have the time to get it off the ground," MacFarlane said.
For the Fox midseason spin-off, MacFarlane confirmed Cleveland's family will leave Quohog and return to his hometown in Virginia
"It'll be worth it. You'll love the talking bear, believe me," he said.
He held out hope that Cleveland might come back for a visit -- "crossovers are cool" -- but added that his place on "Family Guy" would be taken by another character. Who? No decision yet in the long term. But at first, Brian will get more screen time.
"We're going to pump Brian up a little more," MacFarlane said. "He'll be the one who hangs out with the guys at the bar." He also said a crossover of "American Dad" and "Family Guy" might happen next season.
MacFarlane said he's often asked why Clevelandwas chosen for the spinoff and not Quagmire, the lecherous airline pilot. "This is not a guy you want to invite into your hone on a weekly basis," he said.
He said that Cleveland had opportunities for heartfelt moments as a character was "so complex and tortured and introspective."
As for which celebrity has complained about being lampooned on the show, MacFarlane said most don't complain ... except former "SNL" cast member Ellen Cleghorne," and former "Sanford and Son" co-star Desmond Wilson and, weirdly, Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart.
“Jon Stewart got really upset but I won't go into that,” he said.
When asked what’s his secret to staying creative, MacFarlane’s answer was very actionable. He said to watch this specific YouTube clip. Really.
"You're going to ****ing thank me for that one," MacFarlane said.
And if he’s still creatively blocked? He says he searches for canceled Fox sitcom "Back To You."
"You'll be pleasantly surprised that there are some people even more creatively blocked than you are," he said.
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/06/macfarlane-reve.html