Seth Macfarlane Doesn't Want 'Family Guy' to End Up Like 'The Simpsons' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-08-2009, 11:31 PM

"I don't want to go 20 years like The Simpsons," MacFarlane told Sun Media. "Ideally we would go another couple of years and then wrap it up. That would be my perfect scenario.

"I mean, I can already see it coming. I can already see the ... we're in season eight, and it gets harder, it gets harder and harder to do new stuff. I mean, every show starts to suck after a certain point. And we could already be there for all I know, I don't know."

The conversation began with Sun Media asking MacFarlane -- who has gone from a guy struggling to get his show on the air a decade ago, to the unofficial king of all media -- if the world's comedic tastes have changed in the past 10 years, or if he has changed.

"Well, I don't know about that (king of all media tag) -- I think Judd Apatow is doing pretty well on that chart," MacFarlane said.

"I'm doing the same thing I've always done. I don't know, I suppose the world changed. I don't feel like I've changed. I'm doing the same job I've been doing for 10 years. I guess, yeah, the public's tastes changed, and they wanted something more like what we're doing now.

"And make no mistake, it can change just as quickly in the other direction. They can decide tomorrow that they hate us. So I'm enjoying it while it lasts."

Family Guy must be exhausting to make, though.

"Yes, it does get tiring," MacFarlane said. "It's a year-round job, it's seven days a week, it gets exhausting."

So given all that, MacFarlane was asked if he ever would consider taking a step back before the world tires of him.

"I would like to do that, yes," MacFarlane said. "Absolutely. I would like to be done before they're done with us."

MacFarlane has a lucrative long-term contract with Fox, but apparently that doesn't mean he has to continue with Family Guy specifically.

MacFarlane also is the creator of American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, which debuts this fall. He does voice work on all three shows.

http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Sh...96566-sun.html

Adamantium · 08-09-2009, 08:48 AM

That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

I know a lot of people want their favorite shows to go on and on, but not me. I like them to be around for five to eight seasons, maybe nine and okay, MAYBE ten. But that's all. I've lost a lot of respect for The Simpsons still being on today. It used to be a show I loved to watch and now I can't stand it.

Like with Monk, I love that show. But I'm glad it's ending this season. For one, I'm anxious to find out how it ends, and secondly, from this point on, the episodes can't get any better. They can only get worse.

Every show has a beginning, middle and end. I want it that way. Unlike The Simpsons, which is beginning, middle and still more middle, wait even more middle, yep more middle, MOVIE, more middle, etc.

Everyone will have their different opinions on the matter, but you know what mine is, thanks to this post.

TJL · 08-09-2009, 09:14 AM

I agree with MacFarlane. I hope he decides to end things before the show starts to slip.

jonc1996 · 08-24-2009, 12:19 PM

Now that The Cleveland Show is coming out, it is the perfect time to quit!

yankeesrj12 · 08-24-2009, 04:14 PM

Family Guy can't end.

BTW, why is the picture at the top the original family drawing? Why not something more recent? (I'm talking about on the boards, btw)

MrCleveland · 08-25-2009, 03:45 PM

With a season that Family Guy had...I can understand!

browneyes106 · 08-29-2009, 12:29 AM

I agree with him. He wants the show to not overrun it's course.

08-08-2009, 11:31 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Seth Macfarlane Doesn't Want 'Family Guy' to End Up Like 'The Simpsons' "I don't want to go 20 years like The Simpsons," MacFarlane told Sun Media. "Ideally we would go another couple of years and then wrap it up. That would be my perfect scenario. "I mean, I can already see it coming. I can already see the ... we're in season eight, and it gets harder, it gets harder and harder to do new stuff. I mean, every show starts to suck after a certain point. And we could already be there for all I know, I don't know." The conversation began with Sun Media asking MacFarlane -- who has gone from a guy struggling to get his show on the air a decade ago, to the unofficial king of all media -- if the world's comedic tastes have changed in the past 10 years, or if he has changed. "Well, I don't know about that (king of all media tag) -- I think Judd Apatow is doing pretty well on that chart," MacFarlane said. "I'm doing the same thing I've always done. I don't know, I suppose the world changed. I don't feel like I've changed. I'm doing the same job I've been doing for 10 years. I guess, yeah, the public's tastes changed, and they wanted something more like what we're doing now. "And make no mistake, it can change just as quickly in the other direction. They can decide tomorrow that they hate us. So I'm enjoying it while it lasts." Family Guy must be exhausting to make, though. "Yes, it does get tiring," MacFarlane said. "It's a year-round job, it's seven days a week, it gets exhausting." So given all that, MacFarlane was asked if he ever would consider taking a step back before the world tires of him. "I would like to do that, yes," MacFarlane said. "Absolutely. I would like to be done before they're done with us." MacFarlane has a lucrative long-term contract with Fox, but apparently that doesn't mean he has to continue with Family Guy specifically. MacFarlane also is the creator of American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, which debuts this fall. He does voice work on all three shows. http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Sh...96566-sun.html
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08-09-2009, 09:14 AM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I agree with MacFarlane. I hope he decides to end things before the show starts to slip.
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08-24-2009, 12:19 PM	#4
jonc1996 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 21, 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 14	Now that The Cleveland Show is coming out, it is the perfect time to quit!
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08-25-2009, 03:45 PM	#6
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,227	With a season that Family Guy had...I can understand!
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08-09-2009, 08:48 AM	#2
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,836	That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I know a lot of people want their favorite shows to go on and on, but not me. I like them to be around for five to eight seasons, maybe nine and okay, MAYBE ten. But that's all. I've lost a lot of respect for The Simpsons still being on today. It used to be a show I loved to watch and now I can't stand it. Like with Monk, I love that show. But I'm glad it's ending this season. For one, I'm anxious to find out how it ends, and secondly, from this point on, the episodes can't get any better. They can only get worse. Every show has a beginning, middle and end. I want it that way. Unlike The Simpsons, which is beginning, middle and still more middle, wait even more middle, yep more middle, MOVIE, more middle, etc. Everyone will have their different opinions on the matter, but you know what mine is, thanks to this post.

08-24-2009, 04:14 PM	#5
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	Family Guy can't end. BTW, why is the picture at the top the original family drawing? Why not something more recent? (I'm talking about on the boards, btw)

08-29-2009, 12:29 AM	#7
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I agree with him. He wants the show to not overrun it's course.