In an interview with EW, "Family Guy" executive producer Steve Callaghan revealed that, when Brian was killed off on the show, the majority of fans did not take well to the introduction of Vinny. He said, "When Brian went away and Vinny came to replace him, there was a lot of commentary on the internet to the effect of, 'Bring Brian back,' and, 'We don't like Vinny.' ... But then interestingly, just a couple weeks later, when Brian came back and Vinny went away, there were a lot of comments on the internet to the effect of, 'Oh, I kind of grew to like Vinny,' 'Oh, I wish they'd bring him back.' It lends credibility to the idea that people always want what they can't have."
Vinny fans are treated to a brief return of their favorite hound in Season 15, Episode 1 ("The Boys in the Band"), when he performs with child star Olivia Fuller (Rachel MacFarlane). Additionally, Tony Sirico appears as himself in Season 13, Episode 7 ("Stewie, Chris, & Brian's Excellent Adventure") which features cutaways to "The Sopranos" star in his kitchen, where he angrily reacts to comments being made about Italians. Callaghan said that the late Sirico was the perfect choice for both Vinny and these cutaway scenes, and said, "Now he's part of the 'Family Guy' family."
Family Guy Fans Wish Vinny Had Stuck Around Longer
