Fox and Hulu have recently announced a new spinoff of beloved animated sitcom “Family Guy.” This spinoff will follow the adventures of Peter Griffin’s youngest son Stewie, the genius toddler. Reactions to the series have been mixed, as fans question the necessity of the series. The creator himself, Seth MacFarlane, has also recently come under fire for the use of artificial intelligence. The new series has been greenlit for two seasons, and will debut in 2027.
Stewie’s Newest Adventure
Family Guy is an animated sitcom which has been running since 1999 and has aired 23 seasons. The series follows Peter Griffin, an average blue-collar worker, and his family consisting of a stay at home wife, two teenage kids, and even a talking dog and genius toddler. The series was created by MacFarlane, also known for his other animated sitcom “American Dad.” Family Guy has previously had a spinoff show, “The Cleveland Show,” following Peter Griffin’s friend Cleveland Brown. McFarlane’s comedies are known for satirizing American culture, as well as his famous cut-away gags.
The new spinoff, announced this March, will follow Stewie Griffin, the genius toddler who uses his intelligence to attempt to take over the world and kill his mother Lois. The plot of the spinoff centers on Stewie’s adventures as he attends pre-school, and will include antics involving time travel. McFarlane will reprise his role as Stewie’s voice actor, as well as returning to his role as executive producer. Also attached to the project is Family Guy writer and producer Kirker Butler. Butler has been writing for Family Guy for over 20 years.
Fan Reactions
Following the announcement of the new series, fan reactions have been mixed, as many question the necessity of the series. Stewie acts as one of the central characters of Family Guy, so it seems strange to dedicate a series to him, especially when the show has been renewed for four more seasons. However, with McFarlane attached to the project fans are hopeful that the series will be humorous and a refreshing take on the world of Family Guy by focusing in on a new perspective.
McFarlane and AI Controversy
However, McFarlane has recently faced scrutiny for the use of artificial intelligence in season two of “Ted.” During an episode of the series, which serves as a prequel to the films created by McFarlane and starring Mark Wahlberg, McFarlane cameoed as former president Bill Clinton, and utilized AI to change his appearance. This has led to backlash from fans with many beginning to boycott the show. Many feel that the use of AI acts as a shortcut, reducing the quality of the series and taking opportunities away from people who work with CGI.
Release and Episode Count
According to Deadline, the new series is a joint effort between Fox and Hulu. This means that the two media giants will split the costs of the spinoff. The series has been greenlit for two seasons, however the exact episode count for each season is still unknown. The series is set to premiere in 2027, with the second season following in 2028. Since the series is split between both Fox and Hulu, it will air first on Fox, and begin streaming on Hulu the next day.
With little information currently being revealed, there is likely much more news to come as the series approaches its 2027 release window. However, McFarlane will likely have to take steps to regain the trust of fans following the controversy surrounding Ted season two. While fans wait for more information to come, all 23 seasons of Family Guy are currently streaming on Hulu.
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