FOX goes Spin-off crazy

[Raph's Girl]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080229/...familyguy_dc_1

"Family Guy's" henpecked husband Cleveland Brown might be getting his own show.

The Fox network and the show's producer, 20th Century Fox TV, are developing a spin-off from their hit animated series centered on Peter Griffin's bathtub-accident-prone neighbor, sources said.

The project, tentatively titled "Cleveland," is being written by "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry -- a writer/producer who voices Cleveland -- and Rich Appel, an executive producer on MacFarlane's other Fox cartoon, "American Dad."

Cleveland, who plays off black stereotypes, is the most levelheaded among Griffin's trio of friends. He's also pushed around by his wife.

Once canceled by Fox, "Family Guy" triumphantly returned on the network in 2005. It is Fox's top-rated comedy and has grown into a $1 billion franchise with red-hot DVD and merchandise sales.

Fox executives have made it a priority to find another hit animated comedy to complement their Sunday comedy lineup. They have several cartoons in the works, including an animated version of the 2003 short-lived live-action comedy "The Pitts." In addition to "Cleveland," Fox is also developing a spin-off of the drama series "Prison Break," set at a female prison.

WTF??? Prison Break is getting a spin-off??? How is that show even still on the air?!

As for "Cleveland"...I dunno...maybe if Cleveland was more like George Jefferson and had a maid and stuff (After all Family Guy IS kinda an homage to "All In the Family")...

[VaughnMichael]

I happen to like Prison Break, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, that's how it's still on the air.
Also I don't give the family guy spin off of cleveland more than 5 episodes and that's me being nice.

[Mecha Cow]

Cleveland? Really?

And I used to like Prison Break, but it really should have ended after the first season. Who knows, maybe a spin-off will make it interesting again, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Drtooth]

I'll say this. i like how the spinoff isn't of a highly over exposed FG character myself. I, for one, would NOT want to watch a Stewie show. He's pretty much taken over the show completely. And not even funny, matricidal sociopath. Effeminant goof ball that says stuff cuz his voice is funny.

[Revan]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

I'll say this. i like how the spinoff isn't of a highly over exposed FG character myself. I, for one, would NOT want to watch a Stewie show. He's pretty much taken over the show completely. And not even funny, matricidal sociopath. Effeminant goof ball that says stuff cuz his voice is funny.

... um ok whatever you say tooth, no one was even talking about him

[Fugitoid Jones]

I dunno about the Cleveland spin-off either. How is American Dad doing as far as ratings go? Is anybody even watching that?

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Originally Posted by Putrescent

Also I don't give the family guy spin off of cleveland more than 5 episodes and that's me being nice.

Considering all the old played out jokes on Family Guy that people still think are funny, I'd say it has a decent shot.

People complain about the Simpsons being past their prime, but IMO Family Guy got old a lot faster.

[Jester]

As a Family Guy fan I think having a Cleveland spinoff is a bad idea. Losing him on the show and having to write a show that is similar too yet diffrent enough from FG to not die a painful death is too much, I think.

[The Terror of Death]

More Prison Break after season four; I cant wait.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Fugitoid Jones

I dunno about the Cleveland spin-off either. How is American Dad doing as far as ratings go? Is anybody even watching that?

I watch American Dad..and thats where I see the problem in the Clevland spin-off,Seth Mcfarlene already has 2 cartoons going...succeeding in a third one will take alot of luck.Not saying "Cleveland" won't work...Im saying having 3 successful cartoons going at once would be a rare achievement.

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by Jester

As a Family Guy fan I think having a Cleveland spinoff is a bad idea. Losing him on the show and having to write a show that is similar too yet diffrent enough from FG to not die a painful death is too much, I think.

I still think that of all the major characters getting a Spinoff, Cleveland is the best bet. He's not over exposed, and they actually could write him off the series without people knowing. Joe possibly could have the same deal. But if it was Quagmire (as good as the idea sounds) it just wouldn't work in the long run. Not that I think Cleveland is so much better, but while he lacks personality, he's not a one note joke. Who knows, a show might actually give him some character. Be thankful they didn't consider the "Those two Vaudeville Guys" spin off.

[BubblyShell22]

Wow! This is news to me! I don't know if it'll work though. Sure, Cleveland isn't a bad character, but I don't see this working out at all. What could they have Cleveland do besides hanging out with Peter and the guys? Sure, you could show him at home, but he probably doesn't do much there either. Loretta's pretty much out of the picture since she cheated on him, and I have no idea where Cleveland Jr. went. I just don't see this working out. However, only time will tell.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

I watch American Dad..and thats where I see the problem in the Clevland spin-off,Seth Mcfarlene already has 2 cartoons going...succeeding in a third one will take alot of luck.Not saying "Cleveland" won't work...Im saying having 3 successful cartoons going at once would be a rare achievement.

I think American Dad is the better of the two cartoons. Looking back at the beginning of Family Guy, I think American Dad has actually always been the better show since it started. I think the father on American Dad is a lot funnier than Peter Griffin, who is pretty much a Homer clone (see the Halloween special where Peter is among clones of Homer ), and the alien has never annoyed me like Stewie.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Mr._Mutant_Man

I think American Dad is the better of the two cartoons. Looking back at the beginning of Family Guy, I think American Dad has actually always been the better show since it started. I think the father on American Dad is a lot funnier than Peter Griffin, who is pretty much a Homer clone (see the Halloween special where Peter is among clones of Homer ), and the alien has never annoyed me like Stewie.

Well both shows are great imo.Sure Peter Griffin is a Homer clone...the whole concept of Family Guy was a Simpsons clone from the start anyway.Iv seen that Halloween special.

Yes Roger the alien in American Dad is a wonderful character..hes one of my favorites.

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Well both shows are great imo.Sure Peter Griffin is a Homer clone...the whole concept of Family Guy was a Simpsons clone from the start anyway.Iv seen that Halloween special.

Not really. And not even on the part of Seth. The original concept was a single man and his dog. Then he was married and had one son, similar to Chris. Fox is only buying Family shows, so somewhere down the line they were forced to add the teenage Daughter. I don't know where the Baby came from, but it was clearly Seth's idea to make it actually do something, unlike Maggie. To me, the Simpsons are based off 1950's sitcom families, while the Griffen, clearly, are based off of 80's sitcom families. I can't stand when people say, "It's a clone of the Simpsons." Cuz, well, if that's the case the Simpsons is a clone of the Flintstones and Bullwinkle.

But American Dad is the superior show. Especially now. FG has really taken a downfall this season, and they really should have waited for the Stewie kills Lois episode to be the series finalie.

[VaughnMichael]

Originally Posted by Fugitoid Jones

I dunno about the Cleveland spin-off either. How is American Dad doing as far as ratings go? Is anybody even watching that?

I onl watch that show because of Roger the alien.

Originally Posted by Mr._Mutant_Man

Considering all the old played out jokes on Family Guy that people still think are funny, I'd say it has a decent shot.

People complain about the Simpsons being past their prime, but IMO Family Guy got old a lot faster.

Really? I still watch Family guy every week, I usually miss the Simpsons and I'm not gonna cry over that fact..

[BubblyShell22]

If anything, The Simpsons has gone downhill. I still watch the new eps, but I barely laugh at any of them. At least Family Guy keeps me laughing and has only had a few mediocre eps that I didn't like.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

Not really. And not even on the part of Seth. The original concept was a single man and his dog. Then he was married and had one son, similar to Chris. Fox is only buying Family shows, so somewhere down the line they were forced to add the teenage Daughter. I don't know where the Baby came from, but it was clearly Seth's idea to make it actually do something, unlike Maggie. To me, the Simpsons are based off 1950's sitcom families, while the Griffen, clearly, are based off of 80's sitcom families. I can't stand when people say, "It's a clone of the Simpsons." Cuz, well, if that's the case the Simpsons is a clone of the Flintstones and Bullwinkle.

But American Dad is the superior show. Especially now. FG has really taken a downfall this season, and they really should have waited for the Stewie kills Lois episode to be the series finalie.

Well thats true,I had forgoten about the old "What a cartoon show" err whatever it was called about the guy and his talking dog by Seth.

I love Stewie he makes me laugh alot,but either way I love both The Simpsons and Family Guy...Oh and American Dad too,like I previously said.

[BubblyShell22]

I like The Simpsons, too, but the recent season hasn't really made me laugh, while Family Guy makes me laugh all the time, for the most part.