What if Family Guy had not returned in 2005?

[TWJT]

Family Guy reruns did so well in ratings that FOX pretty much had no choice but to bring the show back in 2005. But...what if they hadn't? What if the higher-ups at FOX just thought the high ratings in the reruns were a passing phase, and that the show had run its course? How would the animation and entertainment worlds be different right now if Family Guy had not come back in 2005?

You would think MacFarlane would've eventually come up with something to get himself back in the ball game, but theoretically none of the FG spinoffs would have come to be in the above scenario. Also reasonable to argue we would've never seen films like Ted and A Million Ways to Die in the West, but if MacFarlane still ends up finding a winner on television some other way, maybe those movies still get made.

Nevertheless, I think comedy, television, entertainment in general might be a lot different. Family Guy has changed the world the last 17 years with seasons, DVDs, a strong streaming presence, specials, etc. The general style of comedy it uses is all around us; hate him or like him, MacFarlane has impacted the culture. If Family Guy had only run from 1999-2002, a lot of that magic wouldn't have come to be (though personally, I actually prefer the first few seasons).

What do you think things would be like if Family Guy had not returned in 2005?

[rKoNomad316]

I think it would’ve been a wrap for Seth. I’m sure he would’ve had something in the works but not enough to put him back on the map.

I mean really his spinoff shows are way, way below Family Guys creativity. Think American Dad is funnier/better then Family Guy or the Cleveland Show? No way.

[kennyw86v2]

My guess is family guy just wouldn't be on TV and every other part of life would be exactly the same.

To say family changed the world is one of the biggest overstatements I think of all time.

[JC Motors]

Seth almost died in 9/11.

[Mr. Show]

There would probably be a lot less adult animation on the airwaves than there is now. Fox would have not greenlit the dozens and dozens of animated sitcoms that they have over the past 20 years. Adult Swim would still be around but alot more niche.

[HandsomeHollywood]

It probably would have a stunning reputation as one of the best ever canceled-too-soon by Fox shows. Not unlike Firefly.

I remember the first run and taped it off of TV. Me and my brother loved it. After it was canceled it was passed around all my friends and was watched and rewatched to death.

I don't like the revival and up to today, but the first run was so different from almost everything else on TV had it not returned it would probably have gotten a big retrospective push and be a cult darling.

[slappy]

[Scott!]

The first few seasons by far are the best. I still love the current stuff but I'd rather go back and watch Seasons 1-3/4 for pure nostalgia and a good laugh. It's got even more edgy over the years, some of it good, some of it bad but it's still funny.

For me though, the early seasons = best seasons!