Seth MacFarlane, who no doubt had high-school teachers telling him that his doodles and cartoon voices would amount to nothing, can now tell his guidance counselor to shove it.
The cartoon mastermind has finally signed a deal and will be locked up with 20th Century Fox Television through 2012, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The agreement also means that if pretty much anyone (other than Bill Gates) sees MacFarlane at a bar, drinks are on him.
By signing his name on the dotted line, MacFarlane now lays claim to the title of highest-paid television producer in the business. Depending on the performance of his properties, which include Family Guy, American Dad, and (barring some bonehead decision not to pick it up) the Family Guy spin-off Cleveland, MacFarlane's contract could be worth more than $100 million.
The deal also keeps MacFarlane on board as producer of live-action comedies and as a voice actor for his shows.
Never one to mince words, MacFarlane told The Hollywood Reporter: "I get a lot of pleasure out of making shows. It's a bonus to be getting paid well for it, and it's a double bonus to be getting paid exorbitantly for it."
MacFarlane has had a rocky relationship with Fox in the past, seeing Family Guy canceled and then resurrected after DVD sales went through the roof. He was also at odds with his bosses during the writers strike, during which he was very vocal on behalf of the scribes.
In other Family Guy news, the names of next season's episodes have now been posted--check them out!
Yes! Family Guy has another four seasons on the way, which will make 10! I also heard on a Family Guy site that a movie will be made in 2011 or 2012! Live on Family Guy!
yea yes yeees woo hooo i love family guy awsome 4 more years holy crap
tes
after that show came back it has for the most part sucked pretty hard. now the first 3 seasons were awesome, but don't get me wrong there have been some very good episodes these last few years. i just hope that they try and find a balance from what they did well then and what they are doing now which is still funny, but not as clever/ thought out.
Fox decided Seth MacFarlane should be treated like the Carter Pewterschmidt he plays on Family Guy.Everyone knows that the longer a show, the better the quality. The Simpsons is just as fresh as it was in 1991. I'm joking, of course. Somehow South Park seems to buck the trend and is more brilliant than ever. The best thing for Family Guy is to cut the season to maybe 5 episodes. I don't think anyone is clamoring for 20 mediocre new Family Guy episodes a year.Unfortunately, American television is all about volume (Henry Ford's influence?). More shows mean more commercial exposure, and more money. Maybe that's why British television rules. Coupling and The Office only had like 5 episodes per year. Their actors don't make as much money, though.Seth MacFarlane is a genius, but any talent can be spread too thin. In 10 years, MacFarlane will be Carter Pewterschmidt. It's time he get treated like the Pieceofschmidt he'll become.moreless
MORE FAMILY GUY!(imitating quagmire) ALL RIGHT!
It's a shame the latest season was cut short because of the strike. HERE'S HOPING THESE NEXT SEASONS WILL BE PACKED WITH MORE STUFF!!
Family Guy has another 4 seasons? Cool, I used to think it was more funnier than any other Comedy, but now that I watch FOTC, it's still good, but it's not the best.
Wow! Family Guy at least to year 2012, can it be better!? I don't think so! :D FG and Seth rules!!
The show is pretty raunchy but also very funny.
Not a bad deal for someone whose series Fox DIDN'T want to renew a few years ago...Seth deserves everything he's going to earn from them!!!
the spin off is going to suck. i like clevland but as a background minor character. not as good for a focus. and americna dad was ok since it's plot stays the same throughout the show(unlike the simpsons) but it's not as funny as family guy. oh and the long john peter episode sunday was kinda bad.
yay more family guy! I dont care for american dad.
Good for Seth McFarlane. South Park has been extended through its 15th season so why should Family Guy not be extended through. At most times, Family Guy is way funnier than South Park, and lately has been raunchier than South Park and that's where my sick humor lies.
I think that this is awesome. The Simpsons and Family are both funny shows. The Simpsons proved thatan animated show can be around for as long as it has... not Family Guy will have a chance to do the same thing. Personally, I like Family Guy better, but that's just one man's opinion.
Family Guy is a The Simpsons wannabe and it will never be as good.
Wow talk about a come back. Good for him. I like <i>Family Guy</i> but never got into <i>American Dad</i>. I hope Seth comes to Comic Con this year.
American Dad is funny and I love it. Family Guy on the other hand egh.
thats nice if you wanna make every1 feel bad for not living their dreams and making exorbitant amounts of cash while doing it. I would say something a little ruder but i would get an email saying not to
Family Guy started of good, but lost its way sometime ago, as is what usually happens with most comedies.
I may have come down too harshly on the haters, but if you don't like Family Guy, why click on a news story which is only pertinent to said show? Save those opinions for the show's forum. Plus that one guy who said "Never watched it, never will." really irked me for some reason.
what neelson said
Family Guy was funny in the beginning, now, not so much.
embarrassing. Family Guy stinks.
Seth McFarlane isn't funny...
AD is arrested development NOT FREAKING AMERICAN DADyou have been warned...
I am so glad AD and FG are on at least until 2012! I need my weekly comedy!
the latest season 7 was so offensive that it wasnt funny, I'm a huge fan of the first 3 seasons though
Good move on FOX's part. Cancelling Family Guy the first time didn't work and while some episodes are borderline offensive, they fortunately haven't dropped into that South Park (needs to be on cable) to be shown. Besides as soon as The Simpsons stops airing (probably before FG's contract is up) this and King of The Hill, will be the only mainstays.
Try as I might I couldn't get into family guy. If you ever wondered why TV execs chose advertisers revenue over viewers choices and cancel so many decent shows then salaries of $25m/yr must contribute. A quick note to, amongst others, Phatjagz14 - slagging people for one line 'I hate this show' is a touch one one sided arguement. (especially when in the same thread there are many 'I love this show but I wont say why' comments). I hate people who review every show/episode as 10/10 so it falls both ways.
I tried, I really tried to watch Family Guy, but I can't - I think it's awful.
I just wish familyguy was as funny as it was during the first 3 seasons.It still has its moments that are really funny but there far and few between for me.I really think they need to get away from the flash backs a little.I understand that cutaways are a big part of the show but it almost seems like its become the show,often times they just fall flat and arent funny.Also i dont care how they are always throwing in there political views down our throats.I dont mind people having there opinions about polotics and religion but come on do we need it in every single episode.Anyways i know i sound like i dont like the show but that couldnt be further from the truth.I just wish they could find the mojo they had back in the day that made me a fan in the first place.moreless
YYAAAAAY four more years of Family Guy !
I love how people who dislike the show click on a story that deals only with Family Guy merely to bash it. Way to contribue. Seth MacFarlane is a genius, and while some of the newer episodes tend to contain very esoteric references I for one am excited to see guaranteed Family Guy and American Dad (personally, though, I think the Cleveland spinoff is a silly idea).
Family Guy is awesome. I would like to see him direct a sitcom. He has a very dark humor. I love it
never watched the show never will
It will be canceled a second time before 2010.
noooooooooooooooooooooFamily guy sucks so hard
I'm glad that Family Guy is on for four more years.
family guy new episodes suck something hard and adding more will ruin the old ways.
Good for him, hopefully the quality of Family Guy will improve though.
Family Guy for another 4 years...at least. Sweet!
Haha, awwww, thanks Tim.
Wow that's A LOT of $$$. Nice to know I can enjoy Family Guy for a long time. :D
This one is for you Fishzone!