It seems today that all you see is Family Guy continuing to forge a path in the history of animated comedy. A huge pillar to that legacy is undoubtedly the popularity of one Stewart Gilligan Griffin, or as his fans and family call him, Stewie. We’re about to hear that name a lot more in the next couple years, thanks to a big decision at the Fox Network – and it’s something worth discussing, as it may impact those good old fashioned values on which this program relies.

Stewie Is A Go For Two Seasons At Fox

Through an exclusive item at Deadline, the Fox Network and Hulu have confirmed that they’ve greenlit two seasons for Stewie – set to debut during the 2027-28 TV season. Splitting the cost between Fox and Hulu, the two Disney-owned entities ensure that new episodes broadcast on TV will go to Hulu (domestically) and Disney+ (internationally) next day. 

Co-created by mastermind Seth MacFarlane and series writer-producer Kirker Butler, the Family Guy veteran’s latest effort will put our favorite megalomaniacal toddler into the following scenario: 

…after getting the boot from his old preschool, Stewie is forced to enroll in a new one that’s not exactly top-of-the-line. It’s attended by a handful of kids he doesn’t know, and a 75-year-old class turtle with a half-cocked theory on just about every subject. Stewie’s miserable, the other kids are miserable, and even the turtle is miserable… until Stewie begins rolling out his trusty array of devices to take them anywhere in space and time, turning every boring day at school into an insane and surreal adventure.

I can already imagine how Stewie is going to kick its titular schemer out of a prestigious preschool and into a less than ideal institution. On the more positive side, giving Stewart Gilligan Griffin his own space to get into trouble could mean that Family Guy will have more opportunities to let other members of the Griffin family (probably not Meg) steal the spotlight.

While that sounds like a lot of fun, I do have my reservations on the matter. Which, despite being a lapsed Family Guy fan, are nonetheless valid when looking at TV history – and Seth MacFarlane’s current workload. 

Seth Macfarlane sits with a look of great worry in the trailer for The Orville: New Horizons.

Fans Of Family Guy (And The Orville) Are Going To Have Questions

Clearly the most pressing concern is how Stewie will affect the trajectory of Family Guy Original Recipe. For almost 30 years viewers have gotten used to family dog Brian Griffin being the breakout character’s constant companion. Separating the two almost immediately conjures memories of the ill-advised Season 12 storyline that killed – and later resurrected – Brian. 

Heading those feelings off at the pass, the report sourced above notes that Stewie “will have its own world at a new school with new characters and will not impact Stewie on Family Guy.” Which is a good spot to confirm that Seth MacFarlane will also be voicing the eponymous character in this spin-off. But at this point you’re probably asking, “Mike, what about The Orville Season 4?” If that’s the case, thank you for reading the sub-header! Let this quote from Mr. MacFarlane’s recent interview with THR be your reward: 

The 10 scripts are done. I’m the problem. It’s [a matter of] when I can make that my year, with all the other stuff we have in the works. But we can hit the ground running when it happens.

That’s clearly not the news that you cadets at Planetary Union Central were hoping for. However Stewie’s existence may be the key to getting The Orville back among the stars – seeing as this new project is set up in the same halls that Captain Mercer and his crew reside. For now, you can watch Family Guy Sunday nights on Fox; with episodes hitting Hulu next day! And for the all the things that make us laugh and cry in pop culture, keep your browser tuned to the THS TV News archive for continuing updates! 

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