Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane quits show after 24 years in landmark move
FAMILY Guy creator Seth McFarlane has reportedly quit the show after 24 years.
The actor, 49, is believed to have walked out on the animated cartoon in support of the Hollywood writers’ strikes.
Seth, 49, has left alongside other showrunners, Brian Boyle, Matt Weitzman, Rich Appel and Alec Sulkin, Deadline reported.
The actor, who voices Peter Griffin, won’t return until an agreement is reached between the Writers Guild of America and the studio, sources claimed.
“There is quite a bit of runway to go before the wheels come off,” an insider told the outlet.
“The animated satire has about three months of scripts, v/o, etc already completed. Then the studio will have to figure out what steps to take next.”
Seth has been seen on the picket lines since the guild went on strike on May 2.
Family Guy ended its 21st season – which comprised of 20 episodes – on May 7.
Seth also works on American Dad, which started its 20th series in March.
Family Guy was renewed for a 22nd and 23rd season by Fox in January.
The Writers Guild of America strike is the ongoing dispute between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The strike officially began on May 2, 2023, after the WGA and AMPTP could not reach an agreement on a new three-year film TV contract to replace one that expired on May 1.
WRITER’S STRIKE
More than 11,000 writers are participating in this protest from several studios, including Netflix, Paramount, and HBO.
Several of America’s most popular late-night comedy shows were shut down after the WGA called its first strike in 16 years.
Earlier this month, Saturday Night Live canceled all of the remaining episodes for Season 48.
This meant that Pete Davidson’s hosting debut was axed.
The last writer’s strike was in 2007 and lasted 100 days. Seth joined strikers at the time.
Experts are predicting that the latest walkout could last three months or more.
Several actors and talk show hosts have since voiced their opinion about the strike.
CELEB SUPPORT
Television host Stephen Colbert said on a May 1 episode of The Late Show: “Unions are the reason we have weekends, and by extension why we have TGI Fridays.”
Comedian and television host Jimmy Fallon told Variety at the Met Gala: “I wouldn’t have a show if it wasn’t for my writers, I support them all the way.”
Actress Olivia Wilde also showed her support, telling Reuters: “I support the writers, and I think it’ll affect all of us.”
Actress Wanda Sykes also showed her support on Twitter and posted a photo of herself holding a sign at one of the protests on May 2.
Other stars who have shown support for the strike include Rob Lowe, Natasha Lyonne, and Jon Cryer.