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Fox Animation Domination Changes: Family Guy Takes Simpsons’ Spot
Family Guy and The Simpsons have been cornerstones of Fox’s Animation Domination lineup for years, but recent programming shifts have led to a notable change. This February, Family Guy, the brainchild of Seth MacFarlane, is set to take over the Sunday night slot previously held by The Simpsons. Initially, there were plans to move Family Guy to a Wednesday slot. However, these plans have been altered as network strategies continue to evolve in 2024.
Both shows celebrated significant anniversaries last year, with The Simpsons marking its 35th year and Family Guy achieving its 25th anniversary despite facing cancellations in the past. The schedule changes come as Family Guy prepares for the premiere of its 23rd season, but the displacement of The Simpsons from its traditional Sunday evening spot raises questions about its future timing and availability.
Fox’s recent preview highlighted that Family Guy will now lead the animation block on Sunday evenings, along with new episodes of Grimsburg Season 2, The Great North Season 5, and Krapopolis Season 2. Notably, there has been no announcement regarding when The Simpsons will make its return, leaving fans in limbo. The absence of both The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers from the upcoming schedule suggests that viewers may have to wait longer to see these beloved series back on air.
Have ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Family Guy’ Run Their Course?
Long-running TV shows often encounter periods where audience interest starts to fade, prompting discussions about their viability. While Family Guy has seen its fair share of ups and downs, including two cancellations and revivals, The Simpsons has faced criticism for becoming “tired” throughout its extensive run. Yet, both series show no signs of winding down just yet.
Rob Wade, Fox’s CEO, acknowledged the recent disruptions in the scheduling of Family Guy, describing the need for a “modern approach” to programming. He elaborated that rather than adhering strictly to traditional time slots, the network considers its entire portfolio and how best to coordinate with distribution partners like Hulu, reflecting significant changes in viewing habits and media consumption.
The upcoming season of The Simpsons is set to approach the impressive milestone of 800 episodes. Producer Al Jean expressed optimism about the show’s trajectory, stating that viewers can expect more episodes beyond the monumental 800 mark. He remarked:
“With the help of our animators, we had a full slate of shows this year, which looked terrific. We did have to just take a break for four months because of the strike, which I’m glad we did—that was what we should have done. But I think the show is in fantastic shape. I’m biased, but I think that the current episodes are, whether I work on one, a lot or not, are great. And I think that the future is bright, it’s gonna go to 800, and I hope 1000.”
As fans await further news, particularly regarding The Simpsons, they can still access the show’s extensive library of episodes on Disney+. Meanwhile, episodes of Family Guy remain available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+, depending on the region.
Release Date
December 17, 1989
Network
FOX
Seasons
36
Release Date
January 31, 1999
Network
FOX
Cast
Alex Borstein, Gary Beach, Julia Sweeney, Michael York, Mila Kunis, Patrick Stewart, Richard Appel, Ron Jones, Scott Grimes, Seth MacFarlane, Walter Murphy, Will Sasso, Alec Sulkin, Glen Powell, Seth Green, Arif Zahir, Patrick Warburton, Waylon Jennings, Mary Kay Bergman, Ray Liotta, Abe Vigoda, Peter Frampton, Peter Gallagher, Ace Frehley, Betty White
Seasons
23
Source
movieweb.com