Fox "Animation Domination" Deadpool

The much anticipated “Animation Domination” on Fox took place last night, bringing into our lives the 350th episode of “The Simpsons,” the second premiere of “American Dad,” and of course, the very long awaited return of “Family Guy.”

But as the opening teaser on “Family Guy” quite beautifully points out, Fox is quite prone to blowing their new series out of the water before they even have a chance. Not quite as bad as ABC, but still pretty bad. So folks, it’s time to play…

FOX ANIMATION DOMINATION DEADPOOL

Here’s the deal. I’m going to throw out my predictions and you throw yours into the mix. Then we’ll see down the line who comes closest and wins a lovely prize, yet to be determined.*

Here we go:

The Simpsons

Story so far: Currently on its “epic 16th season” and having just reached episode 350, this adorably dysfunctional family has warmed the hearts of America and played its part as a modern cultural icon since the early nineties. It’s come a long way from the crude drawings on the "Tracey Ullman Show" that launched this wonderful journey.

Future outlook: The very naming of the “epic 16th season” shows that even the creators are a little tongue in cheek about how this show just keeps on trucking, despite the fact that the plots are largely incoherent. We all love "The Simpsons." Don’t get me wrong. But let’s be honest – even a pack of super smart Harvard kids can’t seem to solve the problem of how Marge and friends managed to pull the entire town together in a mock trial against Homer and Bart’s confidence schemes without ending the episode in a random surfing outing.

How much longer it should have: If it was like the old days, it should go on forever. But like this, I give it 2 more seasons.

How much longer it will have: They’ve got to make a movie at some point, which will be a good ending point. I think it will happen around season 20 so they can end on a round number. That means 4 more seasons.


American Dad

Story until now: Where did this come from? Oh yes…Fox is now madly in love with Seth McFarlane again after shunning him for so many years and so many times. Why? Because it appears he’s a bit of a cash cow as of late. And if Rupert Murdoch loves one thing, it is cash. And then maybe cows. So how to capitalize off of this? Bring back "Family Guy?" No, more than that. Have Seth make another show to air right next to it.

Future outlook: The story of a right-wing, war-mongering CIA dad and his family is very topical and interesting, but it’s quite easy to see this is "Family Guy" with a different skin. Replace the rather gay character of Stewie with the rather gay character of the alien, the mother-loving character of Brian with the mother-loving character of the goldfish, change the girl to the cool one and the boy to the nerd, and that’s what you’ve got. The father is still an insensitive chauvinist and the mother still the downtrodden, yet buxom, housewife. It’s clear this show was made to capitalize of Seth’s name, not to be a new quality show.

How much longer it should have: Until the end of the summer when Fox can replace it with "Arrested Development" again.

How much longer it will have: I suppose it depends on how bored the Nielsen families are. I can’t imagine people will be watching this show too much…but I give it a little into mid-season after the summer.


Family Guy

Story so far: This truly wonderful show was born on the Fox network, only be thrown off. Twice. Fox really likes to push the envelope with its shows, unless of course they are sexually provocative (the OC is really not that provocative) or providing satire of the religion of a majority of network executives. Banished to the underworld, the show resurfaced on the Cartoon Network’s growing Adult Swim lineup, which is so popular that Aqua Teen Hunger Force is now a household name. The cult audience drove DVD sales of the show through the roof, and once the green starts flowing, good ol’ Rupert starts to get excited. So what should you do? Bring the show back to Fox!

Future outlook: Clearly a cult audience on Adult Swim, a cable channel, will translate into widespread viewership across the nation on broadcast network TV. No worries of course about the past “Boobgate” regulation of the airways. No, no. Fox can put up all the disclaimers it wants, but the nation as a whole is probably not the same audience as on Adult Swim. Not to mention the fact they’re going to have to tone it down for broadcast, and the fact that Fox will make Seth McFarlane draw until his fingers break off. The first episode was amazing, but Fox’s shameless milking of this show for all the money it can will likely drown out the glimmer of hope.

How much longer it should have: If it keeps up being as funny as it was before and as funny as the first episode this season, it should go on for freakin’ ever.

How much longer it will have: As long as they don’t make another “forbidden” episode about Judaism and the middle-America Fox New Channel fans don’t flip out, then it may even make it 2 or 3 more seasons. But since both of those things are unlikely to happen, I give it 1 more season.


There it is folks. Now your turn. Will we see another OC? Or will these new shows head the way of “Firefly” and “Fastlane?” Only time and our dear friend Rupe from down-under can tell.


*Prize will probably not be that lovely.