Seth MacFarlane took a major swipe at Fox network after he celebrated the fact his sci-fi series, The Orville, moved to Hulu for the 3rd season after its first two seasons aired on Fox.
Speaking at The Orville: New Horizons premiere screening at the California Science Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, MacFarlane enthused:
“I want to say, it is an absolute thrill to not be on the Fox network."
\u201cSeth MacFarlane Rips Fox at \u2018The Orville: New Horizons\u2019 Premiere: \u201cWe Never Really Belonged There\u201d https://t.co/LW7Ec8IONn via @thr\u201d— Darryl Heine (@Darryl Heine) 1653698947
The creator of the crass animated series Family Guy–which Fox launched in 1999–was specifically never keen on the ultra-conservative Fox news program.
He majorly roasted the network, saying:
"We never really belonged there."
"And they’ve curated a specific brand now. Between Beat Shazam, Name That Tune, and Don’t Forget the Lyrics!, Fox has really captured the demo of people who have no idea what song they’re listening to."
\u201cSeth MacFarlane takes a shot at Fox for pandering to the 'lowest common denominator' https://t.co/jPkLazi5OZ\u201d— UPROXX (@UPROXX) 1653661903
Macfarlane was not finished scorching Fox.
Upon observing their ratings, he said:
“I gotta hand it to them: It takes a special talent to pander to the lowest common denominator without actually getting them as an audience."
"That takes talent! But hey, we’re here on Hulu, thank God.”
\u201cIts true @SethMacFarlane, you really were too good for Fox. Congrats on Season 3 Orville!!! Im dying to see it!!\nhttps://t.co/HcVJHatsxn\u201d— David Sheffey (@David Sheffey) 1653645077
\u201cAnd we love you @SethMacFarlane for saying this! #foxsucks and i trying to overthrow or democracy https://t.co/elyJLdAx9P via @thr\u201d— HawaiiIUFan05 (@HawaiiIUFan05) 1653673370
\u201c@SethMacFarlane I am also thrilled that you are on Hulu. I just finished watching the first two seasons & can't wait for S3 to start. https://t.co/WW1XrZ6j6w\u201d— Sheri Sachse (@Sheri Sachse) 1653676639
While MacFarlane's disdain towards Fox is very clear, Family Guy will remain on the network.
Fox’s entertainment president, Michael Thorn, told Deadline:
"We have ['The Simpsons,' 'Family Guy,' and 'Bob’s Burgers'] for a few more years, and we expect to keep them as part of our lineup and part of the brand of our animation strategy for the time being."
MacFarlane had been vocal about his antipathy towards the network before.
He once lambasted Fox news firebrand, Tucker Carlson, about an unspecified opinion piece for which MacFarlne tweeted that Carlson "once again makes me wish Family Guy was on any other network."
"Look, Fox, we both know this marriage isn’t working anymore."
"The sex is only once a year, I don’t get along with your mother, and well… I’ve been having an affair with NBC," he said, referring to his multi-million dollar deal with NBC.
\u201cTucker Carlson\u2019s latest opinion piece once again makes me wish Family Guy was on any other network. Look, Fox, we both know this marriage isn\u2019t working anymore. The sex is only once a year, I don\u2019t get along with your mother, and well\u2026 I\u2019ve been having an affair with NBC.\u201d— Seth MacFarlane (@Seth MacFarlane) 1627849643
MacFarlane plays Captain Ed Mercer on The Orville: New Horizons. Other costars Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Jessica Szohr, Anne Winters, Scott Grimes, and J. Lee were in attendance at the show's premiere screening on Wednesday.
\u201c"Seth MacFarlane\u2019s epic space adventure series \u201cThe Orville\u201d returns exclusively as a Hulu original series. Set 400 years in the future, \u201cThe Orville: New Horizons\u201d finds the crew of the U.S.S. Orville continuing their mission of exploration..."\u201d— Joe William Bowles II\ud83d\ude80\u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc8\ud83d\ude02 (@Joe William Bowles II\ud83d\ude80\u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc8\ud83d\ude02) 1653036920
You can start watching The Orville: New Horizons when it premieres on Hulu on June 2.
