"Family Guy" back in production, MacFarlane close to new deal

from variety

Inside Move: 'Family Guy' back on track
Scribes told to return to work
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER, JOSEF ADALIAN

Production has finally begun on the sixth season of Fox's animated
smash "Family Guy," 2=BD months after the show's writers were told not
to report to work.

Garondo Marondo...

Was this reported at the time? Seems like the kind of thing that would
have been talked about.

David...

I haven't heard about it.

"Family Guy" scribes were informed Tuesday that the doors had been
unlocked, and they returned to the writers' room for the first time
Wednesday.

Work was halted on "Family Guy" last fall as talks between producer
20th Century Fox TV and series creator Seth MacFarlane on an overall
deal had reached an impasse (Daily Variety, Oct. 25).

Although MacFarlane's deal wasn't up for several more months, studio
execs didn't want to start production only to halt later if for some
reason a deal wasn't struck. Twentieth brass also hoped to push along
negotiations, which had progressed slowly for more than a year.

Decision to bring the "Family Guy" scribes back to work is a signal
that progress has finally been made in mapping out a new deal for
MacFarlane at 20th; indeed, sources close to the negotiations said a
rich pact is expected to be announced imminently. A 20th Century Fox TV
spokesman declined comment.

Insiders said it was too soon to gauge whether the late start for
season six of "Family Guy" would affect the studio's ability to deliver
episodes on time. Should the show's 2007-08 premiere appear to be in
jeopardy, however, it's likely the studio will spend some extra coin to
quicken the production pace.

MacFarlane stands to sign a big overall deal with 20th given the
success of "Family Guy" and his other animated creation, "American
Dad." He's also behind upcoming live-action Fox laffer "The Winner"
(along with Ricky Blitt).