29 replies to this topic

[Quinny52]

I'm really hoping this is just a temporary thing to shock fans, and through some plot twist (like Stewie fixing his time machine) things will be back to normal by the end of the season. But if it's not and this is permanent, then with respect to anyone who disagrees, but I think it'll be a bad move by the writers.

Please just be messing with us, Seth MacFarlane.

Edited by Quinny52, 25 November 2013 - 09:26 PM.

[StrikerTheNoble]

I'm really hoping this is just a temporary thing to shock fans, and through some plot twist (like Stewie fixing his time machine) things will be back to normal by the end of the season. But if it's not and this is permanent, then with respect to anyone who disagrees, but I think it'll be a bad move by the writers.

Please just be messing with us, Seth MacFarlane.

Did they really just kill off the voice of reason?

[sushi.]

omg at first I thought you meant the voice actor. 

 

So it happened on TV? Not a fan, but I'm sorry for your loss. <3

[Nostradamus]

omg at first I thought you meant the voice actor. 

 

So it happened on TV? Not a fan, but I'm sorry for your loss. <3

No Seth is fine. Brian on the other hand isn't he was killed by a car and it looks like he will "remain" dead because Stewie broke his time machine. I believe it's just Seth messing around with the fans and Brian will come back.

 

Some

News

We can't believe that Brian is gone! What led you to make this crucial decision for the series?
Steve Callaghan: Well, this was an idea that got pitched in the writers room and it sort of caught fire, and we thought it could be a fun way to shake things up. As soon as this idea came up, we started talking about what the next couple episodes could be and we got very excited about the way this change wil affect the family dynamics and the characters.

Why did you decide that Brian had to be the one to go and not one of the other characters?
It seemed more in the realm of a reality that a dog would get hit by a car, then if one of the kids died. As much as we love Brian, and as much as everyone loves their pets, we felt it would be more traumatic to lose one of the kids, rather than the family pet.

How did long-time Family Guy actors, Mila Kunis and Seth Green, react once they learned that Brian would die in tonight's episode?
I think they were glad it wasn't them. [Laughs.] I think they were surprised, as anyone would be and I think they were pretty stunned especially this far into the show. They were as shocked as anyone.

 

Edited by Nostradamus, 25 November 2013 - 10:36 PM.

[Kamina-Yoshi]

This is an act of desparation on the part of the Family Guy writers; they "need" to "spice" up the family, so they've decided to kill off one of the currently most-favourable characters and, instead, will replace him with the opposite-personality. So, in short, everyone welcome "Vinnie", the new family dog that has "a questionable past", and may even drag in the family into his criminal-related hyjinks! This dog, reportedly, will be voiced by a Sopranos star and will be "a pooch with an attitude!"

 

1. Simpsons did it!

Indeed, indeed; instead of clandestinely and even modestly "copying" the Simpsons, which is not that bad considering that mimickery is the highest form of flattery, the Family Guy writing-staff is now out-right copying the Poochie-episode from their forebearers. For those that don't remember, let me give you the down-lo: the Itchy and Scratchy show, a show that is popular within the Simpsons universe, was facing a decline in ratings; so, in an effort to boost their ratings, the staff of the programme introduced a new character named "Poochie", voiced by Homer Simpson himself, and in short the character fell flat and enraged the audience. If you don't believe me, here is the way the character is "killed off":

 

 

Sounds a bit familiar to the current debacle with Brian, no?

 

2. FAMILY GUY DID IT!

I sat back and thought about Brian's death, and suddenly realised this: they've already done this before several times. Back in the first few series', Brian left the family in a rage because Peter was neglecting him and he felt entrapped by the world (he was replaced by a feral house-cat for comedic effect in part due to Peter's continued campaign against Brian); in another episode, Brian left the family after a mid-life crisis (so to speak) in which he realised he needed to go out and see the world for himself. He left the family to go move in with his cousin in California, to pursue a career in writing for movies (which flopped on it's head, ending up serving various jobs outside of the business itself and eventually being wrangled into pornography-directing). He was replaced in a newer episode of Family Guy when the family decided to adopt a dog they ironically named "New Brian", who was later on eliminated by Stewie and Brian returned. Every time, he returned to the family one way or another. In an ongoing part of the James Woods-saga of Family Guy, Brian was replaced by James Woods, who became Peter Griffin's best friend when he invited him down to Quahog to keep the High School named after him (after Brian, infatuated with an African-American teacher, tried to swoon her by pushing for the High School to be renamed after Martin Luther King, Jr.). James, in a twist, began acting like the "new Brian", taking his place at the foot of the bed where Brian would sleep, but eventually he, too, was sent off (later to return again and again).

 

 

 

In short, this is either a stupid trick by a desparate staff that is lacking in creative input by Seth MacFarlane (who at this point has no control over his own show due to FOX's and intrashow meddling by the writers and producers) and the original creators themselves, and now we are presented with this scenario of a new dog that can only be summed up by this statement by someone who heard about Brian's demise:

"If you listen closely enough, you can hear the Fonz building the motorcycle ramp. "

[Nate River]

Oh Poochie is exactly what I thought of when I heard about Brian's replacement. 

 

EDIT: I agree with Verilance. If the new character works out, then Brian probably stays dead. If he doesn't then they'll find a way to bring him back.

[Lid]

This is an act of desparation on the part of the Family Guy writers; they "need" to "spice" up the family, so they've decided to kill off one of the currently most-favourable characters and, instead, will replace him with the opposite-personality. So, in short, everyone welcome "Vinnie", the new family dog that has "a questionable past", and may even drag in the family into his criminal-related hyjinks! This dog, reportedly, will be voiced by a Sopranos star and will be "a pooch with an attitude!"

 

1. Simpsons did it!

Indeed, indeed; instead of clandestinely and even modestly "copying" the Simpsons, which is not that bad considering that mimickery is the highest form of flattery, the Family Guy writing-staff is now out-right copying the Poochie-episode from their forebearers. For those that don't remember, let me give you the down-lo: the Itchy and Scratchy show, a show that is popular within the Simpsons universe, was facing a decline in ratings; so, in an effort to boost their ratings, the staff of the programme introduced a new character named "Poochie", voiced by Homer Simpson himself, and in short the character fell flat and enraged the audience. If you don't believe me, here is the way the character is "killed off":

 

 

Sounds a bit familiar to the current debacle with Brian, no?

 

2. FAMILY GUY DID IT!

I sat back and thought about Brian's death, and suddenly realised this: they've already done this before several times. Back in the first few series', Brian left the family in a rage because Peter was neglecting him and he felt entrapped by the world (he was replaced by a feral house-cat for comedic effect in part due to Peter's continued campaign against Brian); in another episode, Brian left the family after a mid-life crisis (so to speak) in which he realised he needed to go out and see the world for himself. He left the family to go move in with his cousin in California, to pursue a career in writing for movies (which flopped on it's head, ending up serving various jobs outside of the business itself and eventually being wrangled into pornography-directing). He was replaced in a newer episode of Family Guy when the family decided to adopt a dog they ironically named "New Brian", who was later on eliminated by Stewie and Brian returned. Every time, he returned to the family one way or another. In an ongoing part of the James Woods-saga of Family Guy, Brian was replaced by James Woods, who became Peter Griffin's best friend when he invited him down to Quahog to keep the High School named after him (after Brian, infatuated with an African-American teacher, tried to swoon her by pushing for the High School to be renamed after Martin Luther King, Jr.). James, in a twist, began acting like the "new Brian", taking his place at the foot of the bed where Brian would sleep, but eventually he, too, was sent off (later to return again and again).

 

 

 

In short, this is either a stupid trick by a desparate staff that is lacking in creative input by Seth MacFarlane (who at this point has no control over his own show due to FOX's and intrashow meddling by the writers and producers) and the original creators themselves, and now we are presented with this scenario of a new dog that can only be summed up by this statement by someone who heard about Brian's demise:

"If you listen closely enough, you can hear the Fonz building the motorcycle ramp. "

 

Yep, pretty much. The whole thing just screams publicity stunt.

[BlueStarSaber]

I'm more intrigued of what they are goanna do without Brian since as many say he was the voice of reason in the family, will the new dog be to or the other way around maybe a mix of both. Anyway this reminds me of of the stunt Marvel did with Spiderman last year when he died in the body of Doc Ock & the Doc is now the spider & at the moment it seems to be a success, Family guy's might be the same. Though I hear there are two episodes after the one he died with his name in it, though whether or not he will appear in them or if they are to tie up some lose ends with him remains to be seen.

 

For the episode while I didn't find it that much funny I did find it emotional and liked how serious the griffins took his death. Whether or not introducing the new dog this soon was a good idea I don't know, but hey it at least it gave us an idea on how his relationship with the family mainly Stewie will be like. I also think they did a good job on how Quagmire took the death lol, now I wonder how he will be with the new dog? Also that gag with Adam west is he also dead?

[Branden]

Personally I don't watch TV but I used to and I agree, killing off Brian is probably just for shock value and will be magically reversed as if it never happened. If they really are killing him off then I imagine it's because the VA doesn't want the role anymore.

[Strangelove]

No

 

Nooooo Brian D:

 

 

Oh what the hell do I care...I haven't watched Family Guy since 2011.

Edited by Strangelove, 26 November 2013 - 01:01 AM.

[Mik3]

Why didn't they kill Peter instead? Addition by subtraction.

[Jake]

Personally I don't watch TV but I used to and I agree, killing off Brian is probably just for shock value and will be magically reversed as if it never happened. If they really are killing him off then I imagine it's because the VA doesn't want the role anymore.

 

Series creator Seth McFarland does/did the voice of Brian, he also does Peter and Stewie, and he also does the voice of Stan and Roger on American Dad which he also created.

 

 

I am a little shocked that they did it, not that he was a favorite character, I actually quit watching after the Episode "Not All Dogs Go to Heaven" and I know I'm not the only one who didn't like him that much, his unpopularity was enough to make him the show's Scrappy, and this isn't that first time they killed off people who were not that popular.

[KnS]

"Part of me thinks 'Family Guy' should have already ended," [MacFarlane] says. "I think seven seasons is about the right lifespan for a TV series. I talk to fans, and in a way I'm kind of secretly hoping for them to say 'we're done with it.'

 

"And while there are those who'll say the program's "over the hill," MacFarlane continues, "still the vast majority go pale in the face when I mention the possibility [of it ending]." -- The Hollywood Reporter, 2011 (source)

 

In a way, Brian's death makes sense.  If MacFarlane has been ready to call it quits for a couple of years now, as he has more than hinted, it makes sense that the character based on him -- his self-insert, more or less -- is the one that got killed off.  The beginning of the end, perhaps.

[Nate River]

Series creator Seth McFarland does/did the voice of Brian, he also does Peter and Stewie, and he also does the voice of Stan and Roger on American Dad which he also created.
 
 
I am a little shocked that they did it, not that he was a favorite character, I actually quit watching after the Episode "Not All Dogs Go to Heaven" and I know I'm not the only one who didn't like him that much, his unpopularity was enough to make him the show's Scrappy, and this isn't that first time they killed off people who were not that popular.

If it was the only thing on I would watch it on CN, but I stopped making an effort to after the episodes PTV and the Fat Guy Strangler back in 2006. It stopped being funny after that.

[sushi.]

Personally I don't watch TV but I used to and I agree, killing off Brian is probably just for shock value and will be magically reversed as if it never happened. If they really are killing him off then I imagine it's because the VA doesn't want the role anymore.

I just talked to my little brother about this, as he is the biggest FG fan I know. He said this Seth guy is one of the creators and voices both Peter, Stewie and Brian.

In a way, Brian's death makes sense.  If MacFarlane has been ready to call it quits for a couple of years now, as he has more than hinted, it makes sense that the character based on him -- his self-insert, more or less -- is the one that got killed off.  The beginning of the end, perhaps.

I don't watch the show, but this sounds reasonable.

[Quinny52]

Series creator Seth McFarland does/did the voice of Brian, he also does Peter and Stewie, and he also does the voice of Stan and Roger on American Dad which he also created.

I just talked to my little brother about this, as he is the biggest FG fan I know. He said this Seth guy is one of the creators and voices both Peter, Stewie and Brian.

Seth also voices Quagmire.

And does a decent Gilbert Gottfried too...

 

In a way, Brian's death makes sense.  If MacFarlane has been ready to call it quits for a couple of years now, as he has more than hinted, it makes sense that the character based on him -- his self-insert, more or less -- is the one that got killed off.  The beginning of the end, perhaps.

 

I've since seen Brian's death, and the writers still manage to insert some humour in to what should've been a rather grim situation (the cheap-shotting squirrel), not to mention Lois' stating of the obvious seems fishy (Lois: "I'm afraid our Brian is dead!" Me: Really? Even after the Doctor said "I'm sorry, he's gone" not 10 seconds ago?). And no sooner has Brian been put in the ground that they've replaced him with Vinny, a near polar opposite to Brian's character. Add that to the growing rumors of a crossover episode with the Simpsons in works, and with that all in mind I'm sure that this is just a publicity stunt by the writing team. I mean how can you have a crossover episode of two of the biggest fictional cartoon families on TV when one of the main characters in one of them has bit the dust? I don't remember Dino or Astro croaking before the Flintstones/Jetsons crossover (alright that might be a bad example considering the respective target audiences, but still).

 

Stewie and Brian were two of the best characters in the show, and the best double-act by far. What's going to become of the Dynamic Duo now?

Edited by Quinny52, 26 November 2013 - 07:11 PM.

[Deej]

I haven't watched FG in a while, but wasn't Brian hated by the fandom? People were accusing the character of just being a Mary Sue for Seth MacFarlane. Brian went from a background character who was the voice of reason for the family(mostly Peter) in the early seasons, to having whole episodes focus on him, dating humans, and expousing Seth's views on religion/politics. Don't forget the show tunes. It got so bad that even Seth realized it and had Quagmire give Brian a big "The Reason You Suck" speech right around the time I stopped watching. I think they toned down the character after that.

If MacFarlane is really looking to stop doing FG, than getting rid of his self insert character is probably the first step.

[Nate River]

I haven't watched FG in a while, but wasn't Brian hated by the fandom? People were accusing the character of just being a Mary Sue for Seth MacFarlane. Brian went from a background character who was the voice of reason for the family(mostly Peter) in the early seasons, to having whole episodes focus on him, dating humans, and expousing Seth's views on religion/politics. Don't forget the show tunes. It got so bad that even Seth realized it and had Quagmire give Brian a big "The Reason You Suck" speech right around the time I stopped watching. I think they toned down the character after that.

If MacFarlane is really looking to stop doing FG, than getting rid of his self insert character is probably the first step.

I don't know if he was hated, but that does sum up why he so obnoxious for an extended period of time. Although I thought a lot of the characters become flanderized. Meg, Peter, and Quagmire were really bad.

[Konohakitten]

It was a shock to see Brian go the way he did, I was actually brought to tears. As other people have pointed out the writers did indeed wanted to spice things up with the series and that the death of a major character had been tossed around for some time. They felt that the death of any of the Griffin kids would be far too traumatizing, but the death of the family dog would be something that most all families with pets have to deal with. Thus they decided to kill of the Griffin's Liberal pooch. It happened fast and that was smart, they killed Brain off and made sure that there wasn't an immediate way to fix it thanks to Stewie destroying the time machine.  Then they go a month later where they get a new dog. I know that it will take a while to get use to things and Im sure that we'll see Brain again in one way or another. I must admit though the one thing I will miss the most about him is amazing singing voice. his duets with Stewie were always the best, RIP Brain ♥ 

Edited by Konohakitten, 27 November 2013 - 05:25 PM.

[Dragunov]

lol Thinking Brian is dead lol