Canadian TV Critic: Could 'Family Guy' Creator Seth MacFarlane Be The Next Olbermann?

August 6th, 2010 12:42 PM

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane laughed his way through an appearance at the Television Critics Association hootenanny, asking why the critics look so "(bad word) depressed" on the first day. So reported Canadian journalist Alex Strachan, who apparently was so impressed by MacFarlane that he asked him if woud like to become "the next Keith Olbermann" and rail against Fox News (as if he hasn't): 

MacFarlane has become a semi-regular guest on Real Time with Bill Maher, and Maher seems to enjoy his company.

Might MacFarlane consider a future in social commentary? I asked him. Might he become the next Keith Olbermann, railing against the excesses of Fox News, even as a paid employee -- and a highly paid one at that -- of the Fox Entertainment division?

"I have a great time doing that show," MacFarlane said, serious for a moment. "Bill is a friend, and he's one of the most standup guys I've met out here.

"I don't have a particular agenda to do that. As opportunities present themselves, if it sounds like fun, then I'll do it. I'm not angling to expand into the news business. But (Real Time) is a fun show to do."

Strachan noted that MacFarlane earned lots of cash and awards and the "uncaring wrath" of the Parents Television Council. (What? There's lots of loving care put into the wrath against MacFarlane.) He added that MacFarlane loved how the critics were appalled at his adolescent, flaming-bag-of-poo sense of humor in a forthcoming episode: 

True to form, his Christmas episode of American Dad, in which a murderous Santa and his army of bow-wielding reindeer warriors traps the Smith family in a cabin during a Christmas Eve snowstorm, left much of the room appalled.

MacFarlane seemed delighted -- giddy, even -- at the reaction.

"A lot of neutral faces out there," he said. "A lot of straight lines across the mouths."

Murderous Santa is apparently following Armageddon Commando Jesus in the Christmas sweepstakes. Fox Entertainment must be so proud of its big-bucks commitment to this twaddle.