'The Cleveland Show' canceled by FOX

Credit: FOX

After 88 episodes, it looks like Cleveland is headed back to Quahog.

FOX has canceled The Cleveland Show, a spin-off of Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane's hit animated comedy.

The series marked MacFarlane's third ongoing series with the network, after Family Guy and American Dad. Ratings for The Cleveland Show have flagged in recent weeks, with Sunday's episode scoring a 0.8 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from the previous week. Though the episode was a rerun, FOX apparently isn't all that confident about the show's first-run numbers. However, it's not all bad news. The 88-episode count makes the series a lucrative syndication option for networks, which means there's still money in the franchise. It's already in reruns on Adult Swim, for instance.

Yet if there's another silver lining in this cancellation, it's that it lightens the load for Seth MacFarlane, who voices Tim the Bear in addition to his role as executive producer. Factoring in MacFarlane's plans for an upcoming TV series, a big-screen Western comedy, and a sequel to last summer's Ted, the funnyman could probably use a lighter schedule. Lord knows he isn't planning on hosting the Oscars again.

Via: The Animation Guild