‘Family Guy’ Reaches 200 Episodes: Is The End in Sight?

This Sunday, 'Family Guy' will reach the honor esteemed for any TV series, let alone animation, debuting its 200th episode with "Yug Ylimaf." The outing will see Stewie Griffin's time machine going haywire, reversing the flow of time itself and winding back through 'Family Guy's' critically-acclaimed, and often controversial history. But with 200 episodes under their belt, and having survived one cancellation already, is it time for 'Family Guy' to throw in the towel? Creator Seth MacFarlane weighs in.

Many of us remember the initial days of 'Family Guy,' the disappointment in its cancellation, and the then-unheard-of surprise that outside airings and sales had created a full-fledged revival of the series. This Sunday will see another milestone in that journey, as 'Family Guy's' "Yug Ylimaf" caps off the 200th episode in the series, yet another victor in creator Seth MacFarlane's ever-increasing pocket. Still, more than a decade into the series with Seth's career exploding in new directions, is an end to 'Family Guy' on the horizon?

MacFarlane recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, addressing the idea of where he sees the future of 'Family Guy' in his increasingly prolific career. Says MacFarlane:

Really, I never imagined we'd still be on the air. I always figured we'd wrap up the show with a nice 'Cheers'-style final episode after a few seasons. But the ratings stayed strong and the audiences stayed there, so there's been every reason to continue making the show. When that time comes, I think we'd allow ourselves a little bit of genuine sentimentality. We would maybe step away from our cynicism just for a little bit. It's a hard thing to say, because I couldn't tell you when the show will end. Our production offices could be on Mars the way things are going.

Beyond that, MacFarlane also addressed the always-present question of a 'Family Guy' movie, which seems more and more possible based on the success FOX's other animation staple 'The Simpsons' found in the format, without disrupting TV production. Of course, arguments could be made for either during or after the series' run.

Way back when the show got canceled, we were talking with the Fox animated feature department, which was run by Chris Meledandri and John Cohen at the time, and we were talking about the 'Family Guy' movie. Chris said something to me that still resonates: With an animated show like this, you can do just about anything on television, so there would have to be a story that you could only tell as a movie. I've held onto that idea, and what we've come up with I can safely say we could not do on television. I'm afraid I can't say any more than that right now.

What do you think? Does 'Family Guy' have the potential to run as long as 'The Simpsons,' if not longer? Would you want to see a 'Family Guy' movie if and when that question came about? Tune in to the 200th episode "Yug Ylimaf" this Sunday, and give us your thoughts in the comments!