'Family Guy' abortion episode unlikely to air on Fox

Update: Fox rules against 'Family Guy' abortion episode

By Steven Zeitchik & James Hibberd

News Corp. paid Seth MacFarlane the ultimate compliment when it made him 20th Century Fox TV's $100 million crown jewel. But the "Family Guy" creator wasn't exactly returning the favor at Comic-Con.

At the series' panel Saturday, MacFarlane continued his show's tradition of jibing its studio and network.

MacFarlane revealed he's producing a controversial episode about abortion for the upcoming season. But he and others on the panel said that Fox was unlikely to air the episode. 

"20th Century Fox, as always, allowed us to produce the episode and then said, 'You know what? We're scared to f--king death of this,'" MacFarlane said.

The episode will probably be available on DVD, he added.

A Fox spokesperson said that no decision has yet been made on the matter.

There were few details offered about the content of the episode, but given the show's penchant for political incorrectness -- it has in the past featured a character wearing a McCain/Palin button on an SS uniform, among other flourishes -- it's unlikely Planned Parenthood would use the episode in a PSA anytime soon.

When asked for further comment, MacFarlane e-mailed a statement: "Clearly my sarcasm doesn’t come across in print. I completely support whatever decision Fox makes. We were allowed to take a crack at this controversial story and that’s enough for me.”

If Fox chooses not to air the episode, it would be the second time in "Family Guy" history the network opted not to telecast the show. In 2000, the episode "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein" was rejected by the network, though the show later aired in syndication and was on the show's DVD set. 

It's exactly the sort of controversy that's unlikely to wound the hit series, however. Even if the program never airs on broadcast television, envelope-pushing content is the show's specialty and outrage could boost DVD sales if/when the episode is released on home video.

The news comes on the heels of "Family Guy" making history as the first animated series in decades to receive a best comedy series Emmy nomination.

The show's creators continued the anti-Fox theme with a send-up of "The Empire Strikes Back" -- the follow-up this season to its fan-favorite "Star Wars" parody -- in which the rolling text at the start of the episode chastised the movie studio for letting George Lucas walk away with merchandising rights to the property.

"Are you listening stockholders?" the text asked. "This is the same company that canceled 'Family Guy' twice. Who's running that joint?"

MacFarlane, who inked a $100 million overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV earlier this year, has taken aim at Fox before, particularly Fox News, which he sent up in an episode that had female lead Lois Griffin working at the net.

Panelists didn't reserve their arrows just for their own network, though.

After one too many audience members asked a loopy question, MacFarlane, perhaps recognizing a key part of the show's audience base, quipped. "Is anybody here not stoned?"

The Live Feed's 2009 Comic-Con Archive! Top news, new trailers and fun stuff from San Diego