The Simpsons movie managed $527 million worldwide just five years ago which places that film as the bar in MacFarlane’s mind, but do not worry about starting up the comparison because the director’s already making it for us.  He reminds us that The Simpsons was pretty funny, but also tells us it was flawed in that the plotline could have been an episode.  This is something a bunch of fans are certain to be baffled by because the ‘dome over Springfield’ was a pretty big concept, but maybe scope is not all that matters in the category.

“We do know what the Family Guy movie will be. The Simpsons movie, I thought, was hilarious, but the one criticism I would have is that it’s a story they probably could’ve done on TV. There could’ve been an episode that had that plotline.  That’s the challenge with animation. You pretty much can do any story you want, so what is the reason for the movie? We finally hit on the answer to that question, and it will be something that would be impossible to do on TV.” – Seth MacFarlane

This information today comes two weeks after Ted has passed $500 million worldwide, becoming the second R-rated film to ever hit the mark.  Not only did this affirm MacFarlane’s power in both screens, big and small, but it also told studios that whatever the top dog in animation wants to do, it would be a safe bet to gamble his way (Fox notoriously passed on the movie.)  It is possible that Ted 2 and a variety of other projects could make it to release before a Family Guy movie; however, considering Fox was angling for this theatrical effort for a while and MacFarlane was the only possible hold-out, we now know the project could be on its way out sooner rather than later.

The installment of Family Guy titled Ratings Guy will air on Sunday, October 7.  This is the second episode of the series’ 11th season.

Another topic of conversation was his shot hosting Saturday Night Live and more specifically his Ryan Lochte impersonation.  Jay then made MacFarlane dish on how 20th Century Fox passed on Ted (one of the biggest films of the summer) for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. For those of you keeping track at home, Ted made $420 million worldwide on a budget of $50 million while the $69-million Vampire Hunter only posted $100 million.

Animation Domination returns to Fox on Sunday, September 30.

ANIMATION DOMINATION kicks off this fall with an all-star lineup of guest voices on returning animated series THE SIMPSONS, BOB’S BURGERS, FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD premiering Sunday, Sept. 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and THE CLEVELAND SHOW premiering the following week on Sunday, Oct. 7 (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

FAMILY GUY (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT)

Hollywood heavyweights also lend their voices to FAMILY GUY this season, including Oscar-nominated actor Johnny Depp, when he reprises one of his most iconic film characters, “Edward Scissorhands” in a cutting cameo. Additional guest voices include TV producers J.J. Abrams, Mark Burnett and Dick Wolf; actors Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”), Ryan Reynolds (“Safe House”) and Kellan Lutz (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1”); actress Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games”); comedian Sandra Bernhard; and Christina Milian (“The Voice”).

THE SIMPSONS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT)

It’s a cornu-D’oh-opia of guest voices this fall on THE SIMPSONS, beginning with the Season 24 premiere, when America’s favorite Midwestern family travels to New York City in search of BART’s (Nancy Cartwright) long-lost love (Zooey Deschanel, NEW GIRL). Other upcoming adventures include HOMER (Dan Castellaneta) finding out his bowling buddy (Steve Carell, “The Office”) is an accountant for the mob; and Bart discovering the new neighbors’ son (Patton Oswalt, “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”) isn’t as cool as he appears to be. Adding even more guest voices this season are Fred Armisen (“Saturday Night Live”), Carrie Brownstein (“Portlandia”), NASCAR  driver Jeff Gordon, composer Marvin Hamlish, Anika Noni Rose (“Private Practice”) and Jennifer Tilly (FAMILY GUY).

BOB’S BURGERS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT)

Guest voices on BOB’S BURGERS this season include Zach Galifianakis (“The Hangover”) as Chet, a former department store window dresser pining for his estranged wife, who happens to be a  mannequin; and Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) and real-life wife Megan Mullally (“Will and Grace”) as a pair of married hippie farmers who hire the Belcher kids as “weed pickers.” Also, Kevin Kline (“A Fish Called Wanda”) returns as BOB’s (H. Jon Benjamin) eccentric landlord “Mr. Fischoeder,” who purchases an unpredictable mechanical shark as an attraction for the pier; and Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”) voices “Captain Flarty,” a crazed cruise ship captain who shanghais Bob and his family. Other returning guest voices include Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation”), Bill Hader (“Saturday Night Live”) and Sarah and Laura Silverman (“The Sarah Silverman Program”).

THE CLEVELAND SHOW (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT)

This fall, CLEVELAND (Mike Henry) discovers a secret hip-hop society led by rap superstar Kanye West, who reprises his role as “Kenny West” in the season premiere episode. Other members of the secret society include singer/songwriter Bruno Mars, rapper Nicki Minaj, Grammy Award winner  ?uestlove of The Roots, and musician and recurring guest voice will.i.am. Additional guest voices visiting Stoolbend this season include Emmy-nominated actress Sofia Vergara (“Modern Family”) as “Tia Sofia,” who tries to convince Cleveland to throw a traditional “quinceañera” for Cleveland Jr.’s 15^th birthday; comedian Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) as a somewhat sexist department store owner; and Krysten Ritter (“Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt 23”) as an aspiring actress in Los Angeles who meets Cleveland when the family moves to California. Other guest voices this season include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee George Clinton; Major League Baseball’s Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, David Ortiz, Jimmy Rollins and Joey Votto; NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart; as well as recurring guest voice Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) as the family doctor who joins the gang at the bar.

AMERICAN DAD (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT)

Then, on AMERICAN DAD, Patrick Stewart (“Star Trek: the Next Generation”) guest-voices as himself in a recurring role. Also, Danny Glover (TOUCH) guest-voices as a Christmas demon in the annual holiday episode. Other guest voice appearances include Alison Brie (“Community”), Charlie Day (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), Nathan Fillion (“Castle”), Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), Rupert Grint (“Harry Potter” franchise) and Jon Hamm.

Family Guy

To provide a little background here, Family Guy has won several times for Best Animated Series; however, its animated nature bars it from joining the likes of Modern Family and 30 Rock in the category of Outstanding Comedy Series.

Unapologetic to the mailer, MacFarlane actually linked the mailer via Twitter just the other day.