Cleveland Left The Family Guy, But Why?

Cleveland Brown, a character from the sitcom Family Guy, was written out before season 8 to prepare for the debut of the spinoff series “The Cleveland Show”. The show’s last appearance was in the late season 7 episode “3 Kings”, but that episode may not count as it is non-canon. In 2009, Family Guy launched a spinoff series called “The Cleveland Show”, with Cleveland leaving Quahog for Stoolbend. However, Mike Henry, a white voice actor, announced on Friday that he would no longer play Cleveland Brown, Peter’s chipper neighbor, who is black, on the animated series.

Despite voicing Cleveland Brown since Season 1, Mike Henry stepped down from the role after Season 19. The Cleveland Show is set within the same universe as Family Guy, whereas American Dad isn’t. However, American Dad characters do drop into Family Guy.

On March 13, 2024, Henry left to start his own show, which was canceled due to Seth MacFarlane’s ego and over-saturation of the market. Cleveland Brown had previously appeared alongside his wife Loretta Brown (voiced by Alex Borstein) in earlier seasons of Family Guy. After briefly losing his job due to a wardrobe malfunction in “Unzipped Code”, he found employment with the Pawtucket Brewery.

In the 70s, Cleveland moved to Rhode Island and had his first encounter with Peter. He expressed his love for Cleveland Brown and the importance of people of color playing characters of color in the show.

How Long Did 'Family Guy' Last?

Cleveland, a beloved character, was integral to the action of Family Guy for eight seasons before starring in his own spin-off, The Cleveland Show, which lasted four seasons on Fox. After its cancellation, Cleveland returned to Family Guy, an animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane that premiered on January 31, 1999. The show follows the dysfunctional Griffin family and has become a staple of American television over its 25-year run. Despite past cancellations—initially after its second season and again in 2002 after the third season—Family Guy has persevered, largely due to its reruns and subsequent revival in 2005. Recent reports indicate a significant change for the show, moving from its long-standing Sunday night slot to Wednesdays beginning March 6, 2024. MacFarlane has confirmed that while changes are occurring, the show's future remains bright, with no immediate plans for cancellation. With a total of over 400 episodes, Family Guy continues to enjoy strong popularity. Additionally, Adult Swim, after airing reruns for 18 years, has officially bid farewell to the series, marking the end of an era in its syndication history. The show remains a cornerstone of animated television and MacFarlane's enduring legacy.

Does Cleveland Come Back To Family Guy?

On the same day, Seth MacFarlane announced Cleveland's return to Family Guy in the 12th season, specifically in the episode titled "He's Bla-ack!". In this episode, Cleveland, Peter, Quagmire, and Joe reminisce about The Cleveland Show, which Cleveland starred in while he was away from Quahog. Upon his return, Cleveland's home is found damaged, a result of no one living there during his absence. Although he and Peter face challenges, particularly stemming from an argument between their wives about parenting, their friendship endures with good-natured teasing about his previous show. Cleveland had initially left in season 4 and came back in season 12 after The Cleveland Show was canceled. While the Griffin family participates in a humorous promotional segment, the show's dynamics shifted with Cleveland's absence, as he was a notable minority character. Notably, Cleveland was last seen in season 7, highlighting how significant his return is. The episode "He's Bla-ack!" marks his re-entrance into the group, affirming his place in Quahog and the Family Guy universe.

Why Did Family Guy Leave The Cleveland Show Vacant?

Family Guy served as a safety net for The Cleveland Show, allowing for the Brown family’s potential return. Cleveland Brown departed from Family Guy in 2020, when Mike Henry, the voice actor, decided it was inappropriate for a white actor to portray a Black character. Henry expressed his honor in voicing Cleveland for two decades via Twitter. Despite Cleveland's absence, Family Guy kept the house available for a possible reunion and showcased various guest stars in the interim.

Cleveland left Family Guy in season 4, rejoining in season 12, only to see The Cleveland Show canceled after four seasons due to declining popularity and issues with writing and scheduling. Interestingly, Cleveland's exit from Quahog was noted as early as the first episode of The Cleveland Show, yet his final meaningful appearance in Family Guy occurred in the non-canon "Road to the Multiverse." Following the cancellation, Cleveland and his family returned to Quahog, making a grand comeback in the episode titled "He’s Bla-ack!" The journey of Cleveland Brown is a testament to the legacy of these interconnected animated series, showcasing shifts behind-the-scenes as voice actors transitioned, particularly highlighting Henry's pivotal role. Ultimately, it emphasizes the original appeal of Family Guy while underscoring the challenges encountered by its spin-off.

Why Did Cleveland Move Out Of Quahog?

Cleveland Brown departs Quahog after recovering from a head injury, seeking a fresh start following his wife’s departure. His journey leads him to marry a new woman and raise his son, Cleveland Junior. Cleveland’s confidence flourishes, transforming from his previous dreary demeanor to a skittish but flamboyant persona. The character's shift is explored in the spin-off series, The Cleveland Show, which premiered on September 27, 2009, after two years of development.

It follows Cleveland and his son as they build a new life together. While Cleveland left Family Guy during season 4, he made a return in season 12. After his spin-off concluded, Cleveland moved back to Quahog alongside his new family. Notably, his character was altered when Mike Henry, the voice actor, stepped down from voicing Cleveland, addressing concerns about racially appropriated roles.

Cleveland's absence left his old Quahog home unoccupied until his return in a later episode, but fatefully, his friendship with Peter is tested upon their reunification. Despite being back, Cleveland's family is demoted to silent cameos, reflecting the showrunners' apparent desire to move past The Cleveland Show. The transition highlights Cleveland's character evolution, the impact of cancellation, and shifting dynamics with longtime friends like Peter Griffin.

Why Did Family Guy Recast Cleveland?

Cleveland Brown, a character in "Family Guy," has been recast with YouTuber Arif Zahir, following Mike Henry's decision to step down from the role. Henry, who voiced Cleveland since the show's inception in 1999, exited to address concerns over voiceover whitewashing in animation. This shift in casting aligns with a broader movement to promote representation of characters of color by actors of color. Henry's departure was seen as a proactive measure to avoid negative press regarding racial representation, as he believed it inappropriate for a white actor to voice an African American character.

Fox announced Zahir as Cleveland's new voice three months after Henry's announcement, emphasizing a commitment to authentic representation. Zahir expressed his admiration for Henry and acknowledged the significance of this change, stating that he was initially surprised when approached for the role. The move reflects ongoing discussions in the industry about diversity in voice acting, with several other characters of color undergoing similar recasting.

Family Guy's return for its 19th season marks a pivotal moment in this context, positioning Zahir as the first Black actor to voice Cleveland in the long-running animated series. This transition represents an important step in addressing racial representation in entertainment, particularly within animated programming.

What Happened To Cleveland In Family Guy Season 8?

Cleveland Brown was written out of Family Guy prior to season 8 to facilitate the launch of his spinoff, The Cleveland Show. During this time, Cleveland resided in Virginia, and no one took over his house in Quahog. Season 8 introduced the character Jerome as a temporary replacement for Cleveland, first seen in "Jerome is the New Black." Despite Cleveland's departure, the series lacked a definitive episode addressing his exit or the reactions of other characters, aside from a cutaway gag.

Cleveland was a supporting role in Family Guy and a central character in The Cleveland Show, which allowed for his gradual reduction to a guest star. Cleveland initially left Family Guy at season 4 and returned in season 12, voiced by Mike Henry, who portrayed the character until stepping down, citing concerns over racial representation. The Cleveland Show was set in the same universe as Family Guy, but not with American Dad.

Cleveland and his family were expected to return to Quahog in a future Family Guy episode titled "He's Black." However, fans noticed that no one moved into Cleveland’s old house in Quahog during his absence. Ultimately, in "The Splendid Source," Cleveland unexpectedly returned, signifying potential future interactions with other characters.

Why Did They Replace Meg On Family Guy?

Lacey Chabert originally voiced Meg Griffin in season 1 of Family Guy but was replaced by Mila Kunis, who became the iconic voice of the character. Chabert left the show amicably to focus on her education and her role in Party of Five. She was still in school while working on Family Guy, making it challenging to juggle both responsibilities, leading to her decision to exit the series. Although some rumors circulated about her being fired, they were unfounded. While the main cast remained intact since the show's inception, Chabert's departure led to Kunis stepping in as the second actress to voice Meg. Kunis’s portrayal became synonymous with the character, overshadowing Chabert’s initial performance, which was uncredited.

Additionally, Chabert expressed her love for the show despite her exit and has not publicly shown resentment over the recasting or Kunis's success. The transition was largely contractual rather than dramatic, with production schedules affecting the decision. Since both actresses have voiced Meg, the character has undergone notable changes in personality, generating discussions among fans. Ultimately, Chabert's original role as Meg Griffin remains a significant part of Family Guy’s early years, although her time on the show was short-lived.

Why Did The Cleveland Show Get Cancelled?

The Cleveland Show was canceled after its fourth season due to declining ratings, with its last episode airing on May 19, 2013. Although the show had a good start, it never attained the same level of popularity as its parent series, Family Guy. Critics pointed out that the series suffered from a lack of strong writing and insufficient promotional efforts, which contributed to its gradual decline in viewership. Despite being a spinoff of Seth MacFarlane's popular animated sitcom, The Cleveland Show was unable to retain a substantial audience and was ultimately not renewed for a fifth season.

The show, which was the only MacFarlane-produced series not to be renewed, drew mixed reviews and received nominations for an Annie Award, a Primetime Emmy, and two Teen Choice Awards. Many fans were surprised by the cancellation, as there were earlier indications it might continue. In addition to declining ratings, factors such as poor advertising and inconsistent time slots may have played a role.

After its cancellation, Cleveland Brown returned to Quahog, where fans of Family Guy humorously roasted The Cleveland Show. Ultimately, the show was perceived as lacking originality and depth, leading to its demise.

What Happened To Cleveland On 'Family Guy'?

On June 26, 2020, Mike Henry announced his departure from the role of Cleveland Brown, a character he voiced on "Family Guy" for 20 years, stating on Twitter, "It’s been an honor…but persons of color should play characters of color." Cleveland, along with his son Cleveland, Jr., transitioned to "The Cleveland Show," where Cleveland, Jr. underwent a significant character change. Cleveland initially left "Family Guy" in season 4, returning in season 12, with his last regular appearance in season 7's episode "420." Despite hints of a potential return, he was officially written out during season 8.

Henry’s decision to exit followed a trend of white actors stepping down from voicing characters of color. The character Cleveland was an accomplished minor-league baseball player who moved to Quahog after a breakup with his girlfriend. Following the cancellation of "The Cleveland Show," Cleveland returned to "Family Guy" but had lost much substance, evidenced by his surprising reappearance in the episode "The Splendid Source." Henry's resignation underscored a significant moment in animation, emphasizing the importance of representation by allowing a black actor to take over the role of Cleveland Brown.