What Happened To Family Guy’S Vinny?

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Vinny is a character from the animated television series Family Guy who replaced Brian after his death in Season 12. Initially, Vinny was a mixed character, but now the anger over Brian’s “death” has died away. He was a welcome addition to the family, but later helped Stewie travel back in time to save Brian, wiping out the Vinny timeline and meaning he and the family never met.

Vinny was purchased by the Griffins at Quahog Pets as a replacement for Brian in “Life of Brian”. The Griffins found Vinny, a “pussy hound” who claimed to be 1/16th cat, and won over Peter by being able to talk. The episodes with Vinny probably came out a week after the last, and there was no way they changed it due to backlash.

In 2013, Fox released an episode of Family Guy that took a drastic change in the character lineup in the name of “shaking things up”. This video documents the fall of “Life of Brian”, where Brian tragically dies in a car accident, and the family buys another anthropomorphic dog, Vinny. Vinny was never meant to be a permanent replacement, as the writers wouldn’t have known about any fan backlash when they wrote Vinny out of the show.

In Season 12, Episode 8, “Christmas Guy”, Vinny helps Stewie travel back in time to save Brian, thus erasing the timeline in which the Italian pup is adopted by the Griffins. One of Family Guy’s most polarizing characters is coming back to Quahog later this month.

Vinny is voiced by Tony Sirico, who played the character in the original series. Although Vinny’s fate is unknown after his last cameo, it can be implied that Vinny is deceased as well.

Useful Articles on the Topic
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Was Vinny a permanent replacement for Brian? : r/familyguyI think Vinny was a permanent change but the bring back Brian for the backlash is not uncommon for characters to simply stop appearing for that reason.reddit.com
Family Guy: What Happened To Brian’s Replacement Dog …While reception to Vinny was initially mixed, he’s been regarded a little more fondly now the anger over Brian’s “death” has died away. Vinny …screenrant.com
Vinny Filipeli | Family Guy Fanon Wiki – FandomIt isn’t known what happened to Vinny after his last cameo. Due to the death of his voice actor, Tony Sirico, it can be implied that Vinny is deceased as well, …familyguyfanon.fandom.com

📹 Whatever Happened to Vinny? (Family Guy Video Essay)

Oh! Last video of the year, eh?! What a spicy meatball! For funsies, I wanna see who reads my description. If you do, please …


Why Did They Replace Meg On Family Guy
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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.

What Happened To Vinny In Christmas Guy
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What Happened To Vinny In Christmas Guy?

In the "Family Guy" episode "Christmas Guy," Vinny assists Stewie in distracting his past self to retrieve the time return pad from his backpack, allowing them to travel back in time to save Brian. This act leads to an alternate timeline where the Griffin family never adopted Vinny from the pet store, erasing their previous interactions. Vinny, who had replaced Brian following his death in "Life of Brian," plays a significant role in these events.

When Stewie realizes he must obtain the time return pad to alter the past, he enlists Vinny's help, appealing to Stewie's vanity to persuade him to remove his backpack. Despite Vinny's attempts to cheer Stewie up by impersonating Brian as an intellectual, he is ultimately unsuccessful. They head to Quahog Mall, where Stewie spots his past self buying a toy just before Brian's passing. This revelation reinforces Stewie’s determination to save Brian, despite acknowledging that doing so means he will never meet Vinny.

The episode highlights the themes of friendship, loss, and the implications of changing the past. Though Vinny seemed a strong replacement, the end of the episode re-establishes Brian's return, as fans had anticipated. Vinny's future remains ambiguous, with uncertainty around whether he will reappear following these events. The episode received positive feedback, notably for its handling of character dynamics and humor.

Who Is 'Family Guy''S Vinny On 'Quahog' Season 15
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Who Is 'Family Guy''S Vinny On 'Quahog' Season 15?

Vinny, the dog who temporarily replaced Brian in Family Guy after his death in Season 12, is set to make a cameo in the premiere of Season 15. Voiced by Tony Sirico, known for his role in The Sopranos, Vinny was introduced following a controversial plot twist where Brian was killed in a car accident. The Griffin family adopted Vinny from Quahog Pets, where they found him to be a street-smart dog claiming to be 1/16th cat and able to talk, bringing a different comedic flavor to the show.

Although some fans were divided in their reception of Vinny, he became an integral part of the series during his short time. Executive producer Richard Appel referred to his return as a "very welcome cameo." The character generated discussion among viewers regarding his uniqueness compared to Brian, bringing a blend of humor and conflict to the Griffin household.

Vinny's short-lived tenure as the Griffins' pet ended after only a couple of episodes when Brian was ultimately revived. His upcoming appearance in Season 15’s premiere adds another layer of nostalgia for long-time fans, especially with the recent passing of Sirico. The episode promises to feature Vinny amidst other notable guest stars, making it an anticipated return for many Family Guy viewers.

Is Vinny In Season 6
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Is Vinny In Season 6?

Season six of Jersey Shore is packed with drama and wild antics from the familiar cast. Angelina Pivarnick embraces her role as the clueless villain, while Vinny Guadagnino and DJ Pauly D pop in like fun uncles amid the family drama, keeping the energy lighthearted. During Snooki's baby shower, Vinny and Jioni seem to resolve their issues, leading to Nicole asking if Vinny could attend the wedding, to which Jioni agrees. The cast, filming in 2012, consisted mainly of 24/25-year-olds, with Snooki, Deena, Sammi, and Vinny born in 1987, and Ron and Jenni in 1985.

After a season of feeling unappreciated, the cast finally celebrates Vinny's birthday on a recent trip, despite underlying tensions. In previous seasons, Vinny and Snooki shared a flirty friendship, contrasting with the current hostility. Comically, Vinny and Pauly attempt to prank Sam and Ron but end up destroying an inflatable bed instead. Meanwhile, Vinny candidly discusses his anxiety on the show, affecting his comfort levels. As Vinny 2. 0 heads to New Orleans, he will soon meet Angelina's roommates.

Born on Nov. 11, 1987, Vinny is now 34 and has maintained popularity since the show’s inception. The season showcases evolving relationships, hilarious pranks, and familiar confrontations, setting the stage for entertaining developments ahead.

Does Vinny Ever Come Back In Family Guy
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Does Vinny Ever Come Back In Family Guy?

In Season 15, Episode 1 of "Family Guy," titled "The Boys in the Band," Vinny, the dog who temporarily replaced Brian, makes a brief comeback. Vinny was introduced in "Life of Brian" after the Griffins purchased him from Quahog Pets following Brian's death. Described as a "pussy hound" claiming to be part cat, Vinny quickly bonds with Peter due to his ability to talk. While he integrates well into the Griffin family, his storyline takes a turn when he assists Stewie in time travel to save Brian, resulting in the erasure of Vinny's timeline and their meeting.

Voiced by Tony Sirico, Vinny's character sparked mixed reactions from fans, leading to backlash after Brian's unexpected death. Following the backlash, the show's creators intended to bring Brian back quickly, which they accomplished in the Christmas episode, leaving Vinny's arc short-lived. Although Vinny's return is warmly welcomed by some, ultimately, he is not intended as a permanent replacement, serving primarily to bridge the narrative gap after Brian's departure. Reports indicate that Sirico had a six-episode deal, but Vinny's future remains uncertain in the series.

Did Seth MacFarlane Leave Family Guy
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Did Seth MacFarlane Leave Family Guy?

Seth MacFarlane has announced no immediate plans to end "Family Guy," which recently entered its 22nd season. Despite MacFarlane's long-standing commitment as the creator and voice of several characters, including Peter and Stewie Griffin, he, along with his co-showrunners—Brian Boyle, Matt Weitzman, Rich Appel, and Alec Sulkin—has stepped away from both "Family Guy" and "American Dad." This decision comes in support of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, which began on May 2, 2023, affecting numerous production schedules.

The series has had a tumultuous history since its original premiere in 1999, facing cancellation after two seasons before being revived. MacFarlane, a five-time Primetime Emmy Award-winner, expressed thoughts on the show's longevity in a recent interview while clarifying that he and his team will remain absent until a new deal is reached between the WGA and AMPTP, hinting at a future for the show once the strike concludes.

Why Did They Add Vinny To Family Guy
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Why Did They Add Vinny To Family Guy?

Following the death of Brian in "Life of Brian," the Griffins adopt Vinny, voiced by Tony Sirico, to help cope with their loss. Vinny, a "pussy hound" claiming to be part cat, initially wins over Peter and becomes a quirky addition to the family. In Season 15's "The Boys In The Band," he and Stewie form a band that addresses "real" baby issues, but their success leads to the duo's split as Brian resumes with Stewie's ex, Olivia Fuller.

However, after a series of events leading to Brian's resurrection, Vinny's timeline is erased, suggesting he was never meant to be a permanent replacement for Brian. Throughout the storyline, the show's creators showcase the backlash from fans regarding Brian's departure, underlining the challenge of replacing such a beloved character.

In "Christmas Guy," Vinny helps Stewie alter time to save Brian, emphasizing the importance of the character's return. The fanfare following Brian's death and Vinny's brief tenure highlights the strong attachments viewers have to characters, making Vinny's role more of a nod to the concept of the show's unpredictable nature rather than a true replacement. Ultimately, Vinny's introduction serves both as a commentary on the fragility of character continuity and the potential for humor in such changes. While Vinny proved to be a different character, his quick phase-out signifies that his time in the show was a temporary experiment rather than a lasting change.

Why Did They Replace Brian With Vinny In Family Guy
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Why Did They Replace Brian With Vinny In Family Guy?

In a bold move to boost declining viewership, "Family Guy" executive producer Steve Callaghan revealed that Brian's death was intended as a "fun way to shake things up." Following Brian's passing in the episode "Life of Brian," the Griffins adopt Vinny, a new dog voiced by Tony Sirico, known for his role in "The Sopranos." In season 15's "The Boys In The Band," Brian teams up with Stewie to form a band but later splits from Stewie’s ex, Olivia Fuller, who eventually acquires Vinny.

Despite initially appearing to fill Brian’s role, Vinny's presence in the series was temporary. Viewers were taken aback by Brian's unexpected death, prompting the Griffins to seek another dog, leading to Vinny's introduction as a stereotypical Italian character. Although Vinny initially seemed to fit into the Griffin family dynamic, fans speculated about the permanence of Brian's departure, especially since the creators had previously underscored the seriousness of his death.

While Vinny was designed as a replacement, circumstances changed, allowing Stewie to time-travel and rescue Brian, leading to Vinny's quick exit from the show. Ultimately, both audience reactions and the writers' intentions highlighted the challenges of character replacement in a beloved series. Vinny helped explore themes of grief and loss, but his role demonstrated that Brian's character remained irreplaceable in the hearts of fans. Thus, the episode served as both a narrative experiment and a reflection on the essential aspects of the show.

Why Did Vinny Leave Stewie
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Why Did Vinny Leave Stewie?

Vinny was introduced as a temporary replacement for Brian in "Family Guy" after Brian's death, becoming a part of the Griffin family. Initially, Vinny's reception was mixed, with fans expressing outrage over Brian's departure. However, Vinny's character evolved more positively as time went on. In the episode "Christmas Guy," Vinny played a crucial role in helping Stewie travel back in time to save Brian, leading to the erasure of the timeline where Vinny was adopted by the Griffins.

This act demonstrated Vinny's big heart and willingness to sacrifice his new home for Brian's sake. The narrative involved Stewie stealing a return pad from his past self to execute the time travel, successfully preventing Brian's tragic accident and thus nullifying the events wherein Vinny appeared. Consequently, with Brian back, Vinny ceased to exist in the family’s timeline and was never seen again after that episode. Despite his short tenure, Vinny's character brought humor and a sense of camaraderie, notably bonding with characters like Peter, Joe, and Quagmire.

Ultimately, the decision to have Vinny assist in saving Brian was largely influenced by the backlash against Brian's death, revealing the writers' intent to maintain continuity and restore fan-favorite characters in the show. Vinny served his purpose but was not intended to be a permanent replacement for Brian.

Who Is Vinny In Life Of Brian
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Who Is Vinny In Life Of Brian?

In the episode "Life of Brian" from Family Guy, the Griffins face the tragic loss of their dog, Brian, who is killed by a car. Stewie is unable to use his time machine to save him, which leads Peter to adopt a new dog named Vinny from Quahog Pets. Vinny, a fast-talking Italian dog voiced by Tony Sirico, claims to be 1/16th cat and quickly wins over Peter with his humor and ability to speak. He also proposes to bring back a stolen iPhone instead of a stick.

As Vinny settles into the Griffin household, he offers to cook dinner and becomes friends with Peter, often enjoying drinks at The Drunken Clam. However, Stewie remains skeptical of Vinny, feeling betrayed by Brian’s death and attempts to sabotage his new companion. Despite the initial resistance, Vinny begins to provide comfort to Stewie in the wake of his loss.

Vinny's introduction is marked by contrasting traits with Brian—while Brian was known for his sophisticated tastes, Vinny prefers canned beer. Reception to Vinny was initially mixed, but over time, he has garnered a more favorable view among fans. Ultimately, Vinny plays a significant role as the Griffins navigate their grief, while also assisting Stewie in a plan involving time travel to possibly save Brian.

What Character Is Vinny In Christmas Guy
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What Character Is Vinny In Christmas Guy?

Vincent 'Vinny' Santiago Griffin (formerly Filipeli) is a fictional dog character from the animated television series Family Guy. He first makes his appearance as the replacement for Brian Griffin after Brian's death in the episode "Life of Brian." Vinny attempts to fill Brian's role, featuring a similar personality and engaging in humorous antics throughout his time on the show.

In the episode "Christmas Guy," Stewie Griffin, voiced by creator Seth MacFarlane, travels back in time using a stolen time pad in a bid to save Brian. Vinny tries to impersonate Brian, claiming to be an intellectual and a writer; however, his efforts fail to impress Stewie despite his attempts to win him over with gifts. When Stewie wishes for Brian's return to Santa, he realizes that he truly wants Brian back instead of Vinny. This decision leads to Vinny being erased from existence.

Despite his brief tenure as a main character, fans have expressed interest in seeing more of Vinny in future episodes, even post-alteration of the timeline. Vinny is depicted as waiting in a pound for adoption, which raises possibilities for storylines involving other characters like Quagmire or Joe.

Vinny Griffin's character reflects the show's comedic nature and serves as a temporary replacement for Brian, showcasing the family's adaptability to loss. Ultimately, Vinny's role reinforces the central themes of friendship and longing inherent in Family Guy narratives.

What Happened To Brian On 'Family Guy'
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What Happened To Brian On 'Family Guy'?

Brian Griffin's death in "Family Guy" episode "Life of Brian" was highly controversial and met with significant backlash from fans. In this 2013 episode, Brian, a talking, adult dog, is struck by a car while playing street hockey with Stewie, leading to a poignant family funeral and the introduction of a new dog, Vinny. Creator Seth MacFarlane defended Brian's shocking death, emphasizing that it served its purpose of surprising the audience.

Despite the production team's initial claims that Brian's death was permanent, he returned just two episodes later in "Christmas Guy" through a time travel device, effectively negating his demise. This quick return left fans questioning the finality of his death and whether it was intended to be a temporary plot device. Many viewers felt anger and disappointment over the abrupt loss of a beloved character, igniting discussions about the show's direction.

MacFarlane later clarified that the goal was to convey a lesson through the event, though the quick reversal suggests a lack of serious commitment to that narrative arc. Although Brian’s death stirred outrage, it also reinforced the unpredictable nature of "Family Guy," which often blends dark humor with surreal storytelling. Ultimately, Brian’s resurrection affirmed that even high-stakes moments in animated series can be fleeting.


📹 Should Vinny Have Replaced Brian in Family Guy?

In this video, we ask if Vinny should have replaced Brian in Family Guy after he was killed off briefly in Seth Macfarlane’s Family …


Freya Gardon

Hi, I’m Freya Gardon, a Collaborative Family Lawyer with nearly a decade of experience at the Brisbane Family Law Centre. Over the years, I’ve embraced diverse roles—from lawyer and content writer to automation bot builder and legal product developer—all while maintaining a fresh and empathetic approach to family law. Currently in my final year of Psychology at the University of Wollongong, I’m excited to blend these skills to assist clients in innovative ways. I’m passionate about working with a team that thinks differently, and I bring that same creativity and sincerity to my blog about family law.

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51 comments

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  • I wish Brian had stayed dead since his character became even more of a douche after he came back. I think the show needed something to freshen it up and tbh i did actually like Vinny for the little time we had with him. I think could have been good to explore Stewie’s grief specifically and learning to accept and move on

  • I think what makes me most mad about them killing Brian isn’t the fact that they brought him back at all, its the fact that they couldn’t even commit to killing him off for a season, or even longer than 2 episodes. There’s so many missed opportunities in my opinion that they missed out on, imagine have Stewie over the course of a season as a b plot bonding with Vinnie and trying to get the supplies to rebuild the time machine or something. I feel like they could’ve done so much more with this concept

  • The humanoid Brian wasn’t a time travel episode, it was a parallel universe episode. And I’m liking the theory that Brian and Vinny can talk because they’re part cat. It’s a consistent trait between them and it’s been shown that all the cats can secretly talk, though they choose not to reveal it to humans.

  • It would’ve been interesting if they reintroduced Vinny to meet with Brian. He and Brian could’ve gotten on poorly first, basically a more lighthearted/less aggressive and hypocritical Brian and Quagmire feud. But they end up getting along and Brian could get a friend. Even after Cleveland came back Jerome stuck around as a secondary character, I think they could make it work

  • Sucks they never did bring Vinny back afterwards. Coulda had an easy in universe explanation like the Quahog police needs a new service dog, so Joe decides to get one and chooses Vinny, eventually deciding to take care of him after they bond a little bit. Could even have it a bit later where Stewie bumps into Vinny remembering him, but Vinny has no recollection of him, which saddens Stewie a bit, so he tries to jog his memory, kinda akin to Star Lord and Gamora in GOTG3.

  • I like to believe the talking animals just won a genetic lottery and got super rare recessive traits that allows them to talk. In that case, characters can have parents and siblings who don’t talk, like Brian. I also like to believe there is a trait that allows characters like Brian to walk, but that’s just me.

  • Being able to talk, I assume, is a rare mutation for dogs in FG. That’s why most of them can’t do it. It might have a genetic component, since both Brian and Jasper can. I know that brain swapping technology exists in American Dad, but I don’t think that is what’s happening here, since we saw Brian talking as a puppy

  • I always had a fan theory. In Stewie and Brian it was revealed Brian had a gun in his deposit box for… reasons. So my theory is in a alternative universe/timeline Brian was so done with life and depressed that he decided to time travel get in a car and run himself over that way not only would the family not find that he did it himself but it would make sense why in later seasons after this his even more bitter and a narcissistic duce. Because Stewie stopped him meaning that reality no longer exists. The Quagmire theory I agree with. But my theory will always be more convincing to me since Brian has used the time machine before to be selfish and it’s way less risky since Brian could just say “im going out” while Stewie is away or something and bam!

  • My theory: It’s Peter. In the original pilot for Family Guy, “Larry and Steve,” Larry (Peter) was the only person that could understand Steve (Brian). Larry claims that he could understand what dogs are saying. It’s never explained why, but he has that power. Even though Family Guy and Larry and Steve are two different universes, I believe that some rules carried over along with the roles that Larry and Steve played. I believe that certain animals in the FG universe function on a brain frequency that the Griffins are automatically tuned into. And once they come into proximity of a Griffin long enough, they could understand what an animal is saying. It’s similar to how Stewie is both “just a baby” to people outside the family, and cam be understood clearly by people within the Griffin household…if they’re synchronized.

  • my guess is the talking dogs are some sort of subspecies of Canis lupus, like Canis lupus sapiens, and that they were made by some sort of deity, since we know family guy has those, be them God, Death, Santa, Neptune, and Vishnu, so my money is on Pluto being their maker, so Spot would not be so lonely, or Odin, seems like something Odin would do.

  • I like the theory that Brian was tested on by the CIA which we know exists in Family Guys World because of the crossovers But it really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense especially since we see Brian talking as a very young puppy but maybe you could say that his mom was tested on and because of that when she gave birth one of her puppies could talk

  • There’s zero reason they couldn’t have kept Vinny in the show, just as another background character who wasn’t living with the Griffins anymore. Stewie clearly cared about him so it doesn’t make sense he wouldn’t seek him out after the timeline was fixed and try to have both his canine friends in his life. I understand he’d have to be reduced when Brain came back, and likely written out when the VA died, but for those intervening years, he should have been given more respect than he got from the writers.

  • The reason dogs can talk is because the timeline where Humans are Pets and Dogs are dominant species is so close to the prime timeline that it sometimes slips through and we get dogs like Brian and Vinny who can actually talk and do “Human things” Very similar to the Mandela Effect where timelines intersect and no one really notices it

  • It just hit me perusal a article that referenced both Family Guy and American Dad: Both shows exist in the same world. Aliens have probably been interacting with humanity for millennia- what’s to say that some animals can talk (and interbreed a la Vinny being part cat) is that most animals have alien DNA?

  • Hey Kitty, I may not always like/agree with everything you say nor do I not know if you’re joking or not. But as a content creator myself I’m happy to see that 2023 has been a good year for you and your website. 👍 As for the article itself, I did think that they’re was potential with Vinny. Even though that his character was a little flawed at the moment. Heh, I still remember the time when my dad was surprised that Vinny replaced Brian at the opening intro. It definitely showed the power that everyone thought that Brian was dead for real. But even if Vinny’s time on the show was short lived, I did think that he should have gotten more episodes in before Brian returned from being killed.

  • 28:04 Any relation to Adrian Germaphobe Monk? He’s not Italian or a kitty, but he’s a very good detective. Solves cases nearly effortlessly since he’s both gifted and cursed with the ability to see and hear details that most people don’t notice. Some think he can actually see the individual bacteria cells on a surface and that’s why he’s so afraid of everything.

  • I’m guessing the talking, anthropomorphic dogs or other humanoid-like animal on the show are due to a rare mutation in the Family Guy universe. The human characters since day one of the beginning of Family Guy are totally not surprised by Brian or any other talking animal they encounter, so it’s must be commonplace.

  • Aside from the actor who died? Vinny was sent to work with Olivia for Red Shirt/blue shirt. Answer to your question: Dogs in Family Guy are cartoons all in all, but Brian used to be the only one, then they introduced Jasper, and then it bled from there. The reason why this may happen is possibly due to dogs evolving, the dogs that talk only can for plot purposes or comedy, or it’s possible dog engineering from constant breeding has allowed human DNA to cross into dog DNA. I mean we are seeing a lot of humans getting interested in dog relationships in this world 😂.

  • Back then, when I was still a Family Guy viewer on cable, I was pretty much done with Brian and didn’t really get emotional seeing Brian was killed, but was actually open for Vinny and took a liking we get a fresh start, only for Brian to come back after one episode MIA and Brian feels like he gotten worst.

  • I propose that the reason why certain individual dogs in Family Guy are capable of speech while others don’t is the same reason why Scooby-Doo is able to talk So hear me out, it was revealed in Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated, a race of aliens called the Anunnaki have no physical form, and must inhabit the bodies of animals. These animals that are hosts, like the titular Great Dane, are given sentience and the ability of speech. Perhaps the Anunnaki also exist in Family Guy, and are the reason why Brian, Vinny, among a few other select dogs, are fully sentient and capable of speech, while also coexisting in the same plane of existence with those that aren’t hosts of the Anunnaki, thus just being dogs.

  • I actually thought it was Chris because I was positive they couldn’t kill Brian and everyone else were mentioned in the description of the Simpsons crossover which wasn’t gonna air til next season. If they’re gonna be in an episode where that isn’t gonna air till next season then has to be Chris or Brian. Chris is the most pointless Griffin not to mention he had the most pointless role in the Simpsons crossover

  • In an interview Seth said they did originally plan on keeping Brian dead. One reason was Seth was hoping Brian’s death would help to end the show but then that petition blew up and twitter exploded so they brought Brian back. Maybe having Stewie time travel a head was put in as a safety valve in case the fans blew up the way they did idk or maybe Seth just lied lol

  • This is a bit random, but I feel that the reason that the show wants me to conclude is that some dogs have reached a height of intellectualism past other dogs and I guess that translates to acting and talking like a human, at least as opposed to the house dogs the humans who breed and train over them. It’s how Seabreeze unfortunately got violated via Brian giving into his instincts and taking advantage of her despite priding himself on being an intellectual (even among the very people he walks and talks like). This makes sense but I should say also that, in case an alternative is needed, that maybe it’s a belief and lifestyle thing that some dogs can choose to adapt to or else grow into stronger and smarter (in the canine way, like gaining psychological advantages over humans I’m sure dogs must have somewhere)… and of course the bridge between the two of these is that a human environment could influence dogs to grow into certain types of mindsets. For instance, maybe Vinny adapted a human like mindset and set of mannerisms in order to better navigate a human society.

  • Personally I always thought of it as a couple of reasons. Genetic mutation, or Level of intelligence when explaining from a in universe perspective. The writers wanted an uncle(fathers friend kinda like Joe, Cleveland, and Quagmire) figure who wouldn’t stand out for hanging around the family 24/7 nor be weird that they understand the baby.

  • they come from a specific clan of dogs that were bred for their magic ability to talk, but after the people who bred them were killed or imprisoned for heresy they bred them with other dogs in a bid to hide the skullduggery and the magical gene spread throughout the world(sorta like what happened to the Senju in Naruto but on a worldwide scale instead of a village scale). It’s recessive so it pops up randomly like red hair or green eyes.

  • same reason some babies are able to talk, its as the plot demands. Brian, Brian 2 and Vinnie had characters that were important to episode plots, thus they can talk. other dogs aren’t important to the plot thus they can’t. plus Brian is treated more like a human than a dog but I guess that’s another topic.

  • I was Happy Brian was Coming Back. But I also wanted to Keep Vinny.. it would’ve been cool to see how he and Brian interact.. He Could’ve been Given To Joe & Bonnie, and Been a Support for their daughter similar to how Brian is for Stewie, &/or be a ‘counselor/glue’ for Joe & Bonnie s Marriage amongst everything.. or Given to Cleveland’s family when he came back.. and he be Rallo’s companion & see how their African American Life welcomed his Italian Identity/Background.. how they clash, etc.

  • in my own lil series, i have species types set into 3 groups: humans, anthros, and ferals, ferals are normal animals like irl, anthros are like if furries were real (tho more thinking like, bojack), and then humans are humans, atp i just assume any world where u see dogs like brian AND normal dogs works the same way, and idk how they evolved or what, but i dont tend to think that much further or deeper than that, it just is what it is

  • Talking dogs is a rare mutation. It’s not necessarily supposed to happen but it happens often enough for people not to be surprised by it. Talking dogs are still treated like non talking dogs though because the ability isn’t supposed to happen, and the ability to talk doesn’t change the thought that a dog is a dog though. This ability is also seen in cats in the universe, so its not exclusive to dogs, but what is exclusive is standing upright and having thumbs. And for my own sanity, talking dogs are considered anthro, not animals, so all the women Brian goes out with isn’t breaking the law.

  • Additional commentary: I didn’t think it was Quagmire who ran over Brian because it felt too obvious. My theory is that Brian was trying to commit not-alive by assassin. We know he has contemplated not-alive and he acts surprisingly upbeat in this episode. He did it this way by giving the hit man the keys to his car and he did it this way because he doesn’t want his friends and family to think it was a random car accident and not assisted not-alive. The reason we never see this plot line come up again is because Stewie going out of his way to save Brian made him appreciate his life again and called off the hit

  • The reason why some dogs in Family Guy can talk is that this is a universe where there’s another species that’ just Guys. Like you have Baby Guys, Dog Guys, Letter Guys, things that are just guys. Think Smiling Friends with how there’s regular people and the critters. In the episode when Stewie and Rupert broke up, when Stewie was at the beach and an adult asking where his parents were, they described him as a Baby guy. This secondary species in the Family Guy universe explains why we not only have talking babies and animals pretty much at random, but why random objects like Letters can become people too.

  • Reason why dogs can talk, the crackpot theory: Family guy shares the same universe as American Dad, and the CIA in that show is notorious for being unethical/clumsy, so every dog that can talk was once a human who was put into a dog’s body then amnestitized to forget they were ever a person, but keep some of their personality traits though lessened Brian was a writer and notorious protestor known for decrying the CIA and other government agencies for not helping more people in the country or overseas, he mostly did this for publicity but the message was good so he was abducted and put in the body of some random dog on a farm, because no one would listen to the politics of a bumpkin dog, he no longer remembers this but his politics, his opportunism, and his love of writing all came back later in life as he grew up. Vinny was a Mafia member who refused to break, so he had to be neutralized and the CIA figured a dog doing dirty dealing was more conspicuous and easier to track than a person, they lost him after 3 days. This goes for every other talking dog, Brian’s old park friend, wealthy businessman who lobbied foreign nations against the CIAs wishes, Brian’s Showdog Girlfriend, one night stand an agent had that he didn’t want to get back to his wife. I swear I’m onto something here

  • No Kitty. The episode where human Brian got hit by a car wasn’t a time travel episode. If you remember they were traveling through different dimensions, and they wound up in dimension where the dominant species was dogs, and all the human characters were dogs and Brian was a human. If it wouldn’t be for the fact that Brian died in season 12, and the multiverse traveling episode happened in season 8, this would have been some epic foreshadowing.😊

  • I’d be more interest in what happened to Finn (the one of Stewie and Brian’s “children” who seemed to show human to Stewie level intelligence. One of the cut scenes show that he (and his remaining brothers) were adopted from the pet store Stewie sold them to by Bruce and his partner, so they are quite probably still alive. And with Stewie and Brian for parents, Finn could very well have a thing for revenge.

  • I thought maybe why in Family Guy some dogs are anthropomorphic while some aren’t is due to some form of evolution by human beings with dogs they might’ve evolved to be more intelligent and developed more human characteristics. A darker theory is perhaps some of the were genetically modified to be more like people for the start of some animal verses human revolution. Think of it like the High Evolutionary from Marvel. It’s a shame we barely got to see Vinny for more than a few episodes since he was one of my favorite characters in the show. Happy early new year Kitty Monk

  • The reasons certain dogs can talk and others can’t is because thee dogs that can talk are not from earth. There was an episode where a russian dog was sent to outer space. They made a joke about the dogs not being able to return, but it turns out that instead of being sent to his death he found a planet with dogs. They all stood on two legs just like Brian and Vinny and could talk. This would also explain why Brian is still alive and hasn’t died or aged.

  • Also, I did find it a bit heart breakung when stewie goes to the mall and talks to santa and tells Santa how all he wants is best friend back. Though, on a flip side it was kinda funny what Santa’s Reply back to Stewie was. “You want a dead dog under your tree?”And Stewie saying Yessss as he crired. It was both a awww and lol moment all at once. Lol. 👍✌

  • But seriously it blows my mind that NOBODY seems to care who killed Brian?! Like to me it goes to show how the show only focuses on shock value and ignores whatever steps it takes to get there. My personal headcannon was that it was Penelope, and that a future episode will have the three encountering with Penelope being shocked to learn he’s still alive.

  • Honestly I think Vinny is a missed opportunity by the show like another commenter said they could have had Vinny as an opportunity to explore stewie’s grief losing Brian and even as a super genius who could time travel and go to other universes he can’t cheat death and exploring his ability to slowly move on and finally accept Vinny not as a replacement for Brian but as a new friend who he could create his own bond with or B having Olivia adopt Vinny works but have Olivia be a more reoccurring character sometimes as a foil sometimes as a friend to stewie that way Brian and Vinny could interact more then a few times I definitely don’t like the whole status quo thing animated sitcoms do like I’m not asking for Rick and Morty level plot but some consequences on things would be a nice change of pace

  • My theory is, some dogs could talk because they want a different schtick in life. While others bask in the comfort that the idea of some people believing that only some dogs could talk, meaning they don’t have to put up an act or something to hide they could actually talk, but stick to the script of acting like a dog so nobody questions them or expects more out of them.

  • Letting my knowledge of time travel Vinnie most likely he lives somewhere else or since his actor passed he was put down off screen. But i think first thought would be the ladder. But in my words if i knew someome like stewie and before they destroy the time machine I’d ask for it since they won’t want it I’ll use it to go back in time and buy retro toys, sell them, write myself advise from the future advise and hopefully it be better for me and see my friends who passed one more time 😢 and if the person wants it back I’ll give it back no hesitation

  • Brian gets sent back in time and starts the first talking dog colony classic grandfather paradox. Only issue is most animals can talk, So alternate theory Brian went back in time and started the first nonverbal dog colony. Alternate alternate theory canonically a human and dog relationship has yielded babies that say the word “bark” on the show, But that theory is sad So I’m going to go with the grandfather paradox.

  • I have a simple explanation for why some animals talk and others don’t. I like to think it’s because the dogs that talk are higher evolved breeds species or breeds of dogs. Think about it like this… Humans are evolved from monkeys and apes. However not all species of apes evolved to be humans and remain animals. So whenever there’s a cartoon where some animals talk and others don’t I just chalk it up to the non talking animals to lesser evolved versions of the talking animals.

  • Brian & Stewie R a TEAM. Some people may think that Stewie doesn’t like Brian But he ACTUALLY DOES. He tried to move on with Vinny but even HE knew he could NOT do that. Brian & Stewie may have thier ups and downs but the R both best friends . So it makes sense why he went to bring back Brian when Stewie time traved back at the point of time to BEFORE Brian got hit by the car and changed that time line. Then he got to Wish Brian a Merry Christmas and say good-bye since his time line was going to disapear. In all I thought it was an ok ep. of Family guy. Ty for posting and may you have a happy New Year Kitty Monk,if you celebrate it. Take care. 👍✌🎉🎄🍾🍡

  • I hate the character that Brian became after he was brought back. It was after this he became an unlikeable and up himself. Everyone wanted him back but once he came back. No one cared about him anymore. (which I’m pretty sure they made a joke about in one episode). Even if Brian did come back eventually. I think they should’ve kept Vinny for atleast a few more episodes

  • Ok when Vinnie tried to pretend to be Brian to make Stewie feel better 😢 that was actually pretty dang sweet ❤ But I think they had to bring back Brian… Just because most people wouldn’t accept the new dog. It changed the entire dynamic of the family. Which might have been a good thing but most people don’t want to even try new stuff 😆 Oh well ❤ Another great article From one Kitty 🐈 to another Kitty 🐈 😻😽 Meow 😻❤😻

  • My interpretation of why some of the dogs can speak while most don’t. It’s because they want you to view them as a person and not as a pet. Therefore, the reason why Brian has a human son is because you got to look at him as a person with a real relatable situation. Regardless of how impossible this scenario is. Basically, you’re acknowledging his existence. Or should I say their very existence for the sake of the plot. Case in point: Why is it that only a few people can understand stewie without question? For the sake of the plot, regardless of how impossible it is. You are acknowledging the person, not their place in the world, as others perceive as normal. #plotarmor

  • Hi Kitty monk, I really enjoy your content but I feel I need to ask, why do you keep covering modern family guy/ simpsons. I mean South Park still has interesting characters so that males sense, the only thing consistent about the writing of family guy is that it will morph and bend characters to fit any story they can thing of. the griffin have morphed into horrorable people and its really not worth looking at the show for its character writing, there is barely any. always do what makes you happy but a lot of the article you ask a question about family guy characters and if its after a certain season you ASKING that question put more thought and analysis then the writers do. again south parks sorta gets a past due to how you can see characters change with the time but still remain THEM. dont waste your time on analyzing family guy, you are better then that

  • I figured it’s more of an alien thing….like maybe some aliens similar to roger from American dad just landed thousands of years ago & banged a few dogs because that’s just something so comically-insane I can only think a bad,whiny,& twisted individual similar to roger could do that & so that spawns the first generation of talking dogs & possibly animals as other animals do talk in this show & so over many many years it’s become a kinda like a recessive trait for animals so you can ether talk or not depends on what nature gives….. At least that’s my crazy theory/thought which is somewhat derivative of X-men!

  • Let me save y’all 32 minutes of your lives real quick Vinny was removed probably due to surprising amounts of backlash for killing one of the characters who’ve been around since episode 1 Brian gets brought back due to Stewie time travelling, a few years later, Vinny’s voice actor (forgot his name, sorry) tragically passed away, making Vinny now canonically dead

  • One thing that bothers me about KITTY is everytime she does a article and mentions someone’s race she just HAS to throw Claim on it by adding “oH yEaH wE dO tHaT” or some other annoying remark . Its like she got her 23 & ME Test results, seen shes 0000.3% Mestizo or whatever and now just HAS to mention anytime she talks about anything Mexican that shes “A Sexy Latina” 😂 If she ever did a DC Universe Related article I’m sure she would try to claim shes part Kryptonian and Amazon then say something like “Oh yeah we really are allergic to kryptonite”

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