Family Guy: 5 Reasons Why Bringing Brian Back From The Dead Was A Mistake

2. Criticisms Of A Cheap Ratings Grab Harm Family Guy's Credibility

Seth MacFarlane can bleat on and on about how Brian's death and resurrection was to remind viewers to "never take those you love for granted, for they can be gone in a flash," but we all know this sorry affair was one extended, shameless ratings grab. Between November 26 and December 15, Family Guy was making headlines nearly everywhere, with scores of news outlets either talking about Brian Griffin or reporting about Brian Griffin. The decision to bump him off drummed up millions in free publicity and ensured the show stayed very much in the limelight in these times of wavering popularity. Claim's that Brian's death was a cheap publicity stunt to boost flagging ratings are backed up by the numbers. Prior to Brian's demise, Family Guy's ratings plummeted by 20% with just 4.16 million viewers tuning into season 12 episode four's episode 'A Fistful of Meg'. However, 6.37 million watched the canine return from the grave in 'Christmas Guy' - a series high. And though the decision to axe Brian ended up working out for MacFarlane, the plot harmed Family Guy's credibility - killing off a character for ratings is one of the cheapest stunts you can pull in television and exemplifies the show's growing desperation.