Seth MacFarlane, known for voicing characters like Peter Griffin and Quagmire on Family Guy, expressed that a significant portion of today’s television in Hollywood seems rather disheartening. In an interview on the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast, he openly shared his thoughts about the current selection of shows in the industry.
From Cheers to Jeers – Hope to Handmaids
The Next Generation as one of the influences for his own production, The Orville, which is a light-hearted exploration of space and science fiction.

Instead, he pointed out that the current dishes they’re offering are excessively dystopian and overly pessimistic, suggesting there’s too much focus on negative aspects while neglecting any elements that offer a glimmer of hope.
Shows like The Sopranos and The Handmaid’s Tale, he argued, exemplify this bleak turn.
Anti-Heroes and a Dystopian Outlook
Seth MacFarlane praised the quality of shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, complimenting it as “well-written” and “skillfully directed,” but highlighted its grim tone, stating “there is a lot more of this dark side than what we were used to see from Captain Picard.” He also criticized Hollywood’s tendency towards anti-heroes and questioned whether the industry might have strayed from its original intent.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d express it this way: ‘One of our strengths lies in storytelling. Unfortunately, at the moment, we’re struggling to narrate those stories in a manner that ignites hope within our audience.’
On Today’s Hollywood Menu: Bitter & Bland
Apart from “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Sopranos,” programs like “13 Reasons Why” and “Drawn Together” delve into more somber aspects of life than what many viewers typically experience in their everyday lives. Even superhero and science fiction series tend to lean towards the gritty side.

Consider Marvel’s Ironheart, for example: Riri Williams, a prodigious genius with immense potential, instead squanders these abilities by deceiving her peers, grumbling about not being Tony Stark, and aligning herself with a group of lawbreakers-an unconventional choice that departs from the optimistic, inspiring tone typically associated with superhero stories.
Joy From the Past – Hope for the Future
What does this imply for us? It seems that the cycle of entertainment might be shifting, suggesting a decline in the era of unrelentingly grim narratives. At one point, TV had the power to teach valuable life lessons while instilling hope and humor within its viewers. Shows such as “Good Times,” “The Facts of Life,” “Cheers,” “Friends,” and “The Office” managed to amuse audiences, foster affection for characters, impart knowledge, and conclude on a positive note. Television should serve as a catalyst for the best human qualities to thrive.
As a film enthusiast, I find myself heartened by the fact that even when Hollywood deviates from its purpose, platforms such as YouTube open new avenues for creators to inspire and uplift. The human spirit is remarkable in its resilience, and as Doc Brown so aptly put it, “The future is what we shape it to be. So let’s make it a fantastic one!
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2025-08-23 17:56