Speaking with reporters after the panel for his upcoming Fox astronomy documentary Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey at the Television Critics Association press tour, MacFarlane said, "It reminded people this is still a show where anything can happen despite the fact it's been on for awhile."

The Facts Behind Brian's Family Guy Demise

While the Family Guy creator copped to the fact that the move was a boon to the show's ratings, he said he was equally amazed by the outpouring of fan outrage after Brian's death.