Back at Comic-Con in San Diego last year we heard some interesting news that the raunchy animated series, Drawn Together, would be getting a direct-to-DVD movie release. We, of course, tried to get as much information on the project as we could, and came up with nothing.

For those who didn’t catch the Comedy Central series while it was on, it was about a group of classic cartoon stereotypes that get thrown into a reality show house, a la Big Brother. From there, things got pretty outrageous, from mass murder, to racism, to bisexual hot tub sex and more. It was pretty impressive that they were able to top the likes of South Park and Family Guy in a matter of 3 seasons.

Now, we’re finally getting a glimpse at what could be the most outrageous animated film of all time since Bambi Vs. Godzilla, as the first teaser trailer for the film has been released. The trailer doesn’t really give us much to go on, but it keeps hope alive that the project is still happening, and is approaching sooner than anticipated.

Check out the new trailer after the jump, and be sure to catch all of the seasons of Comedy Central’s Drawn Together on DVD and Blu-ray.

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While Adult Swim may just be a subdivision of Cartoon Network, a cable network that bases itself on mainly animated programming, they seem to be doing quite well for themselves. They’ve been able to stack the deck with highly watched syndicated shows, and outrageously funny original programming. One original show in particular is doing better than even the show creators were expecting is Robot Chicken.

The show, which is a 15-minute comedy done entirely with stop-motion animation and old MEGO dolls, was created back in 2005 by Seth Green and partner Matt Senreich. Since then, the show has grown in leaps and bounds, popularity-wise.The network has just ordered a whopping 40 new episodes (roughly two new seasons) of the show, and according to Variety, the creators are more surprised than we are.

“It’s kind of amazing,” Green said. “We never expected to do a second season, let alone a fifth and sixth. We’re really busy, but we’re still having a lot of fun making it.”

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With Christmas less than 72 hours away, it looks like the studios are putting out quite a few last-minute gift ideas for you to snatch just in time to throw under the tree. This week’s big releases include District 9, (500) Days of Summer, and the second Family Guy Star Wars Special: Something Something Something Dark Side.

Of these releases, we are all pretty excited about the new Family Guy DVD this week. It’s the sequel to 2007’s Blue Harvest Star Wars special. This time, Seth McFarlane and his team spoof the events of The Empire Strikes Back. This special is never-before-seen, and won’t get airtime until mid-March.

Check out this week’s releases:

Movies

District 9 ~ Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason Cope (DVD and Blu-ray)

(500) Days of Summer ~ Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (DVD and Blu-ray)

All About Steve ~ Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Haden Church (DVD and Blu-ray)

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Hard to believe it has been over 2 years since Family Guy aired it’s first Star Wars special, “Blue Harvest.” And now, we’re less than a month away from the highly anticipated follow-up special, “Something Something Something Dark Side.” The specials were originally set to air consecutively each year, but due to the popularity of the first, FOX decided to milk this cow for all it was worth and delay the release until now.

Last we left our heroes, Chris had destroyed the Death Star with the help of Han, thwarting Stewie’s plan to take out the rebel alliance, all while Lois and Chris grew closer together, not knowing their true relationship. Strange how this plot seems familiar.

In the next special, we of course get a direct parody of The Empire Strikes Back, with Hoth, Jon Benjamin as Yoda, and even the evil chicken as Boba Fett. Check out the full trailer after the jump. Keep your eye on the DVD shelves, as Something Something Something Dark Side is set to hit stores on December 22nd.

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We here at The Flickcast are fans of just about all films, but some of us around the office still get tickled when we hear the titular line in a film thrown out. Many comedy series have spoofed this concept, such as Upright Citizens Brigade with “I’m sick of all these Star Wars!” or Family Guy with “That’s why they call me Superman 4: The Quest For Peace” but nobody has ever gone to the length’s of this week’s Fan Film Friday Creator.

The cool cats over at VideoGum put together a pretty impressive compilation of just about every film that uses the title in dialogue. From Fried Green Tomatoes to Minority Report, this compilation has it all. It makes you wonder if the writers are being clever with that line, or actually really lazy.

Check out the full video after the jump, and if there’s a line or two that you can think of that was omitted, the creator of the video, Gabe, is welcoming all suggestions and comments, so shoot him an e-mail. Enjoy!

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Far-gone are the days when networks held enough power and importance to have TV crossovers and intermixing story lines, much like the days when George Reeves would pop up on I Love Lucy or story lines interweave between Buffy and Angel. Fox seems to be the only network with interest in doing such stunts, as Family Guy’s Stewie popped up on an episode of Bones.

Well, it looks like Fox is doing it once again with an announcement for a Simpsons on-air scavenger hunt in celebrating 20 years of broadcasting TV’s favorite animated family. In a press release, the network announces that it will start on November 9th, and go for an entire week.

FOX is paying “homage” to 20 years of television’s favorite yellow family with the network’s first-ever on-air scavenger hunt. Beginning Monday, Nov. 9 and continuing through Friday, Nov. 13, fans can watch FOX each night to find SIMPSONS shout-outs, tributes and clues featured in primetime programming and on-air promos.

One lucky winner will receive the ultimate SIMPSONS prize package, including a trip for two to Los Angeles to attend a SIMPSONS table read with the Emmy Award-winning voice cast and producers, a home entertainment system, SIMPSONS DVDs and merchandise and tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, home of The Simpsons Ride.

Anybody over the age of 13 can participate, and once they catch the shout-out, be sure to visit www.fox.com/scavengerhunt each night to test their knowledge and download some pretty cool Simpsons goodies. The contest officially starts after next week’s episode of Simpsons, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!

Listen up all you disgruntled Southland fans, TNT is your new favorite network. The acclaimed police drama has risen from the ashes of cancellation and will be returning to television on a new network:

“TNT has picked up the critically acclaimed series “Southland,” closing a deal with Warner Bros. Television that will bring the drama from Emmy-winning producer John Wells (“ER,” “The West Wing”) to the network in January.

TNT has obtained exclusive rights to air all six episodes that have been shot for the second season, as well as the seven episodes from the series’ first season. “Southland” will air on TNT Tuesdays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), beginning with the first episode of the series on Jan. 12.”

This is great news for the series especially given the somewhat surprising cancellation by NBC before the show even returned for a second season.  Honestly, they brought back Heroes but not Southland? What gives?

Producer John Wells said: “We’re delighted that TNT has stepped forward to pick up ‘Southland.’ We are all extremely proud of the show.”

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When you have shows like The Simpsons well into twenty years on television, a sixth season renewal for any show doesn’t seem so grand. However, I’m excited about American Dad coming back because it’s easily my favorite animated show on TV right now. You read that right, American Dad is the best in my opinion.

Fortunately, I’m not alone. American Dad “rates among the season’s top 10 shows with men 18-49 and adults 18-34″ and was recently nominated for outstanding animated program.  Well deserved I might add. This season six renewal, along with the second season pickup of The Cleveland Show, means creator Seth MacFarlane maintains his lock on Fox’s Sunday night “animation domination” lineup.  Not bad for a guy who had his original series, Family Guy, canceled only to return after record-breaking DVD sales.

As to the reason why I prefer American Dad, it’s quite simple. The Simpsons has completely lost it’s edge in my opinion. For anyone who watched the last Halloween special you’ll know what I mean (boring!). Family Guy is still funny but like The Simpsons all too often builds off absurd circumstances which drives the characters and can get old really fast. Same goes for The Cleveland Show.

American Dad, on the other hand, affords the characters themselves the opportunity to get into, and out of, trouble on their own accord. In particular, Stan Smith’s unabated self-assurance and political ideology is spectacular to watch when it seems the world is out to prove him wrong. American Dad stands out because it lets the characters lead the story instead of  the story leading them. Not a lot of animated shows do that these days which makes American Dad so enjoyable.

Check out American Dad Sunday’s on Fox along with The Simpsons, Family Guy and The Cleveland Show.

In what may come as no surprise to some, Microsoft has backed out of the Family Guy special that would have promoted Windows 7. Well, thanks a lot Microsoft for completely undermining the article I already wrote regarding this very event. Microsoft responded in a statement:

“We initially chose to participate in the Seth and Alex variety show based on the audience composition and creative humor of Family Guy, but after reviewing an early version of the variety show it became clear that the content was not a fit with the Windows brand.

We continue to have a good partnership with FOX, Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein and are working with them in other areas.  We continue to believe in the value of brand integrations and partnerships between brands, media companies and talent.”

“…not a good fit with the Windows brand.”  Has anyone at Microsoft even watched an episode of Family Guy? How did they not see what was coming? Well, as much as I was somewhat skeptical of the whole deal it would have been interesting to see what Seth McFarlane thought up for the show. Maybe Apple should jump in and pick up where Microsoft left off to promote Snow Leopard?

When I heard about Microsoft’s Windows 7 tie-in with Family Guy I was slightly taken aback. Doesn’t Hollywood live and die by the Apple Mac? I thought so, which made me wonder why anyone in that industry would be pitching Microsoft products.

I may not have a specific answer to that (other then the most obvious one: money) but at least I now know the air date for the Family Guy special in which Windows 7 will be promoted, fiercely I imagine, to viewers of the hit series:

“The half-hour “Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show” will air at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8 and star series creator Seth MacFarlane and his co-star Alex Borstein. The special will air without traditional commercials and instead will feature Microsoft-branded programming that Fox said will blend with the show’s content.”

Now, this could go one of two ways: brilliant or horrible. If McFarlane and company craft something in which they don’t try and hide the baked-in advertising, it could work.  30 Rock has had pretty good success in a comedic capacity when it comes to product placement and is definitely something to emulate.

On the other hand, should the writers try and trick the audience into thinking they are not watching an ad for Windows 7, that could backfire. Considering the quality of the show, I’m less inclined to think they’ll hide what’s really going on and fess up. This should bring the audience in on the jokes and make it that much funnier.

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