Family Guy Finally Confirms the Death of a Beloved Character After 26 Years

Family Guy has officially confirmed that one of its most famous recurring characters will not be returning. The announcement comes 26 years after the character first appeared, and fans are reacting to the surprising news.

The revelation came from Season 23, which recently wrapped its run on Fox. In the episode titled “The Chicken or the Meg,” Meg ends up in a fight with Ernie the Giant Chicken, a longtime rival of Peter Griffin.

The episode concludes with Meg decapitating the chicken, marking what appears to be a permanent end to the character. Unlike previous episodes where the chicken would survive or return, there were no hints of a comeback this time.

Executive producer Alec Sulkin explained why the show decided to retire the character. “I think that the chicken has gone the way of all flesh,” Sulkin said. He added that the epic fight scenes between Peter and the chicken had become increasingly difficult for the production team to top.

Richard Appel, another executive producer, echoed the sentiment, pointing to the famous Simpsons/Family Guy crossover episode as a high point for the character. “When you watch that, it’s hard to know where you take that further,” Appel said, suggesting that the chicken’s story had reached its natural conclusion.

Fans of Family Guy have come to expect wild and over-the-top battles between Peter and the chicken, so this marks a notable change for the show. With Season 24 set to return to Fox next year, viewers will be curious to see how the series moves forward without one of its most iconic antagonists.

Ending the saga of the Giant Chicken feels like a bold move, but it also makes sense creatively. Sometimes, a character has run its course, and retiring them can open space for fresh storylines. What do you think about this decision? Share your thoughts in the comments.