Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Blog is reporting that Fox picked up two new animated series for the 2008 - 2009 TV season. The first is Sit Down, Shut Up, which seems promising considering it's from Mitch Hurwitz, who helmed dearly departed Arrested Development. Fox also picked up yet another animated comedy from Seth MacFarlane titled Cleveland, a Family Guy spin-off about, um, Cleveland. I love the character Cleveland, but I imagine a series about Quagmire would be more fertile ground for a comedy harvest. Perhaps too fertile?
Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox.

Fox has had almost two decades of success with animated comedy hits like The Simpsons, Family Guy and King of the Hill. Now Fox Broadcasting (FOX) and sister studio 20th Century Fox Television have partnered on an aggressive initiative entitled Fox Inkubation. They've tapped Jennifer Howell, who's been with Matt Stone and Trey Parker since the beginning of South Park, to run Fox Inkubation. Essentially, writer/animators will receive funding to produce a set of completed 2-minute shorts. If the material shows promise, the individuals or teams will advance through the production process and create additional material, or possibly be teamed with an experienced producer to bring the idea to pilot and ultimately series. Sort of a Project Greenlight for animation, without the nation watching every painful move. This is a great way for the suits to see exactly what creators can produce, without waiting a long time for a script to come to fruition. Let's hope they find some gems.

Cat lovers and lasagna eaters everywhere, take note: Garfield: A Cat and His Nerd is available today. The DVD includes 15 episodes of Garfield and Friends hand-picked by Garfield creator Jim Davis. Watch Jon, Garfield and Odie stumble their way through one adventure after another. Compare prices for Garfield: A Cat and His Nerd.

The third season of Drawn Together is released today. Watch as Captain Hero tortures his 12-year-old self, Ling-Ling gets put into foster care and Toot finally gets worshipped as the plus-size babe she is. The Drawn Together Season Three: Uncensored DVD is a two-disc set and features an extended version of each episode. Bonus materials include karaoke sing-along songs, classic network promos and audio commentary. Compare prices for Drawn Together Season Three: Uncensored.
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South Park is airing "Casa Bonita" on Comedy Central Tuesday night. I love that episode because Cartman's passion for Casa Bonita mirrors how I felt about the restaurant as a child. Wednesday night brings the semi-downer of a South Park episode, "Britney's new look." Metalocalypse begins new episodes Sunday night on Adult Swim. Also on Sunday night, Fox airs three season finales, including one for The Simpsons. See the full animated TV schedule for more details.

Celebrate with Fox tonight. You can disco with Peggy Hill at 7:30 p.m. ET. Then, cut the apron strings with Marge Simpson at 7:30 p.m. ET. Next, Mourn the death of Homer's mom at 8:00 p.m. Sympathize with Peggy, again, when Hank and Bobby take over the garage at 8:30 p.m. ET. Cry out to Lois Griffin at 9:00 p.m. ET. And finally, watch Francine Smith fight for her family at 9:30 p.m. ET. All in a day's work for every mom.
Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox.

In a press release from Fox, Family Guy's Stewie said the present he's giving Lois for Mother's day is "dark, lumpy and rhymes with 'moody.'" If your mom appreciates that kind of humor, you can send her best wishes by inserting your photo into an ecard from Fox at www.motherofasunday.com. Choose from King of the Hill, The Simspons, Family Guy and American Dad.
Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox.

Anime fans will love Saturday night when Adult Swim shows nothin' but anime. Celebrate Mother's Day early by watching the evil Mom on Futurama tonight on Comedy Central. Also on Comedy Central this week, catch a couple of my favorite episodes of South Park: "Trapper Keeper," "Awesome-O" and Marjorine. Sunday night is a combination of recent re-runs and new episodes on the Fox block of cartoons. Check the full animated TV schedule for more information.

The third season of Drawn Together will be released on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Watch as Captain Hero tortures his 12-year-old self, Ling-Ling gets put into foster care and Toot finally gets worshipped as the plus-size babe she is. The Drawn Together Season Three: Uncensored DVD is a two-disc set and features an extended version of each episode. Bonus materials include karaoke sing-along songs, classic network promos and audio commentary. Compare prices for Drawn Together Season Three: Uncensored.
Photo © Pricegrabber.com.

When Lil' Bill Clinton invites Lil' George to his "Rainbow Party," Barbara and George realize he's growing up too fast. They decide the best way to preserve George's innocence is in a "purity wedding" in which he marries Barbara. When Lil' George decides his own father's a better match, they are forced to have a gay wedding, sending Barbara into the arms of super-smooth man-about-town Colin Powell (voiced by Tim Meadows). Watch Lil' Bush tonight at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central.
Photo courtesy of Comedy Central.