 The first team of writers assembled for the show consisted of Chris Sheridan , Danny Smith , Gary Janetti , Ricky Blitt , Neil Goldman , Garrett Donovan , Matt Weitzman , and Mike Barker . The writing process of Family Guy generally starts with 14 writers that take turns writing the scripts ; when a script is finished it is given to the rest of the writers to read . These scripts generally include cutaway gags . Various gags are pitched to MacFarlane and the rest of the staff , and those deemed funniest are included in the episode . MacFarlane has explained that normally it takes 10 months to produce an episode because the show uses hand @-@ drawn animation . The show rarely comments on current events for this reason . The show 's initial writers had never written for an animated show ; and most came from live @-@ action sitcoms . 
