 MacFarlane co @-@ created — alongside Mike Henry and Richard Appel — the Family Guy spin @-@ off The Cleveland Show , which premiered September 27 , 2009 . They began discussing the project in 2007 . Appel and Henry served as the show 's executive producers and showrunners , handling the day @-@ to @-@ day operations , with limited involvement from MacFarlane . Henry and Appel conceived the show as " more of a family show , a sweeter show " than Family Guy . The first season consisted of 22 episodes , and the show was picked up by Fox for a second season , which consisted of 13 episodes . The announcement was made on May 3 , 2009 , before the first season began . It was extended to a full second season . Appel signed a new three @-@ year , seven @-@ figure deal with Fox to continue serving as showrunner on The Cleveland Show in 2010 . Fox chairman Gary Newman commented : " What is special about him is his incredible leadership ability . " The show follows the Family Guy character Cleveland Brown , who is voiced by Henry , as he leaves the town of Quahog and moves with his son to start his own adventure . 
