Problem with Family Guys these days is that the characters have became too predictable in what they are going to do each show. All the running gags have gotten stale or stolen from the Simpsons.None of the characters have really evolved over the years like a truly great show does.

Peter Griffin has turned into a full blown moronic idiot with no depth that is now given one or two good jokes the entire show since all the other ones are used on McFarlane's side projects. Homer Simpson was an idiot sure, yet he had an aspect to him that was enduring and he wasn't made to be stupid 24/7 just for the sake of it. He could rise to the occasion and show a personal side that didn't seemed forced (Lisa's Wedding). When they try to show a humanistic side of Peter it just doesn't work well. They then have to throw a character like Herbert into the mix saying something absurd to sway you from the fact that Peter Griffin has no depth in any emotional situation.

Lois now has this "wild" past that is slowly being unveiled but yet it was done better with Marge Simpson like 10 years ago.

Brian became annoying and his character now comes across as a liberal douche for the sake of being a liberal douche.

Stuey can still be effective when the writers know how to use him. The homo-erotic angle is somewhat stale but is effective in small doses.

Meg and Chris are either pushed into the background or given the Lisa/Bart spotlight every once in a while. The episode where Meg finally has had enough and becomes a bully in a funny way was like the freshest writing I have seen in years. Sure it was Simpsonesque, but at least it was done well. We need more angles like this in FG.

Quagmire is like the only character who has sort of developed over the years. He is a full blown playboy/pervert/womanizer, yet when he in a vulnerable situation he reacts like a real person would. Honestly he is the one who should have had the spinoff over anyone.