Seth MacFarlane is now as rich as Oprah - well, almost

Back during the writers strike, Fox was finishing up a few episodes of "Family Guy" without input from creator Seth MacFarlane, and MacFarlane decried the maneuver as "a colossal d!ck move." A couple of weeks ago, MacFarlane and some "Family Guy" writers sued Fox for breach of contract for unpaid work on the "Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story" DVD.

Now, it's hugs and kisses all around. $100 million will do that for you.

That's how much TV Week says MacFarlane is getting for a four-year deal with Fox Television that will include his work on "Family Guy," "American Dad," an upcoming spinoff show featuring "FG's" Cleveland character, potential live-action comedies (MacFarlane executive-produced the short-lived sitcom "The Winner") and, if all goes according to plan, a "Family Guy" movie. Not bad for a show that got cancelled by the network - twice.

Let's go to Fox TV Chairman Dana Walden for the requisite press-release quote, which is gushier and less corporate-ese than usual: "Seth is an incredibly talented guy whose kindness and generosity are legendary in this business, and there's no one more deserving of the kind of success that he's had and will continue to have in the years to come. He's also about the most entertaining meeting you'll take as a creative executive, and everyone here lines up just to be in a room with him."

To celebrate, MacFarlane will allow you to be in a room with him: He and his "FG" co-star Alex Borstein will headline a live show, "Freakin' Sweet!", this Saturday evening at the Ahmanson Theatre, benefiting Center Theatre Group's New Play Production Program. After the show, MacFarlane will use his $100 million to buy all in attendance a steak and a highball. Well, maybe.