Seth Macfarlane

What is the funniest TV show on that you're not involved with? Bill Maher [HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher"]. It's the most unexpected, consistently surprising, the most incisive in every way. It's the only show I watch that gets me laughing out loud. What show really needs some Emmy love? How about "The Simpsons"? They did try to submit in the comedy category in the '90s and suffered from doing it in an era of juggernaut comedies like "Friends" and "Seinfeld" and "Cheers" and whatnot.

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Tuesday: "Razzamatazz Chaz" Bono shows off some fancy footwork in his "Dancing With the Stars" debut. ( Los Angeles Times ) Ashton Kutcher made his debut in "Two and a Half Men. " How did he do? ( Los Angeles Times ) Meanwhile, former "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen and Warner Bros. are close to a settlement. ( Los Angeles Times ) And Jon Cryer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ( Los Angeles Times )

As devoted fans of his Fox comedies know, it takes a lot to keep Seth MacFarlane away from a microphone and a big-band musical number. MacFarlane will perform a concert of big-band songs, primarily from the '40s and '50s, at Club Nokia in downtown L.A. The evening will feature 14 numbers, many of them seldom performed, including "It's Anybody's Spring," "Anytime, Anywhere" and "You're the Cream in My Coffee. " A 36-piece orchestra will accompany MacFarlane, who will sing with guest Sara Bareilles.

As devoted fans of his Fox comedies know, it takes a lot to keep Seth MacFarlane away from a microphone and a big-band musical number. MacFarlane will perform a concert of big-band songs, primarily from the '40s and '50s, at Club Nokia in downtown L.A. The evening will feature 14 numbers, many of them seldom performed, including "It's Anybody's Spring," "Anytime, Anywhere" and "You're the Cream in My Coffee. " A 36-piece orchestra will accompany MacFarlane, who will sing with guest Sara Bareilles.

MacFarlane is the naughtily ingenious creator of Fox's animated sitcom "Family Guy," which returns for its sixth season this Sunday, one week before the return of his other Sunday night, boundary-stretching cartoon, "American Dad." The 33-year-old Kent, Conn., native stopped slaving over his cels long enough to chat about his love of show tunes and fueling the rage of would-be censors. I understand the "Family Guy" season premiere will be an hourlong "Star Wars" spoof. The power goes out in the Griffins' house and they're looking to entertain themselves, so Peter tells them the story of "Star Wars."

With three prime-time animated series to his name and a feature film in the works, Seth MacFarlane doesn't seem like someone who has a lot of free time to indulge in personal side projects. But as devoted fans of his Fox comedies know, it takes a lot to keep MacFarlane away from a microphone and a big-band musical number. On Saturday, MacFarlane is set to perform a concert of big-band songs, primarily from the '40s and '50s, at Club Nokia in downtown L.A. The evening will feature 14 numbers, many of them seldom performed, including "It's Anybody's Spring," "Anytime, Anywhere" and "You're the Cream in My Coffee.

In one clip, viewed 14 million times on YouTube, family members stage a "puke-a-thon" to see who can hold off vomiting after guzzling ipecac. In another, the same brood performs a spirited song-and-dance routine about the joys of smoking marijuana. Welcome to the world of Stewie, the diabolical toddler at the center of "Family Guy," who's supplanted Bart Simpson as TV's enfant terrible and who's just pushed the often-staid Emmys into new territory.

It was "Family Guy" live Saturday morning at Comic-Con, as creator Seth MacFarlane, in character as the emblematic Stewie, tore into a rapid-fire performance of his original song "Down Syndrome Girl," a paean to the character that famously offended Sarah Palin. "I have a sinus thing going on," MacFarlane apologized after the wild applause had died down. "It could've been better." The fierce reaction of the Palin crowd seems to have emboldened the gleefully offensive MacFarlane & Co. to bring back the Down Syndrome Girl character this season.

EVENTS An evening with Bob Newhart Executive Director Robert Santelli interviews the comedy legend about his 50-year career in show business. Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $20. (213) 765-6800. www.grammymuseum.org. Seth MacFarlane The creator of animated hits "Family Guy" and "American Dad" will speak about his work at the William S. Paley Television Festival. Producers, writers and stars of the shows, including Mila Kunis from "Family Guy" will join him. Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.

Microsoft Corp. is going back in time to promote its new Windows 7 operating system. Taking its inspiration from Texaco Star Theater, a Milton Berle-hosted 1950s variety show that was television's first big hit, the computer giant is teaming with "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane to sponsor a 30-minute show to air on the Fox network next month. The show will run without commercials, and promises to feature "unique Windows 7-branded programming that blends seamlessly with show content."

With three prime-time animated series to his name and a feature film in the works, Seth MacFarlane doesn't seem like someone who has a lot of free time to indulge in personal side projects. But as devoted fans of his Fox comedies know, it takes a lot to keep MacFarlane away from a microphone and a big-band musical number. On Saturday, MacFarlane is set to perform a concert of big-band songs, primarily from the '40s and '50s, at Club Nokia in downtown L.A. The evening will feature 14 numbers, many of them seldom performed, including "It's Anybody's Spring," "Anytime, Anywhere" and "You're the Cream in My Coffee.

The Early Show Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg and Bridget Moynahan; Tom Jones performs. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today Jerry Seinfeld; Seth Meyers. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC KTLA Morning News Sheryl Lee Ralph. (N) 7 a.m. KTLA Good Morning America Aaron Sorkin; Vanessa Williams; John Legend and the Roots perform. (N) 7 a.m. KABC Live With Regis and Kelly Susan Sarandon; Tom Selleck; co-host Bryant Gumbel. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Teri Hatcher; Michael Eisner.

It was "Family Guy" live Saturday morning at Comic-Con, as creator Seth MacFarlane, in character as the emblematic Stewie, tore into a rapid-fire performance of his original song "Down Syndrome Girl," a paean to the character that famously offended Sarah Palin. "I have a sinus thing going on," MacFarlane apologized after the wild applause had died down. "It could've been better." The fierce reaction of the Palin crowd seems to have emboldened the gleefully offensive MacFarlane & Co. to bring back the Down Syndrome Girl character this season.

EVENTS An evening with Bob Newhart Executive Director Robert Santelli interviews the comedy legend about his 50-year career in show business. Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $20. (213) 765-6800. www.grammymuseum.org. Seth MacFarlane The creator of animated hits "Family Guy" and "American Dad" will speak about his work at the William S. Paley Television Festival. Producers, writers and stars of the shows, including Mila Kunis from "Family Guy" will join him. Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.

Seth MacFarlane, 36, created "Family Guy," Fox's animated sitcom, which this year became the first cartoon series nominated for a prime-time Emmy since "The Flintstones" in 1961. Fox just released the DVD "Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side," a follow-up to the 2007 "Blue Harvest" episode that spoofed the "Star Wars" franchise. Why do an extended "Star Wars" parody? Everybody knows "Star Wars" -- at least, everybody in our audience. And Lucasfilm is probably the only company out there right now that is progressive enough to allow this.

It seemed edgy when Microsoft Corp. said it would team with "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane on a variety TV show airing next month. The software giant was going to be the only advertiser on the show and would collaborate with MacFarlane and his partner, Alex Borstein. The pair would write jokes and skits into the show that would promote the Redmond, Wash., software maker's latest operating system, Windows 7, which came out last week. Now comes word that Microsoft has pulled out. Apparently "the content was not a good fit," according to a statement the company released Monday.

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Tuesday: "Razzamatazz Chaz" Bono shows off some fancy footwork in his "Dancing With the Stars" debut. ( Los Angeles Times ) Ashton Kutcher made his debut in "Two and a Half Men. " How did he do? ( Los Angeles Times ) Meanwhile, former "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen and Warner Bros. are close to a settlement. ( Los Angeles Times ) And Jon Cryer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ( Los Angeles Times )

Microsoft Corp. is going back in time to promote its new Windows 7 operating system. Taking its inspiration from Texaco Star Theater, a Milton Berle-hosted 1950s variety show that was television's first big hit, the computer giant is teaming with "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane to sponsor a 30-minute show to air on the Fox network next month. The show will run without commercials, and promises to feature "unique Windows 7-branded programming that blends seamlessly with show content."

What is the funniest TV show on that you're not involved with? Bill Maher [HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher"]. It's the most unexpected, consistently surprising, the most incisive in every way. It's the only show I watch that gets me laughing out loud. What show really needs some Emmy love? How about "The Simpsons"? They did try to submit in the comedy category in the '90s and suffered from doing it in an era of juggernaut comedies like "Friends" and "Seinfeld" and "Cheers" and whatnot.