A group of “Family Guy” fans are doggedly determined to reverse the results of Sunday night’s episode.
Following the installment — during which talking, cynical, cocktail-quaffing pooch Brian Griffin was seemingly killed off — a group of Brian loyalists are pleading with Fox and series boss Seth MacFarlane to resurrect the family dog via a Change.org petition.
See video: ‘Family Guy’ Says Goodbye to Major Character
“Brian Griffin was an important part of our viewing experience,” wrote Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based “Family Guy” fan Aaron Thompson, who launched the protest, in the intro to the petition. “He added a witty and sophisticated element to the show. ‘Family Guy’ and Fox Broadcasting will lose viewers if Brian Griffin is not brought back to the show.”
So far the petition has gathered more than 1,.500 signatures — and a lot of impassioned comments.
See video: Seth MacFarlane, Seth Green Discuss One of ‘Dads’ Biggest Risks (Exclusive)
Such as, “Because how the fuck are you just going to kill brian AND replace him? Like what the fuck.”
And, “Brian Griffin was America’s funniest and most loyal dog. He was Stewie’s BEST FRIEND. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD HE WAS WHAT MADE THE GRIFFIN FAMILY WHOLE.”
Also read: Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted 2’ Gets June 2015 Release Date
Some fans took issue with the Griffins’ replacement dog, Vinnie (voiced by “The Sopranos” star Tony Sirico), regarding him as a poor substitute for the MacFarlane-voiced Brian.
“Out of all the characters on the show Brian and Stewie are the best. The banter between them is what makes us laugh the most. Who is Stewie going to banter with now, a frickin’ soprano dog?” a bipartisan Cameron Paul wrote, while offering suggestions on which characters might have been a better choice to kill off. “I mean of all the characters to kill off, meg or chris would be the best choices, chris is annoying as fuck and meg is, well…meg. Just bring Brian back and maybe you will win back my affection. But for now, we are done here.”
Fox has not yet responded to TheWrap’s response to comment.