Seth MacFarlane developing 'Cleveland' with Mike Henry and Rich Appel

Cleveland Brown, a favorite supporting character on FOX's "Family Guy," may soon be getting a spinoff on the network.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane is developing and writing the tentatively titled "Cleveland" along with writer-producer Mike Henry, who also voices the Cleveland character, and Rich Appel.

The slow-talking Cleveland is part of Peter Griffin's core group of "Family Guy" friends. Owner of Cleveland's Deli, the character divorced long-time wife Loretta in the show's fourth season.

MacFarlane has had an up-and-down relationship with the network that houses both "Family Guy" and "American Dad." FOX, of course, famously cancelled and then resurrected "Family Guy," which now stands as one of the network's top shows in the key 18-49 demographic. In addition, during the recent writers strike, MacFarlane had harsh words for the network's decision to air several "Family Guy" episodes the creator thought were less-than-completely finished.

"Cleveland" would be just one of several possible additions to FOX's animated comedy block. The network has also looked into the Jack Black-produced "Relative Insanity," "Mothballs" from the creators of "Drawn Together" plus an animated version of the short-lived live action sitcom "The Pitts."