Strings to Seth Macfarlane’s bow: writer, director, voice over artists, bad Oscars presenter, and now, live-action comedy mogul. The Family Guy creator’s sitcom pilot Dads has been given a series order by Fox as the network ramp up their comedy scheduling.

Seth Green will star in the new sitcom alongside Ted co-star Giovanni Ribisi. The pair will be on-screen best friends whose lives take a twist when both of their father’s move in. Martin Mull and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Peter Riegert will play the fathers in question. Dads was a previously ordered, but in line with Fox’s new comedy shows, it’s gone from a 6 episode order and been upped to 13. Its pilot is to be directed by The Big Bang Theory's Marc Cendrowski. Pretty impressive staff list there, we reckon this one could stick. Elsewhere, Fox have plumped for more comedies: Brooklyn Nine Nine, Enlisted, Us & Them and Surviving Jack (working title) will all be hitting screens soon.

The creator, executive producer and voice of American Dad and The Cleveland Show will do his first guest-voice gig on Fox's The Simpsons during its season finale May 19. He, according to Fox, will play "a charming married man whom Marge (Julie Kavner) inadvertently meets on a swingers' website." Macfarlane’s stock is still pretty high despite his terrible performance at The Oscars. If Dads works, he might be able to claw himself back, but it if doesn’t then there could be trouble for the smiley funny-man.

Seth MacfarlaneJust look at that grin - Seth Macfarlane