Vinny Will Appear In Family Guy's Season 15 Premiere

In the the sixth episode of the twelfth season of Family Guy, titled "Life of Brian," showrunners made the controversial decision to shake things up by killing off the family dog, Brian Griffin (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), and because his death took place right after Stewie destroyed his time-machine, Stewie couldn't go back in time and save his friend. After grieving for a month, the Griffins decided it was best to move on with their lives by getting a new dog. They visit a pet store and come home with a street-smart dog named Vinny (voiced by Sopranos star Tony Sirico).

Only two episodes later, when Vinny and Stewie are at the Quahog Mall, the pair encounter another Stewie who is from the past and is time-traveling to purchase a gift. Vinny helps Present Stewie get Past Stewie's backpack, and once he has the time-travelling technology, Stewie goes back in time and saves Brian.

According to TV Line, Vinny will make a cameo in the Season 15 premiere. "It's a very welcome cameo," executive producer Richard Appel told TVLine. "We really loved Vinny, largely because Tony Sirico is so funny and such a good guy."

The show follows the adventures of lovable oaf PETER GRIFFIN (Seth MacFarlane) and his hilariously odd family of middle-class New Englanders. LOIS (Alex Borstein) is Peter's loving wife, a former Miss Teen Rhode Island who rules the roost but is one step away from a nervous breakdown. Then there are their kids: frumpy, 16-year-old MEG (Mila Kunis), the family's punching bag; 13-year-old CHRIS (Seth Green), a kid who can't make sense of the opposite sex, much less the evil monkey hiding in his closet; and 1-year-old STEWIE (MacFarlane), a diabolically clever baby whose heterosexuality is hanging by a thread. Rounding out the Griffin household is BRIAN (MacFarlane), the family dog, a member of Mensa with a penchant for dry martinis and dumb blondes.

Family Guy is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane is creator/executive producer. Rich Appel and Steve Callaghan serve as executive producers/showrunners, while Danny Smith and Kara Vallow are executive producers.

The Season 15 premiere of Family Guy will air Sunday, September 25 at 9/8c on FOX.