Family Guy embraces darker, edgier humor in its third season. The show continues its trend of cutaway gags, parodying pop culture, history, and politics without restraint. Stewie and Brian become more developed and central to the narrative. While the humor polarizes audiences, its cult status deepens, especially through late-night Adult Swim reruns. Network executives cancel the show due to low ratings, despite its growing DVD sales. Several episodes show deeper storytelling and character-focused arcs. The show begins to feel more self-aware and meta. By the end of the season, its future is uncertain but its impact is growing.