The Orville is a comedy science fiction TV series that premiered on FOX in 2017. Created by Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad!, Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy) as an homage to Star Trek, the series follows a crew of space explorers abord their ship The Orville. Her captain, Ed Mercer (played by MacFarlane), keeps collectible miniatures of Kermit the Frog on his desk in several episodes.