Post wire services

June 23, 2007 -- 'AMERICAN Dad" is staying in the Fox an imated family for another year.

The network has picked up the series for a fourth season with a 22-episode order. Since its 2005 launch, the show has become an integral part of Fox's Sunday animated block alongside stalwarts "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy."

"Dad" comes from "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman.

Lifetime, meanwhile, is developing an original movie with two male leads, Rob Morrow and James Denton.

The movie, tentatively titled "Custody," is described as the heartwarming story of a widowed, middle-class college professor (Morrow, of "Numbers") who risks losing custody of his 13-year-old stepdaughter (Kay Panabaker, of "Nancy Drew") to the wealthy biological father (Denton, of "Desperate Housewives") that she never knew.

"Custody" is set to premiere on the female-targeted network in September.

"It's truly unique for us to develop material with not one but two male leads," Lifetime senior VP original movies Libby Beers said.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06232007/tv/fox_makes_room_for_dad_tv_.htm