Sunrise ... Sunset

... Swiftly fly the renewal and pink slips.

American Dad, one of Fox Animation's ongoing success stories, has been picked up for a fifth season.

With most scripted series down this fall, "Dad" is growing -- up 6% over last year in adults 18-49, 8% in total viewers and 19% in teens ...

Co-creators Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman and the rest of the "Dad" writing team are already working on Season 5, while closely following the presidential race.

"If (Barack) Obama wins, that would provide an interesting wrinkle to the show as Stan is such a die-hard Republican," Weitzman said. Added Barker, "If (John) McCain wins, it would be great for the show and horrible for our grandchildren ..."

Elsewhere in the Fox empire, there is bad news.

After one three-month cancellation and several nerve-wracking waits for new-season pickups, King of the Hill is -- apparently -- coming to an end after 250+ episodes.

Complete finality is never certain when it comes to Fox animation. The net actually has canceled "King of the Hill" in the past only to turn around and pick up more episodes later on. And shows like "Family Guy" and "Futurama" have also been revived after cancellation.

But for now, the show's staff was informed of the network's decision Thursday not to pick up any more episodes.

"We've been here before," said exec producer John Altschuler. "When i'ts time for 'King of the Hill' to go, it will go. But I think with the ratings this good, and with quality that doesn't seem to be diminishing, it would be very odd for 'King of the Hill' not to keep going."

No series finale had been planned for "King," but that's by design, Altschuler said. Had a series finale run when "King" previously halted production, the show might not have come back, he said. And the same is true this time, he added.

In the meantime, faces are somber at Film Roman. (I found out about the cancellation from a director on The Simpsons.)

Condolences to the KOTH crew ... and may the series be uncanceled soon. It's definitely not easy being in television animation these days.