American Dad - General Discussion

[Meredith Quill]

Discuss American Dad Here!

[Brattinella]

I cannot tell you how much I love Stan and Roger! I never miss it!

[junemeatcleaver]

The new season starts October 20th on TBS.

[M. Darcy]

And, TBS is really advertising it so hopefully it will do well on the new channel.  

I still haven't had time to watch the FOX season premiere - except for seeing the last five minutes. 

[TVSpectator]

Hey I just heard that FOX is airing three all new American Dad! episodes (obviously to get rid of the episodes that they are contractedly have to air before they move to TBS) and the last one is going to air tonight.

[TVSpectator]

So, liked this episode and Roger wasn't a total sociopath in this one. Plus, I thought that it was cute to have Stan read to the family and then say, "the end" and place the book on the bookshelf (and the book was titled,"American Dad! on FOX). 

 

Oh, I was really happy that they showed more of the golden poop story!

Edited September 22, 2014 by TVSpectator

[VCRTracking]

OK fluffy(pun intended) story with a nice twist ending. The more important thing this episode:

 

The Golden Turd is back! How long has it been since a chapter (not counting the rapture X-Mas episode)?

Edited September 22, 2014 by VCRTracking

[ZoqFotPik]

 

The Golden Turd is back! How long has it been since a chapter (not counting the rapture X-Mas episode)?

Season 2 Episode 3: "Failure is not a Factory-Installed Option". Aired September 24, 2006. Almost 8 years to the day.

[Blakeston]

So now we've seen the final three Fox episodes. I think they started off great, and went downhill from there.

 

The first one, with Roger selling the bar, was terrific. I had a much more mixed reaction to the second one, with Roger posing as a Russian boy so he could live with Greg and Terry. It had its funny moments, but I hated that the writers basically shit all over the Greg and Terry characters.

 

So now they don't really love Libby, and they see their children only as fashion accessories? I know that Greg and Terry have always embodied some ridiculously over-the-top gay stereotypes, but what made the characters work were that they were lovable nonetheless.

 

Now all of a sudden they're monsters, who represent what Pat Robertson thinks gay parents are like? It isn't funny satire, it just feels...wrong. Hell, for all of the harm Stan causes, he at least learns something by the end of his episodes, and tries to do the right thing.

 

And aside from the golden turd, I really didn't like this third one. The Kim Kardashian twist was unexpected, but I didn't think it was particularly funny - and it doesn't make up for having to listen to her voice.

 

There were a few good gags, but mostly it was all very hit-or-miss. It felt like the writers were just throwing a bunch of jokes at the wall, and only a few of them stuck.

[Spartan Girl]

This episode was better than last week's.  I don't like Kim Kardashian, but the alien turning into her at the end made me laugh.

 

Was pleasantly surprised to see them continue the Golden Turd of Doom after 8 years.

 

I don't know whether I'll keep watching on TBS because Roger continues to sicken me (altho he wasn't as bad as usual in this ep), but we'll see.

[VCRTracking]

 

Now all of a sudden they're monsters, who represent what Pat Robertson thinks gay parents are like? It isn't funny satire, it just feels...wrong. Hell, for all of the harm Stan causes, he at least learns something by the end of his episodes, and tries to do the right thing.

 

And then forgets it all by the next episode. I think Greg and Terry are only as messed up as all the other characters and not even that bad compared to Bullock or Principal Lewis. Whether they're black, white, straight, gay or alien, everybody(except Jeff) is a monster!

Edited September 22, 2014 by VCRTracking

[OnceSane]

I was disappointed in the final Fox episode, a little boring.  & all three were a little too much about Roger.  I hope this isn't an indicator that he will be the main focus as the show moves to TBS.

[junemeatcleaver]

And then forgets it all by the next episode. I think Greg and Terry are only as messed up as all the other characters and not even that bad compared to Bullock or Principal Lewis. Whether they're black, white, straight, gay or alien, everybody(except Jeff) is a monster!

 

Every character is a certain degree of asshole on AD, always has been.  Just like Roger has been a sociopath, and a sometimes homicidal one, since at least midway through season one.  AD is not Bob's Burgers.

[Blakeston]

The characters on American Dad may do awful things, but we've never seen Francine try to kill her children. Even Stan, as horrible a person as he can be, only attempted that when he had dementia, and thought they were trying to kill him.

[SmithW6079]

I think Greg and Terry are only as messed up as all the other characters and not even that bad compared to Bullock or Principal Lewis. Whether they're black, white, straight, gay or alien, everybody(except Jeff) is a monster!

 

What bothered me about the Greg and Terry story line was that they referred to "adopting" Libby. Now, I know you can't really expect continuity on a cartoon where people don't age in real time and it's always the present, and I know that continuity doesn't mean anything to the creators of "American Dad" (I think I read that some place -- maybe AV Club), but Francine was their surrogate and either Greg or Terry is Libby's biological father.

 

I would have thought that Greg would be the one who would try to "junk food" it up on the side, not Terry. 

 

And maybe I shouldn't have, but I laughed when Roger opened the airplane door and Michael got sucked out. Normally, I don't like his homicidal tendencies, but this was funny.

 

I liked the return of the Golden Turd, too. The woman being executed -- that was the cop's wife who found it all those years ago? 

[VCRTracking]

 

What bothered me about the Greg and Terry story line was that they referred to "adopting" Libby. Now, I know you can't really expect continuity on a cartoon where people don't age in real time and it's always the present, and I know that continuity doesn't mean anything to the creators of "American Dad" (I think I read that some place -- maybe AV Club), but Francine was their surrogate and either Greg or Terry is Libby's biological father.

 

I think it's less them forgetting about continuity and more it's too much to explain to a new viewer. It's just easier to say she's adopted without going into details, one of which is her name "Libbie" is short for "Liberty Belle" which was the name Stan picked for her when she kidnapped her to give to a heterosexual couple! It's something better to ignore just because it's weird that Francine shows no interest in this girl she gave birth to even though she just lives right across the street. 

 

 

The characters on American Dad may do awful things, but we've never seen Francine try to kill her children.

I don't know, her pretending to shoot Hayley with a gun from a distance while on vacation and saying "I should have done this along time ago." seems pretty dark!

Edited September 23, 2014 by VCRTracking

[SmithW6079]

I don't know, her pretending to shoot Hayley with a gun from a distance while on vacation and saying "I should have done this along time ago." seems pretty dark!

 

Plus, in the episode where Hayley causes havoc when Jeff dumps her, Francine yells at Stan to "Shoot her! Shoot her in the face!" when Hayley grabs Francine.

[AKA...CJ86]

So, I know the show is moving to TBS...but is this a situation to just air unaired episodes (I think King of the Hill did it way back when airing a handful of episodes on Adult Swim) or is this a new station for the show to continue on?

[Brattinella]

Season 11 NEW episodes!

 

http://www.adweek.com/news/television/american-dad-moves-tbs-2014-151200

[TVSpectator]

So, I know the show is moving to TBS...but is this a situation to just air unaired episodes (I think King of the Hill did it way back when airing a handful of episodes on Adult Swim) or is this a new station for the show to continue on?

 

I think that the past three episodes were just FOX getting rid of the rest of Season 10 (and/or their renaming episodes under contract) and getting American Dad! out of their lineup fast.

 

Oh, btw, American Dad! will start to air (with all new episodes) on Oct 20 @ 9/8c on TBS:

 

http://www.tbs.com/shows/american-dad.html

[AKA...CJ86]

Season 11 NEW episodes!

 

http://www.adweek.com/news/television/american-dad-moves-tbs-2014-151200

 

 

I think that the past three episodes were just FOX getting rid of the rest of Season 10 (and/or their renaming episodes under contract) and getting American Dad! out of their lineup fast.

 

Oh, btw, American Dad! will start to air (with all new episodes) on Oct 20 @ 9/8c on TBS:

 

http://www.tbs.com/shows/american-dad.html

 

 

Thanks for the info.

[OnceSane]

Quote

When her efforts to save the planet prove hopeless, Hayley decides that she might get more attention if she becomes a blonde. Meanwhile, Stan and Steve go on a mission to find a new home for the Smiths.

[M. Darcy]

If you miss the first showing on TBS, Adult Swim is showing it at 10 pm that night.

[Writing Wrongs]

Did they say "shit" or did I mishear that?

[OnceSane]

I thought they said it too.

[ZoqFotPik]

Hayley said "Dude, that shit's tight.", right after they landed on the yacht. Apparently, Rachael MacFarlane was really excited that she got to be the first person to say it unbleeped.

[ganesh]

I would be too! This was a pretty good darkly comic episode. I hope this theme continues. 

 

I don't think Hayley needs blonde hair, but she's always looking mousey with the head band as a brunette. If she actually did her hair she'd be fine. Drunk Hayley is looks pretty fun to hang out with. 

 

I was not expecting the whales. That was awful and hilarious. 

[OnceSane]

When Bullock sends a drone to do the job Stan and his colleagues are supposed to do, Stan is determined to prove that humans are better than robots. Meanwhile, Francine and the rest of the family participate in a slow motion race against each other in the living room.

[Spartan Girl]

Nothing like a good old-fashioned assignment gone wrong with Stan and the FBI guys.  Spider-Bullock was just icing on the cake.

[Jediknight]

The bird was totally that guy's dead father.

[OnceSane]

Steve and Snot are fed up with being bullied. When they enroll in a karate class, Snot is brainwashed by the sensei, and it's Steve's mission to get him back. Meanwhile, Klaus develops a horrible odor and is forced to be an outside pet.

[ganesh]

This was a good CIA wacky mission. I wish the rest of the family had something more interesting to do though. 

[SmithW6079]

This one seemed to try too hard, and just didn't work for me. I did like the king's diamond-encrusted inhaler and his waking up wondering why he wasn't speaking in his native language. Also, the torturer was kind of funny too. I thought with Bullock going mechanical, there would be callbacks (callouts? meta-whatever) to Picard-as-Locutus of Borg.

 

Also, all the promos that keep talking about the new "edgier" "American Dad"? I hope that's not just code for "we get to use swears now!"

[ganesh]

I hope it's not just that, but I do hope there is more swears. 

[Blakeston]

I liked the Klaus storyline, but I thought the Steve-and-Snot storyline was kind of weak.

 

I'm feeling like something is lacking from this current season - like the writers are going for "wacky" above all else, and the wit just isn't as sharp.

[ganesh]

I think the choice of bullying seemed like a weird plot since there's so much anti bullying awareness now. Klaus' plot was really funny though. 

 

I don't think it's too wacky. This is a show that's done an episode on a killer hot tub, and it's canon that Jeff is traveling through space with the ghost of Sinbad. 

[AKA...CJ86]

 

I'm feeling like something is lacking from this current season - like the writers are going for "wacky" above all else, and the wit just isn't as sharp.

I felt the new episodes feel a little..."off"...

 

The Klaus story was fun...seems like he usually gets the shaft...

 

...The Steve/Snot story wasn't interesting until Roger showed up...IMO...I did enjoy Steve thinking his "training" was really something though...got a good giggle...

[Spartan Girl]

The Klaus story was fun...seems like he usually gets the shaft...

 

 

Yeah but unlike Meg in Family Guy, he at least gets to get revenge every once in a while.

[OnceSane]

When the CIA is forced to make cutbacks and go on furlough, Stan volunteers to take a position as a college campus security guard. Meanwhile, Roger opens a bed and breakfast to boost the family's income.

I have seen this episode also listed as "Big Stan on Campus".

[SmithW6079]

I'm feeling like something is lacking from this current season - like the writers are going for "wacky" above all else, and the wit just isn't as sharp.

 

I agree, although I don't necessarily think that they're going for "wacky" as much as "edgy," as in "We get to swear now!"

 

I didn't care for Klaus's story, not because I don't like when he gets his revenge on the family -- I do -- but what was the smell from? I kept wanting to say, "Clean his damn bowl! That's probably why he smells!"

 

I still think it's funny how every one of Roger's characters pretty much knows everyone else in town.

[ganesh]

Knows? They lived with each other for some time. Enough that Roger gave him his HBOGo password!

[CMH1981]

I feel this season has been off as well.  It's just not as interesting to me for some reason.  I wonder if it's b/c Mike Barker left as a co-showrunner.  I really think they seem to have reigned in Roger, or perhaps they have let the family go more wacky and that is why Roger doesn't stand out as much anymore.  Perhaps as the season goes on that will changed, but come on writers play to your strengths.  If not, i'm hoping they just end the series.

[ganesh]

I thought the b plot with the hotel should have been the main plot. It seems like they could have mined that for more laughs. Also, the family didn't have much to when Stan went on the CIA mission either.

 

But keep Bullock's entrance on the throne. 

 

Steve's horror was great. They could have really gone on another minute or so. 

[SistaLadybug]

I have yet to discover how this is an "edgier" version of American Dad.  These episodes seem just like all the others to me.

[CMH1981]

They can curse now on TBS w/o it being bleeped, or just omitted basically.  I'll be honest, I feel like this is a more watered down version of American Dad and i'm not enjoying it as much.  I posted this in another thread for American Dad, but I do think it is b/c Mike Barker left as one of the show-runners.

[CMH1981]

No, Steve's horror went on as much as it should have....especially when we saw the pillow case full of poop.

 

I still think the Stan plots this season are bringing down the show.  They either need to focus on Roger or the full Smith family.

[OnceSane]

When Francine's sister Gwen comes to town, Hayley suspects she is up to no good. Meanwhile, Stan teaches Steve the art of hugging Aunt Gwen, and Klaus shadows Roger's dramatic comments.

[OnceSane]

When Stan wishes he could have Principal Lewis' carefree single life, a la "It's a Wonderful Life," his wish comes true. In Stan's wish world, Principal Lewis has his family.

[CMH1981]

I actually enjoyed this episode and barely missed Roger, but that being said bring on the zany Roger stories as the A plot.  

 

I didn't know/remember that Francine had an older sister.

 

We got another edgy moment as Francine said "fuck."

Edited November 18, 2014 by CMH1981

[OnceSane]

 

I didn't know/remember that Francine had an older sister.

I know they talked about her in an episode where Francine found out her parents planned to leave everything to Gwen after they die. She thought it was because Gwen is the biological daughter, but it was because Francine had her life together and Gwen was a mess. I can't remember if that was the first time Gwen has been mentioned, though.