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Post by classicswim on Mar 27, 2023 21:08:07 GMT -8
Season 18 (or 20) premiered!   [ Fellow Traveler] A lunar misstep sends Roger on an unexpected detour to New Mexico.After all these years, American Dad has finally taken on the task of a Roswell episode. I rolled my eyes at first, but this was surprisingly good! I have to applaud Brett Cawley & Robert Maitia specifically for writing such a premiere. It was established a long time ago that Roger has been around on Earth for generations. And in the past, any exploration would usually just be a jokey premise. Like when he invented disco! But no. This was a prequel deal to show explicitly how Roger landed here. It also tackles Roger’s former fear of being hunted and adds new context to how all his personas came to be! The reason before was the fact showrunners created a fat drunk Alien who could never leave the house undetected. What started out as a joke thing really became a part of who he was. The show is well aware of how tacky these type of stories are, and I appreciate how they stuck by this one in the most transparent way. If this episode had aired several seasons ago, it would’ve just been something like... *Roger in Roswell, but Stan and the rest of the Smith family are in 50s style?! Woah!* I’m glad they didn’t go that route. Aside from that being a lame non parody, Stan & Francine were already initially designed to emulate that era. Instead, we get a new set of shady characters to help Roger on his journey. A bunch of odd, old timey souls who are all hiding from their past in some way. OSS/CIA figure Bullock appears and trips over himself as Avery Bullock Sr. Bullock in this episode served as a threshold to the old show and what he was all about in the early years. Patrick Stewart simply dicking around on the show has been just as entertaining, but it’s also refreshing to actually see Bullock play cat and mouse with Roger again. American Dad these days only has high-stakes when you’re trying to figure out the fate of the show itself. And for most part, you feel confident that Roger will be on top no matter what since he delivers the comedy. But how they handled him here goes well beyond the norm. Gotta love this episode for giving me a Roger storyline that’s captivating and not trying to recreate another Golden Turd Saga. This one I know should stand out. |
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Post by fonebone on Mar 28, 2023 13:08:37 GMT -8
American Dad! "Fellow Traveler"
That was awesome! GREAT surprise origin story for Roger. I couldn't quite predict where they were going with the shape-shifting alien (would it turn out to be OUR Roger?) but I love it and Avery Bullock Sr. and Jr. being the heads of a fake prequel spin-off.
Considering American Dad is on a clock at TBS, I wonder if this subplot could have been the next Golden Turd with them returning to it once a season. Either way it was terrific.
Noticed the Leonard Zane reference. That was cool.
Super episode. *****.
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Post by fonebone on Apr 7, 2023 23:27:48 GMT -8
American Dad! "The Professor And The Coach"
I was a LITTLE surprised at how great Jeff Fisher's rap was. That guy has a huge talent we were never aware of.
I love that the Smiths groan in equal frustration to being Rickrolled as they do having the static on their TV interrupted for a news report.
Brief callback to Roger's "Dive on in."
Francine's line about the adult diaper at the end is exactly the right kind of depraved for this show.
Rogu showing up was funny too.
Stan's stuff with Barry was dark. Even for Stan I couldn't believe the stuff he was doing.
I feel like this was a little TOO cynical. But parts of it made me laugh. ***.
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Post by fonebone on Apr 11, 2023 9:12:15 GMT -8
American Dad! "Viced Principle"
It's a subversive moral that deep down Lewis cares about the school and the kids. And there's no way he meant to do that.
I was super impressed they got back Angelica Huston as Superintendent Riggs AGAIN. She's too good for this show and still does it. She's the female version of Patrick Stewart. Come back, Forrest Whitaker. I understand your dismay completely, but you were amazing.
The convicts were pretty funny on what they argued about. He heard somebody say something once. Was that what you heard? No. I don't think so. I also loved the main guy telling the others not to get distracted by the distraction.
The giraffe stuff was the episode's weak link, but luckily the show tied both plots together at the very end, so I don't mind it even a little bit.
This show is as nuts as Lewis. But like Lewis, deep down it's good. ***1/2.
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Post by classicswim on Apr 11, 2023 15:21:47 GMT -8
[The Professor And The Coach]
You like prostitutes? What’s your opinion on hookers?
I took off from talking about this episode at first.
Mainly because I wasn’t 100% sure if the forum was even staying at the time, but this was also just an okay episode.
Feels like sometimes, they toss a coin as to whether it’s Francine or Hayley that gets real roped up in one of Roger’s schemes.
I like their attitude in recent episodes where not even Francine cares enough to mess with Roger anymore.
Basically what I loved most was Roger juggling from being this sincere, timid writer, and then burying that persona with one that’s just a sex addict.
Stan betraying Barry during the B story was something to expect 100%, but he also quickly turns his back on the more muscular player the second there’s an injury.
One of my favorite traits involving Stan used to be how he was this rabid opportunist that could flip at any given time.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
[Viced Principal]
“We are six non-giraffes looking for a place to eat.”
Fun pairing with Steve & Lewis.
Principal Lewis has gone from smashing a coffee pot against a student’s face, to turning himself into a Diet Coke/Mentos inflatable. And quite frankly, he’s earned that.
The backstory behind how those bandits came to be: Lewis was a strict principal and wanted them to do better, so they dropped out of school on their own volition and committed stupid acts to get themselves locked up.
It’s a funny lesson. The one time in life where Lewis was actually competent almost got him killed in the end.
The other story I didn’t mind either. So many of the more popular long running sitcoms will find themselves stumped on the same formula over and over, where as American Dad can be like “whatever. Here’s a giraffe.”
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Post by classicswim on Apr 17, 2023 20:25:14 GMT -8
[The Pleasanting at Smith House]
“Oh my god! There’s a ghost doing Sudoku!”
Klaus & Jeff’s pleasant afternoon montage knew how to put me in a good mood.
Wraith stuff overall was another one of those gray areas. Had its moments, then after awhile it was just them jingling a creepy character at you.
The B story however is one that I loved. Francine’s mouth getting her husband in trouble.
The weakest part being Stan couldn’t talk for a large portion of the episode due to the fractured jaw. You remember when Homer Simpson’s inner voice used to get him thru stupid situations? All this show needed was a few more in-depth MacFarlane monologues involving the desire for Albuquerque sandwiches.
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Post by fonebone on Apr 22, 2023 15:13:57 GMT -8
American Dad! "The Pleasanting At Smith House"
I really love the resolution to the Wraith at the end and what she DID want really WAS pleasant.
Loved the return of Old Ulysses. This show is nerdy about its canon in a way Family Guy is not.
Stan may be the worst husband ever. But in fairness, Francine's the worst wife ever, so they're a good match.
I liked it. ****.
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Post by classicswim on May 1, 2023 20:31:33 GMT -8
[Stretched Thin]
Only the best Jeff vs Smith family scenario. I found myself thoroughly entertained by all of them being complete idiots falling under a pyramid scheme.
I probably wouldn’t have cared if Roger played an overbearing role in this, but I think it’s unique for him to take a little backseat even when it’s all under the ruse of a scam. Kinda like last season when the family was left on that island.
2005 Stan would viciously jump at 2023 Stan for that illustration of Michael Moore. Stan wore American flag leggings in one scene though which was also amusing.
“Hey! Check it out! It’s Pitbull!” And then Jeff proceeds to wholesomely hang out with Pitbull and look at the moon under a telescope together. Sometimes this show can be so fucking funny.
I had to replay the part where Klaus was flushed down the airplane toilet.
Coulda used some more salmon, but other than that, no complaints.
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Post by fonebone on May 3, 2023 0:01:42 GMT -8
American Dad! "Stretched Thin"
The bit that made me laugh was Stan saying "Dude! That's your wife!" to Jeff. And Hayley's like "Dad!" And he says "Oh, that just happened. No way!" This show has the best reactions from a cast of characters with few to no redeeming qualities.
Stan still has CIA connections? Do tell. Because the show seems to have forgotten he works there.
Pitbull's real name is Armando. Roger looked him up.
I love that everybody is impressed that Jeff robbed a bank. It's funny that it occurs off-screen and we just hear about it after the fact.
This show is both stupid and weird. And I mean that as the highest compliment. ***1/2.
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Post by fonebone on May 8, 2023 20:07:00 GMT -8
American Dad! "Better On Paper"
It's a bizarre premise, but I think it was handled very well.
The pay-off of Roger being found in the last scene was pitch perfect. Outside of that and his place in the theme song he is not in the episode at all. Stan confusing a spider, a rat, and a lawnmower for Roger suggests Roger's personas are getting a bit out of hand.
I'm going to give the show a compliment I never thought I'd give it. They had Klaus acknowledge (in a bored manner) he used to be obsessed with Francine. That early years running gag simply did NOT work, and was clearly only done to mirror the fact that Stewie irrationally hated Lois on Family Guy, to weirdly both differentiate the shows, and make them similar to each other at the same time. But the show dropped the terrible idea quietly somewhere around the second season, and pretty much never brought it up again. I never thought they ever would, and it would just be one of those weird early show things that most long running series simply ignore. Major credit from me for that.
Patrick Stewart is still on call for the show so that's good.
I love the fact that Jeff is miffed when Stan leaves the room. "He stretched my shirt! He owes me a new shirt!" And I think that's the way all people should react whenever Stan Smith leaves the room. The moment was so funny because it was realistic in a show that never is. And it's great it was given to Jeff of all people.
I thought that was solid week. ****.
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Post by classicswim on May 8, 2023 22:43:55 GMT -8
[Better on Paper]
Real nostalgic episode for me.
This was the first one in awhile where I can recognize a good story just between Stan and Francine.
I’m happy most of the CIA guys were involved as well. I think Dick’s the only one that didn’t have anything, but he’s received a lot of screen time in the past anyway.
Klaus finally mentioning his original character was indeed entertaining. He could say any dumb thing these days and it would still have more creative potential than just being the pervert fish 24/7.
I both love and hate that I could distinctly point out the Opie & Anthony car crash sound effect when Bullock almost hit Stan.
The printer and his office appliances goons are some of my favorite TV villains in a long while.
Good episode. Hopefully there’s more like this in the future.
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Post by fonebone on May 9, 2023 11:50:46 GMT -8
Should also note this is the first episode in years where Roger is JUST an alien and not doing a persona.
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Post by classicswim on May 9, 2023 13:05:57 GMT -8
Gold Top Nuts from last season pulled that off similarly as well.
A minor thing from last week’s show that I also liked was Roger riding in the SUV with the family both undisguised and unprovoked.
If there’s any aspect of the first season that I actually do miss, it’d be when Roger could roam around the house freely as a sassy wino. Everyone loves the personas, but they made a good point last night how they’ve made him too powerful.
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Post by fonebone on May 9, 2023 13:41:10 GMT -8
I missed that aspect of Gold Top Nuts. And yeah, the personas have weirdly made Roger powerful. The sassy wino is something I've missed too.
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Post by classicswim on May 16, 2023 14:11:58 GMT -8
[Cow I Met Your Moo-Ther]
Can’t say I enjoyed this one all that much.
Mainly, I’m never a fan of episodes where a character is so embarrassed they repeatedly fumble this way. It’s just not that entertaining for me to watch.
I liked the cow, only it’s a letdown still because it’s only there to embarrass Hayley... except no one else can interact with the cow but Hayley so it’s not fun.
It gets a little better whenever Hayley’s sucked into that crappy sitcom. Jason Alexander and the Urkel guy get a good spot in.
Roger’s two personas in this episode both crapshoot on him for a change. The fan favorite, Mr. Penguin being one of those personas. I guess it’s nice they’re wanting a change of pace.
The funniest parts in the episode would be Steve, Jeff, and Klaus getting high on paint in the shed. You can do without Rogu, but whatever. He’s there.
Klaus had something very important to say.
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