AlthoughFamily Guyand “Masterpiece” are rarely uttered in the same sentence, these perfectly constructed episodes could convince even the most cynical viewer that the series has critical merit. With more than 790 episodes and a theatrical movie spinoff to its name,The Simpsonsis officially the longest-running scripted primetime American TV show in history.
As such, it is not at all that surprising that plenty ofepisodes ofThe Simpsonsare considered masterpieces, both by the show’s fans and by mainstream critics.The Simpsonsis a pop culture institution, so, although the show’s quality has declined since its Golden Age, its best episodes are considered untouchable decades after their original release.
However, althoughFamily Guy’s season 24 renewalproves the show has a large fan base and plenty of defenders, the series doesn’t enjoy the same critical acclaim as its more family-friendly predecessor. It is rare to hear critics admit that any episodes ofFamily Guyare truly genius, even though Seth MacFarlane’s divisive series reshaped the adult animation landscape.
WithoutFamily Guy, there would be noThe Cleveland ShoworAmerican Dad. However, outside of MacFarlane’sstranger, more surreal second series,American Dad, there are plenty of other shows that have been less directly influenced byFamily Guy.Big Mouth,Rick and Morty, andRobot Chickenall owe a debt to the anarchic animated family sitcom.
10To Love And Die In Dixie
Season 3 Episode 12
A look at a fewFamily Guyepisodes that are true masterpieces proves that the show’s critical standing isn’t necessarily reflective of its outsized pop culture footprint.Family Guyhas never been a favorite of critics, but the lightning-fast season 3, episode 12, “To Love And Die In Dixie,” is as clever, quick-witted, and inventive as any episode ofThe Simpsons.
Following the Griffin family’s relocation to the Deep South after Chris’s run-in with a criminal,“To Love And Die In Dixie” is a fast-paced blend of crime comedy and satirical swipes at Southern culture. Unlike many of the episodes listed here, the season 3 standout has a plot with actual stakes, and this funny storyline elevates a string of hilarious slapstick gags.
Season 9 Episode 7
Released in 2010, season 9, episode 7,“Road To The North Pole,” follows Brian and Stewie to the titular setting, where Stewie intends to kill Santa for failing to fulfill the demands of his Christmas list. Brian humors Stewie, planning on revealing the truth about Santa Claus upon their arrival, but he is horrified to learn the unexpected truth himself.
The pair discover emaciated, overworked elves and a despondent Santa at the North Pole as ”Road To The North Pole” becomes a savvy, ruthless satire of overconsumption and its environmental impacts. AlthoughFamily Guy’s handling of serious topicscan sometimes result in disastrous tonal mismatch, “Road To The North Pole” succeeds thanks to Brian and Stewie’s usual chemistry.
From the grim Yuletide song “Christmastime Is Killing Us” to the hopeful ending, “Road To The North Pole” perfectly balancesFamily Guy’s usual blend of cynical dark humor and sweet moments. It is also one of the best encapsulations of Stewie and Brian’s unconventional friendship, and a must-watch as a result.
8Let’s Go to the Hop
Season 2 Episode 14
Season 2, episode 14, “Let’s Go to the Hop,” came relatively early inFamily Guy’s history, and the show was still finding its feet with this story of Peter going undercover to root out drug dealers in Meg’s high school. As such, it is notable just how clever, funny, and jam-packed with iconic moments this episode is.
From the revelation of Peter and Lois’s wild sex life to the absurd fate of Peter’s alter ego, Lando Griffin,“Let’s Go to the Hop” succeeds thanks to its surreal humor and rocket-fast storytelling pace. Viewers never even have a chance to question how Peter passes for a high school student beforeFamily Guyis on to the next gag in this feat of inspired lunacy.
7Three Kings
Season 7 Episode 15
One ofFamily Guy’s many anthology episodeswas always sure to earn a place on this list, and season 7, episode 15, “Three Kings,” is a standout for numerous reasons. For one thing, all three of the Stephen King stories the episode spoofs are classics. For another,Stand By Me,Misery, andThe Shawshank Redemptionare all ripe for parody.
Since King is best known as an author of supernatural horror, most parodies of his work spoofCarrie,It,The Shining, and other famous titles in the genre. By going for slightly less obvious subjects,“Three Kings” blends an obvious affection for Stephen King’s oeuvre withFamily Guy’s usual zany sense of humor. The result is an episode that feels like both a love letter to King’s writing and a skewering of the author’s output at the same time.
6Yug Ylimaf
Season 11 Episode 4
From visiting WWII-era Europe to trekking across Rhode Island by mistake, to getting trapped overnight inside a bank vault,Brian and Stewie have been through plenty of misadventures throughoutFamily Guy’s 23 seasons. However, season 11, episode 4, “Yug Ylimaf,” offered an ingenious fresh spin on this familiar setup when Stewie’s time machine malfunctioned.
The 200th episode of the series, “Yug Ylimaf,” is an ingenious sci-fi spoof with a genuinely clever premise.
After Brian accidentally breaks the time machine, time begins running backwards for him and Stewie. Before long, the duo need to do all they can to prevent Stewie from vanishing out of existence. The 200th episode of the series, “Yug Ylimaf,” is an ingenious sci-fi spoof with a genuinely clever premise.
5Da Boom
Season 2 Episode 3
The earliest episode on this list, “Da Boom,” arrived at the start ofFamily Guy’s second season. At the time, the show was busy emerging from the shadow ofThe Simpsons. WhileFamily Guyborrowed fromThe Simpsonsplenty of times over the years, there is no denying the originality of “Da Boom.”
Set on the eve of the new Millennium,“Da Boom” begins when the world ends thanks to Y2K. The Griffin family spends the rest of the episode roaming a post-apocalyptic wasteland, setting up some of the show’s most memorable gags in the process. Throw in a surreal pop culture punchline of an ending, and viewers end up with a quintessentialFamily Guyouting.
Season 3 Episode 20
Inspired by the Bob Hope/Bing Crosby buddy comedies of the 1940s,each ofthe Road to episodes follows Brian and Stewie on various madcap adventures. Although later outings got more ambitious, season 3, episode 20, “Road to Europe,” is notable for two reasons. Firstly, the episode solidified the killer rapport between Brian and Stewie that was first introduced in “Road to Rhode Island.”
Second, “Road to Europe” also features a brilliant B-story, something later Road To episodes would often underdevelop or ignore entirely. Peter and Lois’s misadventures at a KISS concert are as funny as Brian and Stewie’s trip across Europe, making this an unmissable outing forFamily Guyfans and newcomers alike.
3Family Guy Viewer Mail 1
Season 3 Episode 21
Season 3, episode 21, “Family Guy Viewer Mail #1,” sees Brian and Stewie introduce three short stories ostensibly adapted from suggestions received via viewer mail. The first segment sees Peter ask a genie for various wishes, while the second turns the Griffin family into superheroes.
Family Guyis available to stream on Hulu.
The third and final segment is a parody ofThe Little Rascals that focuses on the romantic rivalry between younger versions of Peter and Quagmire, and, although each story is inspired, it is this spoof that stands out. Incorporating a parody ofScooby-Doointo the same story, the segment is one of the show’s funniest stories despite its truncated runtime.
It was not long beforeFamily Guybegan to regularly revisit the anthology episode format, but the show rarely managed to outdo the consistency and novelty value of “Family Guy Viewer Mail #1.” Thus, this one is a must-watch for fans of the series.
Season 8 Episode 1
The Road to episodes often include cringe-inducing moments of tasteless humor, but season 8, episode 1, “Road To The Multiverse,” was notable for both its sharp wit and its genuinely inventive plot. While one ofFamily Guy’s worst episodes everalso centered on Brian and Stewie’s friendship, “Road To The Multiverse” was a far stronger outing.
The episode is notable for being one of the first comedic depictions of a multiverse in pop culture, but “Road To The Multiverse” has more to offer than mere technical innovation. The episode’s many realities are all hilariously inventive, and the high-concept storytelling proves that the show’s boundless creativity can pay off with bigger, more daring stories.
1And Then There Were Fewer
Season 9 Episode 1
Season 9’s premiere, “And Then There Were Fewer,” remainsFamily Guy’s strongest episode ever, and this is only partially because its one-hour runtime gives the writers more opportunities to cram in jokes. Based on the Agatha Christie novelAnd Then There Were None, this murder mystery parody promised to permanently kill off aFamily Guysupporting star and followed through on this claim.
“And Then There Were Fewer” is darker than many episodes ofFamily Guy, but this just leaves the series with more room to spoof murder mysteries by bringing a large cast of minor characters to an isolated location and killing off more of them than viewers might guess. Ingenious, witty, and surprisingly unpredictable, “And Then There Were Fewer” seesFamily Guyoperating at the height of the show’s comedic powers.
Family Guy
Cast
Family Guy is an animated series following the eccentric Griffin family. Led by bumbling patriarch Peter and long-suffering Lois, the family includes the sadistic baby Stewie, unpopular teenager Meg, dim-witted Chris, and Brian, their talking dog. The show explores their outlandish adventures in the fictional town of Quahog.
