classicswim | [American Dad: 20th Anniversary] (Reply)

*taken by yours truly*

Adult Swim’s logline (at that time) was meant to instill confidence toward a new series no one had seen yet. Even in promos before the pilot premiere, they emphasized “Seth MacFarlane” and “talking fish.”

By today’s standards, you might call that description a disservice.

’05, there was thirst for more Family Guy upon the big revival that year, and having a newborn sister show only added to that specific flame.

Fast forward: “Family Guy clones” became a complaint. The artstyle associated with Family Guy became ugly and unwanted for any similar cartoon. MacFarlane became less of a name viewers adored. And yet, ironically... American Dad maintained decent praise.

In the early 2010s before Rick & Morty existed, internet users always had Roger Smith as their icon. No one outside of AD’s general fans really talk about Roger the alien anymore, but I remember that time period where people would say he was one of the best characters in adult animation. Even as Family Guy’s quality was starting to show itself in the mud a little.

I can say that unbiased as even though I was there on day one; American Dad was never a show I could necessarily call my favorite, or top favorite. I always liked the show to a certain degree, and it’s made me laugh plenty of times. But I’ve also been more off than on with the show for the entirety that it’s been around.

The main reasons I have for being nostalgic toward the early seasons. It’s the most beautiful the show can look visually. The early voice acting was more than charming, and plenty bits matched the fun cartoony aspects of pre cancellation Family Guy without resorting to full on cutaway gags.

The political aspect rightfully gets the most grievances out of flimsiness and laziness. But also, no shit. I loved all the George W mockery on Family Guy because they were usually short and sweet reminders that the person leading the country was a fucking idiot. No surprise a full show dedicated to that premise even partially would wear thin by the third season.

Feels like 2010-2012 was when they really hit their stride to where they are now.

It’s funny looking back at the prospect of FOX screwing American Dad over, only for the run on TBS to surpass it to death. From what’s been rumored, it’s leaving TBS for Hulu. But you’ve had over an entire decade of American Dad allowed to be comfortable with just about whatever it wants, and it shows.

I don’t know if they’ll ever do a movie or not, but I wonder how welcoming fans would be if said movie or special would revert into the nuclear family stereotypes/protecting Roger from CIA if done properly. I’m probably alone in thinking it’d be cool to see how they would pick at the one dimensional writing from the past in a way that’s... fun. Not exhausting meta commentary, but something that would open a third eye.

Anyway, props to American Dad for outliving SO much of its competition and being one of the most watched shows of 2024!