'American Dad'

By Nancy Basile, About.com Guide

'American Dad'

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Premiere:

Created by Seth MacFarlane and executive produced by Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, American Dad premiered on February 6, 2005 on FOX. American Dad is part of the animated block on Sunday nights.

American Dad Picture Gallery

Premise:

American Dad is an animated comedy that centers on Stan Smith, agent in Langley Falls, VA, whose main objective in life is national security. The show's humor comes from the juxtaposition of Stan's conservative nature against his family's seemingly liberal needs and opinions. Stan ignores the affections of his wife, though she is coveted from afar by Klaus, the goldfish. Hayley is always at odds with her father, Stan, whether they're fighting about the environment or tolerance. Steve, Stan's son, and Roger, the alien, are usually concocting get-rich-quick schemes or escape plans.

American Dad Episode Guide

Characters:

Stan Smith (Seth MacFarlane) is the conservative CIA agent who fumbles more often than he scores.

Francine (Wendy Schaal) is his attractive and very forgiving wife, who has an unfaltering loyalty that allows her to turn a blind eye toward Stan's unabashed arrogance.

Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane, Seth's sister) is their 18-year-old left-wing activist daughter, who knows just how to push her father's buttons whether it's by helping the homeless, demanding women's rights or supporting gun control.

Steve (Scott Grimes) is their 14-year-old son who is geeky yet cocky, a kid who spends his time playing Dungeons & Dragons and obsessing about the opposite sex.

Roger (Seth MacFarlane) is the sassy and sarcastic space alien Stan rescued from Area 51. He lives in the attic and loves to play dress-up.

Klaus (Dee Bradley Baker) is an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German guy who always throws in his two cents regardless of whether anyone is listening.

Creators:

American Dad was created by Seth MacFarlane, who also created Family Guy. Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman serve as co-creators and executive producers.

My Two Cents:

American Dad is the hidden gem in the Animation Domination block of scheduling on FOX. American Dad is gets little better than the treatment by Futurama received from FOX. The show seems to be the neglected step-child, receiving very little coverage and moving around time slots like a hockey puck.

American Dad deserves a consistent time slot and as much promotion as MacFarlane's first show, Family Guy. Though the style of animation is the same, the humor is much more grounded and of-the-moment. American Dad takes on issues involving our government, our political views and other hot topics, walking the line between preachy and irreverent.

You won't find flashbacks full of pop culture references on American Dad. But you will find smart, witty dialgue and clever plot set-ups. It's worth seeking out on FOX's schedule and on DVD.