9 Times Family Guy Ruthlessly Mocked Other TV Shows and Movies

Family Guy Takes On TV Shows and Movies

Seth MacFarlane brought his irreverent sense of humor to the small screen in 1999 and for 23 seasons Family Guy has continued to hilariously shock audiences around the globe. Known for their famous cutaways, running jokes, and gags, Seth MacFarlane and his writing crew leave no stone unturned, even if it pushes the boundaries of tact.

While those are the sure-fire hits that keep viewers turning in, Family Guy also hits its comedic zenith when parodying TV shows and movies. Over its 23 seasons, Family Guy has taken shots at just about any popular film or television show and has done it with ruthless abandon. It is simply what makes Family Guy so much fun to watch.

Here are the times that MacFarlane took shots at TV shows or movies and won.

Blue Harvest Episode (Season 6, Episode 1)

With his TV show, The Orville, Seth MacFarlane made sure the public knew his affinity for TV shows like Star Trek and films such as the Star Wars franchise. With the episode, Blue Harvest, Family Guy expertly parodies Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

In a hilarious one-hour retelling of one of the most iconic science fiction adventure films in the history of movies, MacFarlane puts every main Family Guy character into a Star Wars role.

Chris becomes Luke Skywalker, Peter is Han Solo, Lois is Princess Leia, Herbert (the Pervert) is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Brian is Chewbacca, and Stewie is Darth Vader. It’s a true Family Guy classic.

Road to the Multiverse (Season 8, Episode 1)

Family Guy’s Road to the Multiverse was the season 8 opener and saw Stewie and Brian head to different parallel universes via an “out-of-this-world” remote control. Their travels take them through various TV shows and movies, like Disney’s Robin Hood and the popular cartoon, The Flintstones.

What makes these parodies so special is that the animation in each of these clips follows the distinct animation style of the original TV show or movie.

Something, Something, Something, Dark Side (Season 8, Episode 20)

As we mentioned earlier, MacFarlane loves himself some Star Wars. Once again this love is put on display during season 8 when Family Guy took on Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Back in their familiar roles is Chris as Luke Skywalker, Peter as Han Solo, Lois as Prince Leia, and Stewie as Darth Vader. Here they reenact key scenes from the Star Wars sequel, delivering hilarious twists on some of the movies’ most famous lines.

The Fatman Always Rings Twice (Season 20, Episode 9)

In this season 20 episode, Family Guy takes on the novel/movie, The Postman Always Rings Twice. Set up in noir style, Peter is Mac Bookpro, a 1930s private eye who is brought into a case of the missing Sister Megan. This excellent parody also has Lois playing Heady Toothgraze and Stewie as Fanny Patbottom.

Meet the Quagmires (Season 5, Episode 18)

After Peter listens to Quagmire’s stories of his sexual exploits, Peter feels he has missed out on time as a single man. Enter Death, who decides to grant Peter his wish of going back to 1984 for one night. As it always happens with Peter, he finds trouble, altering the course of history.

One of the great moments parodied here is when the Family Guy characters take on the roles of the ‘80s sitcom and Michael J. Fox-led, Family Ties.

Road to Europe (Season 3, Episode 20)

If you are a frequent observer of Family Guy, then you will know and understand the “Road to…” Family Guy episodes. If not, let us help. The “Road to…” episodes are parodies of the famous “Road To…” comedy films from the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s (7 total) that starred screen legends Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour.

In this one, Stewie is obsessed with a TV show called Jolly Farm Revue that perfectly parodies the children’s TV show, Barney & Friends. You are even treated to catchy songs with colorful characters.

It's a Trap! (Season 9, Episode 18)

If you are going to show your love for Star Wars, you may as well complete the trilogy. That is exactly what Seth MacFarlane and Family Guy did in season 9, when they took on Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.

It was another fun, Star Wars-skewering episode that again featured the return of the beloved Family Guy Star Wars characters – Chris as Luke Skywalker, Peter as Han Solo, Lois as Princess Leia, and Stewie as Darth Vader.

Three Kings (Season 7, Episode 15)

In this season 7 episode, Family Guy took on popular horror novelist Stephen King. Not only did they take shots at one of King’s novels, but three in total. After Lois complains to Peter that he watches too much TV and doesn’t read enough, Peter decides to read three novels by “the greatest author of the last thousand years,” Stephen King. His choices are hilariously parodied with Stand by Me, Misery, and The Shawshank Redemption.

Road to the North Pole (Season 9, Episode 7)

In season 9, Family Guy decided to make their Christmas-themed episode a “Road to…” one. In this excellent parody, Stewie and Brian find themselves on the road to visit Santa’s workshop.

This episode features a great parody of the TV show Pawn Stars, where Santa attempts to sell off some of his unwanted gifts. It also features great bits of Christmas hits such as A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman.