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American Dad! season 5

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American Dad!
Season 5
Volume Five DVD cover art, which features episodes 7-20 from season five.
No. of episodes20
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseSeptember 28, 2008 (2008-09-28) –
May 17, 2009 (2009-05-17)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 4
Next →
Season 6
List of episodes

The fifth season of American Dad! originally aired on the Fox network from September 28, 2008, to May 17, 2009. It consisted of twenty episodes and was released as two DVD box sets and in syndication. American Dad! follows the dysfunctional Smith family—father Stan, mother Francine, daughter Hayley, son Steve, the pet fish Klaus, and extraterrestrial alien Roger, all of whom reside in their hometown of Langley Falls, Virginia. Season 5, which premiered with the episode "1600 Candles" and ended with "Stan's Night Out", was executive produced by David Zuckerman, Kenny Schwartz, Rick Wiener, Richard Appel, Matt Weitzman, Mike Barker, and series creator Seth MacFarlane. Weitzman and Barker served as the season's showrunners.

Season 5 satirized various political and social topics, including incest, the coming out aspect of homosexuality, and appeal to fear propaganda. The season was met with generally positive reception from critics. Some went on to criticize the show for the level of inconsistency. However, the overall development of the show during this season was praised by critics, saying that "the show has grown into its own over the past seasons." The season premiere was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) in 2009.

The Volume 4 DVD box set was released in Region 1 on April 28, 2009, Region 2 on April 20, 2009, and Region 4 on November 18, 2009. Six of the 21 episodes are included in the Volume 4 DVD box set. The remaining fourteen episodes of the season were released on the Volume 5 DVD box set, released in Region 1 on June 15, 2010, Region 2 on June 14, 2010, and Region 4 on November 3, 2010.

Production

Amanda Seyfried (left) and J. K. Simmons (right) were some of several actors that made guest appearances on the show.

During Season 4, episodes of American Dad! and its sister show, Family Guy, were delayed from regular broadcast due to the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike. Seth MacFarlane, the creator of the series, publicly sided with the Writers Guild, and fully participated in the strike and other events pertaining to the issue.[1] The official production of American Dad! started to dwindle as of February 2008, with a delay in production becoming imminent through much of March and April. The strike ended on February 12, 2008; and the series resumed airing regularly within a few months.[2]

Production for Season 5 began in 2008, during the airing of the Season 4. The season was executive produced by series regulars David Zuckerman, Kenny Schwartz, Rick Wiener, Richard Appel, Matt Weitzman, Mike Barker, and series creator Seth MacFarlane. The showrunners for the season were Weitzman and Barker.[3] As production began Matt Weitzman, Jim Bernstein, Chris and Matt McKenna, Brian Boyle, Erik Sommers, Laura McCreary, Jonathan Fener, Erik Durbin, David Zuckerman and Kenny Schwartz all stayed on from the previous season. Both Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson received their first writing credit for the series.[4][5] Directors Pam Cooke, Josh Aoshima, Tim Parsons, Rodney Clouden, Albert Calleros, Joe Daniello, and Bob Bowen all stayed with the show from the previous season. David Hemingson left the series, and went on to co-direct for other television shows, notably How I Met Your Mother, and went on to create a short-lived television series, entitled The Deep End.[6] Michael Shipley and Dan Vebber also left at the end of the third production season.

The main cast consisted of Seth MacFarlane (Stan Smith, Roger, Greg Corbin, among others), Wendy Schaal (Francine Smith), Rachael MacFarlane (Hayley Smith, among others), Scott Grimes (Steve Smith) and Dee Bradley Baker (Klaus Heissler, among others).[7] Several new characters were created and introduced in Season 5. The character of Sidney—a persona of Roger who escapes to start a life of his own—was introduced in the episode "The One That Got Away".[8] He was voiced by the series creator Seth MacFarlane. Avery Bullock's wife, Mariam, who was kidnapped and held hostage by terrorists for three years, was also introduced and voiced by Jean Smart.[9] Amy, one of Lisa Silver's friends and a frequent bully of Steve, was introduced during this season. Amanda Seyfried provided the voice for the character.[10] J.K. Simmons provided the voice of Mr. McCreary, the founder and chairman of a local Bible print shop,[11] and Reginald the Koala, another "volunteer" from the CIA's secret brain-swap program. He is voiced by Donald Fullilove until midway through next season, where writer Erik Durbin provides the voice. Other guest stars who made multiple appearances as recurring characters from previous seasons were Patrick Stewart as Avery Bullock, Stan's boss at the CIA[12] and Mike Barker as Terry Bates, who briefly returned in the episode "Daddy Queerest".[13]

The opening sequence of the series was revamped. Instead of Stan picking up a newspaper with a different headline on it, there is now a recurring gag of Roger appearing in different disguises from under the dashboard. Stan's interaction with the family and his commute from his house to the CIA have also been modified.

Episode list

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboard byOriginal air dateProd.
code		US viewers
(millions)
591"1600 Candles"Caleb MeurerRick Wiener & Kenny SchwartzErik Kuska and Steve WongSeptember 28, 2008 (2008-09-28)3AJN206.89[14]
602"The One That Got Away"Tim ParsonsChris McKenna & Matt McKennaErik Kuska and Steve WongOctober 5, 2008 (2008-10-05)3AJN166.86[15]
613"One Little Word"Rodney CloudenDavid ZuckermanEric Fredrickson and Michaelangelo RoccoOctober 19, 2008 (2008-10-19)3AJN186.63[16]
624"Choosy Wives Choose Smith"Joe DanielloMatt Fusfeld & Alex CuthbertsonJeff Scott and Josue CervantesNovember 2, 2008 (2008-11-02)3AJN157.09[17]
635"Escape from Pearl Bailey"Bob BowenDan VebberBao Nguyen and Jeff ScottNovember 9, 2008 (2008-11-09)3AJN196.54[18]
646"Pulling Double Booty"John AoshimaBrian BoyleOreste Canestrelli and Patrick KochakjiNovember 16, 2008 (2008-11-16)3AJN216.76[19]
657"Phantom of the Telethon"Brent WoodsMike Barker & Matt WeitzmanEric Fredrickson and Michaelangelo RoccoNovember 30, 2008 (2008-11-30)3AJN225.56[20]
668"Chimdale"Pam Cooke & Jansen YeeKeith HeislerJosue Cervantes, Eric Fredrickson
and Michaelangelo Rocco		January 25, 2009 (2009-01-25)4AJN015.72[21]
679"Stan Time"Joe DanielloJonathan FenerErik Kuska and Paul ScarlataFebruary 8, 2009 (2009-02-08)4AJN024.60[22]
6810"Family Affair"Tim ParsonsErik DurbinPatrick Kochakji and Brian MainolfiFebruary 15, 2009 (2009-02-15)4AJN035.88[23]
6911"Live and Let Fry"Albert CallerosLaura McCrearyJames Kim, Ashley J. Long
and Jeff Scott		March 1, 2009 (2009-03-01)4AJN045.66[24]
7012"Roy Rogers McFreely"Bob BowenBrian BoyleBob Bowen and Michaelangelo RoccoMarch 8, 2009 (2009-03-08)4AJN055.37[25]
7113"Jack's Back"Rodney CloudenDavid ZuckermanEric Fredrickson and Patrick KochakjiMarch 15, 2009 (2009-03-15)4AJN075.88[26]
7214"Bar Mitzvah Hustle"Brent WoodsChris McKenna & Matt McKennaCaleb Meurer and Erik KuskaMarch 22, 2009 (2009-03-22)4AJN065.84[27]
7315"Wife Insurance"John AoshimaErik SommersBrian Mainolfi and Paul ScarlataMarch 29, 2009 (2009-03-29)4AJN086.02[28]
7416"Delorean Story-an"Joe DanielloMatt Fusfeld & Alex CuthbertsonJennifer Graves, Tim Parsons
and Jansen Yee		April 19, 2009 (2009-04-19)4AJN095.72[29]
7517"Every Which Way But Lose"Pam Cooke & Jansen YeeSteve HelyEric Fredrickson, Brian Mainolfi
and Megan Kelly		April 26, 2009 (2009-04-26)4AJN105.13[30]
7618"Weiner of Our Discontent"Tim ParsonsLaura McCrearyRudi Berden, Ralph Fernan
and Valerie Fletcher		May 3, 2009 (2009-05-03)4AJN115.35[31]
7719"Daddy Queerest"Albert CallerosNahnatchka KhanChris Grahm, Megan Kelly,
Patrick Kochakji and Erik Kuska		May 10, 2009 (2009-05-10)4AJN124.88[32]
7820"Stan's Night Out"Bob BowenJim BernsteinMegan Kelly, Brian Mainolfi
and Steve Wong		May 17, 2009 (2009-05-17)4AJN135.64[33]

Home Media release

The first six episodes of the fifth season and the last eight episode of the fourth season were released on DVD by 20th Century Fox in the United States and Canada on April 28, 2009, nearly a year after the production of the third season was finished.[34] The "Volume Four" DVD release features bonus material including deleted scenes, animatics, and commentaries for every episode.[34]

The remaining fourteen episodes of the fifth season were released under the title "Volume Five" by 20th Century Fox in the United States and Canada on June 15, 2010, a month after they had completed broadcast on television.[35] The DVD release also features bonus material including deleted scenes, commentaries, and two mini-games.[35]

American Dad Volume Four
Set details[34] Special features[34]
  • Audio commentaries for all 14 episodes
  • Deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary
  • "Tearjerker" featurette
  • "Mask of Disguise" featurette
  • Comic-Con International
Release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
April 28, 2009[34] April 20, 2009[36] November 18, 2009[37]
American Dad Volume Five
Set details[35] Special features[35]
  • Uncensored commentary for all 14 episodes
  • Deleted scenes
  • The Power Hour Drinking Game
  • Bar Mitzvah Hustle Fact-Up Trivia
Release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
June 15, 2010[35] June 14, 2010[38] November 3, 2010[39]

Reception

American Dad doesn't entirely rely on easily interchangeable jokes like Family Guy. And, because of this, the end result is a much more formulated and comprehensible political commentary. However, American Dad never fully reaches the satirical sharpness of superior comedic farces like South Park, The Daily Show or, most notably, The Colbert Report. And this may leave many viewers wanting.

R.L. Shaffer
IGN[40]

The season premiere for the fifth season of American Dad! received 6.89 million viewers upon its initial airing, the second highest viewed episode of the season.[41][14] The total viewership for the episode significantly increased from the fourth season premiere, which was viewed by 6.07 million viewers upon its original airing.[42] In the weeks following "1600 Candles", the total viewership ratings hovered right under 7 million. The fourth episode of the season, "Choosy Wives Choose Smith", garnered the highest ratings of the season, having been watched by 7.09 million viewers.[17] This would be the highest rated American Dad! episode since the season four episode "Tearjerker", as this episode received 8.62 million viewers upon its initial airing.[43] The ninth episode of the season, "Stan Time", gained the lowest number of viewers of the season with 4.60 million viewers.[22] The average total viewership for the season per episode was 5.5 million viewers, and the season average for ratings in the 18–49 demographic per episode was a 2.9 rating.[44] The average rating increased by 20% from the previous season.[45] However, the average total viewership would decrease by 16% from the previous season.[45]

Reviews for the episodes, as well as the season as a whole, were met with mainly positive reception from critics. In his review for the season, Hunter Daniels of Collider gave it a mixed review. He opined: "American Dad is not a great show. However, it's pretty funny on occasion. This set is about on par with the other seasons and might well be worth a purchase for hardcore fans and completeists. If you think you will like it, you will. If you're on the fence [...] it's probably only a rental."[46] R.L. Shaffer of IGN said that "American Dad comes from the weird and wicked mind of Seth MacFarlane, who brought us the irreverent and often puerile powerhouse Family Guy [...], and like the show[s], American Dad offers a supreme dose of silly mockery that's occasionally offensive [...] and outrageously wacky through-and-through."[40] However, he criticized the show for having similar problem that he thought existed in Family Guy. Shaffer opined: "American Dad suffers from many of the same problems as Family Guy. The show quite often stumbles into territory it's simply not mature enough to handle. And because the show already plays like Family Guy 2.0, the characters and settings aren't quite original enough to keep the material fresh."[40] He gave the release a 6 out of 10, signifying a "passable" score.[40]

Kevin Stanley of Cinema.com gave the season a very positive review, writing, "Overall American Dad is consistently funny and amusing, it's certainly in my opinion, currently the best animated comedy and has been for some time. It is literally laugh-a-minute stuff, which can't be said for all TV shows, even the one's that do bill themselves as comedy. The moments of perfect pitch-black humour, that pop up every so often, are worth the cost of the boxset alone."[47] From the selection of season four episode of the Volume Four DVD box set, he called "1600 Candles" and "The One That Got Away" as the highlights.[47] Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club generally reacted positively to the majority of American Dad! episodes of the fifth season. He gave the highest grades to the episodes "Delorean Story-an" and "Choosy Wives Choose Smith", which was an 'A'.[48][49]

Awards and nominations

The fifth season premiere, "1600 Candles", was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) in 2009.[50] It competed against Robot Chicken, The Simpsons and South Park at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, which was held September 12, 2009.[51] The South Park episode "Margaritaville" ultimately won the award.

See also

References

General
  • American Dad: Volume 4 and 5 episode commentaries.
Specific
  1. ^ "Pencils Down" Archived 2007-12-19 at the Wayback Machine. Writers' Guild of America. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  2. ^ "Strike over, Hollywood writers head back to work". CNN.com. 2008-02-13. Archived from the original on 2008-04-13. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
  3. ^ Schneider, Michael (2010-09-02). "'Guy's' Goodman reups at Fox TV". Variety. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  4. ^ "American Dad - Season 4 Episode Guide". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-09-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Show Description, Cast & Crew". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-09-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ O'Connell, Joe (July 21, 2009). "ABC series 'The Deep End' expected to begin filming in North Texas". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  7. ^ Graham, Jefferson (1999-01-29). "Cartoonist MacFarlane funny guy of Fox's 'Family' Subversive voice of series is his". USA Today. p. E7.
  8. ^ Heisler, Steve (2008-10-05). ""Lost Verizon"/"Earthly Girls Are Easy"/"I Dream Of Jesus"/"The One That Got Away"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  9. ^ "Jean Smart: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
  10. ^ "Amanda Seyfried: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  11. ^ "J.K. Simmons: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  12. ^ "Patrick Stewart: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  13. ^ Heisler, Steve (2011-04-10). ""Back In Time"/"Four Great Women And A Manicure"/"Manger Baby Einstein"/"Three Kings"/"Daddy Queerest"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  14. ^ a b Gorman, Bill (September 30, 2008). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, September 22–28". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  15. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 7, 2008). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, September 29 - October 5". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  16. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 21, 2008). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, October 13–19". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  17. ^ a b Seidman, Robert (November 4, 2008). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, October 27 - November 2". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  18. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 11, 2008). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, November 3–9". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-07. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  19. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 18, 2008). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, November 10–16, 2008". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 5, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  20. ^ Seidman, Robert (December 3, 2008). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, November 24–30, 2008". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  21. ^ Robert Seidman (January 27, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, January 19–25, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  22. ^ a b Seidman, Robert (February 10, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, February 2–8, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 31, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  23. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 18, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, February 9–15, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  24. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 3, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, February 23 to March 1, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  25. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 10, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, March 2–8, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 31, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  26. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 17, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, March 9–15, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  27. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 24, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, March 16–22, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  28. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 31, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, March 23–29, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  29. ^ Seidman, Robert (April 21, 2009). "'Top Fox Primetime Shows, April 13–19, 2009". Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  30. ^ Seidman, Robert (April 28, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, April 20–26, 2009". Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  31. ^ Levine, Stuart (April 6, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, April 27 - May 3, 2009". Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  32. ^ Seidman, Robert (May 12, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, May 4–10, 2009". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  33. ^ Seidman, Robert (May 19, 2009). "Top Fox Primetime Shows, May 11–17, 2009". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i "American Dad Volume Four DVD". Movieweb. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i "American Dad Volume 5 DVD". Movieweb. Archived from the original on 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  36. ^ "American Dad!, Vol. 4". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  37. ^ "American Dad! - Volume 4". EzyDVD. Archived from the original on 29 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  38. ^ "American Dad! - Season 5 [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  39. ^ "American Dad! - Volume 5". EzyDVD. Archived from the original on 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  40. ^ a b c d Shaffer, R. (2010-06-02). "American Dad: Volume Five DVD Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 27 June 2010. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  41. ^ Bierly, Mandy (2008-09-29). "Ratings: 'Desperate Housewives' returns to win Sunday night". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  42. ^ "Weekly Program Ratings". ABC. October 2, 2007. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  43. ^ "Weekly Program Ratings". ABC. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  44. ^ "Season Program Rankings from 09/22/08 through 05/17/09". ABC Medianet. May 19, 2009. Archived from the original on 23 June 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  45. ^ a b "Season Program Rankings from 09/24/07 through 05/25/08". ABC Medianet. May 28, 2008. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  46. ^ Daniels, Hunter (April 10, 2011). "AMERICAN DAD Volume 4 DVD Review". Collider. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  47. ^ a b Stanley, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "American Dad: Volume 4". Cinema.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  48. ^ Heisler, Steve (April 10, 2011). ""Born Again On The Fourth Of July" / "Good, Sad And Drugly" / "420" / "DeLorean Story-An"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  49. ^ Heisler, Steve (April 10, 2011). "Treehouse of Horror 19"/"Lost in Myspace"/"Baby Not on Board"/"Choosy Wives Choose Stan"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  50. ^ "Academy of Television Arts & Sciences". Archived from the original on 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
  51. ^ "Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour)". Emmys.com. 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
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