The third season of FOX's American Dad begins airing tonight with an episode entitled "Vacation Goo."  When Francine finds out that all of their family vacations are just fake memories Stan created by sticking them in goo, she demands a real vacation, preferably a cruise.

However, when the vacation seems too good to be true, Francine grows convinced that the CIA is behind everything and causes the entire family to suffer the consequences.  Meanwhile, Roger tries his best to become the greatest actor who has ever lived.

Created by Seth MacFarlane, American Dad is an animated series that revolves around the Smith family, headed by Stan, a CIA agent and a proud Republican.  He is very passionate about guns, and has great admiration for former U.S. President, Ronald Reagan.  He is a loving husband and father, although he often causes conflict at home with his politically-driven behavior and attitude.  His views on gun control is one of the things that has put him at odds with his daughter, Haylie, while his alpha male mentality has led him to become critical of Steve, his geeky teenage son.

The following interaction, which is part of tonight's episode, humorously depicts the nature of Stan and Steve's relationship.

"That time in Mexico when you and I went hang gliding and you told me you loved me?" Steve asks.

"Neither of those things ever happened," Stan replies.

Because American Dad has a lengthy production time, MacFarlane, who also serves as a voice artist on the show, said “there's a certain degree of relevance that we try to not go beyond” to keep the show current.  He added that one good example of a show that seems perpetually relevant is All in the Family.

“The stories [in All in the Family] were kept general enough that in re-runs it still works wonderfully. A lot of the issues they discussed and wrote episodes about were general enough that they still apply today,” MacFarlane explained to UnderGroundOnline.  “With American Dad, I think that, hopefully, if we're doing our job right, that the issues are kept specific.  But at the same time, not so specific that it doesn't feel dated two weeks after the episode airs.”

The third season of American Dad premieres tonight at 9:30/8:30pm on FOX.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: FOX, tv.com, UGO
(Image Courtesy of FOX)