The Smiths have brought laughter to US airwaves for almost 20 years now, which is quite a feat for a show considered aFamily Guyripoff. The archetype cartoon comedy household has been around sinceThe Finstones, first inspiring the next generation withThe Simpsons. Yet, evenFamily Guywas canceled once – so what makesAmerican Dadso unique?
Stan Smith – Ironic Conservative (Or Is He?)
Stan is a chameleon to US viewers, on one side showing the conservative white Anglo-Saxon protestant values which are becoming less and less relevant in today’s society, while simultaneously poking fun of said values and, with a wink and a nudge, showing fans the short-sightedness and limitations of such views.
Stan issimilar to Fred Flinstone, hearkening back to the proverbial father figure icon in American media – but turned on its head. The leader of the Smiths, Stan will profess conservative views and pronounce their superiority over, say, his daughter Hayley’s ‘liberal agenda,’ yet at the same time, his own predilections tend toward the fringe and outlying tastes. What this shows is duplicity not on the part of the writers of the show but rather that of American society writ large.
Francine Smith – Like Marge Except for Funny
Francine Smith is everything that Wilma Flinstone and Marge Simpson aren’t – she’s funny, she’s independent, and she’s a goofball. Whereas old-school fans would find Wilma complaining about bills or whining at Fred,American Dad’s Francine is entertaining to watch and defies stereotypes of the ‘wife’ or ‘homemaker.’ She gets wasted, gets into trouble, and sometimes she’s not a great mother.
This is great for the audience because viewers wanted something new withAmerican Dad– a modern mother with an attitude that didn’t care about the dishes or paying off the mortgage every other episode.Unlike Marge Simpson, Wilma Flinstone, or Judy Jetson, fans ofAmerican Dadactually enjoy a Francine-centric episode because she’s a fully-fleshed-out character and not a one-note US archetypal homemaker.
Steve Smith – Ultimate Fan Service Character
The brilliance of Steve Smith – only son and fifteen-year-old genius deviant of the household – is the ability of young male fans to identify with him. Steve is at various turns cowardly and bullied but resourceful and occasionally brilliant with a unique capacity to persevere.
Yet at the same time, he is fifteen, and as a high-schooler, it’s easy for viewers to place themselves in his position. Many fans, even older adults, can recognize a bit of themselves in Stan; Bart Simpson but quite a bit cooler, more experienced, and more interested in girls.Or, forFamily Guyfans, Stewie if Stewie grew up and recruited some friends other than a talking dog.
Related:Why the Canceled American Dad Movie Should Actually Happen
Hayley Smith – Counter Culture Icon
Hayley Smith, as the bleeding heart liberal pothead, brings back the nostalgia of the ‘flower children’ of the 60s while adding a dose of realism gained from the’Generation X’ers of the 90s. Hayley challenges societal norms, gender roles, and the government with the vim and vigor of a stay-at-home Community College student who just ate a pot brownie.
Hayley is the proto-typical neo-hippie; sexy and funny but also quite a bit lazy even though possessing serious and legitimate political and societal viewpoints. But that could be reading into it a bit more than necessary, as Hayley could simply be a part ofAmerican Dad,so the stoners have a character to identify with.
The Show’s Secret Weapon – Roger
Much like the 60s showsThe PretenderorThe Saint, Roger is a master of disguise. Yet unlike the dismal 2000s film, uh –The Master of Disguise– Roger Smith, alien traveler and hyper-speed capable cross-dresser, is actually entertaining. Roger’s secret weapon on the showAmerican Dadis his pliability.
Having a character on any series that is, in reality, multiple characters is always a bonus. Roger can function in nearly every capacity as the point-man through which the plot is unfurled, the B-plot supporting character who exists to break up the main narrative, or simply as a framing device to explain the story. All of these are fine and necessary for a compelling comedic narrative.
Related:American Dad: Why You Should Be Watching This Surrealist Sitcom
Roger has shown his character’s value inAmerican Dadtime and again, and over the nearly two decades of the show’s run, has played almost a thousand different roles. Viewers can’t say the same of Bart Simpson or Elroy Jetson. And Roger is funny, best of all, in a truly irreverent way – again – fans can’t say the same ofThe Flintstones’Pebbles or Bam-Bam.
Why Fans Keep Tuning In
American Dadis uniquebecause fans can watch a show about any main character and not be bored. Stan, Francine, Hayley, Steve, Roger – these are all exceptionally funny and intricate characters that speak to fans on an almost subconscious level. Viewers can spend time with these individual characters in individual story arcs and be satisfied.
An enthusiast could watch an entire episode with Fran Smith and love it because Fran is more than a one-note characterization. Could fans say the same thing about Marge Simpson or Judy Jetson? Probably not.
