American Dad! season 20

American Dad!
Season 20
Promotional poster for the 20th season
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkTBS
Original releaseMarch 27 (2023-03-27) –
December 18, 2023 (2023-12-18)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 19
Next →
Season 21
List of episodes

The twentieth season of the American TV series American Dad! originally aired on TBS from March 27, 2023 to December 18, 2023, and consisted of 22 episodes. The season featured guest appearances from Pete Davidson, Anjelica Huston, Jason Alexander, Jaleel White, Chris Sullivan, Ann Dowd, Amy Sedaris, Alan Tudyk, Alyson Hannigan, and Simon Helberg.[1] It included the series' 350th episode.[2] The season went on hiatus on May 29, 2023 after the airing of the 9th episode, and returned on Labor Day on September 4, 2023 with the 10th episode of the season.

Production

On December 16, 2021, TBS renewed American Dad! for seasons 20 and 21, following the end of the show's eighteenth season.[3] On May 12, 2023, it was announced that the showrunners of American Dad!, including Seth MacFarlane, would temporarily leave the show as a result of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. While this decision will not have an immediate effect on the show, it could impact future episodes if the strike is prolonged.[4]

Marketing

The twentieth season was promoted with a contest titled "The Next Roger" by the show's official Twitter account and the TBS website.[5] Users would need to tweet their persona ideas, and the winner would have their idea featured in the series' twenty-first season.[6][5]

Release

The series' twentieth season was announced on March 6, 2023, with a special trailer with the tagline "18[7] Seasons, and Still Proud", showcasing moments from the upcoming season.[8] The season premiered on March 27, 2023[8] with episodes coming to Hulu later in the year.[8]

Episodes

Main article: List of American Dad! episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [9]Directed byWritten by [10]Original release date [9]Prod.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
3451"Fellow Traveler"Joe DanielloBrett Cawley & Robert MaitiaMarch 27, 2023 (2023-03-27)HAJN020.47[11]

In the 20th season premiere, Roger's origin story is told, taking place in 1947 setting up the Roswell Incident, revealing Roger's passion for personas and how Avery Bullock's father (Avery Bullock Senior) was on the search for the alien way before him.

Guest Stars: Paget Brewster, Jon Daly, Ann Dowd, Jake Getman, Anthony Mendez, Toks Olagundoye, Khary Payton, Amy Sedaris, Patrick Stewart, Fred Tatasciore
3462"The Professor and the Coach"Jansen YeeJoe ChandlerApril 3, 2023 (2023-04-03)HAJN010.35[12]

Roger's new professor persona teaches at Hayley's college, and asks Hayley to help him write a book about his experiences. Meanwhile, Jeff writes a rap to stop the Bazooka Sharks from leaving Langley Falls.

Guest Stars: Anne Gregory, Leonard Robinson, Eddie Kaye Thomas
3473"Viced Principal"Jennifer GravesParker DeayApril 10, 2023 (2023-04-10)HAJN030.40[13]

Steve and Principal Lewis try to escape Pearl Bailey High School from three convicts who're connected to the school. Meanwhile, the Smiths befriend a baby giraffe that has escaped a zoo.

Guest Stars: Curtis Armstrong, Pete Davidson, Matthew Gudernatch, Anjelica Huston, Ally Maki, Kevin Michael Richardson, Andre Sogliuzzo, Chris Sullivan, Daisuke Suzuki, Eddie Kaye Thomas
3484"The Pleasanting at Smith House"Tim ParsonsJoel HurwitzApril 17, 2023 (2023-04-17)HAJN040.40[14]

Klaus buys a comb from an estate sale that harbors a wraith whose presence threatens Klaus' friendship with Jeff. Meanwhile, Stan gets his jaw wired shut after getting punched in the face.

Guest Stars: Richard Kind, Kevin Michael Richardson, Amir Talai, Courtenay Taylor, Alanna Ubach
3495"Stretched Thin"Chris BennettSam BrennerMay 1, 2023 (2023-05-01)HAJN050.39[15]

Fed up with the rest of the family criticizing his decision-making, Jeff decides to prove them wrong by becoming a legging salesman.

Guest Stars: Kimberly Brooks, Ann Dowd, Patti Harrison, Richard Kind, Jane Lynch, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jay Pharoah, Ignacio Serricchio, Travis Willingham
3506"Better on Paper"Joe DanielloAlisha KetryMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)HAJN100.38[16]

Stan discovers some old love poems in Francine's closet that come from his workplace. It turns out to be a printer powered by the romantic lobe from his brain, which he decides to take home, but things soon get out of hand when it gains sentience.

Guest Stars: Mike Henry, David Koechner, Thomas Lennon, Rory O'Malley, Patrick Stewart, Alan Tudyk
3517"Cow I Met Your Moo-ther"John O'DayZack RosenblattMay 15, 2023 (2023-05-15)HAJN080.34[17]

Hayley tries to rid herself of her inner voice with help from Dr. Penguin (Roger's therapist persona) after it ruins her girls' night, but her attempts only make the voice's presence even larger.

Guest Stars: Jason Alexander, Rachel Dratch, Alyson Hannigan, Natasha Leggero, Tia Mowry, Jaleel White, Ariel Winter
3528"Stan Fixes a Shingle"Josue CervantesTim SaccardoMay 22, 2023 (2023-05-22)HAJN060.33[18]

Francine insists on helping Steve with his class project, while Stan finally gets around to fixing the broken shingle on the house's roof. Meanwhile, the other Smiths head out to return Gallagher's mallet.

Guest Stars: Taliesin Jaffe, Richard Kind, Natalie Palamides, Kevin Michael Richardson, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Robert Wuhl
3539"Saving Face"Jennifer GravesCharles SuozziMay 29, 2023 (2023-05-29)HAJN110.29[19]

Stan is swayed to get some work done to maintain his "peak," but it turns out to be a trap by an old rival he didn't know he had. Meanwhile, Roger goes on a wild goose chase in pursuit of an apple he bought at the farmer's market.

Guest Stars: Chris Diamantopoulos, Rachel Dratch, Josh Fadem, Simon Helberg, David Herman, Richard Kind, Thomas Lennon, Anthony Mendez June Diane Raphael, Bashir Salahuddin, Casey Wilson
35410"Frantastic Voyage"Tim ParsonsSoren BowieSeptember 4, 2023 (2023-09-04)HAJN120.33[20]

When Stan goes too far to keep his work friend away from Francine, she is forced to save her new friend by going inside Stan's body. Meanwhile, Jeff and Hayley live the good life after finding a Lamborghini tire.

Guest Stars: Paget Brewster, Eliza Coupe, Mike Henry, David Koechner, Phill Lewis, Jay Pharoah, Josh Robert Thompson, Andre Sogliuzzo, Patrick Stewart, Debra Wilson
35511"A Little Mystery"Chris BennettLaura BeasonSeptember 11, 2023 (2023-09-11)HAJN130.32[21]

Hayley makes Jeff get a friend to add some mystery to their relationship but gets more mystery than she bargained for when she discovers that Jeff's new friend may be a serial killer.

Guest Stars: Andy Daly, David Herman, Breckin Meyer, Daran Norris, Kevin Michael Richardson, Bashir Salahuddin, Amir Talai, Nick Thurston, Alanna Ubach
35612"Don't You Be My Neighbor"Josue CervantesPaul StroudSeptember 18, 2023 (2023-09-18)HAJN140.26[22]

When the Smiths get new next-door neighbors, Francine hits it off with the wife of the family, while the others plot to drive them away. Meanwhile, Roger's latest persona sees him acting as the kite of a neglected boy.

Guest Stars: James Adomian, Jake Getman, Richard Kind, Luke Lowe, Jane Lynch, Andy Richter, Allison Tolman, Kari Wahlgren, Gary Anthony Williams
35713"Productive Panic"Shawn MurrayNicole ShabtaiSeptember 25, 2023 (2023-09-25)HAJN150.34[23]

Francine quickly rises to fame after her homemade pottery is discovered by a famous art dealer, but when the fame becomes too much, Francine checks herself into a mental hospital.

Guest Stars: Sarah Adina, Jon Daly, Paul W. Downs, Naomi Ekperigin, Reggie Lee, Lucy Lowe, Maggie Lowe, Kate Micucci, Toks Olagundoye, Chris Parnell, June Diane Raphael, Andy Richter, Matt Rogers, David Shabtai, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Casey Wilson
35814"Multiverse of American Dadness"John O'DayCurtis CookOctober 2, 2023 (2023-10-02)HAJN160.29[24]

Hayley tries to find Steve so they can go to a Shaggy concert, but the endeavor takes her and Steve on a multiversal adventure.

Guest Stars: Curtis Armstrong, Brandon Black, Keith David, Kevin Michael Richardson, Shaggy, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Gary Anthony Williams
35915"Z.O.I.N.C.S."Shawn MurrayJeff KauffmannOctober 30, 2023 (2023-10-30)HAJN070.28[25]

Stan ends up missing and Francine, Jeff, Steve, Klaus and Hayley (dressed as Daphne, Shaggy, Velma, Scooby, and Fred from Scooby-Doo) try to find where he's gone.

Guest Stars: Rene Gube, Mike Henry, Phil LaMarr, Patrick Stewart
36016"A New Era for the Smith House"Jansen YeeYolanda CarneyNovember 6, 2023 (2023-11-06)HAJN170.34[26]

Roger seeks out a mythical giant whom he believes is responsible for the windy weather, borrowing a CIA yacht to investigate and bringing the family along for a makeshift vacation. Unable to trust Klaus to housesit while they're away, the Smiths hire Dick to keep an eye on him, unaware that he is plotting to squat in their home forever.

Guest Stars: Dash Boam, Mike Henry, Richard Kind, David Koechner, Kevin Michael Richardson, Patrick Stewart, Travis Willingham
36117"Between a Ring and a Hardass"Joe DanielloKevin TylerNovember 13, 2023 (2023-11-13)HAJN180.36[27]

When the Smiths' dysfunctional antics are reported to Social Services, the family must clean up their act for one evening to impress the social worker, but various complications get in the way.

Guest Stars: Curtis Armstrong, Chris Cox, Deanne Jacobs, Kyle McCarley, Kevin Michael Richardson, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Josh Robert Thompson
36218"Footprints"Jennifer GravesJoe ChandlerNovember 20, 2023 (2023-11-20)HAJN190.34[28]

Stan and Roger feel that they haven't made an impact on the world and plan to rectify this by pitching a new TV show and revealing Roger's secret. Meanwhile, picking up from where the B-plot of "Mean Francine" left off, Jeff tries to find a new hat after losing his usual one.

Guest Stars: Diedrich Bader, SungWon Cho, Andy Daly, Matthew Patrick Davis, Jermaine Fowler, Cullen McCarthy, June Diane Raphael, Alanna Ubach, Casey Wilson
36319"Steve, Snot, and the Quest for the Og Four Loko"Tim ParsonsNic WegenerNovember 27, 2023 (2023-11-27)HAJN200.31[29]

In order to get into a cool kid's party, Steve and Snot hunt down a rare keg of Four Loko beer, but their usage of Roger's disguises to appear as adults adds further complications to their quest.

Guest Stars: Yoshi Ando, Curtis Armstrong, Tommy Blacha, John Cho, David Herman, David Hoffman, Natalie Palamides, Kevin Michael Richardson, Bashir Salahuddin, Daisuke Suzuki, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Josh Robert Thompson, Taylor Tomlinson, Alan Tudyk, Michael Urie
36420"The Pink Sphinx Holds Her Hearts on the Turn"Chris BennettBrett Cawley & Robert MaitiaDecember 4, 2023 (2023-12-04)HAJN210.32[30]

When Francine laments the fact that she can't hide her thoughts well, Roger tries to rectify this by training her in professional poker.

Guest Stars: William Bibbiani, Simon Helberg, Cree Summer, Debra Wilson
36521"A Little Extra Scratch"Josue CervantesJeff KauffmannDecember 11, 2023 (2023-12-11)HAJN220.27[31]

Jealous of the money she's making, Francine joins Hayley in selling pharmaceuticals harvested from armadillos. Meanwhile, Roger helps Stan perfect his sad face in order to avoid losing the house.

Guest Stars: Chris Diamantopoulos, Mark McKinney, Breckin Meyer, Chris Parnell, Amir Talai, Jill Talley, Nick Thurston, Debra Wilson
36622"Into the Jingleverse"Jansen YeeNic WegenerDecember 18, 2023 (2023-12-18)HAJN090.20[32]

After Steve outclasses him on Christmas with the presents he gifts the family, Stan goes to great lengths to reclaim his title as the "King of Presents."

Guest Stars: Deandre Ayton, Michael Urie, Kari Wahlgren, Travis Willingham

References

  1. ^ "TBS' "American Dad!" Returns Monday, March 27 at 10:00pm PT/ET". Thefutoncritic.com. March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "American Dad/Season Eighteen - The TV IV". tviv.org. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 16, 2021). "'American Dad!' Renewed For Seasons 18 & 19 By TBS". Deadline. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Patten, Dominic (May 12, 2023). "Seth MacFarlane & Showrunners Exit 'Family Guy' & 'American Dad' Until Striking WGA Gets New Contract". Deadline. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "The Next Roger | TBS.com". www.tbs.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "American Dad's tweet - "CONTEST Roger's had a lot of personas over the years, but who will he be next? Tweet at us @AmericanDadTBS using #TheNextRoger with your ideas and your persona could be in the show next season! " - Trendsmap". www.trendsmap.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  7. ^ The trailer for the season titles the tagline as "18 Seasons and Still Proud", referring to the Fox/Hulu season count, contrary to Wikipedia's season count, which would in this case be "20 Seasons, and Still Proud".
  8. ^ a b c "American Dad Trailer Confirms Season 18 Release Date". Anime. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Full episodes and TV Listings- Zap2it.com". Tvlistings.zap2it.com. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  10. ^ "American Dad (2004 - 2014)". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  11. ^ Bunch, Rebecca (March 28, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 3/27/23: American Dad! Rises in Premiere, The Watchful Eye Steady for Finale". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  12. ^ Salem, Mitch (April 4, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 4.3.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Salem, Mitch (April 11, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 4.10.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Salem, Mitch (April 18, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 4.17.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  15. ^ Salem, Mitch (May 2, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 5.1.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Salem, Mitch (May 9, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 5.8.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  17. ^ Salem, Mitch (May 16, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 5.15.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Salem, Mitch (May 23, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 5.22.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  19. ^ Salem, Mitch (May 31, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Monday 5.29.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  20. ^ Rebecca Bunch (September 7, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 9/4/23: American Dad! Hits New Low in Midseason Premiere, College Football Dominates, Gutfeld! Tops Weakened Cable News". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  21. ^ Rebecca Bunch (September 13, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 9/11/23: Halloween Baking Championship Ties Low in Return, WWE Raw Slides, American Dad! Ticks Up, Monday Night Football Up Versus 2022 Opener". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  22. ^ Rebecca Bunch (September 20, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 9/18/23: American Dad! and Halloween Baking Championship Hit New Lows, NFL Slides, WWE Raw Ticks Up". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  23. ^ Rebecca Bunch (September 27, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 9/25/23: Breeders Ties Low for Series Finale, American Dad! Rebounds, Gutfeld! Tops Cable News". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  24. ^ Rebecca Bunch (October 4, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 10/2/23: The Rachel Maddow Show Jumps as Gutfeld! Tops Cable News, American Dad! and Monday Night Football Slip". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  25. ^ Rebecca Bunch (October 31, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 10/30/23: Halloween Baking Championship Steady for Season Finale, American Dad! Ties Series Low After Break, Monday Night Football Leads". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  26. ^ Rebecca Bunch (November 9, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 11/6/23: Holiday Baking Championship Returns Down, Monday Night Football Declines, Jesse Watters Primetime Leads Cable News". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Rebecca Bunch (November 15, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 11/13/23: Barmageddon Returns Down, American Dad! Rises, Jesse Watters Primetime Leads Cable News". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  28. ^ Rebecca Bunch (November 22, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 11/20/23: Jesse Watters Primetime Leads Cable News, Monday Night Football and WWE Raw Rise, Holiday Baking Championship Stable". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  29. ^ Rebecca Bunch (December 3, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 11/27/23: Holiday Baking Championship Hits Season High, Monday Night Football Slides, The Five Takes Cable News Lead". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  30. ^ Rebecca Bunch (December 7, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 12/4/23: The Rachel Maddow Show Rises with Liz Cheney Interview, Holiday Baking Championship Hits Season Low, Monday Night Football Drops". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  31. ^ Rebecca Bunch (December 14, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 12/11/23: Holiday Baking Championship Sinks, American Dad! Rises, The Five Leads Cable News". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  32. ^ Rebecca Bunch (December 21, 2023). "Monday Cable Ratings 12/18/23: Holiday Baking Championship Jumps for Finale, American Dad Ends Down, Monday Night Football Rises". The TV Ratings Guide. Retrieved December 21, 2023.