As a longtime fan of “Family Guy,” I must say that the Christmas episodes of this animated series never fail to put me in high spirits during the holiday season. Among all the yuletide specials, my absolute favorite is “A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas” from Season 3.
Certain sitcoms are particularly notable for their Thanksgiving and Halloween episodes, but when it comes to Christmas, “Family Guy” stands out with its imaginative storylines. Notably, “American Dad!” also offers stiff competition in this regard. Over the years, the Griffin family has encountered a multitude of experiences, ranging from Lois’ dramatic transformation to disastrous holiday escapades, frantic excursions to the North Pole, and even the occasional musical interlude. They’ve taken jabs at the predictable formula of many holiday episodes, while also incorporating numerous pop culture references.
Beneath the surface, there is a feeling of unity, happiness, and even tender feelings that seldom manifest in other episodes across the series’ extensive 20-season span. Yet which “Family Guy” Christmas episodes feel like a comforting embrace from Santa Claus, and which ones resemble eating an old fruitcake discovered in Quagmire’s (Seth MacFarlane) sock drawer? Here are every Christmas episode of the show that has been aired so far, ranked according to their appeal.
Christmas Guy (Season 12, 2013)
Reversing an important storyline twist by focusing the entire Christmas special on reviving a character like Brian, voiced by Seth MacFarlane, and removing Vinny, the Griffins’ new dog played by Tony Sirico, was a daring move. However, in my opinion, “Family Guy” didn’t quite succeed with this decision. Vinny only had a three-episode run before Stewie, also voiced by MacFarlane, yearned for his longtime companion. Stewie even attempted to ask Santa Claus to bring Brian back; ultimately, he decided to interfere with the timestream again, aiming to prevent the accident that led to Brian’s death. Despite understanding the consequences, Vinny displayed grace and allowed Stewie to erase him from his life.
When the show is unsure, it often reverts to a familiar pattern – a reset button that can make episodes feel repetitive. Although the bond between Brian and Stewie in this instance is heartwarming, it doesn’t enhance the series by altering the ending of a poignant episode and lacking the courage to venture into uncharted, daring territory. The secondary plot, where Peter attempts to rekindle Carter Pewterschmidt’s (both voiced by MacFarlane) holiday spirit using unconventional means, doesn’t contribute significantly to the overall narrative.
The 2,000-Year-Old Virgin (Season 13, 2014)
The animated series “Family Guy” has consistently pushed boundaries, but its unique take on Christmas by satirizing “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” stands out as a particular highlight. This was largely due to the unexpected casting choice – Jesus Christ (portrayed by Alec Sulkin) in the parody role originally played by Steve Carell.
In a quirky turn of events, Peter Griffin encounters Jesus, who works at his neighborhood record shop, when he’s looking for a replacement 45 for a holiday gift. Their reunion stirs in Peter a desire to spend more time with this divine figure. As their bond deepens, Peter discovers that Jesus remains a virgin. Eager to help him explore intimacy, Peter faces an unexpected challenge: Jesus wishes to lose his virginity to Lois, Peter’s wife, voiced by Alex Borstein.
The surprising turn of events in this episode is quite jarring, even by the standards of a Christmas special on “Family Guy”. This plot point has left many viewers with a less favorable impression of their portrayal of Jesus throughout the series. It’s possible that this episode is most notable for sparking Peter’s fixation on the Trashmen song “Surfin’ Bird”, which eventually evolved into an internal joke within the show, becoming a self-referential in-joke. Maybe that’s all it deserves to be remembered for.
Christmas Crime (Season 20, 2021)
In a simpler and more conversational style: Brian Griffin, known for his mischievous ways, has often acted in a way that would make others feel embarrassed. In the episode “Christmas Crime,” he ends up clashing with the entire town of Quahog after accidentally damaging Mayor Wild West’s nativity scene while driving under the influence. However, Brian was already disgruntled about Christmas before this incident, which makes his actions seem more deliberate than they were. Despite Brian trying to cover his tracks, Mayor Wild West manages to identify him as the culprit. On Christmas Day, Brian finds himself alone in jail. The question is whether this experience will help Brian rediscover the spirit of Christmas.
This tale could have been engaging. In the universe of “Family Guy,” Brian is generally seen as an atheist amidst the religious, and the show seldom delves into this aspect during its Christmas specials. However, the episode merely serves as another instance of widespread destruction, culminating in a predictable conclusion emphasizing the importance of family love.
The First No L (Season 19, 2020)
For the first time, Lois threatens to abandon her family when they refuse to pitch in with holiday tasks assigned to them, and “The First No L” is a particularly harsh embodiment of this pattern. She announces she’ll be spending the day in Mexico, only to book a motel room nearby. Peering at her family through binoculars, she anticipates their collapse without her aid. However, what she hadn’t foreseen was that they would not just manage as a team without her; they were thriving and organized. Unable to confront this reality, Lois sabotages Christmas by pilfering their gifts. The ensuing chaos is justified, but when Lois reunites with her family, she finally acknowledges the deep bond they share.
Here’s Lois at her most uncharacteristically poor, offering a feeble adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” which appears primarily as an opportunity for Seth MacFarlane to deliver a reworked rendition of the beloved holiday melody.
How the Griffin Stole Christmas (Season 15, 2016)
As a devoted fan, I’ve got to say that Peter Griffin might not be everyone’s idea of Santa Claus, but in “How the Griffin Stole Christmas,” he certainly steps into the big man’s boots. In this special episode, Peter uses every ounce of his power when he takes on the role as a mall Santa. Sadly, it doesn’t take long for the real Santa Claus to take notice and find himself displeased with Peter’s rule-breaking antics.
In this story, there isn’t much depth to the main storyline as it concludes with Santa Claus making a dire threat against Peter if he doesn’t comply. However, the secondary plot featuring Stewie and Brian crashing an office party and subsequently getting entangled in the dramas of others, eventually landing themselves jobs they claim to have, is more engaging, though not exceptional. All in all, it provides a mediocre yet amusing holiday-themed episode for “Family Guy”.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph! (Season 11, 2012)
For the initial time, it’s a clash between the Griffins and the Bible, resulting in comedy that’s quite amusing, although not as grandiose as their “Blue Harvest” series, which critically analyzed the original “Star Wars” saga in mini-movies.
During their Christmas tree decoration, Peter narrates the tale of Jesus’ birth, casting each family member in significant roles from the manger scene. Peter and Lois take on Joseph and the Virgin Mary respectively, Joe Swanson portrays one of the three wise men, Glenn Quagmire represents another, Cleveland Brown assumes the third, Chris acts as the Little Drummer Boy, Stewie is Jesus himself, and Meg becomes a donkey in this family-oriented reenactment.
As a gamer, I must admit that this game has its fair share of quick and humorous moments, though not all of them hit the mark perfectly. It’s not the funniest string of jokes we’ve ever encountered in a sitcom. However, the final scene is spot on – it subtly reminds us that the true essence of Christmas often gets lost amidst the festivities.
Christmas Is Coming (Season 18, 2019)
This episode is unique because it relies on the quirky, “Family Guy”-esque narrative structure. Essentially, it’s a full 30 minutes focusing on Meg accompanying Stewie to multiple malls, all for her peculiar pleasure of sitting on Santa Claus’ lap… in a way that’s not suitable for all audiences. Interestingly, only one specific Santa Claus – who is later revealed to be the genuine article – fulfills her wish. The twist is that Meg eventually realizes the wrongfulness of her self-centeredness and gains insight into the distress she has caused poor, emotionally scarred Stewie.
In summary, it’s enjoyable to watch Meg have more enjoyable moments and not be constantly targeted by her family in this episode. This installment might amuse fans who appreciate edgy humor, or it could potentially offend them, leaving viewers undecided as to their reaction. For the purpose of this list, it sits comfortably amidst other episodes.
The Return of the King (of Queens) (Season 22, 2023)
In 2023, “Family Guy” took a jab at the typical, formulaic TV shows and their fans that are commonly associated with Christmas, instead of its usual satire on consumerism during the holiday season.
In “The King of Queens’ Comeback,” Lois sells their TV for Christmas funds, leaving Peter without his usual sitcom lineup and holiday distractions. The family persuades him to embrace streaming instead. To his astonishment, Kevin James (portrayed by Josh Robert Thompson) appears at the Griffins’ doorstep. It turns out that Peter’s viewership is crucial for James’ TV shows, and he’s struggling in reality. However, as “real” life takes over, more of James disappears, pushing Peter to find an innovative solution.
This episode offers a captivating, distinctive theme that ultimately becomes a passionate plea for the importance of sitcoms and network television. Given Fox’s longstanding reputation as a hub for sitcom production, this sentiment is certainly not unexpected.
Don’t Be a Dickens at Christmas (Season 16, 2017)
Occasionally, “Family Guy” delivers humor that’s so outrageously funny it leaves you in stitches. The episode titled “Don’t be a Scrooge at Christmas” is an over-the-top, relatively harmless spoof of “A Christmas Carol.” In this story, Peter finds himself on a chaotic journey through his past, present, and future due to his greed. All he desires is a peaceful holiday at home, but Lois insists he helps with numerous chores and charitable work, and she makes him spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with her parents in their lavish mansion. Feeling selfish, Peter encounters the ghost of Patrick Swayze (played by Don Swayze), who aims to guide Peter into understanding his Scrooge-like behavior. Will Patrick manage to reform Peter and help him appreciate the true spirit of Christmas?
Several hilarious scenes, such as the scene where zombie carolers invade the Drunken Clam and Peter dancing with Swayze’s ghost, make this episode a must-watch. Additionally, it marks Carrie Fisher’s last voice acting role, giving it significant historical value in animation. It’s also heartwarming to see Peter showing affection for his kids, regardless of their paternal relationship.
Road to the North Pole (Season 9, 2010)
This is one of the earliest installments in the Stewie and Brian-centered road-trip heavy “Road To” series, and thus far the only Christmas-centered one. Stranded after going to the mall, Stewie and Brian travel the highways and byways of the world to get home. Stewie — holding a grudge against Santa Claus thanks to a negative experience with a mall Santa — demands that they go to the North Pole. They do and discover that Santa’s elf forces are exhausted, leading them into a battle with the man in red, ultimately leaving the two of them in charge of distributing presents worldwide.
This animated special stands out due to its tense storyline and enjoyable banter between Stewie and Brian. The music, particularly the catchy original number “All I Really Want For Christmas,” adds to the festive feel and is a notable addition to the series’ holiday song collection. However, while it’s an enjoyable watch, it doesn’t quite surpass other notable Christmas specials in the series.
A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas (Season 3, 2001)
In the world of “Family Guy” episodes, the initial ones often rank as the best. Lois yearns for Stewie to be part of the Quahog nativity scene, but misfortune seems to follow the family: from their Christmas tree catching fire, to Brian spoiling their dinner, to their gifts being mistakenly donated to charity. Eventually, Lois reaches her breaking point and goes on a chaotic rampage throughout the town, culminating in her scaling the town’s Christmas tree, reminiscent of King Kong.
This episode of “Family Guy” is filled with laughter, it moves swiftly, and leaves an impression – what more could you want? It also brings the perfect dose of holiday cheer, making viewers feel merry and festive. Notably, this episode marked the beginning of the show’s connection with KISS, leading to numerous engaging storylines, such as “The Road to Europe.” This is one of the finest holiday-themed episodes in “Family Guy,” and it’s even suitable for those who aren’t fans of the show – if served with a generous helping of eggnog.
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2024-10-04 15:00