Family Guy is back with another holiday special, this time with a musical Halloween twist. Seth MacFarlane’s irreverent animated comedy is in its 26th year, and the show continues to be timely and topical with its humor.
Family Guy: A Little Fright Music sees Peter Griffin take his son Chris on a trick-or-treating trip out of town, but when Lois finds out, things quickly unravel. Meanwhile, Stewie and Brian are hard at work trying to come up with a new song to mark the holiday, and Meg is largely forgotten.
Family Guy Delivers A Kooky & Topical Halloween Special
The Halloween episode is the same length as a typical series entry, but the time is used incredibly effectively. Throughout the 22-minute run, there are two major storylines set up, as well as a handful of minor bits, and everything is neatly wrapped up by the episode’s conclusion.
This feels like a holiday special done right, when so many other network shows stumble over how to effectively execute these stories without getting completely overpowered.
In keeping with the season, Family Guy sets this story during Halloween night, and makes use of costumes and other things to effectively tell a themed story. Beyond that, the show leans hard into its essential brand of irreverent humor. With jokes referencing modern celebrities and current events, it’s a great episode, not just a hastily pieced-together holiday special.
And with most of the regulars from Quahog making an appearance throughout, it still manages to feel like more of an event than the standard episodes. All things considered, this holiday special is done right in the way it weaves together classic Family Guy with touches of Halloween that work well together. When so many other network shows stumble over how to effectively execute these stories, Family Guy does so without getting overpowered or becoming disconnected from the rest of the show.
Peter & Chris Are The Highlights Of A Little Fright Music
While Brian and Stewie provide the soundtrack that gives this episode its title, it’s Peter and Chris that make this episode work. Chris has transformed from a bumbling and shy buffoon into a charismatic and hilarious young man who has a great deal of depth. However, he is also his father’s son, and that depth often goes unexplored when he and his father are together.
Family Guy is back in full form with this episode.
Peter Griffin is often selfish, thoughtless, and extremely spontaneous, and with numerous bits throughout the episode driving this point home, it is a great reminder of why he is the star of this absurd animated sitcom. But seeing him contrast and connect with Chris adds new layers to the humor of the show. Chris has a great sequence where he tries on several Halloween costumes that is sharp and witty, and this pairs well with later moments as he has “deep” conversations with his father about the future.
Family Guy is back in full form with A Little Fright Music, and the quality of the holiday special stands out from previous efforts. Throughout, there are laugh-out-loud moments and wonderful visual gags that elevate the episode. And of course, the musical talents of Brian and Stewie tie it all together nicely.
Family Guy: A Little Fright Music is available to watch now on Hulu.
- Release Date
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January 31, 1999
- Network
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FOX
- Showrunner
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Seth MacFarlane
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Seth MacFarlane
Peter Griffin / Brian Griffin / Stewie Griffin / Glenn Quagmire / Tom Tucker (voice)
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Alex Borstein
Lois Griffin / Tricia Takanawa / Loretta Brown / Barbara Pewterschmidt (voice)
- Great use of the larger cast.
- Excellent storytelling between two central plots that wraps up neatly.
- Perfect way to use the Halloween theme within the context of the show.
- It could have been a little longer as a special episode.
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