It’s a new cartoon series from “Family Guy” creator Seth McFarlane, this time about a CIA operative, the extraterrestrial living under his protection, and a goldfish with the brain of a German skier. The second episode airs May 1.
Ain't It Cool News says:
... amazingly unfunny … a colossal miss and one of the more ill conceived shows you're likely to see. … The only real laugh in the thing comes when [CIA man Stan Smith] shoots a toaster out of paranoia -- and that gag comes from the eighties show "Sledge Hammer!" who Smith acts just like. …
Variety says:
… spraying jokes against the wall, too few of which stick … despite occasional chuckles, "Dad" doesn't know best. … the low batting average and scatological emphasis conspire to narrow the program's appeal. … it's hard not to like a series whose pilot features a pandering headline that reads, "TV Critics Broker Mideast Peace Deal," but I still managed, mostly because it felt as if I'd seen every beat of this before. … plenty of the jokes sound designed for, if not written by, those with a bad case of the munchies …
The Hollywood Reporter says:
… It's bound to offend a few self-appointed guardians of decency; everyone else should enjoy its mildly subversive and proudly underground style. …
USA Today gives it two stars (out of four) and says:
… If the characters are similar to those you'll find on Family Guy, so is the show's lack of interest in character continuity and development. … Too few of the jokes work, and too many mistake bad taste for good humor. …
Entertainment Weekly gives it a “B-” and says:
... Family Guy is so beloved you want [Seth McFarlane] to do it again. Sadly, he has. The Smiths are a pale imitation of Guy's Griffin clan, including the same lame kids, weird dad (Stan could be Peter's right-wing, gun-toting cousin), and mom-loving pet — this time a fish. ...
Newsday says:
... I can't believe Fox would insult "The Simpsons" - its greatest contribution to popular culture and satirical art - by pairing it with a show that doesn't have a third of its wit or originality. ...
The Detroit Free Press gives it two stars (out of four) and says:
… If you like your cartoon humor rude, crude and painfully obvious, then McFarlane's your man. … Just like "Family Guy" "American Dad" is often not very funny at all. … Fox may have the last laugh with "American Dad." But I'm still waiting for my first.
11:10 p.m. ET. 8:10 p.m. PT. Sunday Fox.
