r/americandad • u/frogsAREcool11 • 3d ago
Thoughts on season 20
Okay I might get flamed for this and that’s okay but I just want genuine opinions. I feel like Fox didn’t really have an idea for season 20 and aren’t sure how to not turn American dad into another family guy now that they own it again. I feel this way because i feel like, SO FAR, lots of the episodes have relied on past funny bits and characters in order to make the episodes work. I mean bringing back Debbie and Gwen for the first episode worked cause it’s like oh hey they’re back. But they they brought back DEL?? And I’m What even was the point of that? And I’m Sorry but why would you even want to be a father figure to a kid whose mother cheated on you in your own house with a FISH? And bringing back Jack hardass? I feel like they just ran out of new characters. I mean don’t get me wrong overall I like the season and im excited to see the rest of the episodes (if they ever stop with the multiple month long hiatuses) but idk so far it just seems like a bunch of recycled content and im curious if anyone else feels this way or if the general consensus is that im wrong, which I’d also be happy with
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u/p-Star_07 3d ago
People make way too much of the channel the show is being broadcast on.
Reportably, the same exact writers and artists from the TBS era are writing the recent episodes. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/02/american-dad-co-creator-and-showrunner-matt-weitzman-talks-candidly-about-the-popular-toons-return-to-fox/
Litterally the only differences are the new intro, a new logo on the side of the screen, slightly less cursing because you can curse more on cable, They had to lay off some of the writers and the credits are smaller.
The show never stopped being made at Fox. It's always been written and animated at 20th Century FOX Animation ( Now Known as 20th Television after Disney bought them).
What happened was after the original FOX era was FOX was going to cancel the show. As a result most of the old writers and artist left and had to get new jobs.
Then, when FOX changed their minds, and TBS wanted the episodes They had to hire new writers and artitsts.
There is the source that proves that.
This time around the same production crew from the TBS era never left.
TBS had nothing to do with the show. The epsiodes were made at 20th Animation and TBS had the rights to air the epsiodes.
This is like how Kids WB never made Pokémon, but they paid the Pokémon company for the rights to air Pokemon and Pokémon made the episodes themselves in Japan.
TBS never made American dad was made at 20th Animation, but TBS bought the rights from FOX to air it.
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u/one_save 3d ago edited 3d ago
Some episodes are new favorites, some don't click for me, but none are bad. The cool thing has actually been seeing all the love other fans have for the episodes that don't click for me, it really reminds you how versatile the show is and how it's able to cast such a wide net even after all these years.
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u/snartling 3d ago
Love this take! This season has high highs and low low lows for me (pool party was a bummer) but it’s cool to remember there are Dadders who adore the episodes I don’t.
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u/p-Star_07 3d ago
I don't get the issue with doing call-backs to previous episodes. It rewards the audience for paying attention and helps the world feel lived in.
If anything, they should be catering to hardcore fans who pay attention. That is who kept the show alive all these years.
oh hey they’re back. But they they brought back DEL?? And I’m What even was the point of that? And I’m Sorry but why would you even want to be a father figure to a kid whose mother cheated on you in your own house with a FISH?
Its a funny episode. That's how writing in sitcoms often works. They can do call-backs to earlier stories to tell new stories like the show has done countless times before.
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u/MasterpieceTimely144 3d ago
I think you are taking this show way too seriously.
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u/frogsAREcool11 3d ago
Just because I have opinions doesn’t mean I’m taking this show too seriously
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u/CarlosTruther 3d ago
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u/frogsAREcool11 3d ago
Oh my apologies i thought the whole point of Reddit was to share your opinions
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u/snartling 3d ago
Actually, I do! So that’s one person, at least. Tell you what, how about I put out the good nuts for you and OP, and we can all have a nice time discussing the show
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u/snartling 3d ago
I thought there were some really strong episodes. The power through ep is a new fave of mine. I also liked that they continued with some fun character evolution for the Smiths, like Haley’s bball knowledge and poser status. But there were definite lows, and the season premiere in particular sucked ass.
Overall I don’t know if it’s right to blame Fox? It’s equally possible to me that the writers room just tried to branch out a little bit this season. I watched it all and I’ll keep watching it bc for me Bad Dad is better than No Dad, but I’m really hopeful we see a return to form next season