Family Guy finished its 23rd season on July 17 with "Twain's World." The episode brought the historic author, Mark Twain, into the 21st Century. While I have a feeling that the actual Twain would be turning over in his grave at several of America's disparities, the Family Guy version was having fun with it.
Season 23 of the Seth MacFarlane-created animated comedy surely delivered the hijinks, with a few of the "problematic jokes" that are a part of Family Guy's legacy. It started off strong with the premiere of "Fat Gun," a parody of the 80s Tom Cruise action movie, Top Gun. Then, the narrative's focus shifted primarily to Lois, who received considerable screen time. Not that I'm complaining, because the writers' move unveiled a more sinister and unleashed side to the Griffin matriarch that I enjoyed.
That said, season 24 better be filled with some great content, as that will keep the audience attached. Chances are that the writing is already completed, as seasons are planned a year in advance, but that doesn't mean we don't have ideas of what we'd like to see. A significant part of why shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons are granted multiple seasons is the unwavering fan love they receive. And, while we have very little power over the writing, the shows give back to the fans through engagement on social media.
Lastly, Fox has yet to announce the premiere of season 24, but if it follows the past season's schedule, the network may release it during midseason in 2026. When the show does return, here are five key things we need to see in the new season!
Brian and Stewie storylines
Brian and Stewie are the show's comedic duo, and there's nothing more hilarious than when the baby points out the dog's lack of knowledge on anything. What's more is that Stewie can't go on a time travel trip without Brian, which shows that he truly cares about him. Over the years, we've seen them bond, especially over things the rest of the family doesn't seem to give much thought to.
The boys balance each other out and a paring doesn't always have to be canonical to be popular.
Giving Meg Griffin some much deserved respect
Meg always got the short end of the stick on Family Guy, and not because she's a girl, but because of her disturbed attitude. To be fair, much of it is geared toward Lois, Peter, and Chris, as they don't give her the respect she deserves.
To tackle the issue, once in a Blue Moon, the family could cut Meg some slack and give her a moment to shine. It doesn't have to be anything major or eliminate the humor, but a gesture that reflects gratitude and proves that the teenage girl isn't as hated as she thinks she is.
Stewie having a mortal enemy
Another potential storyline for season 24 would be Stewie getting another mortal enemy to keep him on his toes. During Family Guy's reign, a number of enemies were introduced and their purpose was to bring out Stewie's moral compass and vulnerability. Off the top of my head, we had half-brother Bertram, love interests Olivia and Penelope, and my personal favorite of the group, Doug.
Unfortunately, Stewie's enemies were written off, either by disappearance or death after having served their time. If the writers were to grant Stewie another rival, then they should be in the spirit of Doug, as he was a delight to watch and you can't top Chris Parnell's voice acting.
Limiting the disability jokes on Joe Swanson
One of the negative aspects of Family Guy is the inclusion of disability jokes, particularly those made at Joe's expense. He has a pretty sad backstory, given that he became a paraplegic while on duty as a police officer, and it threw him curveballs. You'd think that he'd get a little sympathy, but no. Joe has become the punching bag of ableism at its core. If anything, the series also revealed him as a family man, dedicated hard worker, and a guy who enjoys a drink with his buddies.
However, Joe often feels sorry for himself, and as a disabled person myself, I can relate. It doesn't help when you're the brunt of humor, but long ago, I learned to ignore the vitriol and even cracked a joke or two about myself. And perhaps that's why humor has been utilized, as it can both be a shield and a window to the Disability Community. Yes, we're inundated with problems, but it doesn't detract from our quality of life.
Yet, Family Guy presents the subject matter in a satirical light, as anything else on the show.
More Peter shenanigans
A significant chunk of Family Guy's spirit relies heavily on the numerous shenanigans of Peter Griffin. We've practically seen him do the weirdest things-such as guzzling aircraft fuel to power his pickup, getting locked up in a mall at night, and even going as far as committing welfare fraud. Through all of these and many more, we laughed and shook our heads at his fiascos.
Season 24 wouldn't be complete without a handful of Peter's shenanigans, because when you think about it, the show planted its roots; that's how Family Guy began. The writers should stick with the original formula and devise new ways for Peter to get into trouble.
Family Guy season 24 will premiere on Fox. In the meantime, you can stream seasons 1 to 23 on Hulu!
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