Cops and Roger
Encyclopedia
"Cops and Roger" is the fourteenth episode of the fifth season of American Dad!
, originally aired on April 11, 2010.
The episode — which focused on Roger's foray into a law enforcement career — was the first American Dad! episode aired since the series was briefly put on hiatus to make way for Sons of Tucson
. The return of American Dad! followed the cancellation of Sons of Tucson due to low ratings.
are victims of a mugging, Roger joins the police academy so he can learn how to defend himself and his loved ones (including Stan
and Steve
). After Roger is trained by Stan he falls in with Chaz Migliaccio (Bobby Cannavale
), a corrupt cop who eventually causes Roger to become just as bad as the mugger.
When Chaz becomes aware of a tape of Roger stealing money from a smuggler's transaction filmed by Stan (who was spying on the smugglers for the CIA), he kidnaps and leaves Stan tied up and tape-gagged. When Roger is told by Chaz to shoot Stan, he cannot bring himself to do it and instead pulls the gun on Chaz, who then reveals that Roger was given a fake gun to see if he was loyal to Chaz or Stan. Chaz shoots Roger with the real gun while Roger climbs up a chain. Before he is shot again, Roger jumps down from the chain with an elbow drop and lands on Chaz's head which causes it to burst and kill him (after which Roger replies "That was unexpected"). Roger rescues Stan, which repairs the two's friendship.
Meanwhile, Hayley's
new friendship with Reginald the Koala threatens her relationship with her new boyfriend, Ian.
group the Parents Television Council
, a frequent critic of American Dad! and other Seth McFarlane-produced television programs, named "Cops and Roger" its "Worst TV Show of the Week" for the week ending April 16, 2010. In its review, the PTC recognized the comedic value of slapstick
in comedy, but said the scene where Roger kills Chaz, and the graphic depiction therein — the explosion of Chaz's head is replayed five times — "crossed that line" between hilarious and gratuitous.
American Dad!
American Dad! is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane and owned by Underdog Productions and Fuzzy Door Productions. It is produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television...
, originally aired on April 11, 2010.
The episode — which focused on Roger's foray into a law enforcement career — was the first American Dad! episode aired since the series was briefly put on hiatus to make way for Sons of Tucson
Sons of Tucson
Sons of Tucson is a comedy television series starring Tyler Labine, Frank Dolce, Matthew Levy and Benjamin Stockham. It premiered on Fox on March 11, 2010...
. The return of American Dad! followed the cancellation of Sons of Tucson due to low ratings.
Plot
After Roger and FrancineFrancine Smith
Francine Smith is a fictional character on the animated television series American Dad!. She is the wife of Stan Smith and the mother of Steve and Hayley. Francine is voiced by Wendy Schaal.-Fictional character biography:...
are victims of a mugging, Roger joins the police academy so he can learn how to defend himself and his loved ones (including Stan
Stan Smith (American Dad!)
Stan Smith is a character from the animated television series American Dad!. Stan is a Central Intelligence Agency officer. Although once a case officer, he is now a weapons expert. Stan is voiced by the series' creator and executive producer, Seth MacFarlane.-Summary:Stan Smith born 12 February,...
and Steve
Steve Smith (American Dad!)
Steven Anita “Steve” Smith is a character from the animated television series American Dad!. He is Stan and Francine Smith's only son and Hayley's younger brother as well as the youngest of the series' 6 main characters. Steve is voiced by Scott Grimes.According to TVTDB.com, Steve's original...
). After Roger is trained by Stan he falls in with Chaz Migliaccio (Bobby Cannavale
Bobby Cannavale
Robert M. "Bobby" Cannavale is an American actor known for his leading role as Bobby Caffey in the first two seasons of the television series Third Watch. He also had a recurring role as Officer Vince D'Angelo on the comedy series Will & Grace.-Early life:Cannavale grew up in Union City, New...
), a corrupt cop who eventually causes Roger to become just as bad as the mugger.
When Chaz becomes aware of a tape of Roger stealing money from a smuggler's transaction filmed by Stan (who was spying on the smugglers for the CIA), he kidnaps and leaves Stan tied up and tape-gagged. When Roger is told by Chaz to shoot Stan, he cannot bring himself to do it and instead pulls the gun on Chaz, who then reveals that Roger was given a fake gun to see if he was loyal to Chaz or Stan. Chaz shoots Roger with the real gun while Roger climbs up a chain. Before he is shot again, Roger jumps down from the chain with an elbow drop and lands on Chaz's head which causes it to burst and kill him (after which Roger replies "That was unexpected"). Roger rescues Stan, which repairs the two's friendship.
Meanwhile, Hayley's
Hayley Smith (American Dad!)
Hayley Dreamsmasher Smith Fischer is a character from the animated television series American Dad!. She is voiced by Rachael MacFarlane, the younger sister of one of the series co-creators, Seth MacFarlane....
new friendship with Reginald the Koala threatens her relationship with her new boyfriend, Ian.
Reception
Media watchdogWatchdog journalism
Watchdog journalism aims to hold accountable public personalities and institutions, whose functions impact social and political life. The term "lapdog journalism", for journalism biased in favour of personalities and institutions, is sometimes used as a conceptual opposite to watchdog...
group the Parents Television Council
Parents Television Council
The Parents Television Council is a U.S. based advocacy group founded by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III in 1995 using the National Legion of Decency as a model...
, a frequent critic of American Dad! and other Seth McFarlane-produced television programs, named "Cops and Roger" its "Worst TV Show of the Week" for the week ending April 16, 2010. In its review, the PTC recognized the comedic value of slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
in comedy, but said the scene where Roger kills Chaz, and the graphic depiction therein — the explosion of Chaz's head is replayed five times — "crossed that line" between hilarious and gratuitous.