The Vacation Goo
Encyclopedia
"The Vacation Goo" is the eleventh episode of the third season of the animated series American Dad!
. It originally aired on September 30, 2007. This episode centers around the Smiths, whom start to develop communication issues with each other. Francine
becomes aggravated that the family cannot congregate with each other during dinner. Stan
later plans for a vacation in Hawaii, only to be interrupted by Roger. The family subsequently go on several virtual vacations, only to have Francine go into an emotional breakdown. The Smith family go onto a cruise, but Francine's suspicions get the best of her and the Smiths are stranded on an island.
This episode was directed by Albert Calleros, and written by Josh Bycel
and Jonathan Fener. It received mostly mixed to positive reviews from most television critics. According to the Nielson ratings, it was viewed by 6.03 million households during its original airing, and acquired a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic. The episode featured a guest appearance from Elizabeth Banks
as Becky Arangino, along with several recurring guest voice actors for the series.
becomes frustrated that she cannot get the family together for Sunday night dinner as a new tradition, Stan
suggests a vacation, and the Smiths have a great time in Maui
until Roger interrupts them. Francine
, Steve
and Hayley
find themselves floating in virtual reality
chambers filled with a green, gooey substance. They then learn that Stan
programs a vacation in the goo chambers every year, and Francine demands they go on a real vacation. Twice they appear to do so, first skiing
and then going to Italy
, but each time they end up in the goo chambers, with Steve and then Hayley programming the vacations. Finally, when the others offer to take Francine on a cruise, she remains suspicious until Stan shows her he is returning the chambers to the CIA. On the cruise, only Francine has fun until Steve meets Becky (Elizabeth Banks), the attractive cruise activities director, who hits on him (because she is attracted to younger boys).
Meanwhile, Roger, who wants to become a famous movie star, lands a movie part, but quits when he cannot cry on cue. He then becomes an Olivia Newton-John
impersonator on a cruise ship—the same ship that the Smiths are on. When Francine sees Stan and Hayley acting happy, Steve with Becky, and Roger singing "Xanadu," she becomes convinced she is in one of the vats and jumps overboard, expecting to wake up at home. The others, plus Becky, follow her and rescue her, but realize nobody told the ship to come back for them. They land on an island
, then learn that hunters living on the island plan to hunt them down for sport
, causing them to take refuge in a cave.
In Puerto Rico, Roger is thrown off the ship for stealing silverware
and is forced to become an exotic dancer
at a strip club
. When his career hits rock bottom, he resorts to prostitution
and is finally able to cry on cue.
In the cave, Becky is crushed to death when she tries to collect rainwater, and the others reluctantly resort to eating her to survive. The hunters then find them, and the Smiths learn that the island—and the hunt—was part of the cruise. Considering the topic of Becky, Francine says (while the entire family nearly vomits in disgust) that nothing bonds a family like a dark, horrible secret, and Stan quickly changes the subject, asking where the family wants to go next year.
The scene then changes to the Smiths happily floating in a hot-air balloon over a vast canyon, and holding a toast "to the goo"; it is then revealed that they are using the goo tanks once again, this time as a family.
The idea for "Vacation Goo" may well have come from a philosophical issue, about which there has been much fascinating debate. Why would we not (if we would not) want to be a "brain in a vat" having all the experiences we want to have, virtually, instead of actually? See the entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_in_a_vat. Many philosophers argue that we would not want to be brains in a vat; this episode of American Dad! argues to the contrary.
. It was preceded by The Simpsons
, King of The Hill
, and its sister show Family Guy
. It was watched by 6.03 million, according to the Nielson ratings, and garnered a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographics. This episode was down 32% in total viewership compared to "Camp Refoogee", the previous season premiere of American Dad which was viewed by 8.9 million homes during its original airing.
"The Vacation Goo" was met with generally mixed to positive reviews from most television critics. In a simultaneous review of the episodes of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Family Guy preceded the show, Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club
gave it a mixed review, writing, "What surprises me more than the show's continued existence, though, is the fact that it's actually pretty funny, which makes the fact that it remains so unremarkable so, well, remarkable. While I usually find the bajillion-megawatt "political satire" of the show to be pretty tiring, the family-oriented storylines can be pretty fun, in a campy way." He went on to criticize the subplot, calling it "weird". He went on to give the episode a B, the third highest grade of the night, beating out King of the Hill episode "Bobby Rae
", but scoring lower than The Simpsons episode "Homer of Seville
" and Family Guy episode "Movin' Out (Brian's Song)
".
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...
. It originally aired on September 30, 2007. This episode centers around the Smiths, whom start to develop communication issues with each other. Francine
Francine 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:...
becomes aggravated that the family cannot congregate with each other during dinner. Stan
Stan Smith
Stanley Roger "Stan" Smith is a former American tennis player and two time Grand Slam singles champion who also, with his partner Bob Lutz, formed one of the most successful doubles teams of all time. Together, they won many major titles all over the world...
later plans for a vacation in Hawaii, only to be interrupted by Roger. The family subsequently go on several virtual vacations, only to have Francine go into an emotional breakdown. The Smith family go onto a cruise, but Francine's suspicions get the best of her and the Smiths are stranded on an island.
This episode was directed by Albert Calleros, and written by Josh Bycel
Josh Bycel
Josh Bycel is a television writer/producer. He has worked on such shows as Veronica's Closet, It's All Relative, Andy Barker P.I., and American Dad. He has recently been hired as the executive producer and co-showrunner for the revamped ninth season of Scrubs.-Writer:*09.Scrubs **Our Drunken...
and Jonathan Fener. It received mostly mixed to positive reviews from most television critics. According to the Nielson ratings, it was viewed by 6.03 million households during its original airing, and acquired a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic. The episode featured a guest appearance from Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell , known professionally as Elizabeth Banks, is an American actress. Banks had her film debut in the low-budget independent film Surrender Dorothy...
as Becky Arangino, along with several recurring guest voice actors for the series.
Plot
When 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:...
becomes frustrated that she cannot get the family together for Sunday night dinner as a new tradition, 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,...
suggests a vacation, and the Smiths have a great time in Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
until Roger interrupts them. Francine
Francine
Francine is a female given name. The name is of French origin, derived from French name Françoise, itself the female version of François, the French form of Francis. The name Francine was most popular in France itself during the 1940s , and was well used in the United States during the 1940s 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...
and Hayley
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....
find themselves floating in virtual reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
chambers filled with a green, gooey substance. They then learn that Stan
Stan
Stan may refer to:*Stan, short for Stanley *Stan, short for Stanislav*Professor Stan Heptinstall, British academic and politician*Stan Lee, American comic book writer...
programs a vacation in the goo chambers every year, and Francine demands they go on a real vacation. Twice they appear to do so, first skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and then going to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, but each time they end up in the goo chambers, with Steve and then Hayley programming the vacations. Finally, when the others offer to take Francine on a cruise, she remains suspicious until Stan shows her he is returning the chambers to the CIA. On the cruise, only Francine has fun until Steve meets Becky (Elizabeth Banks), the attractive cruise activities director, who hits on him (because she is attracted to younger boys).
Meanwhile, Roger, who wants to become a famous movie star, lands a movie part, but quits when he cannot cry on cue. He then becomes an Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
impersonator on a cruise ship—the same ship that the Smiths are on. When Francine sees Stan and Hayley acting happy, Steve with Becky, and Roger singing "Xanadu," she becomes convinced she is in one of the vats and jumps overboard, expecting to wake up at home. The others, plus Becky, follow her and rescue her, but realize nobody told the ship to come back for them. They land on an island
The Most Dangerous Game
"The Most Dangerous Game", also published as "The Hounds of Zaroff", is a short story by Richard Connell. It was published in Collier's Weekly on January 19, 1924....
, then learn that hunters living on the island plan to hunt them down for sport
Human hunting
Human hunting is a quasi-urban legend, where certain people hunt and kill humans for the purpose of pleasure, entertainment, or sustenance. Serial killer Robert Hansen would abduct and hunt his victims before killing them. The Beltway sniper attacks hunted their victims at gas stations and stores...
, causing them to take refuge in a cave.
In Puerto Rico, Roger is thrown off the ship for stealing silverware
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
and is forced to become an exotic dancer
Striptease
A striptease is an erotic or exotic dance in which the performer gradually undresses, either partly or completely, in a seductive and sexually suggestive manner...
at a strip club
Strip club
A strip club is an adult entertainment venue in which striptease or other erotic or exotic dance is regularly performed. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, but can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style....
. When his career hits rock bottom, he resorts to prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
and is finally able to cry on cue.
In the cave, Becky is crushed to death when she tries to collect rainwater, and the others reluctantly resort to eating her to survive. The hunters then find them, and the Smiths learn that the island—and the hunt—was part of the cruise. Considering the topic of Becky, Francine says (while the entire family nearly vomits in disgust) that nothing bonds a family like a dark, horrible secret, and Stan quickly changes the subject, asking where the family wants to go next year.
The scene then changes to the Smiths happily floating in a hot-air balloon over a vast canyon, and holding a toast "to the goo"; it is then revealed that they are using the goo tanks once again, this time as a family.
The idea for "Vacation Goo" may well have come from a philosophical issue, about which there has been much fascinating debate. Why would we not (if we would not) want to be a "brain in a vat" having all the experiences we want to have, virtually, instead of actually? See the entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_in_a_vat. Many philosophers argue that we would not want to be brains in a vat; this episode of American Dad! argues to the contrary.
Reception
"The Vacation Goo" aired on September 30, 2007 as part of the animated television line-up on FoxFox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
. It was preceded by The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, King of The Hill
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
, and its sister show Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
. It was watched by 6.03 million, according to the Nielson ratings, and garnered a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographics. This episode was down 32% in total viewership compared to "Camp Refoogee", the previous season premiere of American Dad which was viewed by 8.9 million homes during its original airing.
"The Vacation Goo" was met with generally mixed to positive reviews from most television critics. In a simultaneous review of the episodes of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Family Guy preceded the show, Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
gave it a mixed review, writing, "What surprises me more than the show's continued existence, though, is the fact that it's actually pretty funny, which makes the fact that it remains so unremarkable so, well, remarkable. While I usually find the bajillion-megawatt "political satire" of the show to be pretty tiring, the family-oriented storylines can be pretty fun, in a campy way." He went on to criticize the subplot, calling it "weird". He went on to give the episode a B, the third highest grade of the night, beating out King of the Hill episode "Bobby Rae
Bobby Rae
"Bobby Rae" is the 215th episode of the FOX animated television series King of the Hill.-Plot:To impress a girl, Bobby protests against soda machines in the school. However, since the teachers have been using the drink machine money to pay for their "retreat", they decide to fight back...
", but scoring lower than The Simpsons episode "Homer of Seville
Homer of Seville
"Homer of Seville", also known as "The Homer of Seville", is the second episode of The Simpsons nineteenth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on September 30, 2007. In the episode, Homer gains an operatic ability to sing following an accident, and becomes a professional...
" and Family Guy episode "Movin' Out (Brian's Song)
Movin' Out (Brian's Song)
"Movin' Out " is the second episode of the sixth season of the animated series Family Guy. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on September 30, 2007. It was written by John Viener and directed by Cyndi Tang. In the episode, Peter convinces Brian to move in with his girlfriend Jillian...
".