Virtual In-Stanity
Encyclopedia
"Virtual In-Stanity" is the fifth episode of the seventh season
of the animated comedy series American Dad!
. It aired on Fox
in the United States on November 20, 2011. The episode plot mainly revolves around Stan
making a desperate attempt to bond with his son, Steve
by creating a busty blonde bombshell.
This episode was written by Jordan Blum and Parker Deay and directed by Shawn Murray. This episode generally received positive reviews.
observes Dick trying out his avatar "Black Dick" to work out some frustration from losing. Dick does this by entering a virtual reality
machine and, hooked up to sensors, dictates the movements of a cyborg
. Francine
calls and warns Stan that he is about to miss Steve's birthday yet again. Stan rushes home with a stuffed rabbit full of heroin from evidence as a gift. Over home movies, Stan realizes he is not in any of them because he was always busy with other things. After Steve gives him the brush off from an invitation to a baseball game, Stan starts worrying that he may miss out on a chance to bond with Steve. Stan makes a desperate attempt to bond with his son by creating a busty blonde bombshell avatar, Phyllis, whom he sends Steve’s way. But as Stan feels uncomfortable with making out to his son through Phyllis, Steve feels the relationship is going no where and decides to take a girl named Chelsea to the school dance instead.
In desperation, Stan makes an offer through Phyllis to have sex with Steve that the boy gladly accepts. On the night of the dance, upon learning what her husband is up to when she arrives to the CIA building, Francine attempts to intervene. But unable to get into the avatar chamber, Francine takes a power lift mecha to the school and uses it to pin Phyllis down while Steve is in the bathroom trying to ready himself. Convinced by Francine that he should just accept his life with Steve the way it is, Stan has Phyllis break up with Steve. When Steve attempts to hook up with Chelsea again, he finds she is no longer interested in him and runs home where he comforted by Stan. Though Francine points that that he caused the grief for his son, Stan is more focused on the fact that he was there for Steve.
Meanwhile, Roger steals a limo and starts his own limo service with Klaus
joining on the venture. But when a group of disrespectful fraternity
guys “drive and dash”, ignoring their antics in hope of being paid twenty dollars, Roger goes on a murderous manhunt
to get his revenge starting with one of the guys almost immediately. Roger later runs down two others at his first victim's funeral and then the fourth while he is in the stall. The last survivor tries to flee on an airplane, only to look out the window in mid flight to see Roger's limo on the wing. Roger runs him down as well, causing the plane to explode and killing mostly everyone on board. As he and Klaus pass a surviving stewardess in a parachute, getting addicted to his murderous bloodlust, Roger kills her by undoing her chute before he and Klaus crash land in their own parachutes.
This episode was written by Jordan Blum and Parker Deay and directed by Shawn Murray. Seth MacFarlane
, the creator and executive producer of American Dad!, as well as its sister shows Family Guy
and The Cleveland Show
, served as the executive producer
for the episode, along with series veterans Mike Barker, Rick Wiener, Matt Weitzman
, and Kenny Schwartz. In addition to the regular cast, Sarah Michelle Gellar
guest starred in the episode also appearing in this episode was Geller's former co-star Alyson Hannigan
. David Koechner
, who appeared in The Office and Saturday Night Live, reprises his role of Dick Reynolds in this episode.
rated this episode a Grade A-, saying: "This one's for the nerds. It had regular guest star Patrick Stewart
joined by Alyson Hannigan
and Sarah Michelle Gellar
Prinze Jr., as well as references to Aliens, Avatar
and The Terminator
(at least). Despite having many opportunities, American Dad generally resisted the impulse to pander, with the possible exception of Francine climbing into an exo-suit and saying “Stay away from him, you bitch!” This meant the episode managed to focus on doing what American Dad does best – being funny. So this episode had everything it needed to be a success, and it built on that. From the initial “Race riot!” joke in the opening, it did what American Dad does best – it maintains a constant level of humor, with a high point of Stan getting low to “Get Low” using his avatar. It's a great episode for fans of Roger, Stan, Francine, and Steve, which I'm pretty sure encompasses pretty much every American Dad fan."
American Dad! (season 7)
American Dad! seventh season debuted on the Fox network on September 25, 2011. This season will consist of 22 episodes.On February 23, 2011, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a seventh season....
of the animated comedy series American Dad!
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 aired on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
in the United States on November 20, 2011. The episode plot mainly revolves around 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,...
making a desperate attempt to bond with his son, 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...
by creating a busty blonde bombshell.
This episode was written by Jordan Blum and Parker Deay and directed by Shawn Murray. This episode generally received positive reviews.
Plot
While playing poker with the guys, StanStan 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...
observes Dick trying out his avatar "Black Dick" to work out some frustration from losing. Dick does this by entering a 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...
machine and, hooked up to sensors, dictates the movements of a cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
. 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:...
calls and warns Stan that he is about to miss Steve's birthday yet again. Stan rushes home with a stuffed rabbit full of heroin from evidence as a gift. Over home movies, Stan realizes he is not in any of them because he was always busy with other things. After Steve gives him the brush off from an invitation to a baseball game, Stan starts worrying that he may miss out on a chance to bond with Steve. Stan makes a desperate attempt to bond with his son by creating a busty blonde bombshell avatar, Phyllis, whom he sends Steve’s way. But as Stan feels uncomfortable with making out to his son through Phyllis, Steve feels the relationship is going no where and decides to take a girl named Chelsea to the school dance instead.
In desperation, Stan makes an offer through Phyllis to have sex with Steve that the boy gladly accepts. On the night of the dance, upon learning what her husband is up to when she arrives to the CIA building, Francine attempts to intervene. But unable to get into the avatar chamber, Francine takes a power lift mecha to the school and uses it to pin Phyllis down while Steve is in the bathroom trying to ready himself. Convinced by Francine that he should just accept his life with Steve the way it is, Stan has Phyllis break up with Steve. When Steve attempts to hook up with Chelsea again, he finds she is no longer interested in him and runs home where he comforted by Stan. Though Francine points that that he caused the grief for his son, Stan is more focused on the fact that he was there for Steve.
Meanwhile, Roger steals a limo and starts his own limo service with Klaus
Klaus
Klaus is a German given name and surname. It originated as a short form of Nikolaus, a German form of the given name Nicholas.-Notable persons whose family name is Klaus:*Billy Klaus, baseball player.*Chris Klaus, entrepreneur....
joining on the venture. But when a group of disrespectful fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
guys “drive and dash”, ignoring their antics in hope of being paid twenty dollars, Roger goes on a murderous manhunt
Vehicular homicide
Vehicular homicide in most states in the United States, is a crime. In general, it involves death that results from the negligent operation of a vehicle, or more so a result from driving while committing an unlawful act that does not amount to a felony...
to get his revenge starting with one of the guys almost immediately. Roger later runs down two others at his first victim's funeral and then the fourth while he is in the stall. The last survivor tries to flee on an airplane, only to look out the window in mid flight to see Roger's limo on the wing. Roger runs him down as well, causing the plane to explode and killing mostly everyone on board. As he and Klaus pass a surviving stewardess in a parachute, getting addicted to his murderous bloodlust, Roger kills her by undoing her chute before he and Klaus crash land in their own parachutes.
Production
Seth MacFarlane
Seth Woodbury MacFarlane is an American animator, writer, comedian, producer, actor, singer, voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, for which he also voices many of the shows' various characters.A native of Kent,...
, the creator and executive producer of American Dad!, as well as its sister shows 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...
and The Cleveland Show
The Cleveland Show
The Cleveland Show is an American animated television series that premiered on September 27, 2009, as a part of the "Animation Domination" lineup on Fox in the United States...
, served as the executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
for the episode, along with series veterans Mike Barker, Rick Wiener, Matt Weitzman
Matt Weitzman
Matt Weitzman is one of the creators of American Dad!, and one of the original writers of Family Guy. Matt has written on twelve television shows including Daddy Dearest, Off Centre and Damon. He has also written several films including Freebie.Matt Weitzman was born in Los Angeles, California...
, and Kenny Schwartz. In addition to the regular cast, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Prinze , known professionally by her birth name of Sarah Michelle Gellar , is an American actress, singer and executive producer...
guest starred in the episode also appearing in this episode was Geller's former co-star Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Lee Hannigan is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the cult classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Michelle Flaherty in three American Pie films, and Lily Aldrin on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:Hannigan was born in...
. David Koechner
David Koechner
David Michael Koechner is an American comedian, musician, and character actor. Koechner began studying improvisational comedy in Chicago at the ImprovOlympic, under the teachings of Del Close, before joining the Second City Northwest...
, who appeared in The Office and Saturday Night Live, reprises his role of Dick Reynolds in this episode.
Cultural references
- The episode title is a play on the phrase "virtual insanity", a reverse reference to "virtual reality".
- The horn in Roger's limo blares "Dixie" in the style of the General Lee on Dukes of Hazzard.
- Francine's lift mecha contains elements from the film Aliens and Avatar. Francine also parodies Sigourney Weaver's line from Aliens when she tells Phyllis to "Get away from him, you bitch".
- Sarah Michelle GellarSarah Michelle GellarSarah Michelle Prinze , known professionally by her birth name of Sarah Michelle Gellar , is an American actress, singer and executive producer...
plays the role of Phyllis, reuniting with her old Buffy co-star Alyson HanniganAlyson HanniganAlyson Lee Hannigan is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the cult classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Michelle Flaherty in three American Pie films, and Lily Aldrin on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:Hannigan was born in...
as Chelsea. - The license plate on Roger's limo reads "BIGNLNG", readable as "Big and Long".
- The song "Get LowGet LowGet Low can mean:* "Get Low" , a song by Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz featuring Ying Yang Twins* "Get Low", a song by Lloyd Banks from the Get Rich or Die Tryin soundtrack* "Get Low", a song by Stat Quo from Eminem Presents The Re-Up...
" by Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, was also featured in this episode.
Reception
Rowan Kaiser from The A.V. ClubThe 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...
rated this episode a Grade A-, saying: "This one's for the nerds. It had regular guest star Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
joined by Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Lee Hannigan is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the cult classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Michelle Flaherty in three American Pie films, and Lily Aldrin on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:Hannigan was born in...
and Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Prinze , known professionally by her birth name of Sarah Michelle Gellar , is an American actress, singer and executive producer...
Prinze Jr., as well as references to Aliens, Avatar
Avatar
In Hinduism, an avatar is a deliberate descent of a deity to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation," but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation"....
and The Terminator
The Terminator
The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron, co-written by Cameron and William Wisher Jr., and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, and Linda Hamilton. The film was produced by Hemdale Film Corporation and distributed by Orion Pictures, and filmed in Los...
(at least). Despite having many opportunities, American Dad generally resisted the impulse to pander, with the possible exception of Francine climbing into an exo-suit and saying “Stay away from him, you bitch!” This meant the episode managed to focus on doing what American Dad does best – being funny. So this episode had everything it needed to be a success, and it built on that. From the initial “Race riot!” joke in the opening, it did what American Dad does best – it maintains a constant level of humor, with a high point of Stan getting low to “Get Low” using his avatar. It's a great episode for fans of Roger, Stan, Francine, and Steve, which I'm pretty sure encompasses pretty much every American Dad fan."