American Dad

Like its sister series Family Guy, American Dad combines edgy humor and fantasy to poke fun at today's contemporary family and, by association, the state of American society. Stan is stereotypically, supremely conservative, from the knot of his tie to the gun he packs inside his suit, and what happens when his staunchness collides with a differing point of view is explosive. Issues like patriotism, generational divide, political activism, and traditional gender roles are addressed here, all with more fantasy than reality, but enough of the latter to touch a nerve with some grown-ups.

This is one of those instances in which the show's animated style gives a false impression of its appropriateness for kids. Sexual content, violence, and language push the envelope on acceptability, making it a less-than-ideal choice for tweens and young teens. Older ones probably can handle what the series dishes out, but since the comedy is so rooted in satirizing Stan's life, adults are the only ones who will truly get the humor and appreciate the pop culture references and the rare occurrence of a tender moment among sparring family members.