“Family Guy,” known for its satirical humor and pop culture references, frequently integrates nods to various movies, TV shows, celebrities, and historical moments throughout its episodes. Season 1, Episode 6, titled “The Son Also Draws,” originally aired on May 9, 1999, and like other episodes, it is packed with pop culture references. Here’s a rundown of some notable references found in this episode:
- The episode’s title is a play on the title of Ernest Hemingway’s novel, “The Sun Also Rises.” This is a common practice for “Family Guy” episodes, where titles often parody famous books, movies, or sayings.
- Star Trek: Early in the episode, Peter Griffin mentions “Star Trek” in a conversation, a reference to the iconic science fiction television series and its cultural impact.
- The Incredible Hulk: Peter’s transformation scene, where his clothes tear off due to his weight gain, is reminiscent of “The Incredible Hulk,” where Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk, causing his clothes to rip apart.
- The Brady Bunch: There’s a scene where the family is shown in a multi-frame grid talking to each other, mimicking the opening sequence of “The Brady Bunch,” a famous American sitcom from the 1970s.
- KISS: The rock band KISS is referenced in the episode. Peter and Lois go to a KISS stockholders meeting, which is a nod to the band’s vast merchandise empire and their iconic status in rock music.
- The Godfather: When the family is at the Native American casino, there’s a parody of a famous scene from “The Godfather,” where instead of finding a horse’s head in his bed, a character finds a slot machine with three lemon symbols.
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: The scene where Peter and Chris are in the sweat lodge and start hallucinating parodies the 1975 film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” particularly reflecting its themes of rebellion against oppressive authority.
- Thelma & Louise: The ending, where Peter and Lois decide to drive home together, mirrors the final scene in “Thelma & Louise,” a 1991 film about two women on the run.
These references showcase “Family Guy’s” method of weaving pop culture into its narrative, often using parody and homage to comment on or mock various aspects of society and entertainment. The show’s reliance on such references contributes significantly to its humor and appeal, allowing it to remain relevant and entertaining to its audience.
