American Dad!'s Season 20 Kick-Off: A Hilariously Audacious Jab at Patrick Stewart and Star Trek

Well, would you look at that? American Dad! is still going strong, isn't it? The show, known for its utterly bizarre, often shocking, and always hilarious take on the American family, just kicked off its 20th season. And boy, did it start with a bang! Or, perhaps more accurately, with a truly cringe-inducing, yet undeniably brilliant, joke that only American Dad! could pull off. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated the show's willingness to go absolutely anywhere for a laugh, even if it means poking fun at its own beloved cast members.

The premiere, which surprisingly aired back on Fox despite the show having largely moved to TBS, delivered a comedic punch that fans have come to expect. The gag in question involved none other than the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, who, as we all know, lends his distinctive voice to the character of CIA Deputy Director Avery Bullock on the series. Now, you might think, "Oh, a subtle nod, perhaps?" But no, this is American Dad! we're talking about! Subtle isn't exactly in their vocabulary when they can go for outright audacious.

Picture this: our very own Stan Smith is, for some reason, glued to the TV, watching Star Trek: Picard. And as the scene unfolds, he delivers a commentary so brutally honest, so hilariously unvarnished, that it immediately sent ripples of shocked laughter through anyone watching. He basically made a rather... direct observation about Stewart's current appearance in relation to his iconic role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, suggesting that time hadn't exactly been kind to the revered space captain. It was a joke that was, let's just say, quite graphic in its implication, hitting that sweet spot between gross-out humor and meta-commentary that American Dad! excels at.

What makes this joke truly special, beyond its sheer audacity, is the layers of self-awareness. Patrick Stewart is a regular, integral part of the American Dad! family. So, to have the show feature one of its main characters watching Stewart's most famous live-action role and then making such a jarringly personal — and frankly, quite mean-spirited, in the best possible way — remark? That’s pure comedic gold. It’s akin to that famous Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror" opening where they animated a whole Family Guy segment just to kill off its characters in increasingly brutal ways. It's the kind of humor that only a show with deep roots and a confident, established identity can truly pull off without coming across as genuinely cruel. It's playing on the audience's knowledge and trust.

This kind of boundary-pushing, self-referential comedy is precisely why American Dad! has maintained such a loyal following for two decades. It never shies away from discomfort; in fact, it often leans into it, finding humor in the most unexpected and sometimes grotesque places. The Season 20 premiere's joke about Patrick Stewart and Star Trek wasn't just a throwaway gag; it was a bold declaration, a testament to the show's enduring spirit and its commitment to delivering uniquely edgy and memorable comedic moments. It reminds us that even after all these years, American Dad! still knows how to surprise us and, perhaps, make us squirm just a little bit, all while laughing hysterically.