Hurricane!
Encyclopedia
"Hurricane!" is the second episode of the seventh season
of the animated comedy series American Dad!
. It aired on Fox
in the United States on October 2, 2011. The episode plot mainly revolves around the Smith family, who prepare for evacuation in response to an oncoming hurricane. Reluctant to leave his home, Stan encourages his family to ride out the storm in their house with him. The hurricane sends a flood to the city of Langley Falls, which puts the entire family in danger.
"Hurricane!" is the final part of an animated triple-crossover with Family Guy and The Cleveland Show
. Kevin Reilly, the president of the entertainment division of Fox Broadcasting Company, introduced the idea of a crossover to Seth MacFarlane
, the creator of all three shows. The episode was first announced at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International. The episode plot is loosely modeled to that of the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure. Originally scheduled to air on May 1, 2011 as the season finale for the sixth season of the series, "Hurricane!" was postponed in response to a series of tornadoes that ravaged the Southern United States
, subsequently coinciding with the timing of the scheduled episodes.
The episode was well-received by television critics, who praised its humor and cultural references. It was viewed by 5.71 million viewers upon its initial airing, while also receiving a 2.6/6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Nielson ratings. "Hurricane!" was written by Erik Sommers, and directed by Tim Parsons. It featured guest appearances by Lisa Edelstein
, Kristen Schaal
and Mike Henry, alongside the return of several recurring voice actors and actresses for the series.
, however, recommends the family stays home during the storm, believing it is the best way for everyone to be safe. Francine disagrees, considering his history with making terrible decisions during crisis situations. In the middle of their debate, the seawall breaks and the ocean floods down the street, removing Buckle and his raft out of its path and trapping the Smiths in their home nevertheless.
The neighborhood is now flooded, and the house is drifting along the floodwater's current. In an attempt to save the family from floating into any potential dangerous areas, Stan anchors the home; however the anchoring system also acts as a hinge
and rotates the house upside-down, partially submerging it underwater. The family becomes increasingly frightened and distrustful of him, especially when his latest advice leads Hayley to be attacked by a shark. With the shark loose in the building, the family fights for survival. Stan loses hope and admits Francine's suggestions are better than his own, until Klaus gives him an encouragement speech which inspires him to prove himself reliable in a crisis once more. Stan obtains a bear
from the zoo to battle the shark, which only further aggravates the situation when the two animals work together to kill the family. He throws his javelin which hits Francine in her shoulder instead of the bear. Buckle enters the house with a tranquilizer gun and sedates the two predators and Stan, who later tells Buckle that he made the right call.
After the storm clears, Stan looks out to scope the damage done by the storm, only to find himself in a standoff with Cleveland Brown
and Peter Griffin
, whose houses have ended up on both sides of the Smiths' house. When Francine comes out the front door, Stan accidentally shoots her, which Peter claims to be "classic American Dad!".
at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, California
. Kevin Reilly, the entertainment president of the Fox Broadcasting Company, originally pitched the idea for the crossover, which was inspired by theme nights of comedy shows from the 1980s. MacFarlane described the crossover event to be an "enormous challenge" and a "substantial undertaking"; he chose to do one central story line so that each writing staff would not have to write stories for unfamiliar characters.
He was also willing to do another crossover event if this one received successful ratings.
Much of the episode plot in "Hurricane!" was modeled after the action
adventure
disaster film
, The Poseidon Adventure. In his interview on the plot of the final part of the crossover episode, Mike Barker, a producer for American Dad, stated that "[they] end up flood
ing the house and turning it upside down." He continued: "Ultimately, the house drifts and ends up in the same neighborhood as the Griffin and Brown homes." The actual crossover occurs at the end of the episode when Cleveland Brown
of The Cleveland Show and Peter Griffin
of Family Guy face Stan Smith
, and each other, at gunpoint.
In April 2011, executives of the Fox Broadcasting Company
officially announced that "Hurricane!" would air on May 1 as part of the Night of the Hurricane
crossover, alongside with The Cleveland Show episode "The Hurricane!
" and Family Guy episode "Seahorse Seashell Party
". However on April 29, it was announced that the crossover event would be removed from the schedule, in response to a series of tornadoes that killed nearly 300 people in the Southern United States
. The crossover was subsequently replaced by repeats of "I Am the Walrus
" from American Dad!, "Brian Writes a Bestseller" from Family Guy, and "Ain't Nothin' But Mutton Bustin'" from The Cleveland Show. MacFarlane later agreed with the decisions after being consulted with the executives of Fox, and a spokeswoman for the company later announced that the episode would air the succeeding season.
"Hurricane!" was directed by Tim Parsons, in his first directing credit of the season. This episode marked the first time Parsons has directed an American Dad! episode since the sixth season
episode "I Am the Walrus
". It was written by Erik Sommers, which also served as his first writing credit for the season. Sommers' last production credit was the sixth season episode "You Debt Your Life
". In addition to the regular cast, voice actor Mike Henry, actress Lisa Edelstein
and voice actress Kristen Schaal
guest starred in the episode. Recurring voice actors Jeff Fischer
, Mike Barker
, Matt McKenna, and Kevin Michael Richardson
reprised their roles of Jeff, Terry Bates, Buckle, and Principal Lewis. In addition to his American Dad! roles of Stan, Roger, and Greg Corbin, MacFarlane reprised his Family Guy role of Peter Griffin
, while Henry guest starred as his role of Cleveland Brown
. This episode marked the first time Henry made a guest appearance on American Dad since the season four episode "Stan's Night Out
". Edelstein reprised her role as Shari, having last done so in the season six episode "Best Little Horror House in Langley Falls
".
, and its sister shows The Cleveland Show
and Family Guy
. It was viewed by 5.71 million viewers upon its initial airing, despite simultaneously airing with Desperate Housewives
on ABC
, Amazing Race on CBS
, and a match between the Baltimore Ravens
and the New York Jets
on NBC
. Total viewership for the episode was the third highest of the animation television block on Fox, having moderately higher ratings than that of The Cleveland Show but lower ratings than that of The Simpsons and Family Guy. "Hurricane!" garnered a 2.6/6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Nielson ratings. Total viewership and ratings were slightly down from the previous episode, "Hot Water
", which was watched by 5.83 million viewers and garnered a 3.0/7 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
Critics generally praised the episode, with many deeming "Hurricane!" as the best part of the crossover. Terron Moore of Ology
praised the episode, giving it an 8.5 out of ten rating. Points of acclaim went to the humor of the episode, to which Moore opined that it "was packed with a lot of funny lines, a lot of ridiculous Stan antics [...], and a pretty funny arc involving Roger and his girlfriend". Rowan Kaiser of The A.V. Club
was polarized with the episode. Although she stated that the episode was not bad, Kaiser exclaimed that it "didn't quite work". Kaiser went on to give the episode a 'B-' grade, scoring higher than the Family Guy episode "Seahorse Seashell Party
", but lower than The Simpsons episode "Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts
". Daemon's TV writer Dyana Maria deemed the episode as a classic, expressing that "Hurricane!" was "packed with [...] dark, twisted humor".
Television critics were divided with the main plot of "Hurricane!". Kaiser felt that the interactions between Stan and Francine were inferior to the previous episode, and wrote, "It breaks away from Francine and Stan's fun relationship and veers into the more conventional cartoon relationship, where the husband is a buffoon and the wife has to keep him check." Maria praised the main plot of the episode, saying that there was "a lot of great little bits mixed into the storyline".
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 October 2, 2011. The episode plot mainly revolves around the Smith family, who prepare for evacuation in response to an oncoming hurricane. Reluctant to leave his home, Stan encourages his family to ride out the storm in their house with him. The hurricane sends a flood to the city of Langley Falls, which puts the entire family in danger.
"Hurricane!" is the final part of an animated triple-crossover with Family Guy and The Cleveland Show
Night of the Hurricane
Night of the Hurricane is a three-part crossover event in the Animation Domination block on Fox with all three animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane: Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. The event depicts a storm which hits the towns of Stoolbend, Quahog and Langley Falls...
. Kevin Reilly, the president of the entertainment division of Fox Broadcasting Company, introduced the idea of a crossover to Seth MacFarlane
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 of all three shows. The episode was first announced at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International. The episode plot is loosely modeled to that of the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure. Originally scheduled to air on May 1, 2011 as the season finale for the sixth season of the series, "Hurricane!" was postponed in response to a series of tornadoes that ravaged the Southern United States
April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak
An extremely large and violent tornado outbreak, the largest tornado outbreak ever recorded, and popularly known as the 2011 Super Outbreak, occurred from April 25 to 28, 2011. The outbreak affected the Southern, Midwestern, and Northeastern United States, leaving catastrophic destruction in...
, subsequently coinciding with the timing of the scheduled episodes.
The episode was well-received by television critics, who praised its humor and cultural references. It was viewed by 5.71 million viewers upon its initial airing, while also receiving a 2.6/6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Nielson ratings. "Hurricane!" was written by Erik Sommers, and directed by Tim Parsons. It featured guest appearances by Lisa Edelstein
Lisa Edelstein
Lisa Edelstein is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the television drama House.-Early life and education:...
, Kristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal is an American actress, writer and comedienne, best known for her role as Mel in the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, as Louise in Bob's Burgers and as a contributor on The Daily Show.-Early life:...
and Mike Henry, alongside the return of several recurring voice actors and actresses for the series.
Plot
When a hurricane arrives at Langley Falls, the Smiths prepare to evacuate their home with their neighbor Buckle in his amphibious raft. StanStan 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,...
, however, recommends the family stays home during the storm, believing it is the best way for everyone to be safe. Francine disagrees, considering his history with making terrible decisions during crisis situations. In the middle of their debate, the seawall breaks and the ocean floods down the street, removing Buckle and his raft out of its path and trapping the Smiths in their home nevertheless.
The neighborhood is now flooded, and the house is drifting along the floodwater's current. In an attempt to save the family from floating into any potential dangerous areas, Stan anchors the home; however the anchoring system also acts as a hinge
Hinge
A hinge is a type of bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. Two objects connected by an ideal hinge rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation. Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components...
and rotates the house upside-down, partially submerging it underwater. The family becomes increasingly frightened and distrustful of him, especially when his latest advice leads Hayley to be attacked by a shark. With the shark loose in the building, the family fights for survival. Stan loses hope and admits Francine's suggestions are better than his own, until Klaus gives him an encouragement speech which inspires him to prove himself reliable in a crisis once more. Stan obtains a bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
from the zoo to battle the shark, which only further aggravates the situation when the two animals work together to kill the family. He throws his javelin which hits Francine in her shoulder instead of the bear. Buckle enters the house with a tranquilizer gun and sedates the two predators and Stan, who later tells Buckle that he made the right call.
After the storm clears, Stan looks out to scope the damage done by the storm, only to find himself in a standoff with Cleveland Brown
Cleveland Brown
Cleveland Orenthal Brown is a character from the animated television series Family Guy, and its spin-off series The Cleveland Show. He is voiced by Mike Henry. In the first seven seasons of Family Guy, Brown is a frequently recurring character. As one of Peter Griffin's neighbors and friends,...
and Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
, whose houses have ended up on both sides of the Smiths' house. When Francine comes out the front door, Stan accidentally shoots her, which Peter claims to be "classic American Dad!".
Production
The episode was first announced in July 2010 by series creator Seth MacFarlaneSeth 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,...
at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Kevin Reilly, the entertainment president of the Fox Broadcasting Company, originally pitched the idea for the crossover, which was inspired by theme nights of comedy shows from the 1980s. MacFarlane described the crossover event to be an "enormous challenge" and a "substantial undertaking"; he chose to do one central story line so that each writing staff would not have to write stories for unfamiliar characters.
He was also willing to do another crossover event if this one received successful ratings.
Much of the episode plot in "Hurricane!" was modeled after the action
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
adventure
Adventure film
Adventure films are a genre of film.Unlike pure, low-budget action films they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way....
disaster film
Disaster film
A disaster film is a film genre that has an impending or ongoing disaster as its subject...
, The Poseidon Adventure. In his interview on the plot of the final part of the crossover episode, Mike Barker, a producer for American Dad, stated that "[they] end up flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing the house and turning it upside down." He continued: "Ultimately, the house drifts and ends up in the same neighborhood as the Griffin and Brown homes." The actual crossover occurs at the end of the episode when Cleveland Brown
Cleveland Brown
Cleveland Orenthal Brown is a character from the animated television series Family Guy, and its spin-off series The Cleveland Show. He is voiced by Mike Henry. In the first seven seasons of Family Guy, Brown is a frequently recurring character. As one of Peter Griffin's neighbors and friends,...
of The Cleveland Show and Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
of Family Guy face Stan Smith
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...
, and each other, at gunpoint.
In April 2011, executives of the Fox Broadcasting Company
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...
officially announced that "Hurricane!" would air on May 1 as part of the Night of the Hurricane
Night of the Hurricane
Night of the Hurricane is a three-part crossover event in the Animation Domination block on Fox with all three animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane: Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. The event depicts a storm which hits the towns of Stoolbend, Quahog and Langley Falls...
crossover, alongside with The Cleveland Show episode "The Hurricane!
The Hurricane!
"The Hurricane!" is the second episode of the third season of the animated comedy series The Cleveland Show and is the first part of an animated triple-crossover with Family Guy and American Dad!, the first such event in the animated television line-up of Fox...
" and Family Guy episode "Seahorse Seashell Party
Seahorse Seashell Party
"Seahorse Seashell Party" is the second episode of the tenth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It originally aired on October 2, 2011 in the United States on Fox. The episode mainly centers around the Griffin family, who are riding out an oncoming hurricane. In their attempt to pass...
". However on April 29, it was announced that the crossover event would be removed from the schedule, in response to a series of tornadoes that killed nearly 300 people in the Southern United States
April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak
An extremely large and violent tornado outbreak, the largest tornado outbreak ever recorded, and popularly known as the 2011 Super Outbreak, occurred from April 25 to 28, 2011. The outbreak affected the Southern, Midwestern, and Northeastern United States, leaving catastrophic destruction in...
. The crossover was subsequently replaced by repeats of "I Am the Walrus
I Am the Walrus (American Dad!)
"I Am the Walrus" is the thirteenth episode of the sixth season of American Dad!. It first aired on Fox in the United States on March 27, 2011. This episode mainly centers around Stan and his son Steve, who are both competing for the dominant role of the house. Steve is the first person to finish...
" from American Dad!, "Brian Writes a Bestseller" from Family Guy, and "Ain't Nothin' But Mutton Bustin'" from The Cleveland Show. MacFarlane later agreed with the decisions after being consulted with the executives of Fox, and a spokeswoman for the company later announced that the episode would air the succeeding season.
"Hurricane!" was directed by Tim Parsons, in his first directing credit of the season. This episode marked the first time Parsons has directed an American Dad! episode since the sixth season
American Dad! (season 6)
American Dad!'s sixth season began airing on October 3, 2010. and ended after 19 episodes on May 22, 2011. Guest stars of this season include Jason Alexander, Sarah Chalke, Hector Elizondo, Anthony Michael Hall, Hayden Panettiere, Lou Diamond Phillips and Burt Reynolds.-Episodes:-External links:* ...
episode "I Am the Walrus
I Am the Walrus (American Dad!)
"I Am the Walrus" is the thirteenth episode of the sixth season of American Dad!. It first aired on Fox in the United States on March 27, 2011. This episode mainly centers around Stan and his son Steve, who are both competing for the dominant role of the house. Steve is the first person to finish...
". It was written by Erik Sommers, which also served as his first writing credit for the season. Sommers' last production credit was the sixth season episode "You Debt Your Life
You Debt Your Life
"You Debt Your Life" is the twelfth episode of the sixth season of American Dad!. It aired on Fox in the United States on February 20, 2011. The episode focuses on two of the show's main characters, Roger the Alien and Stan Smith. After he saves Roger from being run over by a bus, Stan has repaid...
". In addition to the regular cast, voice actor Mike Henry, actress Lisa Edelstein
Lisa Edelstein
Lisa Edelstein is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the television drama House.-Early life and education:...
and voice actress Kristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal is an American actress, writer and comedienne, best known for her role as Mel in the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, as Louise in Bob's Burgers and as a contributor on The Daily Show.-Early life:...
guest starred in the episode. Recurring voice actors Jeff Fischer
Jeff Fischer (actor)
Jeff Fischer is an American voice actor known for his work in commercials, cartoons, and video games. In 2005 he was chosen to announce the Teen Choice Awards....
, Mike Barker
Mike Barker
Mike Barker co-created the television show American Dad! along with Seth MacFarlane and Matt Weitzman...
, Matt McKenna, and Kevin Michael Richardson
Kevin Michael Richardson
Kevin Michael Richardson is an American actor and voice actor who currently stars as Cleveland Brown, Jr. in The Cleveland Show...
reprised their roles of Jeff, Terry Bates, Buckle, and Principal Lewis. In addition to his American Dad! roles of Stan, Roger, and Greg Corbin, MacFarlane reprised his Family Guy role of Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
, while Henry guest starred as his role of Cleveland Brown
Cleveland Brown
Cleveland Orenthal Brown is a character from the animated television series Family Guy, and its spin-off series The Cleveland Show. He is voiced by Mike Henry. In the first seven seasons of Family Guy, Brown is a frequently recurring character. As one of Peter Griffin's neighbors and friends,...
. This episode marked the first time Henry made a guest appearance on American Dad since the season four episode "Stan's Night Out
Stan's Night Out
Stan's Night Out is the twentieth episode of the fourth season of the animated series American Dad! and the fourth season finale. The episode aired on May 17, 2009 on Fox.-Plot:...
". Edelstein reprised her role as Shari, having last done so in the season six episode "Best Little Horror House in Langley Falls
Best Little Horror House in Langley Falls
"Best Little Horror House in Langley Falls" is the third episode of sixth season of the animated comedy series American Dad! It originally aired on Fox in the United States on November 7, 2010. The episode follows Stan as his title of having the best haunted house is threatened by a neighbor. To...
".
Reception
"Hurricane!" first aired in the United States on October 2, 2011 as part of the animation television night on Fox. It was preceded by episodes of The SimpsonsThe 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...
, and its sister shows 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...
and 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 viewed by 5.71 million viewers upon its initial airing, despite simultaneously airing with Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, Amazing Race on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, and a match between the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
and the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. Total viewership for the episode was the third highest of the animation television block on Fox, having moderately higher ratings than that of The Cleveland Show but lower ratings than that of The Simpsons and Family Guy. "Hurricane!" garnered a 2.6/6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Nielson ratings. Total viewership and ratings were slightly down from the previous episode, "Hot Water
Hot Water (American Dad!)
"Hot Water" is the first episode and season premiere of the seventh season of the animated comedy series American Dad!. It was aired by Fox on September 25, 2011.-Plot:...
", which was watched by 5.83 million viewers and garnered a 3.0/7 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
Critics generally praised the episode, with many deeming "Hurricane!" as the best part of the crossover. Terron Moore of Ology
Ology
Ology is an entertainment and social media website based in New York City. It is run by Beth Haggerty and Vivian Moran, both of whom founded it. The company focuses on helping users to find and share content about their interests.-History:...
praised the episode, giving it an 8.5 out of ten rating. Points of acclaim went to the humor of the episode, to which Moore opined that it "was packed with a lot of funny lines, a lot of ridiculous Stan antics [...], and a pretty funny arc involving Roger and his girlfriend". Rowan Kaiser 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...
was polarized with the episode. Although she stated that the episode was not bad, Kaiser exclaimed that it "didn't quite work". Kaiser went on to give the episode a 'B-' grade, scoring higher than the Family Guy episode "Seahorse Seashell Party
Seahorse Seashell Party
"Seahorse Seashell Party" is the second episode of the tenth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It originally aired on October 2, 2011 in the United States on Fox. The episode mainly centers around the Griffin family, who are riding out an oncoming hurricane. In their attempt to pass...
", but lower than The Simpsons episode "Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts
Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts
"Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts" is the second episode of the twenty-third season of the animated comedy series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 2, 2011. The episode was the first to feature Superintendent Chalmers as the central character and...
". Daemon's TV writer Dyana Maria deemed the episode as a classic, expressing that "Hurricane!" was "packed with [...] dark, twisted humor".
Television critics were divided with the main plot of "Hurricane!". Kaiser felt that the interactions between Stan and Francine were inferior to the previous episode, and wrote, "It breaks away from Francine and Stan's fun relationship and veers into the more conventional cartoon relationship, where the husband is a buffoon and the wife has to keep him check." Maria praised the main plot of the episode, saying that there was "a lot of great little bits mixed into the storyline".
See also
- Night of the HurricaneNight of the HurricaneNight of the Hurricane is a three-part crossover event in the Animation Domination block on Fox with all three animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane: Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. The event depicts a storm which hits the towns of Stoolbend, Quahog and Langley Falls...
- The Cleveland ShowThe Cleveland ShowThe 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...
: "The Hurricane!The Hurricane!"The Hurricane!" is the second episode of the third season of the animated comedy series The Cleveland Show and is the first part of an animated triple-crossover with Family Guy and American Dad!, the first such event in the animated television line-up of Fox...
" - Family GuyFamily GuyFamily 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...
: "Seahorse Seashell PartySeahorse Seashell Party"Seahorse Seashell Party" is the second episode of the tenth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It originally aired on October 2, 2011 in the United States on Fox. The episode mainly centers around the Griffin family, who are riding out an oncoming hurricane. In their attempt to pass...
"