Through its 14 years on the air, Family Guy has utilized the cutaway gag to the point where the show is synonymous with the technique. Love them or hate them, it’s hard to picture the show without them. But which cutaway gags were the most clever? Let’s try to determine that as we look back at some of the funniest Family Guy cutaways of all time. Please note, I decided to discount the giant chicken fights because they would have made up half the list.
10. Racist Kermit The Frog
Haven’t you ever wondered why there aren’t any black Muppets? Well, now you have your answer.
9. Alan Rickman’s Answering Machine
This one has to be favorite among fans of Professor Snape, as Alan Rickman’s… incredibly… slow… deliberate… speaking… mannerisms… are… spoofed… brilliantly.
8. An Unfortunate Encounter With Robert Loggia
I have no idea what Robert Loggia is actually like this in real life or if the humor here is entirely random. Either way, this bit is hilarious. I think my favorite is “T as in ‘Tim, it’s Robert Loggia!'”
7. Peter Wants To Meet The Colonel
This might not be your favorite clip if you speak with a pronounced Kentucky accent. For the rest of us, though, it’s just really, really funny.
6. Peter Narrates His Own Life
I feel like they could have done an entire episode in this format, but thankfully, this gag was kept fairly brief. The best part is Peter waking up after Lois knocks him unconscious for criticizing her cooking.
5. Prom Night Dumpster Baby
Yes, I know I’m going to hell for laughing at this one, but hear me out. Family Guy tends to throw everything at the wall in terms of “edgy” humor, and not everything sticks. This bit did, however, for me. I’m not sure exactly what makes it work. Possibly the way he sings “I’m takin’ a stroll.” All I know is that when I get to the pearly gates, I’ll have to explain to St. Peter why I chuckled so hard at this one.
4. Black To The Future
First off, my apologies for not being able to find quality video of this bit. YouTube only had one clip for it, and believe me, it was not worth your time. Anyway, this is a classic, offering a spot-on parody of ’70s blaxploitation films. Who doesn’t want to see Black Kramer vs. Kramer.
3. A Family Of Wasps
If you grew up in an upper-middle class protestant family, this is the cutaway gag for you. Seth MacFarlane’s delivery of “Patty, did you know your mother is a whore?” really makes it.
2. Officer Reese’s
Another case of dark humor working beautifully, as it turns out everyone’s favorite candy treat was actually created by two drunk drivers crashing into each other, while a murderous cop takes credit for their accidental creation.
1. Peter’s Cereal Message
It’s not only the funnest cutaway, but it’s probably the funniest joke in the entire series. It comes from the same episode as the “family of wasps” bit, Season 1’s “The Son Also Draws.” For all the problems Family Guy has had in its later years, it was really firing on all cylinders in the beginning.
