Two years after the passing of the iconic Adam West, his unforgettable presence is still strongly felt in Quahog, especially within the Family Guy universe. The legendary Batman star graced over 100 episodes of Family Guy as the endearingly eccentric Mayor Adam West, leaving an indelible mark on the animated series. Now, in a heartfelt and humorous tribute, Family Guy is set to further cement his legacy in the season finale with a storyline that perfectly captures the spirit of Mayor West.
In a sneak peek of the episode, Brian, the Griffins’ articulate canine companion, proposes a fitting way to honor the late mayor: renaming James Woods High to Adam West High. When his suggestion gains traction, Brian, never one to shy away from civic duty (or perhaps a touch of ego), decides to throw his hat into the ring and run for mayor himself. However, the path to mayoral office in Quahog is never smooth, especially when Glenn Quagmire, known for his own brand of outlandish behavior, decides to contest the election.
Quagmire’s motives, as executive producer Alec Sulkin revealed, are less than noble. “When Brian asks him why he’s running, Quagmire says, ‘Spite. I’m running out of spite for you,'” Sulkin explained. This sets up a classic Family Guy comedic conflict, highlighting the absurdity of political motivations. Brian’s bewildered response, “‘Well, that’s no reason to get into politics,’ and Quagmire says, ‘That’s the only reason to get into politics,'” perfectly encapsulates the show’s satirical take on the political landscape.
Adding to the tribute, executive producer Richard Appel teased a special appearance. “Mayor West makes an appearance at the end of the episode, so the whole episode is bookended by our tribute to him, and there’s a sense certainly in the episode that he’s not replaceable,” Appel hinted. This suggests a creative and touching way to incorporate Mayor West into the episode, ensuring his presence is felt throughout.
As the Griffins grapple with how best to remember their beloved, ocean-stabbing mayor, Peter, in his inimitable fashion, takes on the task of creating a video dedication. Initially promising, set to the strains of Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” Peter’s tribute video soon veers into typical Peter Griffin territory. The montage of bizarre and funny Mayor West moments gives way to clips of Peter showcasing increasingly ridiculous basketball trick shots, a comedic juxtaposition that is pure Family Guy.
Family Guy has consistently honored Adam West over the past seasons. Following his death in June 2017, a tribute card aired before a rerun of a classic Mayor West episode. A nine-minute highlight reel celebrating his iconic role was also released, and subsequent seasons featured several new episodes with West’s voice work, ensuring his character remained a vibrant part of Quahog.
Executive producer Steve Callaghan perfectly summarized Adam West’s legacy within Family Guy: “Adam West’s legacy in the Family Guy universe is that of an incredibly kind, upbeat, and hysterical man who played an incredibly kind, upbeat, and hysterical — but also totally insane — version of himself,” Callaghan stated in 2017. He poignantly added, “We will miss him greatly and truly think of him as utterly irreplaceable.” Creator Seth MacFarlane echoed this sentiment, saying, “Family Guy has lost its mayor, and I have lost a friend.”
This upcoming episode promises to be a fitting and hilarious send-off to Mayor Adam West, celebrating the character and the man behind the voice who brought so much joy to Family Guy fans worldwide. It’s a testament to the enduring impact of Adam West and his unforgettable contribution to the show.
