2024 has been a year of shifts for Family Guy. After its removal from Fox’s Animation Domination lineup on Sunday nights last spring, the show made a quiet transition to Wednesday evenings. Now, as fall arrives, Family Guy is absent from Fox’s broadcast schedule altogether for the season. While this move echoes American Dad‘s successful transition to TBS years ago, it still feels like a significant change for loyal viewers. For fans eagerly awaiting new content this fall, the good news is that Hulu is set to exclusively host two holiday specials. The Christmas special is slated for release on November 25th, but to bridge the gap, we have the Halloween special, “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater,” which serves as the season 23 premiere. But does this episode truly capture the Halloween spirit, or is it simply a regular Family Guy episode masquerading as a special? While it might not be a quintessential Halloween treat, it’s undeniably a fun start to Family Guy Season 23.
Joe proudly presents his giant pumpkin to Cleveland, Quagmire, and Peter in Family Guy Peter Peter Pumpkin Cheater
The primary storyline revolves around Joe, who has cultivated a massive pumpkin and is determined to triumph in the town’s pumpkin contest, finally defeating his rival, Patrick McCloskey. Voiced by guest star Glen Powell, McCloskey is at the center of rumors suggesting an affair with Joe’s wife, Bonnie, though Joe maintains his animosity stems purely from “pumpkin stuff.” Peter, Quagmire, and Cleveland, growing weary of Joe’s incessant pumpkin talk, decide to play a prank by hiding his prized gourd. This prank quickly escalates, resulting in the accidental destruction of the 307-pound pumpkin and Joe’s subsequent discovery. In a bizarre twist, Peter, who coincidentally weighs exactly 307 pounds, decides to conceal himself inside the pumpkin’s remains, remaining there throughout the duration of the contest.
The secondary plotline focuses on Stewie’s desire to experience trick-or-treating with Brian. Stewie’s enthusiasm peaks at the idea of them dressing as Sonny and Cher (with Stewie, of course, taking on the Cher role). However, Stewie’s commitment to method acting for their performance proves too intense for Brian, who quits and opts to spend Halloween with friends (despite seemingly not having any). Undeterred, Stewie attempts a Frankenstein-esque experiment to animate his beloved teddy bear, Rupert, envisioning him as his Sonny stand-in. The experiment fails, leading Stewie to bed, wishing for Brian’s demise. Unexpectedly, Rupert comes to life and pledges to kill Brian. Stewie, initially delighted by Rupert’s animation, agrees to the Sonny role, but Rupert’s focus shifts from trick-or-treating to pursuing Brian.
Both narratives effectively utilize Halloween themes, providing solid comedic ground. Joe’s exaggerated rivalry and Peter’s characteristic lack of impulse provide ample fuel for their storyline. However, Stewie’s narrative ultimately offers more depth. Stewie’s long-standing, often romanticized attachment to Rupert has been a recurring element of the show. Family Guy has explored Brian/Stewie/Rupert love triangle dynamics previously, often using Rupert to create temporary friction between Stewie and Brian that resolves by episode’s end. This time, however, Rupert gains a distinct personality and agency, voiced by accomplished British actor Derek Jacobi (credited as Jerry). Jacobi’s casting is inspired, though Rupert spends more time stalking Brian than interacting with Stewie, which feels like a missed opportunity.
Lois Griffin humorously changes outfits in the middle of a Halloween store aisle in Family Guy Peter Peter Pumpkin Cheater
While “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater” is entertaining, it doesn’t quite reach exceptional status. Several main characters disappear after brief gags in a Halloween store at the episode’s opening, and the humor, while consistently funny, rarely reaches laugh-out-loud levels. Despite being billed as a “special,” the episode maintains the standard Family Guy runtime. While The Simpsons delivers its annual Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials, Family Guy typically reserves its experimental formats for “Road To” episodes or themed trilogies. In retrospect, the “Three Kings” episode, which cleverly integrated Family Guy characters into Stephen King short stories, felt more authentically like a Halloween special than “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater.” Episodes like “Happy Holo-ween” from previous seasons, featuring Hologram Peter and a supernatural element, seemed to capture the Halloween spirit more effectively. Joe’s pumpkin contest plot, while amusing, feels somewhat ordinary for a Halloween episode.
However, it’s important not to be overly critical. Family Guy falters when it leans too heavily on extended, drawn-out gags or becomes excessively mean-spirited towards its characters. “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater” avoids these pitfalls. The jokes land effectively, and none of the characters are portrayed as overly pathetic. Brian’s attempts to connect with an acquaintance and awkwardly use slang like “hang sesh” to appear cool are genuinely humorous. Even Joe achieves a minor victory by the episode’s conclusion. “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater,” as the season 23 premiere and one of only two Family Guy episodes airing in 2024, carried higher expectations, especially as a “Halloween special.” Ultimately, while enjoyable, it feels like somewhat of a missed opportunity to deliver a truly memorable Halloween installment, a sentiment Brian might express as “wasted po-tench.”
