The King Is Dead
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- This article discusses the episode of Family Guy. For the phrase itself, see The King is dead. Long live the King!
| “The King is Dead” | |
|---|---|
| Family Guy episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 14 |
| Guest stars | None |
| Written by | Craig Hoffman |
| Directed by | Monte Young |
| Production no. | 1ACX15 |
| Original airdate | March 28, 2000 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Death Is a Bitch" | "I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar" |
| List of Family Guy episodes | |
"The King is Dead" is an episode from the FOX animated television series Family Guy. It was produced for season 1 but aired in season 2.
[edit] Plot summary
Lois is named director of the Quahog Players theatre group production, and she decides to produce The King and I. Lois names Peter producer in the hopes of keeping him out of the way, but Peter gradually takes over, radically changing the play. He gets the play mentioned on the news by casting newscaster Diane Simmons as Anna and adds material inspired by The Jerry Springer Show and Flashdance.
Lois finally quits and leaves Peter as the director. Peter's constant changes frustrate Diane into quitting, so he plays Anna himself.
Peter's version of The King and I depicts a post-apocalyptic future set in the ruined world of 2015 AD after the 9th nuclear war. The world is a "grim future filled with lots of explosions and partial nudity", ruled by an oppressive king, played by Brian. ANNA is Automoton Nuclear Neo-humanoid Android, a robot ninja from the planet England. ANNA, not confused by the bikini-clad Siamese "children's" (who look surprisingly grown-up) all-female sex orgy, kung fu fights with the king thus destroying him, changing Siam into the United States of America.
To Lois' horror, the show is a hit. Then, she insults the audience for applauding that show, claiming that the show is an example of pure trash. She seemingly embarrasses Peter, but Peter then farts onstage and they clap again, completely ignoring Lois. In the end, Peter thanks her for the chance and promises to let her run the show next year.
[edit] Notes
- This is the last episode (going by production order) that Lacey Chabert provides the voice of Meg.
- Brian mentions Meg's ability to do birdcalls, which is demonstrated in the episode "A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Bucks".
- This episode reveals Diane Simmons's original name, Diane Seidelman.
- William Shatner shows up to opening night, even though he was killed when Meg ran him over in the episode "I Never Met the Dead Man". He is one of the first to give a standing ovation.
[edit] Cultural references
- Peter's toy Mr. Zucchini Head is a parody of Mr. Potato Head, though it is little more than a vibrator.
- Lois mentions the "mindless jobs" of famous creative people. She is correct that Moby Dick author Herman Melville worked as a customs agent and scientist Albert Einstein worked in the patent office, although it was the Swiss patent office not that of the US. Also, Michelangelo's father, and later the artist himself, owned a rock quarry but he was never a laborer in one.
- When auditioning for the play, Brian sings "If Ever I Would Leave You" from the musical Camelot.
- Stewie auditions with the "winter of our discontent" soliloquy from Shakespeare's Richard III, which he will repeat again in the beginning of "And the Wiener Is...".
- Stewie "quotes" "first lady of the American stage" Helen Hayes in telling Lois "I’m going to kill you." This is not an actual quote from Hayes.
- Thinking the audition a mere formality, Peter gives an off-key rendition of the theme song of children's television series Land of the Lost.
- Cleveland says he once met singer/actress Pearl Bailey at a book signing. Later, in American Dad, Pearl Bailey becomes the name given to the local high school.
- A flashback shows an independent film starring Diane during her college days. It includes many clichés of student films, including a non-linear plot, gloomy music, surreal images, and a pointless close-up of an object.
- A cutaway shows a writing team of monkeys writing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, a reference to the infinite monkey theorem.
- One version of Peter's play plagiarizes the plot of the 1983 film Flashdance.
- The theatre marquee says "A Peter Griffin Joint" a nod to director Spike Lee, whose films are accredited as "A Spike Lee Joint."
- Before the play, Brian rehearses lyrics to "Sussudio" by Phil Collins.
- Peter’s final version of The King and I contains many generic elements of post-apocalyptic science fiction and B-movies.
- The showstopping musical number from the show, "Anna Rules", is loosely set to the tune of "Shall We Dance?" from the original The King And I.
[edit] References
- Callaghan, Steve. "The King Is Dead." Family Guy: The Official Episode Guide Seasons 1-3. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. 65 - 67.
- Delarte, Alonso. "Nitpicking Family Guy: Season 2." Bob's Poetry Magazine May 2005: 13 - 14. http://bobspoetry.com/Bobs02My.pdf
| Preceded by "Death Is a Bitch" |
Family Guy Episodes | Followed by "I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar" |
