| "Grumpy Old Man" | |||
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| Family Guy episode | |||
Carter falling asleep before they crash. |
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| Episode no. | Season 10 Episode 9 |
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| Directed by | John Holmquist | ||
| Written by | Dave Ihlenfeld and David Wright | ||
| Production code | 9ACX07 | ||
| Original air date | December 11, 2011 | ||
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| Episode chronology | |||
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| Family Guy (season 10) List of Family Guy episodes |
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"Grumpy Old Man" is the ninth episode of the tenth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. The episode originally aired on Fox in the United States on December 11, 2011. The episode follows Griffin family matriarch Lois Griffin's father, Carter Pewterschmidt, after he accidentally falls asleep while driving in a snowstorm. Concerned for his safety, Lois then decides to admit him to a nursing home in Florida, in an attempt to help him adjust to life as an older man. Carter is reluctant to live in the retirement community, however, but eventually comes to enjoy the various activities at the home. Six months later, Carter suddenly becomes grumpy, and even more elderly, causing Peter to take him back to his old business and bring him back to normal.
The episode was written by Dave Ihlenfeld and David Wright, and directed by John Holmquist. It received mostly mixed reviews from critics for its storyline, and many cultural references. According to Nielsen ratings, it was viewed in 6.10 million homes in its original airing. The episode featured guest performances by Adam Carolla, Jack Carter, D. C. Douglas, R. Lee Ermey, Christine Lakin, Joel David Moore, Linda Porter, Floyd Van Buskirk, Mae Whitman and Wally Wingert, along with several recurring guest voice actors for the series.
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A snowstorm has invaded Quahog, Rhode Island, with baby Stewie set to visit his grandparents, Carter and Barbara Pewterschmidt at their mansion. While on the drive there, Carter falls asleep at the wheel and crashes his car into a tree. The three then go to the hospital, where Griffin family neighbor Joe Swanson, a police officer, alerts Carter that he must revoke his drivers license. His wife, Barbara, then suggests that the two retire. Carter is reluctant at first, but eventually agrees to do so. Later that day, Carter decides to visit his son-in-law, Peter, along with his friends Joe and Quagmire at the local bar, to their chagrin. Carter also decides to live with the Griffin family, and attempts to find someone to hang out with. Peter voices his distaste of the situation, and suggests that they put Carter and Barbara in a retirement home in Florida.
The family then drives to Florida, and checks out a retirement community. Impressed at first, Carter then refuses to live in the community, fearing that he is getting too old. Peter decides to talk to Carter on his own, in an attempt to convince him to live in the home, and promises to show him how great it is to be retired. The two then perform various tasks, including playing bingo, with Carter then eventually agreeing to live there. Six months later, Barbara calls the Griffin family, alerting him that something is wrong with Carter. When they arrive, they discover that he has become grumpy, and even more tired and elderly. Attempting to fix him, Peter, Lois and Barbara take him to his old business in Quahog. Peter then angers Carter, by making a proposal to make the business humane, causing him to return to his old self.[1][2]
The title of the episode is a reference to the movie Grumpy Old Men. The scene where the drill sergeant with Alzheimer's disease is repeatedly cursing at a man he calls a "joker" is a reference to the Vietnam War movie Full Metal Jacket.[3] Joe Swanson's Fiona Apple tribute video is a parody of her 1997 song "Criminal".[4] When Peter and Lois are talking about phone sax, a cutaway shows them playing songs on the saxophone via the phone. Peter plays Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty while Lois plays You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon.[5]
The episode was directed by series regular John Holmquist, shortly after the conclusion of the ninth production season, in his second episode of the season,[6] the first being "Amish Guy".[7] Holmquist joined the series in its second season, directing the episode "Running Mates", which was written by Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan.[8] The episode was written by Dave Ihlenfeld and David Wright, both in their first episode of the series.[6] Series regulars Peter Shin and James Purdum served as supervising directors, with Andrew Goldberg, Alex Carter, Spencer Porter, Anthony Blasucci, Mike Desilets and Deepak Sethi serving as staff writers for the episode.[6] Composer Walter Murphy, who has worked on the series since its inception, returned to compose the music for "Grumpy Old Man".[6] Series creator and executive producer Seth MacFarlane reprised his role as Carter Pewterschmidt, with main cast member and former series writer Alex Borstein providing the voice of Carter's wife, Barbara Pewterschmidt.[6]
In addition to the regular cast, actor and comedian Adam Carolla, actor Jack Carter, actor D. C. Douglas, actor and drill instructor R. Lee Ermey, actress Christine Lakin, actor Joel David Moore, actress Linda Porter, voice actor Floyd Van Buskirk, actress Mae Whitman and voice actor Wally Wingert, guest starred in the episode.[6] Recurring guest voice actors Ralph Garman, writer Julius Sharpe, actress Jennifer Tilly, writer Chris Sheridan, writer Danny Smith, writer Alec Sulkin and writer John Viener made minor appearances throughout the episode.[6] Recurring guest cast members Adam West and Patrick Warburton also appeared in the episode.[6]
"Grumpy Old Man" was broadcast on December 11, 2011, as a part of an animated television night on Fox, and was preceded by The Simpsons and The Cleveland Show, and followed by Family Guy creator and executive producer Seth MacFarlane's second series, American Dad!. It was watched by 6.10 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings, despite airing simultaneously with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on ABC, The Amazing Race on CBS and Sunday Night Football on NBC. The episode also acquired a 3.1/7 rating in the 18–49 demographic, beating The Simpsons, The Cleveland Show and American Dad!, in addition to significantly edging out The Cleveland Show and American Dad! shows in total viewership.[9] The episode's ratings decreased significantly from the previous week's episode, "Cool Hand Peter".[10]
| Preceded by Cool Hand Peter |
Family Guy (season 10) | Succeeded by Meg and Quagmire |
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