Lucky there's an Amity Guy: Every JAWS reference in 'Family Guy.'
Hello, Islanders!
As a long time fan of Seth MacFarlane’s long-running animated series “Family Guy,” I’m always pleased when the writer’s work in a reference to my favorite film. In its more than two decade run, the show has not only reference the film several times, but has even reunited two of its stars, if only vocally. Below is an unofficial list of the times JAWS was referenced on “Family Guy,” including the episode title when available.
“The Father, the Son and the Holy Fonz:” While watching television Peter Griffin comes across a film, already in progress. The film? Jaws 5: Fire Island. We see two swimmers treading water while Bruce the shark looms beneath them, debating whether or not to eat them. He notes that he did just eat a chubby kid but decides to gobble them up anyway.
“Play It Again, Brian:” Brian the dog wins a trip to Martha’s Vineyard and while he and Lois Griffin are swimming Peter swims by with a cardboard fin on his head. Brian tells Peter that no one will buy his ruse as “there are no sharks out here.” As Peter swims off the camera pulls back to reveal Bruce the shark directly beneath Brian and Lois. He contemplates eating them but decides against it as he doesn’t want to spend the 4th of July alone again. The same episode features a musical number titled “The Spirit of Massachusetts,” which features Peter and local residents singing the virtues of the state. Among those singing, standing directly behind Peter, is a man who looks suspiciously like Quint, field jacket and mutton chop sideburns and all.
“Big Man on Hippocampus:” Glenn Quagmire spots Lois in the grocery store, and begins stalking him while pushing his cart through the aisles as he softly whispers his catch phrase, “Giggity,” to the tune of John Williams’ theme.
“Brian Griffin’s House of Payne:” this episode features a short clip of a film Peter wants to make called BIG JAWS. As Peter describes the plot, “I had an idea for a script once. It's basically Jaws except when the guys in the boat are going after Jaws, they look around and there's an even bigger Jaws. The guys have to team up with Jaws to get Bigger Jaws. I call it Big Jaws.” This was the only episode where Bruce the shark was voiced by Seth MacFarlane. All other appearances of Bruce have been voiced by Mike Henry.
“The Unkindest Cut:” In a take on the films’ opening scene, Quagmire is attacked by a shark and loses his manhood.
“Who’s Brian Now:” In a literary discussion with his former owner, Mr. Henderson, Brian pretends to understand the plots of both “1984” and “Sense and Sensibility.” After Mr. Henderson contradicts Brian’s comments the dog asks if Mr. Henderson has “Jaws.” When the man asks, “do you mean by Peter Benchley,” Brian dismisses him by replying, “no. By Steven Spielberg.”
“The Jersey Bore:” Peter’s boss, Preston, tells him that he once went to see the film Green Book because he thought it was an actual book. Peter replies that he did that with Jaws, thinking it was about the movie. Because of this he couldn’t go into a library for years.
“Three Kings:” In a take off of the film Stand By Me, the voice in Peter’s head is provided by Richard Dreyfuss. He comments that the voice in the head of his friend Joey is that of Roy Scheider. Roy says hello to Richard, suggesting that they grab a drink sometime and catch up. Maybe even talk about Jaws. Dreyfuss replies “great” and asks Roy to give him a call, giving him a number beginning with “555.” Recognizing the phony number, Scheider tells him that if he doesn’t want to get together, that’s fine. But he doesn’t have to be a dick about it.
“Bill and Peter’s Bogus Journey:” This episode finds baby Stewie Griffin learning about how to use the toilet. He watches a video on the subject which not only features a toilet named Hungry Hank, but Roy Scheider, who explains the proper way to poop. Scheider ends by saying that actress Susan St. James “will now help me wipe.” In an alternate version, included on the DVD box set, Scheider notes that St. James “will now powder my ass.”
Words by Michael A Smith. Michael is co-author of Jaws 2: The Making Of The Hollywood Sequel. You can order the book by contacting Michael at OsFanMike@aol.com.
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