10 Most Controversial American Dad Episodes (So Far)

9. Don't Look A Smith Horse In The Mouth €“ S5E10

Ok, this episode isn't actually overly controversial yet somehow is the only episode on this list to have cost American Dad $25k due to a fine from the FCC. This is because of one particular scene that allegedly received over 100,000 complaints from viewers when it aired. The episode involves Roger and Stan buying a race horse in order to try and make some quick cash. After Stan punches Roger in the arm (for basically just being Roger), Roger decides to exact revenge on Stan by instructing him to 'do the horse chores' because his arm is too sore. The chores include giving the horse a 'full release' which Roger spells out with some colourful metaphors before Stan understands that Roger means he will have to induce an ejaculation from the horse. We don't actually see any sexual images. There is a cut as Stan bends down and the next thing we see is Stan hosing himself in the face and Roger gloating that he actually got Stan to do it. But that was clearly enough to offend some people. The rest of the episode is one of the strongest across the whole series. It's incredibly funny, very quotable and manages to avoid some of the 'so bad it's cringey' writing that sporadically emerges at odd points in episodes. But seen as how this caused the most controversy in the public eye, it's only fair that it makes an appearance on this list.