10 Most Controversial American Dad Episodes (So Far)

4. Homeland Insecurity - S1E06

Another example of Stan's bigoted behaviour being relied upon for laughs is the early episode Homeland Insecurity, in which Stan takes a paranoid disliking to his neighbours because of the colour of their skin and their surname. Bob and Linda Mamari are both American. Yet Stan assumes they are Islamic terrorists purely because of the colour of their skin. The writers' get-out clause is there in full of course. It's a stab at the US Patriot Act and its encouragement of racial profiling. That's ok then. Let Stan be as racist as he likes. Stan sets out on a mission to harass his neighbours in order to provide Hayley, always the voice of reason, with proof to justify his prejudiced opinion. He goes on to stalk and spy on them culminating in him ultimately detaining them in his back yard, citing the patriot act as all the permission he needs. Hayley points out that this 'violates every tenant of a rational and just society' to which Stan replies 'High five!'. Ok American Dad, we get it. Rather than being laugh-out-loud funny, the relentless close-mindedness makes for some pretty uncomfortable viewing as Stan attempts to do cavity searches and interrogations. In the end, it's justified because the Mamaris prefer Stan's bigotry to their old neighbours who were black. So they're racist too and we're meant to feel better about how Stan treated them. That's ok then!