BFFs (The Cleveland Show)
Encyclopedia
BFFs is the second episode of the third season
of the animated comedy series The Cleveland Show
it is the 44th episode overall. The episode aired on Fox
in the United States on September 25, 2011. In this episode, In an effort to bond with the guys, Cleveland takes them on a camping trip.
This episode is written by Kirker Butler
and directed by Steve Robertson. The episode features Peter Griffin
from Family Guy
. This episode received mostly mixed to positive reviews from critics for its storyline and many cultural references, Simon Abrams of The A.V. Club
graded the episode a B. According to Nielsen ratings, it was viewed in 6.13 million homes in its original airing.
finds out that Peter
stopped by Stoolbend but didn't visit with him, he decides to go to Quahog, Rhode Island to see Peter himself. After getting the brush-from Peter, Cleveland decides to bond with the guys. Searching out bonding experiences, The guys decide on a camping trip hosted by Ric Flair. While canoeing to a gathering place, the guys upset their canoes and are tossed overboard. Gathering themselves on the bank, they become lost and are found by a group of hillbillies who plan on raping them. When Cleveland understands what is about to happen, he makes a break for it but the others fail to get away. Cleveland finds himself at the intended gathering spot and after a spa and massage, goes back to rescue his friends. Cleveland is caught as well but before he can be raped, Peter and the Evil Monkey come to their rescue. Peter admits he had second thoughts after Cleveland left and after therapy from dealing with abandonment issues from his father thought it was best to avoid the same feelings with Cleveland. Cleveland reminds Peter that there are and will always be friends.
Meanwhile, Rallo gets invited to a reunion of his daycare graduation. While there, Donna feels she hasn't pushed Rallo to advance himself as the other class mothers have and Donna has Rallo compete in a Quiz Bowl tournament to prove that he is just as smart as the other kids in his class. When Rallo bombs at the Quiz Bowl, he demonstrates a thorough understanding of practical knowledge rather than trivia and he leaves triumphantly with Donna.
The episode was written by series regular Kirker Butler
and directed by series regular Steve Robertson shortly after the conclusion of the second production season.
This episode features Seth MacFarlane
as his Family Guy
characters Peter Griffin
, Stewie Griffin
and Brian Griffin
.
graded the episode a B, stating: "The ironic register of the jokes in “BFFs,” tonight’s season premiere of The Cleveland Show, is characteristically off the charts. Episode writer Kirker Butler kicks the episode off with an obnoxious table-setting scene where almost none of the jokes hit their mark. Cleveland Brown complains to his buddies, including stereotypical hick Lester and a talking Bear, that he had a slight fever, which caused him to reflect on who his best friends really were."
The Cleveland Show (season 3)
The Cleveland Show third season debuted on the Fox network on September 25, 2011.On June 10, 2010, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a third season....
of the animated comedy series The Cleveland Show
The Cleveland Show
The Cleveland Show is an American animated television series that premiered on September 27, 2009, as a part of the "Animation Domination" lineup on Fox in the United States...
it is the 44th episode overall. The episode aired on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
in the United States on September 25, 2011. In this episode, In an effort to bond with the guys, Cleveland takes them on a camping trip.
This episode is written by Kirker Butler
Kirker Butler
Kirker Butler is an American animation writer. Butler is most notably known for writing and producing several episodes of the animated series Family Guy, as well as serving as co-executive producer of The Cleveland Show, another series by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane.-Career:Butler joined...
and directed by Steve Robertson. The episode features Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
from Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
. This episode received mostly mixed to positive reviews from critics for its storyline and many cultural references, Simon Abrams of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
graded the episode a B. According to Nielsen ratings, it was viewed in 6.13 million homes in its original airing.
Plot
When ClevelandCleveland Brown
Cleveland Orenthal Brown is a character from the animated television series Family Guy, and its spin-off series The Cleveland Show. He is voiced by Mike Henry. In the first seven seasons of Family Guy, Brown is a frequently recurring character. As one of Peter Griffin's neighbors and friends,...
finds out that Peter
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
stopped by Stoolbend but didn't visit with him, he decides to go to Quahog, Rhode Island to see Peter himself. After getting the brush-from Peter, Cleveland decides to bond with the guys. Searching out bonding experiences, The guys decide on a camping trip hosted by Ric Flair. While canoeing to a gathering place, the guys upset their canoes and are tossed overboard. Gathering themselves on the bank, they become lost and are found by a group of hillbillies who plan on raping them. When Cleveland understands what is about to happen, he makes a break for it but the others fail to get away. Cleveland finds himself at the intended gathering spot and after a spa and massage, goes back to rescue his friends. Cleveland is caught as well but before he can be raped, Peter and the Evil Monkey come to their rescue. Peter admits he had second thoughts after Cleveland left and after therapy from dealing with abandonment issues from his father thought it was best to avoid the same feelings with Cleveland. Cleveland reminds Peter that there are and will always be friends.
Meanwhile, Rallo gets invited to a reunion of his daycare graduation. While there, Donna feels she hasn't pushed Rallo to advance himself as the other class mothers have and Donna has Rallo compete in a Quiz Bowl tournament to prove that he is just as smart as the other kids in his class. When Rallo bombs at the Quiz Bowl, he demonstrates a thorough understanding of practical knowledge rather than trivia and he leaves triumphantly with Donna.
Production
Kirker Butler
Kirker Butler is an American animation writer. Butler is most notably known for writing and producing several episodes of the animated series Family Guy, as well as serving as co-executive producer of The Cleveland Show, another series by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane.-Career:Butler joined...
and directed by series regular Steve Robertson shortly after the conclusion of the second production season.
This episode features Seth MacFarlane
Seth MacFarlane
Seth Woodbury MacFarlane is an American animator, writer, comedian, producer, actor, singer, voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, for which he also voices many of the shows' various characters.A native of Kent,...
as his Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
characters Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
, Stewie Griffin
Stewie Griffin
Stewie Griffin is a fictional character from the animated television series Family Guy. Once obsessed with world domination and matricide, Stewie is the youngest child of Peter and Lois Griffin, and the brother of Chris and Meg....
and Brian Griffin
Brian Griffin
Brian Griffin is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. He is voiced by Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family, in a 15-minute short on December 20, 1998. Brian was created and designed by MacFarlane himself...
.
Cultural references
- Donna makes reference to the fact that on most animated cartoon shows, the male protagonist has dozens of friends while the female protagonist has little to no friends. The examples she lists are herself, Marge SimpsonMarge SimpsonMarjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
, Lois GriffinLois GriffinLois Griffin is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. She is voiced by writer Alex Borstein and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998. Lois was created and designed by series creator Seth MacFarlane...
, and Francine SmithFrancine SmithFrancine Smith is a fictional character on the animated television series American Dad!. She is the wife of Stan Smith and the mother of Steve and Hayley. Francine is voiced by Wendy Schaal.-Fictional character biography:...
from American Dad!American Dad!American Dad! is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane and owned by Underdog Productions and Fuzzy Door Productions. It is produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television...
. - Just after Peter bursts through the window he shouts "Leggo my negro", a reference to the slogan of Kellog's Eggo waffles "Leggo my Eggo".
- Cleveland driving to Peter's house parodies a scene from Rocky IVRocky IVRocky IV is a 1985 American film written by, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the fourth and most financially successful entry in the Rocky franchise...
when Rocky goes for a drive to clear his head after Apollo's death at the hands of Ivan Drago. - The phone waiting tune heard in the episode is "Surfin' BirdSurfin' Bird"Surfin' Bird" is a song performed by the American surf rock band The Trashmen; it is also the name of the album that featured this hit single. It was released in 1963 and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" sung by Peter. The song is a running gag in Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
. - Normally, BFFs stands for "Best Friends Forever," but in this case, in referring to Cleveland and Peter, it stands for "Black and Fat Friends".
- Aside from the appearances of Peter, Loretta, Quagmire, and the (Evil) Monkey, Gus mentions MegMeg GriffinMeg Griffin is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. She is the eldest child of Lois and Peter and elder sister of Chris and Stewie. Meg is considered as the black sheep of the series due to the lack of attention she receives....
, Cleveland and Peter mention Bruce, and BrianBrian GriffinBrian Griffin is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. He is voiced by Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family, in a 15-minute short on December 20, 1998. Brian was created and designed by MacFarlane himself...
and StewieStewie GriffinStewie Griffin is a fictional character from the animated television series Family Guy. Once obsessed with world domination and matricide, Stewie is the youngest child of Peter and Lois Griffin, and the brother of Chris and Meg....
are heard inside the Griffin home when Cleveland drives to Quahog. They even wonder whether Cleveland's show has been cancelled, declaring he can't return to Family Guy so soon. This may be a stealth reference to the fact that the more permanent Family Guy cancellation came after season three. - Loretta and Quagmire can be seen making out in the background of Cleveland's photograph.
- When Holt, Lester, Tim and Gus tell Cleveland that Peter was in town; they mentioned that Peter came to pick up his daughter after she got left behind at the beer walk last year.
- The montage shown during the scene where Cleveland drives to Quahog includes scenes from Brian the BachelorBrian the Bachelor"Brian the Bachelor" is the seventh episode from the fourth season of Family Guy. It originally broadcast on June 26, 2005 and was written by Mark Hentemann and directed by Dan Povenmire. The episode sees Brian becoming a contestant on The Bachelorette and falling in love with the bachelorette,...
(Peter taking Cleveland's clothes off), The Tan Aquatic with Steve ZissouThe Tan Aquatic with Steve Zissou"The Tan Aquatic with Steve Zissou" is the eleventh episode of season five of Family Guy, which originally aired on February 18, 2007. After discovering Chris is being tormented by a bully, Peter goes to the bully's house to speak with him, but ends up beating him up...
(Peter dropping Cleveland's pants), and Bill and Peter's Bogus JourneyBill and Peter's Bogus Journey"Bill & Peter's Bogus Journey" is the thirteenth episode of season five of Family Guy; originally airing on March 11, 2007. The plot follows Peter deciding to become physically fit; however, Peter ends up in the hospital after attempting to impress former U.S. President Bill Clinton...
(Peter looks as a heavy barbel drops on Cleveland). The music is "No Easy Way Out" by Robert Tepper from the film Rocky IV. - The music heard at Rallo's daycare reunion is the "Linus and Lucy" parody heard in the Family Guy episodes "Mother TuckerMother Tucker"Mother Tucker" is the second episode of the fifth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It originally aired on Fox on September 17, 2006. The episode follows Peter's mother, Thelma, divorcing from Peter's father, Francis, and dating news anchorman Tom Tucker...
" and "Love BlactuallyLove Blactually"Love, Blactually" is the first episode of the seventh season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on September 28, 2008. The episode features anthropomorphic dog Brian, after he meets a fellow atheist named Carolyn at a book store, and the two...
".
Reception
Simon Abrams of The A.V. ClubThe A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
graded the episode a B, stating: "The ironic register of the jokes in “BFFs,” tonight’s season premiere of The Cleveland Show, is characteristically off the charts. Episode writer Kirker Butler kicks the episode off with an obnoxious table-setting scene where almost none of the jokes hit their mark. Cleveland Brown complains to his buddies, including stereotypical hick Lester and a talking Bear, that he had a slight fever, which caused him to reflect on who his best friends really were."
External links
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2041199/
- http://www.tv.com/shows/the-cleveland-show/bffs-1402098/