We’ve done it: Family Guy is back for its 23rd season, and the premiere episode, “Fat Gun,” is a funny parody of the classic film Top Gun (1986) and its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick (2022).

This episode features the Griffin family and their friends as the principal characters, adding a comedic spin to the supplied roles during the naval aviator era.

Peter as Maverick

Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, is Peter Griffin. In keeping with his stock-in-trade, Peter’s Maverick is overconfident and hapless, contributing to a string of cartoonishly conceived pratfalls. Part of the episode is spent with Peter trying to prove himself a top gun all while getting into his usual trouble.

Lois as Charlie

Lois Griffin fills Charlie, Maverick’s love interest in the first movie. The episode parody’s the romance, the romantic tension between Maverick and Charlie and Lois brings her signature wit and sensibility to the role. The interactions between them are a humorous take on the traditional love story, showing the whimsical aspect of the Griffin marriage.

Joe as Goose

Goose, Mav’s original bestie and co-pilot, played by Joe Swanson As a nod to the original film’s emotional storyline, the episode includes a parody of Goose’s tragic fate. Except, in true Family Guy fashion, this solemn moment is played for laughs, allowing the scene to fit the tone of the series.

Stewie as Iceman

Stewie Griffin assumes the role of Iceman, Maverick’s rival (originally played by Val Kilmer). Stewie’s interpretation is a clever take on the character, combining his evil genius nature with Iceman’s icy cool personality. Stewie brings his own twist to the rivalry between Maverick and Iceman, resulting in quick-witted banter and zany showdowns.

Chris as Rooster

Chris Griffin takes over as Rooster, Goose’s son, from “Top Gun: Mack” from there. The episode lightly pokes fun at the father-son dynamic, such as by having Peter’s Maverick mentor Chris’s Rooster. The generational differences are emphasized through their conversations, bringing in a bit of family-oriented humor to the story too.

Brian as the News Reporter

Brian, the anthropomorphic dog of the Griffin family, serves as a kind of news reporter, giving humorous commentary on the episode’s events. His report provides a satirical glimpse at the military operations shown in the original movies, turning the parody on its head with an extra dose of comedy.

Parody Highlights

“Fat Gun” follows Family Guy’s tradition of pop culture parodies, and pays homage to iconic scenes from “Top Gun.” There are other comical aspects of Summer Friends, like the exaggerated beachvolley backdrop where the characters engage in a game involving dramatic actions and ridiculous dialog. The episode also parodies the romantic serenade from the original film, with Peter’s Maverick giving Lois a hilariously off-key rendition of the original’s Righteous Brothers song.

Responding to “Top Gun: Maverick”

The episode is not shy about poking fun at the sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” It also jokingly references the absence of numerous characters from the original film, with meta-commentary on Hollywood’s penchant for making sequels without important figures. The self-aware humor deepens the parody, appealing simultaneously to decades-long devotees of the franchise and newcomers alike.

Reception and Availability

“Family Guy” is still resonating with fans as one of the few remaining animated sitcoms with razor-sharp humor and punchy, timely cultural references. The “Fat Gun” episode was notable for its sharp parody and the cast’s dynamic performances. New episodes of “Family Guy” are on Fox, with the ones from the day before streaming on Hulu. This availability allows audiences to view the Griffin family’s latest misadventures when it suits them.

The Season 23 premiere of “Family Guy” demonstrates the series’ ongoing capacity to marry humor and culture. With a case, the series is not only paying homage to a beloved film like “Top Gun,” they are helping a whole different vehicle as a style parody. With its irreverent perspective and sharp humor, audiences can expect more episodes to explore a variety of pop culture topics as the season continues.

More: Anime