Hayley Smith, the perpetually earnest, occasionally irritating daughter of Stan Smith in American Dad!, finds herself in a predicament that’s both absurd and oddly specific. The next episode, “The Girl Who Cried Space Jam,” sees Hayley thrust into a bizarre scenario reminiscent of the 1996 Michael Jordan vehicle.
The exact circumstances of Hayley’s “Space Jam” dilemma are being kept under wraps, which, let’s face it, is par for the course with this show. However, it’s a safe bet that the episode will involve a healthy dose of the surreal and outlandish humor that’s become the series’ trademark. Will she challenge aliens to a basketball game with the fate of Earth hanging in the balance? Will Bill Murray make a cameo appearance? Only the animation cel gods know for sure.
The title itself, a play on the childhood fable, suggests a comedic take on the anxieties of being dismissed or disbelieved. Perhaps Hayley’s claims of interdimensional basketball shenanigans are met with skepticism, leading to further chaotic complications. It’s a setup ripe with comedic potential.
American Dad!, now in its 20th season, continues to deliver its particular brand of satirical, often absurdist, comedy.
American Dad! airs Mondays at 10:00 PM ET on TBS.