After more than 20 seasons,American Dad!is on the cusp of airing its 400th episode, but a 2025 San Diego Comic-Con reveal sadly teases a redundant premise for the series. There would naturally be hopes that such a milestone would be celebrated with one of thebest episodes ofAmerican Dad!yet, but preliminary news isn’t quite so promising.
The show’s 2025 SDCC panel revealed a bit of what fans can look forward to inAmerican Dad!season 23. Regarding episode 400, it was announced thatthe episode’s plotline will revolve around Stan learning that his role in the CIA has been usurped by a clone.
While the series has never technically explored this precise story concept in the past,it’s essentially a combination of multiple premisesAmerican Dad!has already visited. Stan already has a body double named Bill who appears in multiple episodes, while episode 400 combines that concept with the CIA’s cloning technology established in season 6’s “Son of Stan.”
This Milestone Episode May Not Utilize The Show’s Full Potential
Given its sci-fi elements, Seth MacFarlane’s CIA sitcom has occasionally gotten adventurous enough that evenRick and Morty’s copiedAmerican Dad!in the past. It’s therefore unsurprising thatthe series already did a story about an evil clone imposter just six seasons into its run, when Stan’s clone son Steve-arino tried to kill the original Steve in “Son of Stan.”
This aspect of the show is what arguably makesAmerican Dad!better thanFamily Guy, or at least distinct enough to carve its own identity despite some surface similarities. The series has also excelled at putting unique twists on otherwise normal sitcom stories, such as whenJeff’s breakup with Hayley resulted in her dating Stan’s body double in season 5.
On the other hand, body double Bill’s multiple appearances meanthere could be a compelling reason the CIA replaces Stan with a clone instead of with Bill inAmerican Dad!episode 400. Considering the show’s been action-packed enough on occasion to justify puttingAmerican Dad!characters inCall of Duty, this seemingly simple premise may be more than it seems.
It Could Still Turn Out To Be A Surprise Hit
There’s quite a variation in quality acrossall seasons ofAmerican Dad!, and the gap between the extremes is wide enough thatreusing bits and pieces from previous episode concepts could still lead to a better story overall. Although the premise forAmerican Dad!episode 400 is disappointing on paper, that doesn’t mean its execution can’t blow the audience away.
Just as the best innovations often serve to improve upon pre-existing inventions rather than create something totally new, the 400th episode ofAmerican Dad!could be its own “better mousetrap.” With season 21 ending on episode 388, fans thankfully only have until a few months into season 22 before we can judge for ourselves.
American Dad!
Cast
From the creators of Family Guy comes American Dad!, an animated series that follows the exploits of the Smith family. Stan Smith is the average American father, except his job at the CIA sees him made privy to all manner of national secrets. The Smith family is relatively normal, with Stan’s wife Francine, children Haley and Steve, talking pet goldfish Klaus (who has the personality of a German Olympic skier), and the eccentric and sociopathic alien Roger who lives in their attic.
