Template:Infobox Family Guy Season Five
Brian Sings and Swings is an episode from season 4b of FOX animated television series Family Guy. Aired January 8, 2006. Production code 4ACX21. Guest starring Frank Sinatra, Jr. as himself, Don LaFontaine as the trailer narrator, and Mark Borchardt as himself.
The episode deals with Brian's singing talents, followed by Brian's drinking problem.
Plot summary
Template:Spoiler Brian is nearly killed when Peter hits him with the car. He recovers but he's depressed by the uncertainty of life and death. He meets Frank Sinatra, Jr. and is inspired by his live-for-today lifestyle. Brian and Stewie join with Sinatra to form a new Rat Pack. Brian plays the Dean Martin role too well, drinking himself into the gutter. Stewie lifts his spirits by telling him that someone (Stewie) does care about him. They finish one more number before Mia Farrow breaks up the act.
Meanwhile, Sarah, a girl in Meg's science class, invites Meg to her after-school club. Thrilled at being included, Meg agrees but discovers the club is the Lesbian Alliance. She joins anyway and pretends to be a lesbian because they treat her as a friend. She finally confesses to Sarah that she just isn't gay, ruining Quagmire's attempts to secretly videotape them.
Notes
- This episode was supposed to air December 4, 2005 but was moved to January 8, 2006.
- The closing credits has a swing version of the theme song performed by Sinatra.
Cultural references
- Meg watches as Chris' hair and face is place on his head, spoofing the scene in The Empire Strikes Back in which Admiral Piett watches Darth Vader's mask being lowered over his deformed head.
- Stewie tells a joke about Chris Farley's drinking problems; Farley was best-known for his stint on Saturday Night Live.
- The mega-lesbians sing "Elvira" by The Oak Ridge Boys.
- Peter's swiming with the bulls is a combination of the running of the bulls and synchronized swimming. They perform to "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
- Thomas Edison mentions that he is watching The Office and blasts "Foxey Lady" by Jimi Hendrix from his stereo.
- Stewie laughs in a messed-up way at Hope & Faith, which is a reference to bad laugh tracks.
- Brian's temporary replacement is Dean Martin's old partner, Jerry Lewis.
- Quagmire's production crew is from American Movie.
- Stewie says if Brian dies he'll have to start hanging out with The Rock.