The 2024 Family Guy holiday episode titled The Gift of the White Guy was the show’s 25th-anniversary holiday special. It remained in character with its overall irreverent humor defining the series but did little new. Fans enjoyed funny times with the Griffin family, but this episode all around blended into the library of over 400 episodes and didn’t stand out at all.
Family Guy 2024 Plot
Peter Griffin has chosen a gift for the office white elephant exchange, but Lois does not know about it until she discovers that it is missing. The plot becomes even more thick when Stewie finds out he is still on the naughty list and sets off on his mission. He sets off on his mission to prove himself worthy, acting upon an endearingly selfish quest to prove that he is good enough for Santa.
This dual plotting maintains much-needed comedic flow in the show but does not capture either the depth or uniqueness fans might want from a holiday episode milestone.
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Comedy and Creativity
Hilarity never strays far from the show’s brand in The Gift of the White Guy. From Peter being oblivious to Stewie’s escapades, enough gags abound for any viewer to enjoy. The animation is consistent enough, and coming at just the right times, incisive cutaways to Santa’s Workshop and the North Pole bring some much-needed variety. These moments provide laughs but don’t elevate the episode to anything truly special.
The flashbacks and absurd scenarios—the two signature cornerstones of Family Guy—are there, but they accomplish little to help the episode reach any genuine confines. It’s more on autopilot than delivering something specifically tailored to celebrate 25 years of the show.
Missed Opportunities
The Gift of the White Guy is little more than that. Whereas Road to the North Pole’s holiday specials had managed to extend into extended runtimes and two-part episodes or to bring parodies of old Christmas tales, this year’s is several cuts short of the rest, feeling rushed and compressed into a well-worn 22-minute standard format with a straightforward plot.
However, the episode does fail to bring the feeling of the holiday special itself. Though Stewie’s attempt to grow as a character adds a satisfying element to this episode, overall, it doesn’t make me feel very holiday cheery. Its superficial ties to Christmas make it feel more like a typical Family Guy episode with festive window dressing.
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What Works
It doesn’t leave much of a mark in memory, but it’s not without merit. The comedy is steady, and a joke or visual gag hits almost every minute. Stewie’s quest brings some character development, and Peter’s inept attempts to recover Lois’s brooch are pretty funny, even if predictable.
The talented voice cast, courtesy of Seth MacFarlane, continues to do strong work here. Their voice work breathes life into even the most routine plot, making this episode enjoyable if not remarkable.
The Verdict
Family Guy has certainly had a long history of raising the bar with memorable, envelope-pushing episodes. To say that The Gift of the White Guy does not aim particularly high. It’s middling at best, not terrible but far from iconic. For a 25th-anniversary holiday special, it’s a missed opportunity.
Fans might chortle at the familiar shenanigans of the Griffins but are unlikely to remember it longer.
Maybe future holiday specials will recapture that creativity and audacity that made Family Guy a cultural phenomenon.
While funny and entertaining at points, it doesn’t transcend the standards of previous episodes for this milestone celebration.
