It's taken some time for American Dad to get the respect it deserves, but it stands tall as one of the longest-running and most consistent adult-animated comedies ever made. American Dad has produced some of TV's most surreal and hilarious episodes. However, if there's anything that separates American Dad from other adult animated shows, it would be its series' mascot, Roger the Alien.

Roger often defies explanation, but his chaotic demeanor also causes the biggest conflicts in American Dad, some of which are completely avoidable. Many dismiss Roger as a stale and stagnant character, but he exhibits surprising growth. American Dad always has a winner on its hands when Roger is the episode's focus, whether he's lost in his selfish whims or attempting to right some wrong.

Updated on January 12, 2024, by Daniel Kurland & Ajay Aravind: The latest update now has more Roger-centric American Dad episodes under examination as well as more recent entries that include the show’s newest season. Basic updates and maintenance of outdated links and the order of entries have also been adjusted.

20 “Criss-Cross Applesauce: The Ballad Of Billy Jesusworth” Is An Excellent Example Of Roger's Histrionic Antics

“Criss-Cross Applesauce: The Ballad Of Billy Jesusworth” is a later American Dad episode that still finds fresh things to say about Roger's insecurities and his often-toxic relationship with Stan. Roger has a strong tendency to take over any hobby that he's into, which gives Stan great trepidation when he's told to let Roger play basketball with him and his friends.

The episode becomes an excellent distillation of Roger's tendency to go overboard and the heights of this basketball-based dilemma eventually bring Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming into the mayhem. This is Roger's episode, but it also features a sublime B-plot from Steve, an extended musical parody sequence of "Trapped in the Closet."

19 “Fellow Traveler” Kicks Off With A Crucial Piece Of Roger's Origin Story

American Dad's 18th season kicks off with a crucial piece of Roger's origin story that strangely takes the series nearly 350 episodes to cover. "Fellow Traveler" is set back in the '40s and doesn't feature any of the show's core cast other than Roger, as well as Avery Bullock Sr., who's a slightly familiar face.

The episode depicts Roger's initial crash landing on Earth and the humble life that he builds for himself before he's forced to leave it all behind and go on the run. It reflects a very different version of Roger before he was exposed to many of Earth’s vices that make him the individual that he is today.

18 “Family Affair” Subverts The Standard Roger Episode Expectations

"Family Affair" is a really smart American Dad installment that subverts the standard Roger episode expectations by giving him all of the power and making the rest of the Smith family desperate for approval. Roger wouldn't exactly describe himself as a loyal person due to the fleeting nature of his persona.

However, "Family Affair" unpacks a legitimate problem for the family when they learn that Roger has committed "family adultery" by hanging out with several similar families. Roger is forced to discard these extra families and figure out his priorities as the rest of the Smiths understands how much they want him around after all.

17 “Julia Rogerts” Turns Roger Into A Trapped Julia Roberts Character

American Dad has gotten plenty of laughs out of Roger's never-ending personas, some of which are even celebrities. "Julia Rogerts" doesn't posit that Roger is Julia Roberts. However, intense embarrassment pushes him to escape to a fantasy persona where he essentially becomes a Julia Roberts character who's stuck in one of her many romantic comedies.

Roger builds a whole new life in "Julia Rogerts," but it's all an elaborate way for him to avoid his real problems. It's one of the better episodes when it comes to the powers of Roger's psyche, not to mention giving fans a chance to see Roger flex his creativity even further.

16 “Frannie 911” Shows How Roger's Objectionable Attitude Is Occasionally Necessary

Roger's lore can sometimes feel unnecessary and cumbersome, but episodes like "Frannie 911" effectively reveal how Roger's objectionable attitude is occasionally necessary for his very existence. Like some of American Dad's best episodes, "Frannie 911" explores the unequal nature of Stan and Roger's friendship.

An elaborate fake kidnapping that doesn't draw results leads to grisly body humor as the Smith family learns that Roger is literally allergic to being nice. “Frannie 911” succeeds both with its grander message and the gross visuals that take over Roger as his condition worsens.

15 “Stan-Dan Deliver” Demonstrates Roger's Unorthodox Teaching Techniques

American Dad is no stranger to broad movie parodies, but it’s surprising to see Roger take a class of underprivileged inner-city kids under his wing in a reference to Stand and Deliver. As Stan-Dan Deliver, Roger administers unconventional teaching techniques that leave Steve frustrated and eager for expulsion.

Stan and Francine also get caught up in retirement plan woes, but it’s the delicate balancing act that Roger engages in as an educator that makes this episode so much fun. By the end of everything, Steve can’t tell if Roger is a genius or a goof, but fans know that he's both.

14 “Shallow Vows” Introduces Jeannie Gold, Roger's Wedding Planner Persona

Stan and Francine's temperamental relationship has helped fuel some of American Dad’s most emotional episodes. “Shallow Vows” creates stress out of Stan and Francine’s impending 20th wedding anniversary after Francine learns that Stan’s love may only run skin-deep.

“Shallow Vows” is notable for introducing Roger’s wedding planner persona, Jeannie Gold, who goes on to become one of his most popular recurring personalities. Stan and Francine suffer real pain while the surprisingly deep life that Jeannie has made for herself feeds into a lot of the episode’s comedy.

13 “A Piñata Named Desire” Pits Stan And Roger As Rivals

American Dad is frequently at its finest when it pits Stan and Roger against the other as rivals. “A Piñata Named Desire” seeks to prove who is the better actor between the two. However, Roger’s innocent intention to help Stan’s thespian skills puts them in competition for the same theatrical role.

Roger is hilarious as both an acting teacher and an actor, but the fiery finale between him and Stan leaves the Smith family speechless. If nothing else, “A Piñata Named Desire” includes the glory that is “Pudding Man.”

12 “American Stepdad” Has Plenty Of Roger's Ego-Driven Antics

Roger’s versatile nature makes him the perfect character to slot into different roles, which can have seismic consequences for the rest of American Dad’s characters. In “American Stepdad,” Stan must endure a very different side of Roger after he swoops in to woo his mother and becomes his new stepfather.

Stan must show fealty to Roger’s new powerful position, which stresses him out and forces him to retaliate. “American Stepdad” has plenty of Roger’s ego-driven antics, but it also shows off his more empathetic side.

11 “Cops & Roger” Features The Fey Alien's Legendary Elbow Drop

“Cops and Roger” is a relatively early episode in American Dad’s run, and it's infamous for having one of the most absurd visuals in the entirety of the series. “Cops and Roger” has a relatively simple premise: Roger joins the Police Academy, only to quickly become a corrupt and reckless cop.

However, that doesn’t diminish the episode’s comedy in the slightest. Roger’s extreme behavior as he channels Bad Lieutenant and goes off the deep end is both harrowing and hilarious. Fans will also never forget Roger’s legendary elbow drop in the episode.

10 “OreTron Trail” Shows Roger In A Desperate And Vulnerable Role

Fans enjoy seeing the typically selfish and arrogant Roger take a more vulnerable and desperate role, especially when it provides more insight into his increasingly exaggerated and retconned backstory. During a fun sleepover with Steve, Roger is traumatized when playing one of Steve's violent video games: The Oregon Trail.

This little piece of virtual reality reminds Roger of his old family during America's early, pioneering expansion and of all the horrific ways they died. He calmly decides to kidnap the entire Smith family and trap them within Steve's computer so that they may never see the same fate. Lucky for the Smiths, there is a way out through Steve's video game.

9 “Phantom Of The Telethon” Is A Magnificent Roger Revenge Story

"Phantom of the Telethon" is a revenge story for everyone who's had their ideas ripped off before. Roger feels betrayed when Stan takes all the credit for coming up with a telethon to save the CIA's torture division. So, he takes a garish role as the Phantom of the Telethon, haunting and inconveniencing every performance that Stan's show tries to put on.

This episode features some of Roger's classic slapstick and crude pranks. Roger truly comes into his own when he begins to use a toy keyboard as an organ substitute, as well as his own ingenious take on how to turn such a tool into a torture device.

8 “Vision: Impossible” Gives Roger The Power To Predict The Future

If being a flamboyant alien wasn't enough, American Dad's creators decided to also give Roger the ability to see into people's futures. After trying to get the Smiths to enjoy the more spontaneous elements of life, a sudden accident leaves Roger with temporary clairvoyance whenever he makes contact with someone.

The Smiths are such sticklers that they inevitably abuse Roger's power to guarantee their constant safety, which results in constantly pestering Roger over whether they're at death's door. However, things start to heat up when Roger loses his psychic powers and the family is left to actually deal with the unknown.

7 “Office Spaceman” Has The Perfect Ingredients For Roger's Silliness

American Dad often reminds fans that, as an alien, Roger shouldn't be seen undisguised in public. At the very least, he shouldn't appear without a costume in front of any CIA agents. However, this doesn't stop Roger from taking part in one of his best money-making schemes, which involves him selling pictures of a real-life alien: himself.

These are the perfect ingredients for sitcom silliness. Roger's tenuous scheme grows even more ridiculous when the CIA hires Roger's investigative persona to ostensibly hunt down himself. It's a complicated problem that even Roger struggles to negotiate.

6 “Ricky Spanish” Is Perhaps Roger's Most Iconic And Infamous Persona

Ricky Spanish is perhaps Roger's most iconic and infamous persona in all of American Dad. Ricky Spanish is perhaps his worst persona, and he's accrued quite a vile reputation. Whenever Roger becomes Ricky Spanish, he's prone to do terrible and ever-increasingly reprehensible things.

Steve, ever the youthful optimist, still believes that Ricky Spanish isn't beyond redemption. Steve's crusade develops into a powerful story about hope, betrayal, and lost innocence. In the end, though, Steve is forced to learn just how wrong he's been the whole time.

5 “The One That Got Away” Features Roger Going Up Against Roger

Roger's personas have only gotten stranger and more varied since the concept's introduction. Before being defined by his "personas," Roger was simply stuck in the Smith's house. However, ever since he's donned a wig, Roger has let loose more and more.

"The One That Got Away" features Roger going up against Roger, only he doesn't initially realize that he's his own worst enemy. Roger discovers that the man whose life he's been trying to ruin has actually just been one of his other personas that's assumed a life of his own. It's an amazing twist that acts as the stopping point for an increasingly absurd episode.

4 “Persona Assistant” Delivers A Fitting Love Letter To Roger

American Dad's big 250th episode delivers a fitting love letter to Roger and the important role that his many personas play within the series' world. Roger stresses over all of his personas' different activities, so it's up to Stan to assume his roles when Roger needs a vacation.

Stan has good intentions, but he fails to see the point of performing all of Roger's seemingly useless character work. Stan shirks Roger's responsibilities, and it's not long before Langley falls into utter chaos. When push comes to shove, however, Stan embraces some of Roger's most incendiary personas to save the day.

3 “Great Space Roaster” Is Well-Tuned Into Roger's Recklessness

Roger is a fan-favorite character, even before American Dad decides to put him to task through a comedic roast that hits a little too close to home. "Great Space Roaster" is a classic American Dad installment because it's so well-tuned into Roger's recklessness. The Smiths' roast of Roger is one of the best scenes, and everyone gets in some great jabs at Roger's expense.

The big twist, however, is that Roger is too thin-skinned to tolerate this abuse. "Great Space Roaster" takes quite the turn as Roger turns homicidal against the Smiths. This rampage eventually drives the Smith family to hideout in space, only for Roger to facilitate several hilarious Alien homages.

2 “Tearjerker” Is A Hilariously Over-The-Top James Bond Parody

Family Guy really made a bundle when it did its Star Wars parodies. Following that formula, American Dad did its own take with the only franchise that would make sense with the CIA agent Stan Smith: the iconic spy franchise James Bond.

While most of the family do decent jobs with their Bond-esque characters, and Stan pretty much just plays himself, Roger stands out as the sinister and eccentric Bond villain. Relishing in the genre's gaudy and convoluted design sensibilities for its villains, Roger is in his element as he berates his henchmen, harasses Stan, and falls prey to his own clumsy hubris.

1 “The Two Hundred” Honors Roger While Celebrating The Show's History

American Dad knows how to celebrate a seminal moment. Having reached its 200th episode, American Dad decides to just have fun with its consistency and world-building through the powers of an apocalypse. Stan alienates his family in the days leading up to the world's end, which leaves him in a lonely, vulnerable place.

The world is in disarray and humanity is terrified of a mysterious force that's known only as "The Two Hundred." Seasoned American Dad fans will suspect that this prophecy applies to none other than Roger. Roger is accidentally responsible for the apocalypse, and all 200 of his personalities take up physical form and wreak havoc upon the world. It's a fun way to celebrate American Dad's long history while honoring Roger.