The series (at this point) focuses on the eccentric upper middle class Smith family in a fictionalized version of Langley, Virginia and their six housemates: Father, CIA agent, and Republican, Stan; housewife Francine; their liberal, hippie daughter, Hayley; their dorky high-school-aged son, Steve; the family's unusual goldfish, Klaus; and flamboyant, master of disguise alien, Roger.

In 2003, Fox Broadcasting ordered a short pilot presentation of the then tentatively titled American Dad!

At the time, Fox was aiming to develop a new lineup of adult animated sitcoms.

[1] In addition, the season was nominated for a Golden Reel Award for the episode "Homeland Insecurity".

Stan is an idiot, Roger and Klaus are very similar to Stewie and Brian, and Francine acts as the voice of reason.

It feels like it took some time for the writers to get used to not having the cutaways of Family Guy, and finally came to grips with the new format.