In which Stan tries to have a claim to fame
When you’re a long running show, you tend to repeat ideas and try to put a new spin on them. Unless you’re Law & Order, repeating ideas can get tiresome and unoriginal. But as long as there is strong character work, and jokes, the show can soldier on. This week we see a repeat of an idea but it’s one we’ve come to associate with Stan and it largely works.
Stan spots a small crowd gathered around Greg’s house. He goes to see, untied robe and all, only to discover that Greg’s house is being named a historic landmark for once housing James K. Polk. Stan becomes jealous and sets out to prove that his own house declared a historic landmark. First he tries to bribe the official with money and sex. But when that fails he starts tearing apart the house, in a plot reminiscent of Ollie North’s Gold.
Unlike that time, the family decides to help him and they too start tearing the house apart. At first it seems all for naught but then Steve falls through the floor and discovers a hidden room that is the brothel that gives this episode it’s name. The brothel is apparently very historic and Stan is eager to glom onto that fame being the guy who discovered that secret. It doesn’t work and people actually start to leave the house until they are entertained by the antics of the family.
This gives Stan the idea to exploit them for personal game. The guests get to watch Hayley and Jeff argue, Steve try to unhook a bra off a pillow and the general vibe of the Smith house. That is until the family gets fed up and leaves. Stan becomes depressed, taking over Benjamin Franklin’s house and repurposing it to be the Smiths. He comes to realize the error of his ways, hugs the family and kisses a guy he thinks is Francine in disguise.
Meanwhile over in the B-plot Roger and Rogu set out to sell encyclopedias. Every stop ends in a door being slammed in Roger’s face. However, he encounters one potential sale that he’s willing to go all out for. He coddles her, walks with her and treats her gently all in the hopes of getting one sale. He almost gets it too but when the lady goes to get her checkbook she sees she already ordered all 26 volumes.
Stray Observations
- The title of this episode shares its name with a game mission of Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories.
- I did expect the skeleton joke to have another part, comedy does come in threes, but 69-ing skeleton and skeleton sex swing was funny.
- Rogu is on death’s door and trapped in the car but I’m sure he can survive the weekend
Final Thoughts: Another solid episode in my estimation. Nothing groundbreaking, this is literally Ollie’s Gold again, but with laughs along the way the 69-ing skeleton was a particular laugh for me.