<P> Creative direction of American Dad! has largely been guided by Barker (prior to his exit from the show in season 10) and Weitzman as opposed to MacFarlane, resulting in a series that is different from its counterparts . Unlike the other shows, Family Guy and The Cleveland Show, American Dad! does not lean as heavily on the use of cutaway gags, and is less concerned with conventional "setup - punchline" jokes, instead deriving its humor mostly from the quirky characters, the relationships between family members, and the relatively relatable plots . The show is not as heavy on pop cultural allusions as MacFarlane's Family Guy, and is more concerned with telling stories while maintaining the integrity and realism of the family members . While the core issues and resolutions are relatable in most episodes, the show nonetheless weaves in fantastical elements, pitching the tone of the show somewhere between observational comedy and farce . The plots are often absurd, but they are grounded by family stories and real - world issues . </P> <P> American Dad! has been nominated for numerous awards, most prominently four Primetime Emmy Awards and two Annie Awards . In June 2013, it was awarded as top television series by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers . Since its debut, American Dad! has broadcast 247 episodes (May 2018). The total number of seasons and organization of episodes within these seasons are in dispute because of a discrepancy in how official sources report this information . One model suggests the first season of American Dad! comprises the first 7 episodes, while another model suggests the first season comprises 23 episodes . </P> <P> Beginning on October 20, 2014, TBS picked up the series for the 12th season following the final 3 episodes airing on Fox as the 11th season . American Dad!'s 15th season (4th on TBS) began with a Christmas special on December 25, 2017, and officially premiered with the 236th episode of the series on February 12, 2018 . </P> <P> On January 11, 2018, TBS renewed the series for a 16th and 17th season . </P>

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