<P> Directed by Mike Kim and written by Brian Scully, the title of the episode refers to the television series I Dream of Jeannie . The episode makes a prominent use of the song "Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen . The episode guest starred Chris Cox, Ike Barinholtz, Amanda MacDonald, Niecy Nash, Sulkin and Paris and Perez Hilton . The episode received divided reviews from critics, with the more negative reviews going to the portrayal of Jesus, while the positive reviews went to the "Surfing Bird" plot . According to Nielsen Media Research, "I Dream of Jesus" was Fox's most - watched program the evening it first aired, with 8.4 million views . Seth MacFarlane was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice - Over Performance and the Annie Award for his role as Peter Griffin in this episode . This was one of three episodes (along with "Road to Germany" and "Family Gay") submitted the year Family Guy was nominated for the "Outstanding Comedy Series". </P> <P> The family goes to Nifty Fifties Diner, a 1950s - themed restaurant, and they see waiters dressed up as celebrities from the 1950s, including James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley . Peter obtains a record of his favorite song, The Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird" from the restaurant (which was about to be thrown away because it was released in 1963). Peter repeats the song over and over on the way home in bed and even when waking up Lois, annoying his family . However, the final straw of the family's hatred of Surfin' Bird is when Peter spends over $6,000 of the family fortune to buy himself a two - minute clip on TV saying that "I dream of an America where everybody knows that the bird is the word" and singing the song again . </P> <P> Stewie and Brian steal the record while Peter is asleep one night and destroy it . In a fit of rage, Peter accuses the others, saying they had a motive as he changed his will and left everything to the record . Oblivious to the fact that Lois, Chris and Meg have evidence to prove they did not take it he accuses them of conspiring to destroy his record, and suspects his kids for possible motives . He then furiously goes to the town's only record shop the next morning to buy another copy, but it turns out the stores had already been visited by "a dog" and "a baby" (Brian and Stewie) who bought all the copies . Peter is frustrated, but gets distracted as he recognizes the record sales clerk to be Jesus Christ . </P> <P> Jesus reveals He goes to Earth every 100 years or so to check on the world, and since His Father had become highly irritable after giving up smoking, He needed some time away . He and Peter become friends, and Peter invites Him to dinner, along with Brian . Brian asks Jesus for proof He is Jesus Christ, so Jesus proves He is, by turning everyone's dinner into sundaes and, on Peter's request, makes Lois' breasts enlarge to massive proportions . Peter convinces Him to make his second coming public . Jesus walks on water to retrieve a dollar bill that blew out of Peter's hand . Consequently, He becomes famous and makes celebrity appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the MTV Movie Awards . He begins to neglect His friendship with Peter, due to Him now being popular . The next day, Peter watches the news, where Tom Tucker reports that Jesus was found in Mary - Kate Olsen's apartment that morning face down and unconscious . Tom reports that police have revived and arrested the disoriented Jesus, who quoted "Jews are responsible for all the world's wars". Jesus is arrested for His illegal prank and is sent to jail . Peter is asked by Jesus to bail Him out . Now in disrepute, Jesus decides that maybe He was not mature enough to return to the world yet and bids farewell to the family . Before He leaves this world, Jesus gives Peter a present, another record of "Surfin' Bird", and it ends with Stewie groaning in genuine rage when Peter begins annoying his family with the song again . </P>

Family guy bird is the word record smashing reference