This episode of “Family Guy” is remarkable in that there are almost no cutaway gags, and none (that I can recall) of the traditional type. And while the (always over-long) setup to the premise isn’t particularly funny, the rest of the episode is. Are we in for a bright new future? It seems like the show is becoming more like “American Dad,” which I’d be happy about if “American Dad” had ever been as funny as “Family Guy” was at its peak.

In the first half of the episode, Johnny Knoxville takes a shotgun blast to the face (fulfilling all our secret fantasies), and Peter decides he wants to emulate Jackass. When that doesn’t end up being particularly entertaining, he switches to emulating The Greatest American Hero. (More evidence of Seth MacFarlane’s unhealthy obsession with the ’80s. I didn’t even know what The Greatest American Hero was until I looked it up. I actually thought it was some lame reality show. I’m serious. I’m just a baby child, I don’t remember this stuff.)

Peter almost drowns, Brian tries to rescue him, yadda yadda. Upshot is, the family realizes that Brian is getting old. (He’s still eight years old despite the show being on the air for - oh who am I kidding, the show doesn’t make a lick of sense in this respect. Who cares.) In response to this, Peter goes out and gets another dog, dubbed “New Brian.” New Brian is irritatingly cheerful, fun, thoughtful, corny, and just a big ol’ wholesome bag of happiness. He plays the flute to awaken Peter and Lois in lieu of an alarm, becomes Meg’s confidant (and gifts her with deodorant), plays guitar, makes pancakes, and farts adorably in his sleep. Despite Brian’s best efforts, the family remains captivated by New Brian’s antics. And even he finds himself charmed.

Stewie alone remains untouched - and he soon realizes that New Brian can be every bit as ruthless as he is charming when someone doesn’t fall for his shtick.

New Brian is the perfect character for this: like, he’s so nice you want to be disgusted, and you’re disgusted at yourself because you can’t be. Kind of like Kimmy in My Best Friend’s Wedding, or, to a lesser extent, Carey Elwes’ character in Liar Liar. I love these characters because they’re so hard to love and so hard to hate. Like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

Man, I want some mac and cheese.

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