Family Guy
Season 23 – Episode 2
Episode title: Live, Laugh, Love
Original air date: February 23, 2025
Plot: Peter jokes about eating his annual salad while texting the guys, but notices that Joe merely likes his texts whereas Cleveland and Quagmire always laugh. Peter confronts Joe about it and is told that he has never found him funny. Meanwhile, after worrying about the lack of proper supervision on Chris and Meg’s field trip to Washington D.C., Lois decides to chaperone the trip, only to embarrass her children and earn scorn from their friends. She bonds with Principal Shepherd over their shared sadness and he opens up about his first love, Shellie Barnes, whom he broke up with over a disagreement whether to do a Combination of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell franchise. Peter tries sneaking into Joe’s room at night and leaving a “Ha Ha” on his joke for him, but sets off the traps by his bed and gets injured falling down the stairs while running away. In the hospital, Peter apologizes for overreacting. Upon describing the injuries he’s received, Joe finally laughs at him as he sheds a tear of joy. Lois discovers that Shellie lives near the hotel. After arriving at a Taco Bell where Shepherd is with help from Meg driving the bus, Lois persuades Shepherd to talk with Shellie. After being directed to her house next door by a neighbor, Shepherd eventually talks to Shellie (Casey Wilson) only to find that her dream failed, she got addicted to certain drugs, and she has let herself go while having a live-in uncle who is currently on dialysis. Although Shepherd’s time is ultimately wasted and he fends off a thought cloud with Jared Fogle in it, Lois tells Shepherd to take heart in the fact that his life ended up better than hers.
* * *
Oh, hi, you guys. How was school?
Eh, it was fine.
But we had a substitute bully today and he was doing it wrong.
Okay, it says, “Tape sign on back.”
Is that-is that your back, my back?
I-I got to be honest… I only got called in, like, 45 minutes ago.
Just pinch my nipples and get out of here.
Oh, we also need you to sign these permission slips.
We’re taking a school field trip to Washington D.C.
Sounds great, bring ’em over here and I’ll give you my John Hancock.
Who’s that?
I’m sorry, I mean my Lane Bryant.
Well, just say that, then.
Big day, gentlemen.
It’s the one day a year Peter eats a salad.
Poor bastard.
No one should have to go through that hell.
Well, he made a promise to Lois.
It was actually in their wedding vows.
All right, let’s get this over with.
I brought the whitest-looking lettuce
from McDonald’s I could find.
I’m hoping it has McNugget smell accidentally on it.
I brought today’s newspaper like you asked
so you’d have proof of salad.
Got it.
♪
I love my wife. I love my wife.
I love my wife.
♪
And inside this local tavern,
a portly gentleman has just consumed
his annual salad.
I’m Garrison Keillor,
and I was “Me Too’d” for quaintly groping,
so now I’m doing this.
So, Chris, Meg, you guys excited
for your big trip to Washington D.C.?
Yeah. The cool kids are bringing a candy-colored version
of whatever drug the media is most freaking parents out about.
What?!
Relax, Mom.
We’re being supervised by public school employees
who themselves are battling their own crippling addictions.
Peter, are you hearing this?
I’m not. I’m chewing Cap’n Crunch,
I can’t hear anything.
I just worry,
but I guess that’s what moms do.
Well, that and give you a recap
of everyone who’s died that you don’t know.
You know, Leonard died.
Who?
Leonard.
Okay.
Estelle’s pretty upset.
And right on the heels of Abner.
Uh-huh.
You should probably call Edith.
I’ll give you Alfred’s number.
Who the hell are these people?
Is this just an excuse to say old people’s names?
Vivian.
Huh.
What’s the matter? You look upset.
Eh, it’s just, Joe’s been pretty stingy
with his “ha ha’s” over text.
I think you’re probably reading into that.
No, seriously. Cleveland sends some lame crap
and Joe “ha ha’s” it.
I send a photo of me hanging a foreclosure notice
over a toilet… nothing.
I’m telling you, he never laughs at anything of mine.
He must have given you one at some point.
I mean, sure, at some point.
♪
Oh, my God.
He’s literally never given me one.
Joe doesn’t think I’m funny?
Oh, thank God you’re here.
You know funny when you hear it.
Hey, Ostrich, did you hear that crazy story
about the monkey’s favorite food?
It’s bananas.
Hmm.
Hey, gang, I know you’re not used to
seeing your teachers in shorts,
so let’s get it all out of the way.
They’re just legs, guys. Oh, one more thing.
We do have a surprise chaperone for this trip.
Everyone say hi to Chris and Meg’s mom, Lois Griffin.
Aah! Woot, woot!
Did somebody say “cool mom with an Activia fanny pack”?
They give you a free one if you send in enough lids.
I’ve got two fanny packs and a very healthy colon.
Our chaperone is Mom?
You’re lucky. My mother died last year after a long illness.
You got your GoFundMe money, so shut up!
Mom, what the hell are you doing here?
Are you trying to kill our reputation?
Oh, relax, you two.
I’m gonna be the cool mom, huh?
I may even have the kids call me Mrs. G.
Mrs. G.
Can you imagine?
Just like Mrs. Garrett from The Facts of Life.
Nobody knows who that is.
Come on… Tootie? Blair? Jo?
Bitch, what you talking about?
Just settle down, you guys.
I promise I won’t embarrass you.
Okay, everyone, I’ve got candy.
Everybody reach in but just take one.
Fanny candy? Fanny candy? Fanny candy?
Oh, my God, this is terrible.
This is more embarrassing
than when I tried to return that RealDoll.
Uh, yes, hello, I would
like to return my RealDoll.
Okay, and what condition is the doll in?
Um… let’s say “fair.”
Any visible marks? Some light choking.
We can’t take the doll back !if there are choke marks on it.
Oh, no, no, no, the choke marks are on me,
and in her defense, I did have it coming.
Actually, I don’t want to return the RealDoll.
This is just part of the dance.
Oh, no. I didn’t realize you were there the whole time.
I hope I’m not in for some light choking.
Why do you even care if Joe’s never
laughed at one of your texts? Brian, I know it seems like I have it all, but even I…
a man with 15 Halloween masks…
have my struggles with insecurity.
So, what are you gonna do?
I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.
From this day forward, I will never laugh at another one of Joe’s texts.
His-his mind just works in a different way than mine.
Oh, no. Accidental heart, accidental heart.
Quick, replace it with a “ha ha.”
Phew, that was close.
I was almost gay.
Huh.
Peter just came out of the closet.
Uhp, no he didn’t.
The heart emoji:
careful, straight dudes!
Look at us.
Different generations enjoying a fancy resort.
Mom, don’t, please.
Quiet, Meg.
So, I saw a really funny TikTok. Do you know that one?
You’re gonna have to be more specific. Which one?
Uh, there’s-there’s more than one?
Why is everyone leaving?
‘Cause you’re lame and we don’t want to be with you.
Come on, guys, let’s go watch CNBC in the lobby.
Yeah, I think I saw a bowl of bananas.
♪
God, those kids are a nightmare.
They’re just so… mean.
Just be thankful this isn’t your entire life.
You get to go home at the end of all of this
to a family and someone you love.
Oh, come on, I’m sure there’s someone special in your life.
You know, there was someone.
A long time ago.
It was 1993,
and I was folding clothes at a Structure.
Everyone was, back then.
Then I saw her.
Shelly Barnes.
Boy, was she something.
Tall, tan… she was more scrunchie than woman.
♪
We wanted the dream:
our own Taco Bell franchise.
But then it happened…
the one thing you never want to hear.
Hey, John. I was just thinking.
What if we open a Taco Bell/Pizza Hut?
♪
The psychic who told me to do this
never said anything about Pizza Hut.
I was young and bullheaded.
I had these ideas of what fast food should be.
Worst part was, when I told her the bad news,
she threw my retainer right in the bushes.
I looked for a little bit, but eventually
I just said, “Eh, screw it.”
Anyway, that one argument consumed us.
Never saw Shelly again.
I’m so sorry to hear all that, Principal Shepherd.
Whew, what a day.
I need a drink.
Jack on the rocks?
No, in the toilet, but I’ll have that drink now.
Hey, Joe, you know, you might want to
contact your cell carrier
’cause all your “ha ha’s” are coming through
as “thumbs up” lately.
Oh, boy.
What’s, uh…
what’s going on with you never laughing
at any of my texts?
Peter, maybe now’s not the time.
No, no, no, tell me. What is it?
Honestly? Nothing.
I just don’t always think you’re all that funny.
Wow.
Uh, okay. Wow.
Look, if I want someone to burp the National Anthem,
there is no second call, it’s you or nobody.
Thank you, Joe. Thank you for saying that.
But when it comes to laughs, you’re just not my cup of tea.
Hell, I’ve never even seen Austin Powers.
Oh, well, there you go!
All right, fellas, I got to run.
Look, this doesn’t change anything, Peter.
You’re my friend. No hard feelings.
Oh yeah, no hard feelings, like your dink?
I’ll see you around, Peter.
I’ll tell you what, I’m gonna get a laugh from him.
Hmm. I’m not sure about that.
Seems like he’s prayed on this one.
Well, I’m gonna give it the old college try.
Are you gonna go to class?
No.
There you are. You’re not gonna believe this.
Did they get the blood out of the ice machine?
No, I found your ex on Facebook.
What?
Shelly Barnes. She lives only, like, 30 miles from here.
Hmm. Is 30 miles enough time
for me to get totally jacked before I see her?
Sure, you can do push-ups in the bus aisle.
Let’s go find her.
Hey, hey, listen up.
Has anyone seen Principal Shepherd?
He said he had to go to the men’s room
and then he just disappeared.
Yeah, I’m not sure. I think we’re all just kind of finger-blasting
anything that moves back here.
I’ll be right back.
Excuse me, have you seen a heavyset, middle-aged man?
Kind of sad-looking?
Hmm.
♪
Oh.
Hey, you know, there was a guy
that left in a yellow cab a few minutes ago.
He got the number from a magazine he had in his pocket.
I’ve never seen such stretched-out pockets
on a sport coat before.
Oh, my God, that’s him.
Principal Shepherd must have run away. Now…
Do you have any security footage from the lobby?
Sorry, the only video we have is from the karaoke lounge.
He killed Sublime, by the way.
♪ I don’t practice Santeria ♪
♪ I ain’t got no crystal ball ♪
♪ Well, I had a million dollars but… ♪
Don’t take those fries. I’m not done.
♪ I’d spend it all ♪
♪ If I could find… ♪
I-I… Ugh, I lost my place.
Start it over from the top, Gene.
Okay, guys, Principal Shepherd is gone.
Did you check the karaoke lounge?
He got in a huge fight with that Gene guy.
Look, I know you think adults are lame.
That we’re just big bags of crap that drink coffee,
but we are people, too.
Most of the things you think are important now aren’t.
Looks fade, waists expand, chins double and dreams die.
And one day… one day, you’re gonna wish
that a bus full of punk kids would come along
and help you when you need it most.
Now, that man is scared and alone and he needs us right now.
Now, who’s with me?
Wait a minute, if Principal Shepherd’s gone,
who’s gonna drive the bus?
Someone say something about a bus driver?
I still need six hours of supervised road time
for my B Class license,
but I’m pretty sure I can handle this bad boy.
Meg, let’s go find our principal.
♪
Ooh, sorry.
Sorry, sorry, guys. I got some,
but I think the troublemaker’s still in there.
Can someone please turn on the always-1978 bus radio?
♪ I cried a tear… ♪
♪ You wiped it dry… ♪
Ew!
It’s not my fault. It’s a ballad.
Songs you can’t poop over !on a bus. Soft stoolin’ our way
through the ’70s.–
♪ I love you… ♪
♪ I honestly love you… ♪
Ew!
Change the damn station!
♪
Whoa, whoa. Where you going?
I’ve had it, Brian. I am getting a “ha ha” from Joe
if it’s the last thing I do.
And how are you planning to do this?
I’m gonna send a funny text
and then sneak over to Joe’s and “ha ha” it.
Okay, but why are you wearing all black?
So no one will see me.
Aah!
-Why the hell are you wearing all black?
Why the hell are you wearing a lady’s ball gown?
Okay, let’s just both resume whatever it is we were doing.
♪
♪
Aah!
Who’s there?
Don’t struggle. It only makes it tighter.
Aah!
Peter? What the hell is going on here?
Joe? Joe, are you okay?
Yeah, I’m fine, Bon.
Oh.
♪
We looked all night and there’s no sign
of Principal Shepherd anywhere.
Oh, my God, of course.
Stop the bus, Meg. Look!
Gotcha.
I thought I might find you here.
Mrs. Griffin, I, uh…
Look, I wanted to say I’m sorry.
I… I shouldn’t have inserted myself into your personal life.
That… that was wrong of me.
I know you just wanted to help. I just…
I just panicked.
I got so scared of her seeing me now
and thinking that I’m this big loser.
Hey, you are not a loser.
May I remind you I wear Saucony sneakers and Lee jeans.
You…
you are not a loser.
♪
Mrs. Griffin, yo quiero one more chance.
Well, Mr. Griffin, the surgery went according to plan.
Great, thank you, Dr. Hartman.
And I didn’t know how to categorize your injuries
on the insurance form, so I just put “gay stabbing.”
Oh, okay, uh, uh, w-who else… who else sees that?
Oh, a-almost-almost nobody.
It’s just for, like, file-keeping record stuff.
♪
Go get ’em.
Shelly?
Hi, it’s, uh, i-it’s me, John Shepherd.
Listen, John, I-I think maybe…
Hang on, hang on.
Just-just let me say what I want to say.
God, you look great.
Listen, I know it must be odd to see me standing here
all these years later.
And although I look like a man on the outside…
Shelly lives in the house next door.
Oh. Oh, uh, uh, which, uh…
Oh, uh, the one with the aboveground pool
and angry dogs tied to the tree in the front yard.
No way. John Shepherd?
Is that really you?
It is. Shelly?
Shut up! Shut up, you idiots!
I’d invite you in, but my uncle’s getting dialysis
right here in the bonus room.
Oh, wow.
Uh, listen, I was… I was just in the neighborhood.
I wanted to come by and see how you’ve been.
Yeah, not too bad.
You know, I ended up opening the Taco Bell/Pizza Hut,
but it never really took off.
I think, ultimately, it came down to me trading
too many pizzas for drugs.
Right, right. Listen, I actually got to get these kids somewhere.
Well, it was nice to see you, John.
You ever want to hang out, you know where to find me.
You’ll find her in the wind and in the trees around you.
Where the leaves blow and the river flows.
I’m sorry, who are you?
I’m Jared Fogle, the former Subway spokesperson.
Not sure I want you in my thought bubble.
Aren’t you in prison?
Yes.
This is how I spend my days in my cell.
Hey, how many kids you got on this bus, by the way?
This is why! This is why I don’t want you in there!
Thanks for pushing me to go find my first love.
Sorry it ended up being such a waste of time.
No, this was not a waste.
You just found out you won.
I did? How so?
Your ex-girlfriend is a total loser.
Meanwhile, you have a great job with a pension,
a house and a car with all different-color doors.
You’re right.
I guess old Shep’s doing okay.
You sure are. Now, all you got to do
is just not humiliate yourself on a bus full of children.
Ooh, on that note,
I got to make a quick stop in the little boy’s room.
Turn on the radio!
♪ You’re looking kind of lonely, girl… ♪
Ew!
♪ Would you like someone new ♪
♪To talk to? ♪
Ew!
This bowl’s getting very full.
I strongly suggest
we don’t go up or down any hills.
♪ I’m feeling kind of lonely, too ♪
♪ If you don’t mind ♪
♪ Can I sit down here beside you? ♪
♪ Ah, yeah ♪
♪ All right. ♪
