Top 10 Looney Tunes References on Family Guy

#10: That’s All, Folks?

“Turban Cowboy”

It only makes sense that we start at the end! “That’s all, folks” may be the most iconic outro in cartoon history. The line is synonymous with Porky Pig bursting out of a drum, although the Muslim version plays a little differently in “Family Guy.” Peter and his new friend Mahmoud catch the tail end of a “Muslim Looney Tunes” short, which features a different musical theme, while Porky has grown a five o'clock shadow. In lieu of his famous catchphrase, Porky notes that he’s a dirty pig and thus shouldn’t come into physical contact with humans. In the Quran, swine is singled out as something that humans shouldn’t consume.

#9: Acme Credit

“PTV”

We’re not sure what’s more absurd: that a company would manufacture products like giant slingshots or that a patron would continue to buy items from them after multiple misfires. When his latest attempt to catch the Road Runner literally blows up in his face, Wile E. Coyote returns to the Acme store where Peter works as a clerk. Wile E. wants a refund, which we think is the least Acme can do since he’s been a loyal customer for decades. The best Peter can do, though, is store credit, which Wile E. considers until the Mrs. interrupts. It’s always funny when “Family Guy” replicates casual dialogue that feels real, but to hear it come from a character who’s usually silent is especially surreal.

#8: Hair-Raising Lola

“Hard Times at Adam West High”

During a time-travel misadventure, Brian and Stewie attempt to retrieve Chris, only to find him in a compromising position. His inspiration? Lola Bunny, who attracted more than a few admirers with her 1996 debut in “Space Jam.” We’re not just talking about her fellow Looney Tunes. At first, Stewie finds it odd that Chris would consider a cartoon rabbit sexy. Once another Chris from an alternate timeline whips out a photo, though, Stewie sees the appeal. For anyone who grew up with a crush on Lola (and perhaps still harbors those feelings nearly three decades later), this moment surely made them feel seen.

#7: Rapid Dave

“Padre de Familia”

Although some view Speedy Gonzales as offensive, many in the Hispanic community consider the mouse a cultural icon. After all, he’s a heroic mouse from Mexico who constantly sticks it to an American cat. We can see why Speedy is celebrated, but when Peter embarks on a crusade against immigrants, he deems the cartoon mouse unsuitable for his children. Peter thus creates the American version of Speedy Gonzales: Rapid Dave. Who says that Americans can’t be stereotyped, too? Dave might be as fast as Speedy, although his catchphrase could use some work. While Seth MacFarlane voices Dave, Sylvester’s voice here belongs to Jeff Bergman, who has regularly voiced characters in actual Looney Tunes projects since Mel Blanc passed away.

#6: Taz Tucking In

“The 2000-Year-Old Virgin”

“Family Guy” is the only show where people can go from having a conversation about helping Jesus lose his virginity to talking about the Tasmanian Devil tucking in his kid. In yet another cutaway gag, Taz reads his child a bedtime story. In typical Taz fashion, his dialogue is mostly gibberish, but his kid seems to follow the story nonetheless. Kissing his child goodnight, it appears Taz is gearing up to dash out like a tornado. Instead, Taz slowly spins out of the room, albeit still with cartoony sound effects. Even if he routinely tries to eat Bugs, there’s no denying that Taz is a good father. It goes to show that someone from work can be completely different at home.

#5: Finally Got the Road Runner

“I Never Met the Dead Man”

What if the Coyote caught the Road Runner? It’s an age-old question that was finally answered in the second episode of “Family Guy.” Faster than the Road Runner charges onto the screen, Peter abruptly runs the bird over with his car. In the passenger seat is Wile E., who tells Peter to just keep driving. After so many elaborate stunts, Wile E. at last flattened his nemesis in the most straightforward way possible: a hit and run. Although technically not from “Family Guy,” we’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention an episode of “Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy,” in which Wile E.’s successful pursuit of the Road Runner leads to a lost sense of purpose, followed by a spiritual reawakening.

#4: Acme Miscarriage Kit

“Partial Terms of Endearment”

When Lois becomes a surrogate for a couple who suddenly die, the Griffin family is left with a difficult decision. Peter decides to take matters into his own hands, borrowing a page from his old acquaintance Wile E. Coyote. Using “Grey’s Anatomy” DVDs as bait, Peter lures Lois into an over-the-top Acme trap. Seeing how Peter once worked for Acme, we assume he got a discount. Peter should know, though, that Acme kits never function in the way you envision. The trap naturally backfires on Peter, leading to his inevitable downfall. The sequence is mostly faithful to the slapstick tone of the original Warner Bros. shorts, although given the dark circumstances surrounding the homage, you can see why Fox didn’t want to air this episode.

#3: Ephraim the What Rabbit?!?

“E. Peterbus Unum”

Peter feels disrespected, especially since his grandfather had a hand in creating a cartoon all-star. The character in question is Bugs Bunny, although that’s not the name Peter’s grandfather championed. The elder Griffin felt the rabbit should be called Ephraim… but that isn’t the whole name. We can’t repeat it here, but let’s just say there’s a very good reason why nobody else in the room raises their hand in favor of the name. Speaking of which, some of the others around the table kind of resemble the Termite Terrace crew. The one on the lower left, in particular, is a dead ringer for Chuck Jones. It’s a subtle detail people often miss, most likely because they’re too shocked to concentrate on anything else.

#2: Yosemite Sam Jeans Shopping

“Tales of a Third Grade Nothing”

Seth MacFarlane does a pretty spot-on Yosemite Sam impression in this cutaway gag, which finds the outlaw shopping for jeans at Barneys, of all retail chains. The pants are a tad too tight for Sam, who goes off on one of his rapid-fire rants. While capturing the spirit of Sam’s familiar Western drawl, the audience is caught off guard by the sheer number of references to his lower frontier. The tirade goes by so quickly that you’re compelled to watch the clip more than once. We’d say this is why Sam never had any biological children, but come to think of it, he did have a son in “Bugs Bunny’s 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales.” So, we guess the jeans weren’t that tight.

#1: RIP Rabbit

“Stewie B. Goode”

It’s a classic setup we all know. Elmer Fudd is hunting wabbits. He finds Bugs munching on a carrot, and… he guns him down, leaving the poor bunny gasping in agony before finally snapping his neck, dragging off his bloody carcass. That escalated quickly! Brian wasn’t the only one disturbed by this cartoon, as the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council demanded an apology following an airing in 2011. We’re not sure what Mel Blanc would’ve thought of this, but his son, Noel Blanc, voiced Elmer Fudd here. So, we guess this scene comes with the Blanc seal of approval. Still, this is the most hilariously gruesome fate a “Looney Tunes” character has ever met… except for maybe that time Foghorn Leghorn encountered Colonel Sanders.

What’s your favorite “Looney Tunes” gag on “Family Guy?” Let us know in the comments.