History Recap / AmericanDadS16E4RabbitEars

* TheBadGuyWins: Alistair Covax still has Stan trapped at the end of the episode.

* KnightOfCerebus: Alistair Covax is completely void of any comedic elements apart from two moments early on, when he calls his pianist Charlie "the best white, non-union jazz pianist in the city, top five" and when he yells at Tuttle for interrupting his enjoyment of the music. Once Stan gets trapped in the show, things only get darker from there.

-->'''Alistair Covax:''' You having a nice time, Stan?
-->'''Stan:''' ''(chuckles nervously)'' You know my name. That's cool! Hey, what is this place?
-->'''Alistair Covax:''' This is a party, baby, and parties are fun. So when the camera's on, you will make nice conversation, you will keep a drink in hand, and you will ''listen to'' and '''love''' every bit of jazz you hear.

* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Alistair Covax speaks with his guest about how America is becoming "feminized," and calls the guest's book, ''[[Series/ILoveLucy I Loathe Lucy]]'', to be a "tremendous read."

* TimePassesMontage: There's one as Stan takes observations about the show, writing down all the differences as it airs each night.

* AccidentalMisnaming: Tuttle calls Stan "Sam" when he explains that they lose their memories while in the suite because of the reruns.

* HumanoidAbomination: Alistair Covax may look the part of a suave early television host, but quickly shows himself to be anything but, what with the NightmareFace, his eating unruly guests during commercial break blackouts, and his control over the reality of the show [[spoiler: and possible crossover into our world to make it his own]].

** Stan trying to find out the secret of ''Nighthawks' Hideaway'' could easily pass for an episode of ''Franchise/TheTwilightZone''.

->''"Welcome, Nighthawks. We've been...expecting you."''
-->--'''Alistair Covax'''

* CosmicHorrorStory: The ending very much veers into this. [[spoiler: Stan resorts to smashing the walls to expose the static and barely escapes with Tuttle out of the TV. However, much to Stan's horror, his family drones about the jazz and stereo system Covax repeatedly promoted. Covax then trascends the fourth wall to wish the viewer a good evening, having taken over Stan's reality and leaving him to despair.]]

* WholePlotReference: Stan trying to find out the secret of ''Nighthawks' Hideaway'' could easily pass for an episode of ''Franchise/TheTwilightZone''.

* TwistEnding: After apparently escaping the show, Stan realizes that he's now trapped in a TV in his own basement, that's still controlled by Alister Covax.

** When Stan and Tuttle try to escape the suite, a diner scene resembling Edward Hopper's painting ''Nighthawks'' can be seen in the background.

* SharpDressedMan: Alistair Covax wears a very dapper suit.
* ShoutOut: One of the guests remembers his past life, including the "Creator/DenisLeary [[Series/RescueMe fireman show]]."

* BaitAndSwitch: Stan finds where Tuttle hides the key to his house. He then throws the fake rock through the door window and uses the key to clear the remaining glass shards.

* KeyUnderTheDoormat: Tuttle keeps a key to his house under a fake rock.

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Tuttle is not enthused when one of the guests tries to escape, explaining to Stan that he'll pay for it during commercial time. Stan then gives a resigned "oh boy, sounds bad" when, during the break, he hears Alistair Covax eating the guest.

* TropaholicsAnonymous: A group of people who become obsessed with ''Nighthawks' Hideaway'' meet at the Ukrainian Cultural Center to discuss the program, but by the time Stan takes an interest in it, only Tuttle is left because everyone else has become trapped in the show.

* NoodleIncident: When Stan arrives at ''TV guide'', one staff member announces that the stars of ''Series/HawaiiFive0'' are in a prank war.

* SharpDressedMan: Alistair Covax wears a very dapper

After getting a secondhand TV, Stan becomes obsessed with a 1960s show called ''Nighthawks Hideaway'', a show that is stated to have never existed. Meanwhile, Roger decides to live as a baby.

* LivingProp: People who are trapped in ''Nighthawks Hideaway'' become this. Stan lampshades this by saying he can't be killed because he's clearly so integral to the show.

-->'''Stan:''' Hey, what is this place?
-->'''Alistair Covax:''' This is a party, baby, and parties are fun. So when the camera's on, you will make nice conversation, you will keep a drink in hand, and you will listen to and love every bit of jazz you hear.
* NothingIsScarier: We never learn how ''Nighthawks Hideaway'' was created or where Alistair Covax came from, or even what his true form is.

* RoomFullOfCrazy: When Stan breaks into Tuttle's house, he finds papers everywhere and a notebook where he tried to unlock the mystery of ''Nighthawks Hideaway''.
* SanitySlippage: Both Stan and Tuttle clearly go through this before getting trapped in ''Nighthawks Hideaway''.

* ShowWithinAShow: ''Nighthawks Hideaway'', a show that only appears on old TV sets and even then when there is just one person in the room. In addition, there is no record of the show or its host, Alistair Covax, to have ever existed. It has only one episode that repeats over and over again, but there are subtle differences each time, like different waitresses, different postures, and different objects in the background.
* SinisterGeometry: When Stan arrives on the show, he sees a floating sphere and wonders what it is. It appears to be the show's camera and lighting, as the technical director can be heard announcing a commercial break and it then closes.
* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Stan gives a resigned "oh boy, sounds bad" when, during the commercial break, he hears Alistair Covax eating one of the guests who tries to escape.
* TrappedInTVLand: People who watch ''Nighthawks Hideaway'' eventually end up in the show itself and begin forgetting their old lives.

* WhamShot: Stan is ready to give up on ''Nighthawks Hideaway'' when he suddenly sees Tuttle in the background of the suite.
* WholePlotReference: Stan trying to find out the secret of ''Nighthawks Hideaway'' could easily pass for an episode of ''Franchise/TheTwilightZone''.

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Stan gives a resigned "oh no" when, during the commercial break, he hears Alistair Covax eating one of the guests who tries to escape.

* KnightOfCerebus: Alistair Covax is completely void of any comedic elements apart from two moments early on, when he calls his pianist Charlie "the best white, non-union jazz pianist in the city, top five" and when he yells at Tuttle for interrupting his enjoyment of the music.

* ShowWithinAShow: ''Nighthawks Hideaway'', a show that only appears on old TV sets and even then when there is just one person in the room. There is only one episode that repeats over and over again, but there are subtle differences each time, like different waitresses, different postures, and different objects in the background.

* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Alistair Covax speaks with his guest about how America is becoming "feminized."

* HopeSpot: Stan and Tuttle drive away from the suite and things slowly become colored instead of black and white. When they arrive at Stan's house, they suddenly end up back in the suite.

* WholePlotReference: This plays out like an episode of ''Franchise/TheTwilightZone''.

After getting a secondhand TV, Stan becomes obsessed with a 1960s show called ''Nighthawks Hideaway'', a show that has is stated to have never existed. Meanwhile, Roger decides to live as a baby.