1. “Fish Out of Water”

After Peter buys a $50,000 fishing boat, he must quickly come up with a way to repay the loan he took out from the “bank.” Meanwhile, Lois and Meg let loose on Spring Break. Hilarity ensues.

This episode is relentless. Jabs at everyone from Alfonso “Carlton Banks” Ribeiro to Taylor Hanson to Tom Green, combined with an all-too-familiar scene involving cops tear-gassing college-age partiers, make for an episode with a gag-per-minute rating that’s off the charts — if such a rating system existed.

2. “To Live and Die in Dixie”

Chris witnesses a robbery and the Griffins are forced to go into witness protection. They are relocated to the Deep South, where hilarity — and a “Dukes of Hazzard” spoof — ensue.

The “Dukes of Hazzard” spoof and Peter’s ongoing battle with an angry raccoon make this episode amazing. Other high points: Chris’ struggle with a boy-hungry pedophile; innumerable, unforgiving jabs at the Deep South, including saying outright that Jeff Foxworthy sucks; and one of the funniest non sequiturs on any “Family Guy” episode — the rib taken at Kevin Costner.

3. “If I’m Dyin’, I’m Lyin'”

After Peter and Chris’ favorite show, “Gumbel 2 Gumbel,” is canceled, the duo convince the Grant a Dream Foundation that Chris has a terminal illness so the show will be put back on the air. Hilarity, of course, ensues.

The following dialogue sums up why this episode is great:

Peter: “Bryant and Greg have the kind of father-son relationship I want me and Chris to have.”

Lois: “Peter, Greg and Bryant Gumbel are brothers.”

Peter: “Oh, real nice, Lois. Just because they’re black, we can’t learn from ’em?”

— Andrew Shafer

1. “Da Boom”

No other episode can match this one in its bizarre hilarity. In “Da Boom,” Peter is warned the world is going to end at the strike of midnight because of Y2K. It turns out he’s right, so the Griffin clan goes in search of a Twinkie factory (the one place that would survive a nuclear holocaust) to restart civilization.

The two highlights would be the opening and ending. Peter has to fight off a man-size chicken in an epic battle that goes across New England in the series’ funniest flashback. Then, the twist ending with the live-action “Dallas” homage is ridiculous enough to finish the episode perfectly.

2. “Death is a Bitch”

When Peter fakes his death to avoid paying a costly hospital bill, the Grim Reaper comes to fetch his soul. During the struggle, Death twists his ankle and Peter is forced to take over his responsibilities.

Norm McDonald is “Family Guy’s” funniest vocal guest when he takes on the part of Death. Instead of being a menacing figure, he portrays Death as a petty, rude guy. Add in that Peter almost kills the annoying kids from “Dawson’s Creek” and you get an awesome show.

3. “E Peterbus Unum”

“Family Guy” goes international when the family finds out its property is not part of the city — it’s not even part of the United States. That leads Peter to declare his own country, Petoria.

The plot isn’t the only funny part — the situations set up some funny bits, like a conversation with only flashlight helmets to see. Adam West steals the show as himself and the town’s mayor, playing a man too far detached from reality to even be allowed near a desk.

— Keith DuCharme

1. “Wasted Talent”

In a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” spin-off, an around-the-clock drinking binge lands Peter a ticket for admission into Pawtucket Pat’s brewery. Lois discovers Peter becomes a master pianist whenever he is plastered, thus using him to top a rival piano teacher.

This episode is almost more of a musical than it is a show. It is nearly unforgettable, with “Chumbawamba” songs that leave Joe burning rubber out of the factory and Peter with a sore knee. What is even more hilarious is Peter and Brian’s binge. Who ever said binge drinking has negative consequences, anyway?

2. “Family Guy Viewer Mail No. 1”

In this episode, Brian and Stewie respond to fan mail about what viewers would like to see in episodes. What ensues is Peter sporting even more blobbish qualities than usual, the Griffins gaining superpowers from a toxic-waste spill and a “Little Rascals” edition where the characters become even more immature.

The hilarity of this episode lies in the installment where the family gains superpowers. Stewie is especially side-splitting when his oversized cranium gives him the telekinetic powers to do whatever his little, black heart desires, and Meg’s superpower of growing her fingernails leaves her feeling inadequate once again.

3. “Death Is a Bitch”

Death comes to ship Peter off after he tells his HMO he’s dead to avoid paying hospital bills. When Death busts an ankle, the laws of mortality no longer apply.

The funniest part of this episode — and possibly the season — is when the people of Quahog realize they can’t die. Newscasters Tom and Diane show their true feelings on the air, Peter jumps off a 20-story building and every patron of the Drunken Clam shoots one another.

— Alex Switzer