Livin' on a Prayer (Family Guy)

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“Livin’ on a Prayer” is the 12th episode of Family Guy’s 10th season and the 177th episode overall. It aired on January 29, 2012, was written by Danny Smith and directed by Pete Michels. Guest stars include Max Burkholder, Gary Cole, Rob Corddry, Judy Greer, Jonathan Morgan Heit, Kevin Michael Richardson, Sage Ryan, Tara Strong, Nicole Sullivan, and Josh Robert Thompson. The title references the Bon Jovi song.

Plot
At the Quahog Public Library, Stewie meets a boy named Scotty Jennings and they become friends. Scotty suddenly falls ill, and his parents, Ben and Hope, who practice Christian Science, refuse modern medical treatment and rely on prayer instead. Lois tries to persuade them to seek medical help. When a hospital visit becomes urgent, Lois seeks help from Joe, but he says authorities can’t intervene due to religious freedom. Lois and Peter end up kidnapping Scotty to take him to the hospital themselves. A news report covers the kidnapping, and a crowd and police confront them at the hospital. Ben and Hope arrive and Lois argues that modern medicine can be seen as following God’s plan. Eventually, they allow Scotty to receive treatment. Scotty survives his cancer, though Stewie soon makes a new friend with leprosy. In the finale, Peter experiments with Christian Science in a humorous way by imagining himself at the Royal Wedding and asks about the Queen’s death.

Reception
The episode received generally positive reviews for its humor, cutaway gags, and handling of religious themes. The A.V. Club gave it a B−, appreciating its take on religion but criticizing a joke they found homophobic. TV Fanatic gave it 4.3/5, praising its message. In its original broadcast, about 5.92 million viewers watched it, with a 3.1/7 rating among adults 18–49.

Notes
The episode is named after the Bon Jovi song. It features a number of guest voices and includes typical Family Guy cutaways and humor.