The Griffins are selected to be a Nielsen family, who help to measure the ratings of various TV shows. Peter uses this opportunity to influence the local news broadcast when Tom Tucker tries to solicit his viewing. However, he realizes that he can only affect so much of what’s on TV, so he manages to steal a hundred Nielsen boxes, which allows him to cater TV to his whims, much to the chagrin of everyone else in Quahog that doesn’t appreciate the changes he’s made.

Peter realizes the error of his ways after an angry mob comes after him, though he is unable to start watching new, better programs when Adam West shoots his boxes “for adding another tree to One Tree Hill.” He goes directly to the folks who make TV, and gets them all to make shows that are basically exactly like what’s on TV now, minus his desires. All is returned to normal.