Upset that
Cleveland left the quartet
to move to Stoolbend, Virginia,
Peter,
Quagmire and
Joe decide to interview potential friends to fill the vacancy, and are approached by a fellow bar patron named Jerome. After impressing the group with his
dart skills, the guys, after 'remembering' that the fact that Cleveland was black was what made it work, decide to let Jerome join as their new fourth member. Later, when Peter introduces Jerome to
Lois, she reveals that the two used to date. Peter grows jealous and, in a fit of drunken rage, throws a bottle through the window of Jerome's home, inadvertently causing a fire and burning down his house. Jerome, unaware that Peter was the vandal who burned down his house, vows revenge on the culprit. The next morning, Peter discovers that Lois has invited Jerome to live with them. As time goes on, Peter cannot contain his jealousy and eventually kicks Jerome out. During an argument, Lois reveals that Jerome had bought Peter a gift, and he goes to apologize to Jerome for being so insensitive. Jerome forgives him and he remains friends with Peter, but admits to having had sex with
Meg, to which Peter responds indifferently. Meanwhile,
Brian tries to join Peter's group, but Peter says it is not a good idea because Quagmire dislikes him. Brian attempts to rectify the situation outside Quagmire's house. However, Brian ends up making things worse by mistaking Quagmire's sister, who is hiding out from her
abusive boyfriend, for one of his dates. Brian tricks Quagmire into going to dinner with him by making him think
Cheryl Tiegs, Quagmire's long-lost love, is the one inviting him. At dinner, Brian attempts to make small talk, but Quagmire does not soften up. Finally, Brian asks Quagmire why he does not like him. Quagmire responds with an angry tirade detailing everything about Brian he finds objectionable, all of which he claims would be tolerable if it were not for the fact that Brian is "a big, sad,
alcoholic bore". When a depressed Brian returns home,
Stewie cheers him up by saying that he only needs to like himself, and then professes his own admiration for Brian by letting him spend the night in his room. ==Production and development==