9 Times Our Favorite TV Shows Collided in Crossover Episodes

On September 28th TV’s finest families will collide: The Simpsons will meet Family Guy with just a sprinkle of Bob’s Burgers thrown in for good measure. What started as a rivalry—when Family Guy burst onto the scene—has turned into a brilliant cartoon meeting of the minds. What took so long? Crossover episodes are a great tradition in the world of television, going back centuries. Or at least a few decades. Let’s take a look back at some of the finest, strangest, and most classic crossover episodes on the block.

1. Family Matters visits Full House

Did you ever wonder what would happen if the ultimate nerd met the ultimate cool dude (talkin‘ ’bout Uncle Jesse, duh)? I mean, Uncle Jesse still manages to out-cool Urkel while wearing a knit vest and cowboy boots. That’s saying something.

2. The Simpsons meets The X-Files

The Simpsons are no strangers to the crossover game—Mulder and Scully visited Springfield in a particularly spooky episode of The Simpsons. I think it’s everyone’s dream to be Simpson-ized and if I can’t have that for myself, then I’m just happy it happened for Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.

3. The Flintstones meets The Jetsons

This is a classic TV movie for any late ’80s/early ’90s kid. What could be better than a family from our past meeting the family from our future? The Flintstones actually had some pretty awesome technology, and they incorporated freakin‘ dinosaurs into their everyday lives. So they probably shouldn’t have been as shocked by the Jetsons’ futuristic world as they were.

4. Mork and Mindy goes Happy Days

Mork from Ork wasn’t just the wackiest alien in the galaxy, he was also a crossover episode wiz. In a completely not-ridiculous plot line, Mork goes head-to-head with the Fonz. And, fun fact, Mork appeared on Happy Days before he even had his own show! His character proved so popular that Mork and Mindy was born and Mork even made a return trip to Happy Days. 

5. Friends meets Mad About You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJHoI8FpLho

Two titans of the ’90s smash together in the form of the enigmatic Ursula. She is, as we all know, a terrible waitress on Mad About You who just so happens to be the twin of the singular Phoebe Buffay of Friends. Phoebe visited Ursula’s show and vice versa. Jamie and Fran even got into the act and visited Central Perk and mistook Pheebs for Ursula.

6. The Simpsons meets The Critic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV1LWhNpTJU

The Simpsons are at it again! How some people disliked this episode is a mystery to me. Jay Sherman comes to Springfield to judge its film festival. The festival even spawned the Moleman classic “Man Getting Hit By Football.”

7. Power Rangers meets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

They’re both groups of crazy talented superhero wiz kids, so it’s no surprise these two shows had a mash-up. If you’re in the market for acrobatic turtle/human battles, check out this episode.

8. Bob’s Burgers on Archer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0_fRZi2lbU

When one voice actor plays two very different characters on two shows with very different animation styles, it’s only natural those two characters should get together. And get together they did. On a magnificent episode of Archer, Archer suffers from amnesia and starts living as Bob. The Belchers all get animated Archer-style and meet an interesting end when the KGB visits and Archer’s killer reflexes kick in. A must-see.

9. Fresh Prince meets The Jeffersons

Two iconic families collide when George and Will go bat-to-bat. You don’t insult a Jefferson spouse and you don’t make fun of Mr. Smith’s ears. Or you get the foam bat. And therapy has never looked more functional or fun.

(Featured Image via here)