The Simpsons crossovers
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UniverseCrossovers
Bender, the Griffins and a cantankerous critic have all turned up in Springfield, but half the fans have the wrong episode in mind. "The Simpsons Guy" (2014) is a Family Guy episode, despite five of the six main Simpsons voices taking part. The real crossover is "Simpsorama" (2014), in which Bender is sent back from the future to kill Homer, not Bart. Add "A Star Is Burns" (1995), with Jay Sherman from The Critic, which Matt Groening considered an advertisement, and the brick-built Springfield of "Brick Like Me". Enough to stop confusing a crossover with a cameo.
Springfield has opened its doors to Bender, the Griffins and a cantankerous critic — but not all crossings are created equal.
Behind the word "crossover" hides a trap that half the fans fall into. Here is the guide.
Contents
What is a Simpsons crossover?
A crossover is an episode in which the Simpsons universe crosses paths with another franchise. Over the years, Springfield has welcomed several high-profile guests — but you have to distinguish the true crossover episodes from simple cameos or opening-credits gags.
🧵 A true crossover brings another franchise into Springfield, whereas a cameo merely passes through: on your denim jacket, our Simpsons patches sewn next to the ones from your other shows make that same cohabitation permanent.
"The Simpsons Guy": the trap
It is the most famous crossover… and the most misunderstood. "The Simpsons Guy" (2014), in which the Griffins turn up in Springfield, is in fact not a Simpsons episode: it is an episode of Family Guy, aired on that show. Five of the six main Simpsons voices did take part in it, though — Homer first among them.
☕ "The Simpsons Guy" (2014) carries the Simpsons' name, but it's an episode of Family Guy, aired on that show; on your desk, our Simpsons mugs head off that kind of mix-up, and nobody gets confused about which mug is yours anymore.
"Simpsorama" with Futurama
The Simpsons' true official crossover is called "Simpsorama" (2014): this time it really is a Simpsons episode, one in which the crew of Futurama, Matt Groening's other great series, comes crashing in. The plot is delicious: the robot Bender is sent back from the future to kill Homer (not Bart), ahead of a wild genetic twist. A crossing also done earlier, in comic book form.
The other crossings
Long before, the show had already tried a crossover with "A Star Is Burns" (1995), which brought in critic Jay Sherman from the series The Critic — much to the displeasure of Matt Groening, who saw it as a disguised advertisement. More recently, "Brick Like Me" turned all of Springfield into a LEGO universe. Be careful, though, not to confuse these episodes with the countless cameos and nods scattered through the show.
🦶 "Brick Like Me" turned all of Springfield into a LEGO universe; at home, a single stray brick on the floor is enough to hurt, and our Simpsons slippers stand between it and your bare feet.
Summary table
| Crossover | Details |
|---|---|
| "The Simpsons Guy" | A Family Guy episode (2014), not a Simpsons one |
| "Simpsorama" | A Simpsons episode (2014), with Futurama |
| "A Star Is Burns" | The first crossover (1995), with The Critic |
| "Brick Like Me" | Springfield as a LEGO universe |
| The Simpsorama trap | Bender comes to kill Homer, not Bart |
FAQ
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Is "The Simpsons Guy" a Simpsons episode?No: it is a Family Guy episode, aired in 2014, despite the participation of the Simpsons voices.
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What is the official crossover with Futurama?"Simpsorama" (2014), a genuine Simpsons episode, in which the Futurama crew turns up.
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Who does Bender come to kill in "Simpsorama"?Homer — not Bart, contrary to what some sources summarize.
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What was the first Simpsons crossover?"A Star Is Burns" (1995), with critic Jay Sherman from the series The Critic.
Conclusion
Rare, delicious and sometimes tricky, the Simpsons crossovers are a small treasure trove for fans. Proof that Springfield is big enough to host the whole animation universe.
🍩 The complete guides to Springfield
Our reference guides, to go further.