Watching Simpsons

Crossovers can be tough, sometimes. In a way, they can be a lot like guest appearances in comic books. Sure, some people would like to see Wolverine beat the living snot out of Superman, or Batman square off against Spawn, partly because some pairings, like those mentioned, are unlikely. Two different characters, two different competing comic book companies – it would be hard to please everybody, including the fans and the business types. Still, the perspective storylines in such crossovers usually end up being tame. The creative types, behind the scene, end up not wanting to offend fans of each character or “universe.”

Still, such pairings makes minds wander. What would be the results of drinking duel, for example, between Homer Simpson and Bender? Fred Flintstone versus Homer? Such arguments often animate the customers of comic book shops and message boards. Still, sometimes, a crossover can make sense. Futurama and The Simpsons, for example, share the same Matt Groening art style, as well as similar senses of humor. In a way, crossing the two the could work out very well. On the other hand, crossing The Simpsons with, say, The Family Guy wouldn’t be interesting, partly because the two shows having been already taking pot-shots at each other for a long time.

Still, for what it’s worth, somebody out on the internet has been thinking of a possible melding of Futurama and The Simpsons. Consider it “fan art” or “fan fiction,” but according to TVsquad.com, somebody has made crossover comic blending the shows together. As for the possibility of the casts of both shows working together, Brad Trechak puts it nicely

It’s not outside the realm of possibility for the two universes to collide since both products are owned by Fox, much as having the Flintstones meet the Jetsons (both owned by Hanna-Barbera). Matt Groening does own the creative rights to Futurama, whatever that means.

However, since they’re now on two separate channels (The Simpsons is on Fox and Futurama will be on Comedy Central), it seems less likely that the two universes would come together on television. Maybe if both were still on Fox, but not now.

I do think it’s funny having Morbo filming next to Kent Brockman. And having Flanders running from the Robot Devil. Or having Miss Crabapple flirting with Zap Brannigan. Hell, it’s all funny.

The Simpsons, Futurama, Homer, Homer Simpson, Bender