15 Epic Sitcom Crossovers That Would Have Rocked the TV Universe!
Discover the ultimate sitcom crossover fantasies! Explore the perfect pairings that never happened, from The Golden Girls meeting Gilmore Girls to The Office colliding with Parks and Recreation Dive into a world of hilarious and unexpected mashups in this must-read article!
Summary
Crossovers between popular sitcoms are frequently forced and uncomfortable, but there are a handful that have effectively merged the genres, resulting in enjoyable television spectacles. Furthermore, there are several potentially outstanding crossovers that sadly never materialized.
The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls had the potential to create an incredible crossover, as they both emphasized interrelationships and female empowerment. Moreover, the absence of any overlap between Friends and Frasier, two brilliantly written sitcoms centered around adult experiences, could have been intriguing if the characters had interacted and made references to their respective connections with Cheers and Mad About You.
The art of perfecting a TV crossover is challenging, but some of the best TV sitcoms could have seamlessly fit together. Crossovers are often seen as ambitious and cynical, mainly serving the commercial purpose of promoting two shows simultaneously. It is rare for the overlap of two popular shows to not feel forced and uncomfortable, as evidenced by numerous terrible TV crossovers. The justifications for bringing the characters together are often forced, and the desire to give each member of the large cast enough screen time can hinder good storytelling.
However, a few series have managed to successfully pull off crossovers. When the different elements blend naturally, the characters have a strong connection, and the meeting is well-justified, a crossover can create an incredibly satisfying television event. Many great show pairings meet these criteria, but other factors can get in the way. If two shows are on different networks, arranging a crossover becomes a logistical nightmare, and some ideal crossovers involve two series that were not even on the air at the same time. Nonetheless, it is an enjoyable exercise to explore some of the greatest crossovers that could have happened.
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10 The Golden Girls & Gilmore Girls
The alliterative crossover between Gilmore Girls and The Golden Girls offers an abundance of charm. With its comfortable and empathetic nature, the female-led Gilmore Girls seamlessly blends with one of the best female-led sitcoms, The Golden Girls. Both shows revolve around interpersonal issues and women supporting each other. Imagine a crossover where the Golden Girls gang embarks on a fall vacation to Stars Hollow, staying at Lorelai's inn. Blanche's flirty antics with Taylor, Emily's clashes with Dorothy, and the gang's assistance to Rory with her boy trouble can all come to life in this delightful crossover event.
9 Malcolm In The Middle & The Middle
A crossover between these two sitcoms could help illustrate the distinction between the shows that appear alike on the surface. Both sitcoms,
8 Friends & Frasier
, revolve around struggling working-class families. However, a sense of chaos and tragedy surrounds the Wilkerson family in Malcom in The Middle, which serves as a contrasting element to the Hecks in The Middle. In the crossover, the two families would come together and initially notice the similarities, only for the Hecks to become horrified by the legendary dysfunction of the Wilkerson family, ultimately leaving them feeling better about themselves.
It's surprising that two of the most popular sitcoms of the 90s never attempted a crossover. Frasier and Cheers naturally had a connection, and Friends even had a crossover with Mad About You that introduced Phoebe's sister Ursula. However, despite their clever writing and exploration of adult life, there was never a crossover episode between Friends and Frasier. It would have been intriguing to see how characters like Ross, Frasier, and Niles would have interacted, or how Martin and Joey would have gotten along. Additionally, a reference to the fact that the role of Roz was originally intended for Lisa Kudrow could add an interesting twist to an interaction between Roz and Phoebe.
7 Seinfeld & It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
6 30 Rock & The Muppets
As two shows featuring despicable characters, Seinfeld and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia would make a fantastic combination. In an amusing nod to Seinfeld, It’s Always Sunny cleverly referenced "The Contest" episode when the gang attempted to pass it off as their own memory. However, as It’s Always Sunny thrives on its outlandishness, a full crossover would not need to address this inconsistency. Witnessing the Seinfeld crew, who are constantly oblivious to their own flaws, gradually succumb to the morally reprehensible antics of the Always Sunny gang would be highly satisfying.
The Muppets sitcom on ABC and 30 Rock share many similarities. Both shows revolve around the behind-the-scenes workings of a comedy show, with 30 Rock focusing on a sketch show and The Muppets featuring a variety show. It's almost natural to imagine a crossover between the two. Furthermore, there are numerous resemblances between the characters in both shows: Liz Lemon is akin to Kermit the Frog, Jenna Maroney resembles Miss Piggy, and Kenneth the Page could easily pass as a muppet himself.
5 Bojack Horseman & Barry
Bojack Horseman and Barry, although visually distinct, have a common underlying theme. Set in the vibrant city of Los Angeles and offering satirical commentary on the film industry, a crossover between these two shows seems like a fitting venture. Fans of the thought-provoking and unconventional style of Barry would probably be open to experiencing an animated episode. Both series delve into the realms of dark comedy, skillfully blending absurdist humor with poignant moments of despair. A meeting between Bojack and Barry would undoubtedly serve as a profound exercise in introspection and the shared experience of self-hatred.
4 Brooklyn Nine-Nine & 21 Jump Street
While the initial 21 Jump Street series had a serious tone, the cameo appearance of original stars Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise in the comedy reboot franchise demonstrates that the cast would feel right at home in a sitcom environment. The original 21 Jump Street cast could join forces with the detectives from Brooklyn Nine-Nine for an exciting undercover mission. This collaboration would be a seamless fit for Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a show that thrives on nostalgia and pays tribute to beloved properties from the 80s and 90s.
3 Phineas And Ferb & Gravity Falls
2 Arrested Development & The White Lotus
Gravity Falls and Phineas and Ferb, two fantastic animated shows featuring clueless adults, would make a perfect combination. While Gravity Falls revolves around its eponymous town, Phineas and Ferb have the ability to explore any location. Imagine if the family from Phineas and Ferb paid a visit to the mysterious town in Oregon and had a chance encounter with the Pines family. Phineas and Ferb, with their remarkable resourcefulness, would quickly catch on to the supernatural occurrences in the community and embark on a thrilling adventure. Dipper would be amazed by their inventiveness, while Candace would frantically try to get her mom's attention, who is engrossed in the captivating attractions of the enigmatic mystery shack.
The White Lotus' murder mystery plot, focused on the despicable affluent individuals, would seamlessly align with Arrested Development's unsympathetic ensemble of characters. Transporting the Bluth family to a luxurious resort, they unwittingly find themselves entangled in a gripping homicide case. Notably, Arrested Development has previously delved into the realm of murder mysteries, as evidenced by the fifth season which revolved around the perplexing disappearance of Lucille 2, eventually revealing a member of the Bluth family as the culprit.
1 The Office & Parks And Recreation
There has long been a desire for a crossover between The Office and Parks and Recreation. These two shows complement each other perfectly, as they are both workplace mockumentaries, have similar comedic styles, and even share some of the same writers. The possibilities for character interactions are endless: Ben and Dwight could bond over their shared nerdiness, Ron and Dwight could connect over their love for the outdoors, Andy and Michael would have a blast together with their immaturity, and Toby and Jerry would relate as the unfortunate figures in their respective workplaces. Jim might even notice the striking resemblance between Ann Perkins and his ex-girlfriend Karen, adding to the fun of this unrealized TV sitcom crossover.
