Unbelievable TV Crossovers That Defied Logic

Crossover episodes have become a common occurrence in television, but some of these cringe-worthy outings can be enough to make viewers reach for the remote. Before cinematic universes and arguments about canon events, the crossover episode was an early form of meta-storytelling on television. Despite network television's aversion to risky storytelling strategies, many shows were willing to make an exception for crossover episodes. The reason for this is quite clear - crossover episodes provided a platform for networks to promote one show while viewers were tuned in to another.

While celebrity cameos on television were often done for the sake of ratings, crossover events were a tad more cunning. These cultural moments allowed two shows to promote each other simultaneously by introducing viewers to their respective characters. For example, if someone who knew nothing about Brooklyn Nine-Nine happened to watch the crossover episode with New Girl, their interest in the show could potentially increase. Similarly, if a dedicated Brooklyn Nine-Nine viewer had never given New Girl a chance, the in-universe introduction to the show's cast might convince them to do so. However, the worst crossover episodes were not as successful in winning over new viewers.

10 Jessie/ Ultimate Spider-Man

The first and foremost element essential for a successful crossover episode is a cohesive tone. It is imperative that both shows have a semblance of similarity to ensure an effective crossover. Unfortunately, when the children’s sitcom Jessie crossed paths with Ultimate Spider-Man, chaos ensued. While Spider-Man's animated version in Ultimate Spider-Man had a lighter approach compared to other iterations of the franchise, it still didn't mesh well with the overly saccharine tone of Jessie. This inexplicable crossover became even more convoluted when Disney Channel sitcoms became entangled with the Marvel canon.

9 Roseanne/ Absolutely Fabulous

Although Roseanne and the iconic British series Absolutely Fabulous are both considered classic sitcoms, their similarities end there. Roseanne provided a relatable portrayal of working-class family life in 90s America, while Absolutely Fabulous delighted viewers with its outrageous humor and portrayal of two party-loving, alcohol-consuming individuals. The clash between these two shows was glaringly evident when Edina and Patsy uncomfortably crossed paths with Roseanne in Season 9, Episode 7, titled "Satan Darling." This interaction fell flat, ultimately highlighting that Roseanne's departure from the show should have occurred earlier.

8 Bones/ Family Guy

Bones, a crime procedural series, centers around a partnership between an anthropologist and an FBI agent as they work together to solve crimes. Although their relationship is riddled with unresolved sexual tension, the show maintains a more lighthearted tone compared to other crime series like CSI or NCIS, but still leans towards drama rather than comedy like Pushing Daisies. In a surprising turn of events, Booth, one of the show's protagonists, has a hallucination where he engages in a full-fledged conversation with Stewie Griffin from Family Guy, a cameo that left viewers bewildered. The most perplexing moment of the series occurs in season 4, episode 25, titled "The Critic and the Cabernet."

7 Full House/ Family Matters

In an unexpected turn of events, Steve Urkel, the beloved character from Family Matters, made a surprising appearance on Full House in season 4, episode 16 titled “Stephanie Gets Framed.” The timing of his cameo couldn't have been more perplexing, as Stephanie Tanner, who had recently started wearing glasses, sought reassurance that her new accessory wouldn't negatively impact how others perceived her. Unfortunately for Stephanie, Steve Urkel, renowned as television's ultimate nerd, was probably the least suitable candidate to assure her that glasses didn't equate to being a dork. Despite the awkwardness and questionable decision behind this cameo, Urkel went ahead and delivered his ever-memorable message.

6 Boy Meets World/ Sabrina The Teenage Witch

Years later, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina achieved a mind-bending crossover by revealing that it had always existed in the same universe as its lighter predecessor, Sabrina The Teenage Witch. However, the crossover episode between Sabrina The Teenage Witch and Boy Meets World was not nearly as clever. The connection between Eric and Sabrina's date made sense in terms of character history. However, it was much harder to justify Salem, Sabrina's cat, sending Cory and Topanga back to World War II.

5 St Elsewhere/ Homicide: Life on the Street

The medical drama St Elsewhere had a notable crossover episode with the crime drama Homicide: Life on the Street. Season 6, episode 16 of Homicide, titled "Mercy," gained attention not only for the guest appearance of Alfre Woodward but also because of the unexpected revelation in St Elsewhere's finale. It was revealed that Tommy Westphall had imagined the entire existence of St Elsewhere, which consequently meant that Homicide: Life on the Street and other shows like The X-Files and The Simpsons, which had crossed over with Homicide, also existed solely in his imagination. The interconnected web of crossovers seemed to extend endlessly.

4 Magnum PI/ Murder She Wrote

Both Magnum PI and Murder She Wrote are lighthearted crime procedurals, but that's where the similarities end. These two mystery series couldn't be more different, and when they crossed over in Murder She Wrote season 3, episode 8, "Magnum On Ice," it resulted in a charmingly absurd romp. However, the storyline is nonsensical and may even be too silly for fans of both shows.

3 Doctor Who/ Eastenders

The unconventional crossover between Doctor Who and Eastenders, though performed for a worthy cause, proved to be a truly bizarre spectacle for viewers. The realistic portrayal of everyday life in the soap opera Eastenders was suddenly juxtaposed with the presence of peculiar extraterrestrial beings and the concept of time travel. At the same time, dedicated fans of Doctor Who had to endure a significant amount of domestic squabbling and intense dramatics amidst their usual intergalactic escapades.

2 Fresh Prince Of Bel Air/ Blossom

While The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a popular sitcom, the show often resorted to transparent tactics to boost ratings. Donald Trump's notorious cameo and the contrived appearance of Will Smith as the Fresh Prince in "I'm With the Band," Blossom season 2, episode 4, are clear examples of this. The intention behind these appearances was to promote the respective characters and their series, although their lack of authenticity was evident. Fortunately, both cameos were thankfully brief.

1 Seinfeld/ Mad About You

A shocking revelation occurred in season 1, episode 8 of Mad About You titled "The Apartment." This particular episode confirmed that the beloved sitcom actually took place in the same universe as the iconic show, Seinfeld. Paul, upon returning to the apartment he was subletting, was taken aback when he discovered that the newest resident of the apartment was none other than Kramer, Seinfeld's eccentric and quirky neighbor. At first, everything appeared to be just fine until a subsequent episode of Seinfeld featured a subplot involving George's frustration over his girlfriend's insistence on watching Mad About You. As if things weren't bewildering enough, Mad About You later showcased an episode where Paul encountered the "real" Jerry Seinfeld, rather than the fictionalized version from his own show.