(Spoiler alert: Do not read on if you have not yet seen the Season 13 premiere of “Family Guy” entitled “The Simpsons Guy.”)
Fox stumbled onto something that was certainly memorable with its special crossover episode between “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” And viewers were as polarized over the crossover as they generally are about the two shows that came together.
Airing as the season premiere for “Family Guy,” the hourlong episode saw the Griffins accidentally stumbling into Springfield, where they interacted with the Simpsons and virtually everyone else in town.
It was a great nod to the long histories of both shows, as well as a scathing satire of the long rivalry between the two of them that began with “Family Guy” accused of being a cheap knockoff of “The Simpsons.” The rivalry has expanded to the fan bases of both shows, with many in each camp entrenched in their dislike for the other show.
Also read: ‘Family Guy’-‘Simpsons’ Crossover Is Everything Fans of Both Shows Love
That polarizing position played out in the social media response to the special, which was extreme on both sides of the fence. Perhaps it was merely a case of the fans of each side defending their show, but it’s remarkable how extreme the positions were. Most fans seemed to either think it was one of the greatest hours of television they’d ever seen, or they thought it was an absolute travesty.
Below is a sampling of the varied responses to the animated event on Fox. Love it or hate it, fans were definitely tuning in and very vocal about what they saw. Preliminary ratings will be released on Monday, but it’s certainly a win in the buzz category for the network.
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We can only hope the network doesn’t take it as a clarion call to make these kinds of crossovers a regular occurrence. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Plus, they basically covered everything here anyway. I guess next time, the Griffins will be stopping by Bob’s for one of his signature burgers.
“The Simpsons” airs at 8 p.m. ET, with “Family Guy” at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on Fox.
The Family Guy/Simpsons crossover was outstanding. Blew away the Simpsons premiere. Funny, smart & high production values. Felt like a movie
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) September 29, 2014
I’m watching The Family Guy for The Simpsons crossover and it really is the absolute worst.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) September 29, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed FAMILY GUY / SIMPSONS crossover (haven’t watched Simpsons in about 8 years – watch FG every week)
— Ted Linhart (@TedOnTV) September 29, 2014
For the record: Family Guy and The Simpsons never crossed over. It never happened. No. You had a bad dream. It’s okay now.
— Zack Handlen (@zhandlen) September 29, 2014
Family Guy and Simpsons together in one episode?! Why didn’t they do this sooner
— Jake Waters (@Jwaters15_GLA) September 29, 2014
That Simpsons/Family Guy mash up is the worse episode ever
— brittknee xo (@alienshrooms_) September 29, 2014
The Family Guy/ The Simpsons crossover episode was EPIC!! So freaking funny.
– Acadius (@Acadius) September 29, 2014
gave up a while ago on family guy … watched the simpsons crossover and it reminded me why… the simpsons dont belong in that universe
— Zachary Dzurick (@zdzurick) September 29, 2014
This Simpsons Family Guy crossover episode is amazing.
— Alyssa Rivera (@_Alyssa_Rivera) September 29, 2014
I’m a huge fan of both separately, but this Family Guy/Simpsons crossover episode is really weird. And by “weird”, I mean shit.
— Chanandaler Bong (@aboyandhisbeard) September 29, 2014
Dying at the Simpsons/Family Guy crossover
— Sabrina Sooknanan (@SupremeBrina) September 29, 2014
That Simpsons/Family Guy crossover was actually a lot better than what I thought. Glad the two sides came together for that
— Trevor Valero (@TVOU21) September 29, 2014
The Family Guy/Simpsons mashup… I will never get that hour back.
— Fred (@gdub425) September 29, 2014
That may quite possibly have been the best episode of Family Guy/Simpsons I’ve ever seen!
– Deepak Naik (@GForceNaik) September 29, 2014