Top 10 Times The Simpsons Infiltrated Invaded Other Shows

“Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake”

Homer, Marge, and the others aren’t exactly known for being kid-friendly. But, believe it or not, they managed to stay on their best behavior during a proverbial drive through this muppet-filled street. In one of Grover’s songs, ‘Monster in the Mirror,’ the blue fella comes to terms with his own reflection through a fun music video. The segment features several cameos from prominent public figures, celebrities, and yes, even cartoon characters. As the number nears its conclusion, a familiar yellow family appears in the mirror. Whether they help Grover’s is for you to decide, but their singing is definitely appreciated.

"L.A. Lawless"

Homer and the rest of the Simpson family don’t appear at all in this episode — at least, not technically. But that doesn’t mean the father figure isn’t all over it. The episode features a theme park worker named David Champion who dresses up as a certain recognizable character. Fortunately, the cheeky references don’t stop there, either. If you think the vocal impression is spot-on, that’s because Homer’s actual voice actor Dan Castellaneta plays the character. It’s a hilarious wink at the audience that manages to have all the fun of a crossover without ever breaking the show’s reality.

“Cleveland Live!”

In a very special installment, this cheeky series satirizes all of animation with a special look at what goes into creating an episode. It’s filled to the brim with winks, easter eggs, and loving jabs at fellow adult-animated programs. No one crashes a party quite like the Simpsons, and quite frankly, it would’ve been a total missed opportunity if they hadn’t shown up. Sure, it’s just a still of Bart and a soundbite of his catchphrase. But the lack of fanfare kind of fits the vibe perfectly. Plus, with how raunchy the family is, they should just be glad they were invited to the shindig at all.

"A Big Piece of Garbage"

Fry, Leela, and Bender’s zany hijinks are a perfect fit for some Springfield locals. This time around, the cameo is a bit more dolled-up. That’s no hyperbole, either. When the “Futurama” gang travel to an asteroid of garbage that’s on its way to Earth, they find a massive stack of Bart Simpson toys. Of course, even in doll form, the Simpson son has a potty mouth. He spouts a line about eating shorts, which Bender takes seriously. It’s a crossover that’s out of this world in more ways than one.

"Ghostesses in the Slot Machine"

Even the Simpsons enjoy a night out. Both Marge and Homer cameo as background characters in the episode "Ghostesses in the Slot Machine." The Simpson matriarch can be seen at a casino. Meanwhile, her husband is at a club. The best part is that they’re completely missable. The show doesn’t dwell on its guests, leaving them as fun easter eggs for eagle-eyed viewers to catch. It’s just the kind of clever humor that “Drawn Together” does best. In fact, this wasn’t the first time Homer’s made a blink-and-you’ll-miss it appearance on the show. You’ll want to watch this series closely, since you never know when you’ll catch a Simpson crashing a scene!

"Simpsons Already Did It"

Ironically, an episode all about a lack of ideas ends up as one of this series’ most creative ever, and that’s saying something. The bluntly titled "Simpsons Already Did It" features several references, allusions, and cameos from everyone’s favorite Springfield residents. The cheeky commentary is a nod to the fact that the “South Park” writers often thought up plot outlines that were too similar to “The Simpsons’” storylines. It’s a wickedly clever way to structure a crossover, and since the productions appear to be on good terms, the loving jabs never feel mean-spirited. Plus, we got to see the Simpsons in “South Park,” and it’s hard to complain about that.

“Hooray for North Hollywood (Part 1)”

This eclectic comedy seems like it can get away with just about anything, even if it does toe the line sometimes. Here, the gang pokes fun at what you need to do to make it in Hollywood with an infectious song. In fact, it’s so catchy, that they managed to throw in a quick appearance from Bart Simpson. Well, sort of — apparently, concerns over copyright meant “Animaniacs” could only show the top of his head. It’s a good thing his hair is so distinct, or else this wink might have gone, well, over most viewers’ heads.

“Faking Bad”

When Steve and Hayley open up an undercover business making fake IDs, they get a surprising customer: Bart Simpson. Why does he need a fake ID? Why is he out of Springfield in the first place? Well, there’s one very easy answer to all those questions - because he’s Bart. Even though it’s a quick cameo, voice actor Nancy Cartwright wastes no time bringing the character’s hilarious antics to the “American Dad” world. The lack of explanation is kind of part of the charm, too. After all, if any of the Simpsons lead a secret double life using a fake ID, it’s totally Bart.

“Duckman and Cornfed in 'Haunted Society Plumbers'”

If you think about it, Homer Simpson and ghosts have a lot in common. They’re persistent, unpredictable, and shocking. During this episode of “Duckman,” we get both for the price of one. When a ghostly creature appears, the protagonists run off. But the figure is actually Homer, who was just feeling a little hungry! The uproarious setup truly makes it feel like he just stumbled into a different show. Given who we’re talking about, that’s totally possible. It’s uncanny how in-character Homer feels, all the way down to how he tries and fails to repeat the show’s iconic line over the credits.

"The Simpsons Guy"

The only burning question left after this crossover is how it didn’t happen sooner. The Griffins and the Simpsons are two families who thrive on shenanigans, and this episode delivers every single interaction fans could want. The Griffins meet Apu! There’s a hilarious family dinner! Homer and Peter bond over their buffoonery! And that’s just the half of it. Since both casts are incredibly well-defined, the hilarity practically writes itself. The chemistry is so strong that, at a certain point, it’s easy to forget these characters are from separate programs. After a showing like this, we wouldn’t be mad if the Griffins went to Springfield more often.