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The tradition of spin-offs has been present in the TV industry since long, however, many viewers might not know that there are several linked TV shows, many of which, therefore share the same universe. Sometimes crossover episodes make it plainly clear that two shows are linked and sometimes there are subtle hints that have to be carefully seen. Here are 11 times various TV shows were linked together.
Breaking Bad and The X Files, Futurama and The Simpsons, and others linked TV shows
1. All the Disney Channel shows
Fans of their beloved Disney shows from the early 2000s must have already recalled how many crossover episodes used to happen regularly between the shows of that time. For example, there was a crossover episode called “That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana”, where The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, and That’s So Raven, all congregate together. Further, there were spin-offs of the original shows like Cory in the House was the spinoff of That’s So Raven and The Suite Life on Deck was the spinoff of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. Even the Wizards of Waverly Place and Zack and Cody are in the same universe as a character from Zack and Cody appears in Jessie. Even Jessie crossed over with Good Luck Charlie. Therefore, it is clear that the whole of Disney shows was happening in one, big, shared universe.
2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl
Both sitcoms are modern classics and the reason why they exist in the same universe is that they both air on Fox and therefore take place in the same world. Even though it might have seemed initially that the two cannot be in the category of linked TV shows, it came as a major surprise when the two shows did a crossover episode in 2016. The episode shows that Jess from New Girl, helps Jake from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, in tracking down a suspect and the two get into hilarious adventures while trying to do so. Even though New Girl takes place in Los Angeles and Brooklyn Nine-Nine in Brooklyn, the two shows were able to recreate the fact that they both are in a shared universe and the crossover episode was no doubt an amusing surprise for fans of the show.
3. Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, and Dexter’s Lab
The same way that Disney did not shy away from incorporating all its classic shows into the same universe, Cartoon Network also followed the same path. Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, and Dexter’s Lab, are all iconic Cartoon Network shows and there are many examples where fans can see that the three are a part of linked TV shows. For example, there are several crossover episodes between the Powerpuff Girls and Dexter. In one episode, Dexter shows up in a crowd in the Powerpuff Girls show and, in another instance, the genius boy can be seen sleeping in the girls’ kindergarten class. Further, there is also an episode where Bubble is holding a toy of Dexter, which makes fans speculate that Dexter was already popular in their world. Coming to Samurai Jack, there is an episode where there is a billboard that is similar to the world of Powerpuff Girls. Therefore, these three classic shows from Cartoon Network, share a lot of interconnected and overlapped worlds and fans can enjoy seeing their favorite characters going in and out of all their favorite shows.
4. Community and Sons of Anarchy
While crossovers and references to each other’s shows, is one way of proving that two shows are linked together and part of the same universe, there are also some subtle ways in which cautious viewers can find out if their favorite shows are linked TV shows. Such is the case with Community and Sons of Anarchy. Viewers with a careful eye might have noticed that a fictional chip brand called “Let’s”, appears a lot in Community. However, the same brand of chips, also makes an appearance in Sons of Anarchy. Interestingly, the brand is also seen in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
5. Full House and Family Matters
Another crossover between some of the most iconic sitcoms comes in the form of Full House and Family Matters, both of which ruled the roost in the 1990s. Fans must be delighted to know that both their favorite shows take place in the same universe as there was a famous crossover episode between the two. In the episode, Steve Urkel from Family Matters, spends some time at the chaotic Tanner house of Full House, and the episode is a hilarious one. But some things don’t make sense whenever such crossover happen, because Family Matters uses a lot of sci-fi concepts like time travel, cloning, and more, which is not seen in Full House. Yet, these crossovers were often done to boost viewership and create interest and these loopholes were sidelined for entertainment.
6. Breaking Bad and The X Files
These two classic shows being linked TV shows comes as less of a surprise because Vince Gilligan is the creator of Breaking Bad and he earlier also used to write, direct, and produce some of the episodes of The X Files. The connection between the two is subtle and it obviously does not have any crossover episodes as the two series came after on another. However, the subtle point of connection between the two, which the untrained eye might have probably ignored, is when there is an episode in Breaking Bad and one of the characters names a fictitious company for renting a car, called “Lariat”. The point of connection is that in The X Files, Mulder and Scully also use the services of this same company, whenever they have to travel for investigations. This hidden and subtle point of reference is an interesting way of mentioning that these two are linked TV shows.
7. Futurama and The Simpsons
Another pair of animated shows that existed in the same universe and were therefore linked TV shows, were the popular The Simpsons and Futurama. Both shows were created by Matt Groening and therefore it was obvious that both the shows shared the same world. There is an episode in Simpsons, called “Simpsorama”, which refers to Futurama and focusses on the Planet Express crew travel back in time and stop a future catastrophe, which results in Bender being forced to kill Homer Simpson. This suggests that The Simpsons is set 1000 years before Futurama. Once again however, there are some inconsistencies as Simpsons are yellow in color but not the humans of Futurama.
8. Mad About You, Friends, and Seinfeld
The link between these three is an interesting and humorous one. Lisa Kudrow, who stars as Phoebe in Friends, had earlier got the role of Ursula on Mad About You, before Friends became a thing. Therefore, the writers decided to play with the script a little and explain Lisa’s appearance in Mad About You. Therefore, there is an episode in Friends, where it is revealed that Phoebe has a twin sister called Ursula, who is a quirky waitress and therefore everyone confuses Ursula with Phoebe. The clarification is funny and a nice touch and automatically makes the two shows as linked TV shows. Interestingly, the whole plot about Phoebe having a twin sister was in essence, created especially for Lisa, because the actress had appeared in both the shows. To make things even more obvious, there is an episode where Jamie, who is a character on Mad About You, arrives at Central Perk and thinks that Phoebe is Ursula. Further, there is an episode of Mad About You, where Kramer from Seinfeld makes an appearance. Therefore, if Mad About You and Seinfeld are in the same universe, then that means that Friends is also in the same world as the other two. No wonder, as both Friends and Mad About You were airing on NBC in the 1990s.
9. Archer and Bob’s Burgers
Her is another example of how inconsistencies are glossed over to create a crossover episode between shows. Both Archer and Bob’s Burgers have a very different animations style. And yet, they both are linked TV shows. Both the shows have referenced each other multiple times and there was an episode in Archer, where the protagonist, who is a spy, gets amnesia and moves to Wander Wharf. Over there, Archer partners with Linda and replaces Bob so that he can run his burger restaurant. Even though there are some inconsistencies and some unanswered questions about the colliding of the two shows’ worlds, the crossover episode proves that both the animated series are a part of the same world. Archer and Bob’s Burgers, are iconic animated cartoons and the fact that they have referenced each other multiple times and even made an appearance, makes it an exciting element for its fans, even if there are some factual inconsistencies.
10. The Office and Parks and Recreation
One of the most popular shows of the modern era, the clever and hilarious shows, The Office and Parks and Recreation, also seem to be linked TV shows and share a universe. There is a subtle and small hint that connect the two series and it is adorable. Fans of Parks and Recreation know that the show is not only known for its cast but also for the adorable three-legged dog of Champion, Andy, and April. The furry animal adds lots of warmth to the show and is an integral part. However, many viewers might not know that the same dog was first seen in The Office and was up for adoption on an episode of the show, before the canine made an appearance in the other show. The fact that a lovable pet connects the two shows and confirms that they belong in the same universe is a sweet fact, and ones, that fans of the shows will enjoy.
11. Cheers, Frasier, and Wings
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While most people know that Frasier is a spin-off of Cheers and both the shows were highly rated sitcoms of the past era, not many fans might know that there was a third show in the mix. This third show is Wings. The sitcom about an airline company also had a long run in the 1990s and had lots of comedic moments. During its run, Wings had several crossover moments with Cheers and Frasier and fan-favorite characters like Norm, Frasier, and others, could be seen several times in the series.
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