Back in 1995, Matt Groening and James L. Brooks had a nasty, very public falling-out over “A Star Is Burns,” the episode that brought The Critic’s Jay Sherman to Springfield for no reason beyond gimmicky cross-promotion and, in Groening’s words, completely “violated the Simpsons’ universe.” But let’s just say Groening has since heard a pitch that moved him, TO A BIGGER HOUSE, leading to this football in the groin: Entertainment Weekly reports that fall 2014 will see a crossover episode between The Simpsons and Family Guy, the erstwhile friendly rival it once winkingly accused of plagiarism, but toward whom it has since grown slightly more welcoming now that we are older and everyone is tired. So tired.
According to the synopsis, the episode will find the entire Simpsons clan—and all the actual voice actors who play them—popping up in a Family Guy episode titled “The Simpsons Guy,” as the Griffins take a road trip and accidentally find themselves in Springfield, no doubt waylaid by a sudden trainwreck of comedic sensibilities. “There, they cross paths with Homer, who graciously greets his new ‘albino’ visitors, and the two families become fast friends,” the description continues, with Peter and Homer arguing over Duff and Pawtucket beer, Marge and Lois doing some unspecified “bonding,” Lisa trying to help Meg discover a hidden talent, Bart impressing Stewie with his “assortment of pranks,” and Chris playing audience surrogate by not wanting to get involved in any of this, apparently.
It’s not the first time the two shows have “crossed paths,” of course: MacFarlane recently guest-starred on The Simpsons’ season finale, Homer (and Dan Castellaneta) appeared in a 2012 episode, and an infamous censored Family Guy scene featured Quagmire raping Marge then later murdering her and the rest of the family. But, ‘twas all in good fun. Now The Simpsons thinks all kids should watch that Family Guy show, and doesn't feel dirty in the least.