'Family Guy' Is Going to Visit Springfield

Last summer, there had been talk of a Simpson/Family Guy crossover episode. Oracles were consulted, animal sacrifices were made in the hopes that this episode would not become a reality. But unfortunately, the episode is all too real. During their upfronts, Fox showcased a teaser for the Family Guy , which they confirmed will be premiering in September. In the episode, the Griffin family ends up in Springfield, and predictable hi jinks ensue! Bart and Stewie skateboard! Meg and Lisa do things together! Homer and Peter drink beer! Marge and Lois "ditch housework" because they're moms and that's what they do! Everyone meets their counterpart, so hopefully there's a point in the episode where the realize that there can be only one, Highlander-style, and thus must battle to the death.

Either way, there's a very slim chance that this won't be a dismal affair. The characters are already similar enough, so having a crossover episode only draws attention to how redundant the characters make each other. And although all the Simpson family voice actors have signed on for the episode, small character voice actors like Hank Azria are noticeably absent — Springfield will feel like a much different place without most of its citizens. The screenshots leaked from Fox's teaser don't inspire much confidence either, since it seems that the episode won't go beyond the concept of "Griffin family members hang out with the characters that they're based on."

It would be funny if it weren't so sad. Fox would never not go through with this episode, since good or bad, the ratings will be too high to resist. Both of these shows are far past their prime and are no longer in a place to resist an opportunity like this one. There was a point in time where a crossover episode could have been interesting and made a statement about both shows. Hell, back in their "friendly rivalry" stage, both shows had hilarious and biting crossover moments. Now, it's just an opportunity to get all of the characters in the same room for the ratings. It's like watching your cool art professor pal around with the class clown frat boy. They both have their merits, but it's sort of jarring to watch them together — not to mention that it stinks of the desperation of trying to stay relevant, for both shows. Regardless of where your allegiances lie, they could do better than this.

Images: FOX