Movies - TV
The Simpsons' Futurama Crossover Came With Some Serious Baggage
By MATTHEW BILODEAU
"The Simpsons" Season 26 crossover episode with "Futurama," titled "Simpsorama," came with some emotional baggage for Matt Groening, the creator of both shows. A previous attempt at a "Simpsons" crossover — this time, with another animated show called "The Critic" — made Groening so unhappy, the incident went down in infamy.
The main character of "The Critic," film critic Jay Sherman, appeared in the "Simpsons" episode "A Star is Burns," in which Marge invites him to Springfield’s film festival. "Futurama" writer David X. Cohen said Groening "felt the design styles of the two shows were completely different and that it would take away from the reality of the show."
Groening took his name out of the credits of "A Star is Burns," and it's the only Season 6 episode where he does appear on the DVD commentary. He later told the LA Times that he did not want to be associated with "The Critic" in any way, even though the show was created by Al Jean and Mike Reiss, former writers and executive producers of "The Simpsons."
Because of this drama, Cohen told Lightspeed that was excited about "Simpsorama," but also nervous. Groening supported the crossover because he owned both properties and both shows had the same style; however, it still stands that "Simpsons" executive producer James L. Brooks was furious with Groening and called him "rotten" over the "Critic" situation.