Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Simpsons season 36, episode 7, “Treehouse of Horror Presents Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes”
WhileThe SimpsonsandFamily Guyhaven’t acknowledged the rivalry between the two long-running shows in a while, season 36, episode 7 proved the older show hasn’t forgotten about it entirely. AlthoughThe Simpsonsseason 37’s renewalhasn’t been announced yet, the show’s future seems secure.The Simpsonshas enjoyed a critical renaissance since season 33, with critics claiming that the series has begun to resemble its old self after years of languishing in mediocrity.The Simpsons may not agebut their series was starting to show its age, so this change came as a welcome surprise.
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Ever sinceThe Simpsonschanged for the worsearound season 12, the show’s critical reaction has been cyclical. Some lone episodes are singled out as notably strong outings, but the majority of the show’s output is critically derided. Fans online complain that the heyday of the series is long past, so seeing reviewers fromYouTubetoVulturedeemThe Simpsons“Good again” in 2024 is both exciting and unexpected. This also allows the show to take aim at its imitators for the first time in years, something season 36, episode 7, “Treehouse of Horror Presents Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” pulled off in one segment.
The Simpsons & Family Guy’s Long Rivalry Explained
The Simpsons and Family Guy Have Mocked Each Other Numerous Times
Since the two shows started sharing the airwaves,The SimpsonsandFamily Guyhave always had an affectionate competition with each other. Early on in its run,Family Guywas posited as an edgier alternative toThe Simpsons, andThe Simpsonsmocked the show for its derivative elements, whileFamily Guymocked the perceived staleness ofThe Simpsons. While directly parodyingFamily Guywould repeatThe Simpsons’ annoying tendency to redundantly spoof comedies, various episodes of the show mentioned their competitor in dismissive terms. In season 11, episode 15, “Mission Impossible,” a character callsFamily Guy“Crude and lowbrow.”
Family Guy’s Peter Griffin appears onscreen as an example of plagiarism, while, in season 14, episode 1, “Treehouse of Horror XIII,” one of Homer’s identical clones is Peter.
In season 17, episode 8, “The Italian Bob,”Family Guy’s Peter Griffin appears onscreen as an example of plagiarism, while, in season 14, episode 1, “Treehouse of Horror XIII,” one of Homer’s identical clones is Peter.Family Guyresponded with a cutaway joke in season 6, episode 2, “Movin’ Out (Brian’s Song),” wherein Quagmire sexually assaults Marge. This infamously shocking gag escalated the show’s feud, but “Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” features a subtler moment mockingFamily Guy. In a parody of Ray Bradbury’sFahrenheit 451, the Simpsons live in a world where all non-prestige TV is banned and burned.
The Simpsons Equated Family Guy With Lowbrow Trash TV In Season 36 Episode 7
Homer’s Love Of Trashy TV Prompts A Family Guy Reference
Homer seeks out a secret society who watches “Crap” that “Isn’t very good,” meaning lowbrow shows with no intellectual value. A hooded Krusty allows Homer into a secret stronghold under The Android’s Dungeon with a novelty door handle shaped like Stewie fromFamily Guy, equatingFamily Guywith Homer’s description. To be fair, theFahrenheit 451parody also put many other major TV Shows in this box, including theReal Housewivesfranchise,America’s Funniest Home Videos,The Big Bang Theory, andNCIS. That said, the history ofFamily GuyandThe Simpsons’ longstanding feud makes this throwaway joke a sharper jab.
