Easter eggs, cameos, and connections to other films and television shows within the context of another has always been a fun exercise for viewers — Pixar references their own films, Marvel references other comics, shows, and properties that exist under their massive umbrella, and many filmmakers and showrunners insert little references that connect all of their projects together. In addition to this, shows that air on the same network or come from the same production company will often reference each other. Sometimes they’ll even have a very special TV crossover episode.
Friends, Mad About You, Seinfeld, and Murphy Brown
It makes sense for the Friends cast and the Seinfeld cast to exist within the same New York — both shows feature a cast of truly terrible, incredibly selfish people that we love to watch navigate their miserable day-to-day misadventures. However, it’s kind of strange that Mad About You and Murphy Brown also exist within that world of theirs. Lisa Kudrow’s character Phoebe’s sister Ursula makes appearances on Friends and Mad About You, while Kramer made an appearance on Murphy Brown. With those cameos in mind, it’s fair to say that all four strangely exist in the same universe.
Full House and Family Matters
In the same vein as Friends and Seinfeld, Full House and Family Matters aired on the same network (often on the same night). Because of this, it seems like a no-brainer for the network to have some fun with that fact and have the characters cross over to each other’s shows on occasion. Urkel appeared on Full House, Michelle appeared on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, and so on.
Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, and Dexter’s Lab
With how similar these three shows look and how popular they all were (and continue to be), it’s fun yet strange to know that they’ve crossed over before. Despite their similar styles, they all seem to take place during different time periods — oh well, though. Because they’re cartoons, suspension of disbelief can be expected and should probably be encouraged, anyway. Just because they’ve never actually interacted with each other, there’s no denying they exist within the same world.
Law & Order, X Files, Wire, and Arrested Development
These four shows are as different as can be, and they’re not even on the same network. The comedy, the procedural drama, the premium cable tentpole, and the sci-fi cult classic all have one thing in common: Detective John Munch, a character played by actor Richard Belzer on over eight different series across multiple networks. He’s what links them all together and clues us in on the fact that they all coexist within the same universe.
