# What TV shows exist in the universes of other TV shows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 18, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464 "2006-01-18T03:08:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/81 "2006-01-19T20:29:01Z")
On _Babylon 5_, security chief Michael Garibaldi is a huge Looney Tunes fan. Unfortunetly, the subtlties of Daffy Duck are apparently lost on the Mimbari. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/82 "2006-01-19T20:33:52Z")
On “NCSI,” someone asked Gibbs what Ducky looked like when he was young? “Like Ilya Kuryakin.” So obviously The Man from U.N.C.L.E. exists in their universe. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/83 "2006-01-19T20:46:50Z")
_Meet the Press_ aired in _Homicide: Life on the Street_ 's universe (and by extension the entire _Law & Order_ universe). NBC’s Tim Russert and Lt. Megan Russert of the Baltimore P.D. were cousins. _Felicity_ was shown in the Buffy 'verse. Xander said once that a person had “Gone all Felicity” with her hair, meaning that that person had had all her hair cut off. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/84 "2006-01-19T21:26:14Z")
Once again on “the Simpsons” - Bleeding Gums Murphy made an appearance on “the Cosby Show” as the fifth grandfather to the Huxtable kids. Littlest Huxtable: That’s the fifth grandfather we’ve met. Cliff: Yeah, but this grandfather is a famous old-time jazz musicians. Littlest Huxtable: But ALL our grandparents are famous old-time jazz musicians. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/85 "2006-01-19T21:50:56Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > Much to the kids’ dismay, The Simpsons is very popular in the South Park universe. South Park also exists in the universe of The Simpsons. > [@](#): > > TJdude825]In 24, Fox News clearly exists, just in case the viewers might forget what channel they were watching. The other news network seen often in 24 is CNB, which based on the logo is supposed to be CNN. (I know it doesn’t exist in our world, but I’m just pointing out there’s more than one news network on 24.) Presumably, _The Nanny_ exists in the universe of _The Nanny_. In one of the final episodes, Fran Drescher’s character met Fran Drescher in a hotel. Fran the actress reminded Fran the nanny to watch the final episode of the series. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/86 "2006-01-19T21:54:13Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > Much to the kids’ dismay, The Simpsons is very popular in the South Park universe. Now that I think about it, the only one who was _really_ dismayed was Butters. I don’t think anyone else in South Park has a stash of evil plans (except maybe Cartman). ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/87 "2006-01-19T22:00:36Z")
OOH! Got a great one!: On one episode of **The A-Team** , Face is at Universal Studios theme park and watches a guy in a Cylon costume walk by. Though as far as I know nobody ever commented on his remarkable resemblence to actor Dirk Benedict. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/88 "2006-01-19T22:07:31Z")
In one episode of _The X-Files_, Mulder and Scully went undercover as a suburban married couple named Rob and Laura Petrie (I think Mulder chose the names), so presumably _The Dick Van Dyke Show_ exists in that universe. ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/89 "2006-01-19T22:42:24Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > **X-Files** showed Mulder watching TV, but I can’t remember what his fix was. Porn. One reference, and one non-reference. Reference: On **Seinfeld** , Kramer suffered from seizures whenever he heard Mary Hart’s voice on **Entertainment Tonight**. Non-reference: On an early episode of **Friends** , some of the **ER** docs make a guest appearance, playing doctors, but they are not the same characters as on **ER**. I guess a writer actually cared about continuity (given that **Friends** was set in NYC, and **ER** in Chicago. Sua ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/90 "2006-01-19T23:13:13Z")
On **CSI-NY** , a reporter for **Entertainment Tonight** was covering the fashion show with the dead model with the tiny titties. (Just caught it on the remote flyby…) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/91 "2006-01-20T00:39:40Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > Now that I think about it, the only one who was _really_ dismayed was Butters. I don’t think anyone else in South Park has a stash of evil plans (except maybe Cartman). Cartman doesn’t need a stash of plans, every thought he has is basically evil. 😉 Jim ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/92 "2006-01-20T00:40:20Z")
_Herman’s Head_ existed in the reality of _The Simpsons_. A series called _Blondie_ (same as the one in the funny papers) once featured Jim Backus as Mr. Dithers. At least once, he was seen watching _Gilligan’s Island_. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/93 "2006-01-20T02:30:49Z")
**Roseanne** once had an episode where, during the closing credits, Dan and Roseanne watch **Roseanne** , on Spanish language television ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/94 "2006-01-20T02:31:15Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Adam West exists in the Family Guy-verse but it’s a little fuzzy as to whether the Batman series also does. Well, in the episode where Stewie is trying to stop Lois and Peter from conceiving another child, Stewie comments after learning that Peter’s pulse has increased, “My God! Either he’s watching ‘Batman,’ or they’re doing the do!” It then cuts to Peter laying on the bed, and the Batman TV show theme is playing. There’s another bit where Peter is talking about how bad it was when Lois was pregnant, and it cuts to him laying on the bed, watching TV. Lois is in the bathroom, throwing up. Peter turns up the volume, and the theme song to _Three’s Company_ is playing. ---
**Author:** ![Monkey\_Chews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@Monkey\_Chews](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkey_Chews)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/95 "2006-01-20T04:14:51Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > _Angel_ has at least one references to _The X-Files_, when in an early episode a cop calls Lockley “Scully”. She tells him that Scully’s the skeptic and that Mulder is the believer. “Yeah, but Scully’s the _chick_, right?” > [@Antinor01](#): > > Russell, who knows WAY to much about [Golden Girls] You are my new hero. _Babylon 5_ exists in the Buffy universe - Xander has a set of commemorative plates. I think they’re referenced in the episode where he is moving out of his parents’ basement. _The Twilight Zone_ must also exist, as Dawn summarises the lessons she’s learnt from Buffy as, “You never know what’s coming, the stake is not the power, and ‘To Serve Man’ is a cookbook.” Heh. _Twin Peaks_ featured a fictional soap opera called _Invitation To Love_. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/96 "2006-01-20T04:21:11Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Also from Golden Girls… > > St Elsewhere, Rose’s blind sister mentions that it’s her favorite program. > > The Cosby Show, the girls decide to pay for a neighbors funeral, even though they all hate her. But the funeral can’t be on thursday because Cosby is on. > > Another World (a soap), Blanche insists on watching it while the girls are all home sick. > > They also read the comics, Blanche reads Marmaduke and Apartment 3G every day. > > Russell, who knows WAY to much about GG Not to mention, Rose is revealed in one episode to be a walking encyclopedia of _Miami Vice_ trivia, even getting hit on by a Sonny Crockett wannabe vice cop. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/97 "2006-01-20T06:30:13Z")
In South Park, it’s obvious from Mr. Garrison’s lessons that a number of real TV shows exist in that universe, as well as other sources Off the top of my head… -Simon and Simon. -The Facts of Life. -Sam Adams commericals(okay, not a show, but a real brand). -Barneby Jones. -American Idol. -The Contender. -The O’Reilly Factor. -Star Trek has been mentioned a number of times. -Crossing over with John Edward(at least until the aliens took him away). -A number of real movies(Independence Day, the Goonies, The Passon of the Christ, Rob Schenieder movies, allusions to ) -Ike was watching some news show in one episode(“Terrence and Phillip Trailor”) that I assume was real. I’m sure there’s more. In American Dad, the show 24 obviously exists in that universe. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/98 "2006-01-20T07:03:11Z")
More _Family Guy_: VH1’s _Behind the Music_. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/99 "2006-01-20T09:26:34Z")
> [@Ponste](#): > > Jack O’Neill from Stargate SG-1 is very disappointed when the US Military refuses to name the first ever Earth-owned spaceship ‘Enterprise’. To be fair, Enterprise is still the name of a very prominent and actively serving US Navy ship (or at least, I assume it is since the show doesn’t say otherwise and it more or less takes place in the “Real World” _glancing at the fourth wall in my room_), so the name wasn’t available. Other than that, Daffy existing within B5 has been mentioned (One character describes him as “The Human God of Frustration”). Micheal Garibaldi apparantly has a Daffy Duck design painted on his Starfury in the 5th season of the show. On one episode of B5, Captain Sheridan makes a passing reference to Lucy and Ethel from “I Love Lucy” Adding to the B5 on Buffy bit, Jonathan apparantly owns or used to own some Babylon 5 novels, which Warren and Andrew colored with a highlighter at some point. (having had one of my Babylon 5 novels vandalized by classmates in high school, I can understand why they’d be worried that Jonathan would turn on them). Also on Buffy, Trogdor the Burninator exists as part of a pen-and-paper RPG, though it’s unclear if the RPG is a HomeStar Runner RPG or not. Oh, and in addition to Star Trek in general being referenced on Buffy, Star Trek: Enterprise is specifically mentioned on numerous occasions in the 6th and 7th seasons (“Ahh… Captain Archer…”) Angel has made a number of references to Batman (apparantly it was a running joke early on) Star Wars exists both on StarGate SG1 and The Pretender (Teal’C and whatever the name of the pretender guy on the Pretender both get to watch the movies fairly late in life). The anime Nadesico featured clips from a then-fictional anime called Gekigangar III, which was later made into an OVA by the company that made Nadesico. Superman is mentioned in an episode of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but it’s not made clear if he is fictional or not on that show. On a tangentially related note, does anybody remember the old days when all the different computer games referred to eachother or co-existed (ie: Crusader, Wing Commander, and Ultima VII are all in the same universe, Brittania apparantly being located on a planet occasionally visited by the Kilrathi, System Shock and BioForge are the basis of a couple of movies reviewed in the TCS Victory’s newsletter that came with Wing Commander III) ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464/100 "2006-01-20T10:05:15Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Also on Buffy, Trogdor the Burninator exists as part of a pen-and-paper RPG, though it’s unclear if the RPG is a HomeStar Runner RPG or not. Considering that Andrew is seen on Angel wearing a Strongbad T-shirt, I think it’s more likely he’s just one of these terrible GM’s that incorporates in-jokes from pop-culture into his adventures. (I can say this since I once was such a GM, giggling like a madman as my players faced off against Grandpa Munster. Thankfully I grew out of it.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-shows-exist-in-the-universes-of-other-tv-shows/340464.md?page=6)