The Simpsons is an American-produced animated television series. First broadcast in 1989, only three weeks after the broadcast of the final episode of the original Doctor Who, it is presently (2010) in its 21st season, making it the longest-running American prime-time scripted series of all time, and the longest-running English-language animated series in the world. It, along with Law & Order (a live-action drama that ended after its 20th season) and Gunsmoke (a live-action Western that also wrapped after 20 seasons), are the only American programmes broadcast on a weekly schedule (therefore discounting daytime soap operas) to boast longevity approaching that of the original 26-season run of Doctor Who.
Over the show's long run, it has made several references to Doctor Who, and as such is one of the few American-produced series to include such references. Doctor Who has often been mentioned by the Comic Book Guy.
There have been several explicit references to Doctor Who within episodes of The Simpsons in the episodes;
- In 1995's Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming, a caricature of the Fourth Doctor appears as a representative of television.
- "Bart the Fink", where Comic Book Guy unambiguously refers to a "Doctor Who (episode watching) marathon".
- In "Springfield Up", Homer refers to a character voiced by Eric Idle as "Doctor Who".
- In Treehouse of Horror X, Comic Book Guy has the Fourth Doctor concealed in a plastic bag, along with many other characters. He introduces the Doctor as "Doctor Who"
The show's creator, Matt Groening, is reportedly a huge fan of Doctor Who, with the Fourth Doctor being his favourite incarnation.[source needed] Consulting producer Don Payne is also apparently a fan – in the 2009 "Treehouse of Horror" episode, he was credited as Don "he will knock 4 times" Payne, a reference to the prophecy begun in DW: Planet of the Dead.
For one week in 1996, Doctor Who and The Simpsons shared the same network of origin, when the co-produced TV movie aired.
The success of The Simpsons revived the concept of a prime-time animated series as a viable investment in the United States, leading to the commissioning of several long-running series, including Family Guy (which itself has occasionally referenced Doctor Who).
In-universe references
- Note: Whilst references to The Simpsons have been made, it has rarely been positively identified as such.
At his flat, Martin and Trix MacMillan drank tea from Simpsons mugs. (EDA: The Tomorrow Windows)
Several specimens of the construct known as Cuddlesomes could be heard to use catchphrases like "Ay Caramba!" and "Eat my shorts", which are commonly said by Bart Simpson. (BFA: Cuddlesome)
Whilst outside the Railway Station giving away tickets for the museum, Odd Bob receives an insult from one kid saying "Take a hike, Krusty!", most probably referencing Krusty the Clown from The Simpsons. (SJA: Day of the Clown)
Two Martian colonies established in the early 23rd century, perhaps by coincidence, share the names of the Simpsons' hometown Springfield and its neighbouring town Shelbyville. (NA: GodEngine)
At Ood Operations, there were various settings for the way Ood could speak. One of them included the catchphrase "D'oh!", a catchphrase of Homer Simpson. (DW: Planet of the Ood) Sam Jones once spoke this famous catchphrase too, when confronted to a vampire. (EDA: Vampire Science)
Bart Simpson (or someone resembling him) attended Bonjaxx's birthday party on Maruthea. (DWM: Party Animals)
Sam Jones' teacher, Mr Selby, once asked her who her role model was. She had answered 'Lisa Simpson'. (EDA: Vampire Science)
After being rescued, the Tenth Doctor was strapped to a wheelchair. As he was pleading with his rescuers to unstrap him, they wheeled him down a flight of stairs. Halfway down, he shouted "Worst! Rescue! Ever!" very much in the manner of Comic Book Guy and his catchphrase. (DW: The End of Time)
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