With the definition of television expanding to include streaming content, and whole new platforms developing shows to entice people to subscribe, in 2015 there were 409 scripted series across broadcast, network and online services. It will be higher in 2016.
When we started this project around 15 years ago, the crossovers were between shows that fit a demographic or appeared in neighboring time-slots or had a creator in common. Now networks are looking for franchises, embracing spin-offs and resurrecting shows from two decades ago.
This years’ connections come from expected franchise building, like Supergirl connecting with The Flash and its spin-off DC’s Legends of Tomorrow debuting. Someone pointed out a traditional old-school crossover between Without A Trace and CSI, which we’d previously missed. And our inclusion of Girl Meets World last year, brought in another seven shows as part of the Disney Network Live Action Universe – which was something we had no idea even existed until this week.
There are now 441 shows on the list/grid/key – stretching from I Love Lucy (1951) to three shows that debuted this year (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Fuller House and Degrassi: The Next Class). There are 49 shows on the list that are still airing; over ten percent of the entire list is a current show. We’ve hit peak television and peak Tommy.
- The Grid (jpeg, png), updated August 2016
- The Key (pdf), updated August 2016
- The Master List (xls), updated August 2016
Edit: Another update made August 21, 2016 to add in more Disney Channel shows
The Tommy Westphall Universe 
There’s actually more shows in the Disney Channel universe: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Franchise/DCLAU
You should also add “Class”, a direct spinoff of Doctor Who that’s debuting this fall, to your next update.
And if the original Power Rangers is in the Westphall verse then every other incarnation should be included as well. They’ve all teamed up in the finale for the Super Megaforce season: http://powerrangers.wikia.com/wiki/Legendary_Battle
We’ve added more DCLAU shows now. We’ll add Class on the next update, since it has yet to debut.
Did you know the person who first came up with this theory and put it in print? You should. He was that awesome.
http://www.slushfactory.com/content/EpupypyZAZTDOLwdfz.php
While Gow & Crowe may be the “keeps” of the list, the original theory was postulated by writer/producer/comic book creator, Dwayne McDuffie in 2002 from the post entitled: “Six Degrees of St. Elsewhere”, for the website, The Sluch Factory. (1-29-2002)
(source here: http://www.slushfactory.com/content/EpupypyZAZTDOLwdfz.php *AND* here: https://youtu.be/zjtpFV4i-54)
Hi, yes, we’re well aware of Dwayne McDuffie’s post – it was a partial inspiration for our efforts.
If you’re aware that the late/great Dwayne McDuffie originally came up with the hypothesis and what he dubbed the Grand Unification Theoryy of Television, acknowledging him in a post or the About section is just common courtesy.
Our inspirations would take up a long post – and some of them (including our own first site) are lost to long-ago lost internet pages. I appreciate someone linking to McDuffie’s post here, as it is one of the earliest blog posts about Tommy.
Really adore this website, crossovers and mapping out the connections between TV shows is fascinating. I think there are still some missed out from the Disney Channel Verse, it connects all the way down to 2 shows from Argentina, which may be a first for the universe.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Franchise/DCLAU?from=Main.DCLAU
Also missing is a connection between 24 (Already in the Universe) and Homeland and Tyrant, which all use fake CNB News, all 3 shows are also made by the same producer Howard Gordon.
Blindspot also used the infamous Hudson University as a backdrop for one of its episodes as did The Mysteries of Laura, both on NBC.
Keep up the awesome work!
Could you link to screen shots of the CNB News used on the three series with references to the first appearance on each series, if possible? I am really interested.
Really adore this website, crossovers and mapping out the connections between such different TV shows is fascinating. I think there are still some missed out from the Disney Channel Verse, it connects all the way down to 2 shows from Argentina, which may be a first for the universe.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Franchise/DCLAU?from=Main.DCLAU
Also missing is a connection between 24 (Already in the Universe) and Homeland and Tyrant, which all use fake CNB News, all 3 shows are also made by the same producer Howard Gordon.
Blindspot also used the infamous Hudson University as a backdrop for one of its episodes as did The Mysteries of Laura, both on NBC.
In the final episode of the TV show Psych, most of the characters move to San Francisco and Adrian Monk of the Monk TV show is referenced. The creator of Psych confirms this fact in this interview: http://www.eonline.com/news/526383/psych-the-cast-and-creator-spill-series-finale-secrets-plus-will-there-be-a-movie Therefore, Psych should be included.
I do not know if this counts – Psych made several references to The Mentalist as seen this in this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uyrxx9D5ls
Was Adrian Monk mentioned by name or only attributes? Can you quote the line?
I just watched the video, and The Mentalist is fiction-within-fiction on Psych. That does not make a crossover, in my opinion.
yeah the mentalist absolutely does not count here. otherwise you’d have to mention every show that ever mentioned x-files existing as a tv show which is… a lot of shows. it being mentioned in psych as fiction doesn’t make them take place in the same universe, in fact it would imply the opposite, just as someone reading a book on a tv show doesn’t make the tv show take place in the world of the book.
Possibly an overlooked reference. In the St. Elsewhere episode, Legionnaires, Part 2 (s01e07), Westphall walks into Beale’s office as he’s talking to a patient on the phone. He says to her: “Mrs. Stephens, I don’t think your daughter-in-law is a witch.” This, of course, could be Phyllis Stephens, Darrin Stephens’ mother (Bewitched).
While Bewitched is already connected, I thought that this would be interesting to your project.
have you added I’m In The Band to the Westphall-verse yet? It’s a Disney XD show that had a direct crossover with The Suite Life On Deck. It’s also linked to a lot of other shows on Disney XD and two foreign-language productions as well
Also of note is the link between Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men. In the 2.5M episode “The Salmon Under My Sweater” (2004), Charlie wrote the theme song for Oshikuru: Demon Samurai, an anime show which Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny watch in “The Gothowitz Deviation” (2009)
And also between big bang theory and law and order when Raji put that shirt with the music theme of L&O!!
Sounds like a lot of fiction within fiction. Adding all fiction within fiction would make the Westphall continuity explode.
The BBT and THM one is not fiction within fiction. The fictional anime existing in both tv shows does imply they take place in the same universe. the L&O one is fiction within fiction.
You’ve noted the Weyland-Yutani company as linking several sci-fi shows (Angel, Red Dwarf, various Star Treks, Firefly) but you should know that the company originates in the Alien film franchise. Joss Whedon wrote Alien: Resurrection, which I assume explains him including the company in Angel and Firefly.
I dispute the connection between Alf and Mr. Robot. Elliot imagines Alf in a dream sequence. Alf does not appear in the “real” world of Mr. Robot. Instead he is a fictional character. This would mean that Elliot has watched the Alf television show, not met the actual Alf, like the original connection between Alf and the rest of the Universe. If this is a valid connection, there are literally dozens of other shows that have made Alf references which should be added. This would open the list to several other shows to be analyzed for connection through references.
Sometimes fiction within fiction does creep into the Westphall continuity. Dream sequences also drive me wild.
Canonically, The Lone Rangers Nephew Dan Reid is the father of Brit Reid AKA the Green Hornet. Making The Lone Ranger Green Hornets Great Uncle.
The Lone Ranger is the uncle of Dan Reid, Brit Reid’s father, in the radio shows only. The connection did not continue on the spin-off (reboot) television series as far as I can tell. I don’t think they really want to start adding radio shows into the mix.
If you can prove the connection still exists on the television series, I would really like to know.
By the way, if you are really interested in The Lone Ranger crossover continuity, which is huge; you can read my write up of all of them here: http://fantasy.xecu.net/Movies/Crossovers/Westphall_non-crossovers.pl#The_Westerns
As of Sunday, Sherlock is in…the most recent episode (Season 4, episode 2) showed a letter from Torchwood (with the official Torchwood logo) on Sherlock’s mantelpiece. There is also dialogue in Season 3 episode 2 where Mycroft quotes M from the James Bond series, saying the quote is from “A colleague of mine”.
I would really love to see a screenshot so I can add it to my crossover listing.
As The Walking Dead is now in, Telltale’s The Walking Dead seasons 1 and 3 have a character crossovers with the television series.
TellTale’s TWD video games aren’t canon to the shows, but to the comics.
Northern Exposure should be added to the list, because of a reference to Twin Peaks. Episode 1.5, Russian Flu, has Fleishman visiting Snoqualmie Falls, and sees the log lady through a telescope.
I resisted making this connection for a long time, because it literally makes no sense that someone in Alaska can see Twin Peaks (in Washington) through a telescope. Twin Peaks has been admitted through other means, but I wish I could include Northern Exposure.
You forgot the show I’m in the Band, it had a crossover with The Suite Life on Deck.
Also, you guys left out the Power Rangers series from Zeo-Ninja Steel
And also, Blackish had an episode where they went to Disney World, so this should be added too.
A trip to Disney World does not constitute a crossover as far as I know. Now if the amusement park were a fictional one which is shared between shows, it could count as a crossover if the reference were very specific, in my opinion.
Real places should not create crossovers, or the chart would include every television series out there. Think of all the series set in Washington D.C. They do not cross over just because characters from different shows visited the Smithsonian, unless the characters meet face to face.
Actually Black-ish should be included but for a different reason. The season two finale explicitly mentions Diff’rent Strokes and The Cosby Show, meaning that it would count as in the same universe.
MacGyver (2016) just had a crossover with Hawaii Five O (2010)
The Sunshine Girls are a fictional in universe version of the Girl Scots that exist within the Disney Channel Universe, appearing in That’s So Raven, Corey in the House and Hannah Montana (Hannah sings at their benefit concert). They also appear in the Nickelodeon Universe, in iCarly and Victorious, with very similar uniforms. This would bring in all of the Nick Verse into the Tommy Westphall Universe:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/NickVerse
Similar or exact? Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, so can I see screen shots? Also, do you know episode titles where these appearances were made?
They all wear yellow uniforms and yellow hats. Only difference is the orange sashes they wear in the Nickelodian shows. However even in the real world the uniforms of scouts and girl guides differs from area to area, so it definitely could be judged as a substantial link.
Yoyodyne (referenced as a front for Lectroid aliens in Buckaroo Banzai and as the main manufacturer of Federation ships in Star Trek) is referenced in passing in Silicon Valley and manufactured the central bus station on The John Larroquette Show.
The TARDIS is in Episode 10 Season 2 of “The Librarians” in a really awesome cameo.
SVU’s Hudson University has also recently appeared in Elementary (S5E13), 12 Monkeys (S2E9), Bull (S1E3), and even 13 Reasons Why (S1E8)
Also, Recently in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 3 Episode 2) which itself this season had a cross-over with Orange is the New Black!
Hudson U also just appeared on CBS’s Doubt (S1E3)
Hudson U was also just mentioned by characters in “SEAL Team” (S1E2)
Hudson University has recently appeared in ABC’s Quantico (S3E5) and has also appeared in TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles (S6E4).
The Doctor Who wiki has a page listing several crossovers that have happened within the show;
http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Crossover
Most of these are with other BBC shows (namely EastEnders and Call the Midwife), which leads me to believe there may be a much greater non-American connection in this universe than what is currently documented.
Also discussed on Studio 360 last week.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/studio/episodes
Gilmore Girls has a Donna Reed episode!
From the episode description, it looks like Donna Reed is fiction-within-fiction on Gilmore Girls, so not a crossover.
Raven’s Home should be added in this, since its a spinoff of That’s So Raven.
On the grid, I found That ’70s Show on there twice, but The Middle wasn’t on there.
I’ve got to dispute the connection between Julia and St. Elsewhere. Yes, there is a character named Dr. Morton Chegley on both series. Dr. Morton Chegley on Julia is played by Lloyd Nolan, born in 1902. Dr. Morton Chegley on St. Elsewhere is played by Arthur Taxier, born in 1951. So, not only are the characters played by different actors, the actors have an age difference of 49 years.
The Visitor (1997-8) makes a really cool reference to the X-Files, that if the shows FBI agents don’t solve the case (involving a pilot abducted by aliens) the section chief will give it to “those two clowns down in the basement”. Although it doesn’t mention them by name, both shows were produced by Fox and it’s just too fun not to include!
I agree it would be great to include it, but without the characters in the basement being specifically named, this leads to a very slippery slope of including every wink and nudge. I am still disputing the inclusion of Haven because no names of the agents were given, making the reference too vague.
I’ve been looking into a large shared universe between British soaps and have found some crossover links.
In 1993 Doctor Who crossed over with EastEnders (1985-Present) in “Dimensions in Time” which while many fans today consider non-canonical, it was when it first aired. EastEnders spun off:
EastEnders:E20 (2010-2011)
Kat and Alfie: Redwater (2017-Present)
Coronation Street (1960-Present)
In 2010 a crossover occurred between EastEnders and Coronation Street with characters from Albert Square visiting Weatherfield and visa versa.
Spun Off:
Pardon the Expression (1965-6)
Turn Out the Lights (1967)
The Brothers McGreggor (1985-8)
After Hours (1999)
Emmerdale (1972-Present) featured a character crossover with Coronation Street’s Reg Holdworth appearing in TV movie “The Dingles in Venice”.
Brookside (1982-2003) mentioned the January 1994 plane crash featured in Emmerdale as a real event, a character reading a newspaper featuring the headline “AIR DISASTER TOLL RISES – Village Mourns As Many Die”.
Spun off: Damon and Debbie (1987)
Hollyoaks (1995-Present)
Matt Musgrave from Brookside crossed over on to Hollyoaks.
Spun off:
Hollyoaks: In the City (2006)
Hollyoaks Later (2008-2013)
Crossroads (1964-2008, 2001-2003)
Jill Richardson, the owner of the shows fictional hotel guest starred in Brookside as hotel owning “Cousin Jill”. Funnily enough in the shows final episode it was revealed that the entire run had been a dream of a character named Angel. Dreams within dreams within dreams!
So that’s a total of 15 shows that are connected and within the Tommy Westphall’s mind.
Given that Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies, and Dead Like Me are on the list, apparently Hannibal should also be added. As described here: http://whatculture.com/tv/10-tv-shows-you-didnt-realise-were-set-in-the-same-universe?page=7 the Wonderfalls character Gretchen Speck-Horowitz later appears in Hannibal.
The character Marianne Marie Beetle (played by Beth Grant) , who originated in Wonderfalls, and then appeared in Dead Like Me, also appeared in the pilot episode of Mockingbird Lane, which wasn’t picked up. I wonder is American God’s will eventually join the Fullerverse and the larger Westphallverse?
Is there a version of this with more pixels? The grid is impossible to read.
That’s a stretch to use Morleys cigarettes as a shared universe link, when it is commonly used on shows so they don’t have to invent a new brand and don’t use a real one. You might as well include every show that uses 555 as a prefix for a phone number.
I believe you’ve added the show Mr. Robot in error.
Mr. Robot has an A.L.F. connection because Alf appeared in episode six of season two, however (spoilers for Mr. Robot) it was revealed that Alf’s appearance was only in the unconscious mind of the main character, Elliot. Elliot’s dissociative identity disorder alter was controlling his mind at the time, to protect him from experiencing the pain that his body was in while in hospital due to injuries. While there, the nearby nurse’s station was playing episodes of A.L.F. which leaked into his unconscious state.
So in the television universe of Mr. Robot, there is a television show called A.L.F. just as in ours, but for inclusion into the Westphall universe, Alf, the live character, would have to exist alongside the Mr. Robot characters. Since this only happened in a dream, which was then shown to be a dream, Mr. Robot doesn’t belong in the Westphall list.
“Your comment is awaiting moderation.” Is this site still being maintained? It has been more than a month since I posted this with no approval or response.
Oceanic Airlines appears in Grey’s Anatomy (which aired on ABC like Lost) in S12E11, which spun off both Private Practice and the recent Station 19. It also shares a universe with The OC, as when the shows Dr Neil Roberts leaves, he states he has a new job working at Seattle Grace Hospital, which is the main setting of Grey’s Anatomy.
I also wonder if there are any connections to other Shonda Rhimes shows, as Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder just featured a full blown crossover. Scandal also connects to Rhimes other ABC show “The Catch” through the featuring of fictional news channel BNC and character Mike Walters appearing on both shows. There must be a way to bring these shows into the Westphall universe!
The Green Hornet is listed, so The Lone Ranger should also be listed since Britt Reid is the great nephew of The Lone Ranger. It would also make The Lone Ranger the oldest tv show since it debuted in 1949, two years before I Love Lucy.
The relationship between Britt Reid and the Lone Ranger was established in the radio series, but it was not brought over to the TV series as far as I can find.
I just watched aquaman to be astonished with the fact that on the coffee table of aquaman’s father had a snowglobe with the same base as the one from st. Elsewhere and also had a replica of the lighthouse house that aquaman’s father lives in has sort of the same reference to me atleast that this replica snowglobe means that the entire aquaman movie is also in the dream of Tommy westphal or possibly in the mind of now Tom Curry which is the name of aquaman’s father according to the comic but not in the movie, Tom can be interpreted as a abbreviation of the name tommy so maybe tommy westphal dreamt of the entire DC universe up and he placed himself in the shoes of Tom(my) curry “aquaman’s father” also under the snowglobe sits H.P Lovecraft novel “the dunwich horror” now dwelling further… H.P. Lovecraft also had a novel about a lighthouse operator who lived in it and seen delusions and hallucinations when going to the end of the dock, perhaps the entirety of aquaman is the dream of tommy westphal and the reference to h.p lovecraft is trying to get the people who know best about h.p Lovecraft novels discover and make the connection that the delusions and hallucinations are actually dreams of tommy westphal… but that’s a reach but the reference and proof is there I wouldnt go to say that all h.p lovecraft is also tommy westphal dreams I would say that the h.p lovecraft reference is trying to get the watchers of the movie make the connection between the h.p lovecraft story of the similar guy seeing delusions at the end of his dock, and seeing the delusions as dreams and the entirety of the DC and MCU is the extended dreams of autistic kid named tommy westphal…
Glad to see the chart was being updated into 2016—I remember coming across your site years earlier. Diagnosis Murder and The Dick Van Dyke Show link, too (I know you have them both separately on there).
https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/diagnosis-murder-dick-van-dyke-show-14011/