In a fascinating crossover of football and animation, the characters from “The Simpsons” will come alive during a special broadcast of the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys. This unique presentation, part of “The Simpsons Funday Football,” will be available for streaming on ESPN+, Disney+, and NFL+ on mobile devices, allowing fans to enjoy the game in an entirely new way. The traditional broadcasts will air on ESPN and ABC, while ESPN2 will host the final “ManningCast” of the regular season.
Viewers can catch the replay of this special event on Disney+ for 30 days, providing fans around the world, across more than 145 countries, access to either live games or replays. Matt Selman, the executive producer of “The Simpsons,” expressed excitement about this collaboration, highlighting the overlap between the audiences of the show and football. He believes that both share a connection to American family culture, making this blend of animation and sport particularly appealing.
While the NFL game remains a central feature, the alternate broadcast will present a narrative that unfolds much like a three-hour episode of the series. The story kicks off with Homer Simpson indulging in hot dogs, following which he finds himself dreaming that he has joined the Cowboys, while Bart aligns with the Bengals. Meanwhile, Marge and Lisa take on roles as sideline reporters, providing a humorous and entertaining commentary throughout the game.
Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN’s Vice President of Edit and Animation, described the approach as one that intertwines the game with a complete storyline. “It is like a complete story, and the NFL game will happen in between, making for an incredible presentation with numerous surprises,” he said. This event marks the second year that ESPN has created an alternate broadcast for an NFL game, having previously utilized characters from “Toy Story” for a game abroad.
“The Simpsons,” now in its 35th season, has a rich history of sports-themed episodes. While “Homer at the Bat” remains a fan favorite, other notable episodes focusing on football include “Bart Star” and “Lisa The Greek.” The show is now part of the Disney umbrella following the acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, and all seasons are available to stream on Disney+.
The creative team behind “The Simpsons” has collaborated closely with ESPN and the NFL to ensure that the animation feels true to the beloved show. Notably, the theme music for the broadcast combines elements from both “The Simpsons” and the iconic “Monday Night Football” theme. Furthermore, viewers can expect pre-recorded sketches featuring beloved characters voiced by the show’s original cast.
The entire broadcast will be animated in real-time, with character movements synchronized to the actual game using advanced tracking technologies. The NFL’s Next Gen Stats system, along with Sony’s Beyond Sports Technology, allows for an immersive viewing experience. The technology tracks player movements through embedded chips in their pads and provides detailed skeletal data to ensure character movements remain realistic.
As the broadcast unfolds, viewers will witness familiar characters like Lisa, Bart, Krusty, and others join the Bengals and Cowboys, enhancing the whimsical experience. The event will also feature ESPN personalities such as Stephen A. Smith and the Manning brothers. ESPN broadcasters Drew Carter, Mina Kimes, and Dan Orlovsky will contribute to the live call of the game from Connecticut, utilizing VR headsets to interact within the animated Springfield.
Mina Kimes expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the broadcast, having been a long-time fan of the series. She shared her delight at seeing her animated likeness, as she recalls drawing “Simpsons” characters in her childhood. “I didn’t have any input or preview, so it was really funny to see how much it actually resembles me,” she said, thrilled to see her childhood passion materialized in this innovative format.
Despite both teams struggling this season, Selman believes the personalities of the Bengals and Cowboys resonate well within the “Simpsons” universe. He noted how the Cowboys’ brand fits a Homer Simpson archetype, while Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow reflects traits akin to Bart—a perfect blend of storylines for this unique event. This crossover promises to bring both football and animation enthusiasts together for a remarkable night filled with humor and excitement.
