The Simpsons has dipped into each side of popular culture conceivable. Skilled sports activities aren’t any exception. Since basic episodes like “Homer on the Bat,” the sequence has included sports-themed narratives. Naturally, these episodes usually led to cameos from skilled athletes prepared to poke enjoyable at themselves. Among the most notable cameos have been from the world of the NBA. From Shaq to Magic Johnson, a number of the best gamers to ever set foot on the courtroom have visited Springfield.
6. Lebron James & Yao Ming
The Season 16 episode “Homer and Ned’s Hail Mary Cross” appeared like an unlikely platform to host skilled athletes. The episode parodied early viral web movies and the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson’s movie, The Ardour of the Christ. Nevertheless, “Homer and Ned’s Hail Mary Cross” included a number of skilled athletes, together with Lebron James and Yao Ming.
In a scene the place Homer tried to recreate the story of Noah’s Ark for a halftime present, issues went terribly mistaken. Homer employed a number of skilled athletes, together with Tom Brady and Michelle Kwan, to assist mobilize the makeshift boat. Yao Ming will get a beautiful snipe relating to the distinction between labor in China and U.S. through the scene. Lebron additionally will get a second to shine within the episode the place he ruins a Simpson’s household dinner.
5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Residing legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has by no means been a stranger to the world of movie and tv. The 7’ 2” NBA titan has appeared in basic movies like Recreation of Loss of life and Fletch. Within the Season 22 episode, “Love Is a Many Strangled Factor.” Abdul-Jabbar made his debut in Springfield, the place he made enjoyable of his personal giant stature.
Within the episode, Homer went to anger administration to assist quell his violent tendencies. Kareem took the place of Homer, whereas the Simpsons patriarch embodied his son. The end result was each hilarious and uncomfortable. The scene had a metanarrative relating to Homer and Bart’s relationship, which has been scrutinized for over 30 years.
4. Dennis Rodman
The Simpsons’ Halloween particular “Treehouse of Horror” has been a seasonal hallmark for over 30 years. “Treehouse of Horror XVI” was no totally different. Within the section “I’ve Grown a Costume on Your Face,” the present parodied The Twilight Zone episode “The Masks.” The story centered across the residents of Springfield being cursed by a witch, who made their Halloween costumes come to life.
Within the episode’s closing moments, energy ahead Dennis Rodman appeared as an anthropomorphic child pacifier. Rodman acclimated to the present’s self-deprecating humorousness, casually commenting on his controversial life. Loads of NBA cameos on The Simpsons have been weird, however Rodman’s was most likely essentially the most surreal.
3. Steph Curry
Some episodes of The Simpsons will dedicate their whole runtime to poking enjoyable at a selected topic. The episode “22 for 30” was certainly one of them. Introduced in a documentary format, “22 for 30” follows Bart’s rise and fall as a Springfield Elementary basketball staff star participant.
The episode hilariously poked enjoyable at sports activities documentaries with characters arguing for digicam time and declaring conflicting anecdotes. Steph Curry makes a hilarious cameo as himself. His gag was throwing a paper ball into Principal Skinner’s espresso via the Lard Lad Donuts’ mascot. It was a short look from the Golden State Warriors level guard, nevertheless it felt proper at dwelling within the fake documentary.
2. Magic Johnson
One of many earliest NBA cameos on The Simpsons was from one of many best ever to play the sport. Within the Season 3 episode “Homer Outlined,” Homer is called Worker of the Month by Mr. Burns. Nevertheless, the superlative was not earnestly received as he by chance diverted a nuclear meltdown. Homer realized his win was not well-earned. This prompted him to really feel responsible as soon as Lisa began to look as much as him as a job mannequin. His guilt additional deepened when he acquired a call from Magic Johnson, congratulating Homer on his heroism.
1. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal had been featured in The Simpsons earlier than his vocal debut within the episode “Gone Boy.” Kevin Michael Richardson voiced the four-time NBA Champion in a earlier episode. Nevertheless, Shaq took the wheel within the recording studio to lend his vocal abilities to the Season 29 episode.
The episode is a free parody of the hit movie and novel Gone Lady. The story facilities round Bart disappearing and Sideshow Bob making an attempt to control Milhouse for data on his whereabouts. Homer and Grandpa Simpson run into Shaq whereas monitoring Sideshow Bob. Nevertheless, the NBA All-Star will get creeped out by the father-and-son duo for ridiculous causes.
