The Simpsons nod to Rick and Morty in new episode

The Simpsons writers have put a sly reference to Rick and Morty's recent saucy exploits in their opening credits

Article by The Skinny | 03 Nov 2017

The Simpsons is probably the greatest animated television series ever, but the show has paid tribute to the new kings of television animation, Rick and Morty, in their latest episode. The gag, which takes place in The Simpsons’ iconic opening credits sequence, makes reference to Rick’s obsession for McDonald’s limited edition Szechuan Sauce.

The world was first made aware of the sly gag by Simpsons showrunner Al Jean, who revealed the reference on Twitter by posting a still from the show’s latest episode, which will air in the States on Sunday. The blurry photo shows the Simpsons’ youngest, Maggie, holding up a jug of McDonald's Szechuan sauce as she and her mother Marge go through a supermarket checkout, a scene we see a variation of at the start of each episode.

McDonald’s Szechuan sauce has gained a cult-like importance to Rick and Morty fans. First referenced in series three premiere The Rickshank Rickdemption, the sauce – produced for a limited time by McDonald’s to promote the 1998 Disney film Mulan – is revealed to be Rick’s favourite condiment. The craze for the substance by Rick and Morty-nuts is such that when McDonald’s brought it back for a limited run, supplies immediately ran out. 

This isn’t the first time The Simpsons have referenced Rick and Morty. In 2015, the pair crashed landed in the family’s living room for one of the famous couch gags that open each episode. Take a look at the gag in the player below.