Every Harry Potter Reference In The Simpsons Ranked
From Hogwarts all the way to Springfield.
Since starting life as a humble sketch on The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons has gone on to enjoy over 30 seasons, and almost 700 episodes since 1989. Though the quality of the product has certainly dropped over the last two decades compared to the golden years, the show is still possibly the biggest in the history of TV.
As an undeniable cultural phenomenon, the show has made a habit of referencing, spoofing, and sometimes downright stealing ideas from other pop culture hits. Recent years have seen the show replace the smart, funny way this used to be done, with simply bringing in as many celebrity guest stars as possible.
Throughout the years however, one thing The Simpsons has never been shy of bringing into Springfield is the incredible popularity of Harry Potter. It is one of the greatest movie franchises, and biggest book franchises in the world, and has been the subject of many topical jokes throughout The Simpsons.
Some of these are as little as a character costume, or a simple name drop, while some have been the basis of entire episodes. The show has referenced the boy who lived a total of 15 times, with some far better than others.
15. Snape’s Springfield Cameo
During season 24’s Love is a Many Splintered Thing, The Simpsons’ most recent Harry Potter reference occurred, having absolutely nothing to do with anything else in the episode. Airing in 2013, just months after the release of the Deathly Hallows Part II, the show brought Hogwarts’ own potions master in.
After Homer and Bart were kicked out of the house by Marge, they held a party at the motel where they were staying, before turning to British movies for help winning back their partners, Marge and Mary Spuckler. In particular, the men turned to Love, Indubitably.
The Prime Minister, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, pauses his address in Parliament to profess his love for his secretary, Eliza Commonbottom. The following celebrations are joined by Severus Snape, also voiced by Cumberbatch and his spot on Alan Rickman impression, telling that love is more powerful than all his magic.
There was no real set up for Snape in this episode, and it seems he was shoehorned in just for the sake of it.