Question
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Which TV show did “Simon & Simon” famously crossover with?

Last updated: November 24, 2025

In the early 1980s, "Simon & Simon" was struggling in the ratings and facing possible cancellation. In an attempt to save the show, CBS gave it a new time slot and created a story that started on one show and forced viewers to tune in to "Simon & Simon" to see how it ended. Which TV show did "Simon & Simon" famously crossover with?

Correct Answer: Magnum, P.I.

(Source)

Television crossovers back then were usually just quick guest spots that wrapped up in a single episode, and half the time they didn't even count as real events in the show's history. But CBS knew that to turn around "Simon & Simon," they were going to need to pull off something brand new. CBS paired the struggling show with Tom Selleck's "Magnum, P.I." for television's first cliffhanger crossover between two different series. 

The network moved "Simon & Simon" to Thursday nights right after "Magnum," then launched the second season with a sneaky two-part story that started on the "Magnum" episode "Ki'is Don't Lie." When the villain escapes at the end of that episode, viewers had to stick around for "Simon & Simon" to see the conclusion in "Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend." CBS basically kidnapped Tom Selleck's massive audience and forced them to give the Simon brothers a chance. The plan worked immediately, turning "Simon & Simon" from a ratings disaster into a top ten hit for the next three seasons.

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