These Minuscule Sitcom Details That Show The Writers Were Playing Chess While We Were Playing Checkers

Michael Schur, take a bow.

We all (literally) watch sitcoms for a laugh. Still. the writers still manage to fill our fave shows with little details that they'll know us fans love to spot and talk about.

CBS

So, here are 16 sitcom details that I absolutely love:

1. The Good Place

NBC

If there's one thing we know about TV show fans, it's that they've got the eyes of a hawk. That explains how fans were able to spot what Jason had written on his paper in one of Chidi's philosophy classes. Instead of writing down "The History of Philosophy," Jason had written "The History of Phil and Sophie." It was actually one of Manny Jacinto's favourite jokes on the show, and he was shocked that it was spotted by fans. 

2. The Good Place (again)

NBC

Sticking with Michael Schur's afterlife sitcom, it also made multiple references to the writer's other show, Parks and Rec. One notable nod is the name of the safe that Jason suffocates in being called "Swanson's Safes" – a reference to Ron Swanson. There's also an advert for Glyde, a perfume made by Parks and Recreation parfumier Dennis Feinstein. Fans were also quick to spot that the demons drank "snake juice," which was a drink created by Tom in Parks and Rec.

3. Parks and Rec

NBC

Chris Pratt, who played Andy in the series, became a Marvel superhero during the show's run (as you probably know). So, in the finale, the writers decided to give a little shoutout to Chris's galactic character, Starlord, by having one of the trick-or-treaters dress up as him when they knock at Andy and April's home. 

4. Parks and Rec (again)

NBC

The series finale didn't stop there with the Easter eggs – there was also a pleasingly cyclical moment involving an actor (Jon Daly) who was in the pilot episode. In the finale, he played a citizen that wanted to fix the swing. This was the same actor, and thus the same character, who we saw drunk in a slide in the pilot episode (he had to be swatted away with a broom).

5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

NBC

In one episode, eagle-eyed fans would have been able to spot some familiar names on Jake's screen when he was looking at an email from Terry. The three emails above it are sent by Det. D. Goor, Sgt. M. Schur, and Det D. Miner. Of course,  Dan Goor, Michael Schur, and David Miner were executive producers on the show – so I'm sure Andy Samberg would have been used to getting emails from them!

6. Scrubs

NBC

The recurring character of Hooch in Scrubs was always the butt of JD and Turk's practical jokes. One such joke involved the two changing the schedule so that Hooch and another surgeon named Dr Turner were working together – referencing the film Turner & Hooch. Well, funnily enough, the actor playing Dr Turner was actually Jim Hanks, the brother of Tom Hanks, who played Turner in the film. 

You can see the gag here:

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7. Friends

NBC

If you've ever wondered why (and how) the group were always able to secure their iconic spot in Central Perk, then the writers have an answer for you. As you can see in this episode, their friends had clearly permanently reserved the sofa area there. While I'm not sure if this is a thing that could be done anywhere, at least they got good use out of it.

8. The Office

NBC

Fans of The Office will, perhaps unwillingly, recall one of the most iconic and cringe-worthy episodes – Michael's dinner party. Well, in that episode, Jan famously smashes Michael's tiny plasma TV. In a later episode, where the office members are having a jumble sale, we actually see the broken TV which Michael is clearly trying to sell...

9. The Office (again)

NBC

Any Office fan will know Michael's iconic "worlds best boss" mug which he shows to us in the first episode. However, fewer fans may have spotted that David Wallace also has the same mug (although with the colours inverted). The mug is clearly a fave of Michael Schur, who also included it in an episode of The Good Place. 

10. Seinfeld

NBC

Throughout the duration of Seinfeld, fans may have noticed a particular brand of signs in the background. These signs, that read "Kal Signs", were actually a nod to Jerry's real father, who made signs for a living!

11. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

FXX

In the episode where Mac and Charlie go to visit Mac's father in prison, they progressively try to make themselves look more 'hard' throughout. In Charlile's case, this includes attempting to get "BAD NEWS" tattooed on his arm. Charlie being Charlie, he ends up with a "BADNEW" tattoo. 

As the episodes and seasons went on, they were clearly paying attention, because the tattoo continues to be there on Charlie's arm. That's some serious attention to detail. 

12. Schitt's Creek

CBC Television

In the fleamarket episode, we meet Antonio, who David realises is selling products that look almost identical to his. Upon meeting Antonio, David remarks: “You look very familiar, have I seen you in my store before?" To which Antonio replied "no." 

Well, if you went back five episodes, you'd see what David was talking about, as Antonio appears in the background in the store. 

13. New Girl

Fox

In the season that Jess is on jury duty (a tactic used by the show to keep going while Zooey Deschanel was on maternity leave), the show actually paid tribute to the birth of Zooey's baby. During an episode, they show a broadcast on TV where the anchor is referring to the trial that Jess is on jury duty for. 

When the anchor says "in otter news," he goes on to talk about an otter giving birth at the zoo. Zoeey's baby was called Elsie Otter Pechenick, so the show was giving a nod to Zooey's newborn.

14. The Big Bang Theory

CBS

While Amy made her debut in the finale of season three, the actor who played her, Mayim Bialik, was actually referenced in an episode in season one. When Leonard, Howard, and Raj are looking for a new member of their Physics Bowl team, Raj suggests the actor who plays Blossom on Blossom, who happened to be Mayim!

15. The Simpsons

Fox

The show was always throwing in gags during the opening where Bart is writing lines, and there was a little easter egg thrown into the episode 'Dead Putting Society.' In the episode, Bart was writing "I am not a 32 year old woman," but the irony is that the voice actor who played Bart was indeed at that time a 32-year-old woman. 

16. How I Met Your Mother

CBS

I'm sure all fans of HIMYM will probably recognise this one, but it has to make the list. In one of the most harrowing and dramatic episodes of the series, the one where we learn that Marshall's dad has passed away, there's a countdown in every scene. Rewatching, it's very clear what they're doing – a countdown from 50 on random items until we reach 0, in the scene where Lilly tells Marshall. 

Watch all of the numbers here:

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What are your fave sitcom Easter eggs? Let us know in the comments below!