'About a Boy' to stage 'Parenthood' crossover

Parenthood’s Dax Shepard is going to visit NBC’s About a Boy — but don’t call it a guest spot.

In fact, Jason Katims, who executive produces both shows, says the cameo will be as under the radar as About a Boy star David Walton’s appearance on Parenthood last week, in which Walton’s character was a part of a poker game hosted by Shepard’s character. “The one that aired on Parenthood was so subtle because people don’t know [About a Boy] yet, but I kinda liked that — not say anything about it and putting it out there,” Katims said. “When Dax comes on to About a Boy it will be very different. It’s going to be a cameo. It won’t be what the episode is going to be about. We’re doing it in ways that feel real and organic to the shows.”

About a Boy, a half-hour comedy based on the book by Nick Hornby, premieres Feb. 22 after the Olympics. The crossover episode of Boy, which Katims predicted would be the only one to take place this season, does not yet have an airdate.

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” Katims said, ‘it seemed like a natural thing to do.”

The art of The Crossover is one NBC seems to be favoring these days. Chicago Fire and spin-off Chicago P.D. have shared characters in the past and will stage what executive producer Dick Wolf described during a panel at the Television Critics Association on Sunday as “a major crossover at the end of the season” that will involve both full casts. And Chicago P.D.’s Sophia Bush will head to Law and Order: SVU (another Wolf show) in an upcoming episode to work with Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia as well. “We’re looking at all aspects of this as to how all these shows can cross-pollinate each other,” Wolf said.

Here’s the trailer for About a Boy, starring Walton, Minnie Driver and Benjamin Stockham: