Matt Groening made a name for himself creating “The Simpsons” as one of the longest running influential shows of all time. While working on various Simpsons episodes during the mid-’90s, he and his fellow writer, David X. Cohen are big sci-fi fans. They want to create their own animated sci-fi TV show. Matt & David came up with the title, “Futurama.” Named after an exhibit from 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Futurama’s pilot episode begins with a dimwitted pizza delivery boy named, Fry. After accidently being frozen for 1000 years, he befriends kleptomaniac beer-drinking cigar-smoking self-centered robot, Bender and one-eyed tough girl, Leela. They eventually work for Professor Farnsworth. Fry’s only surviving relative. Thus, the misadventures begin.
Futurama’s first season officially aired in 1999 (same year Toy Story 2 came out) on Fox. It received positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. The series spawned three seasons from 2000-2003. Followed by four direct-to-DVD films labeled as Season 5. Comedy Central revived the show with two seasons from 2010-2013. Hulu revived the show currently streaming two new seasons.
First time I watched Futurama was on Adult Swim. I really enjoyed it. So, I thought about rewatching the show from the beginning before I watch Hulu’s new seasons.
This review contains no SPOILERS.
Smart & Dumb Elements
Smart: Billy West, John DiMaggio, Kathy Segal, Phil LaMarr & Lauren Tom all did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Other Cast Members such as Maurice LaMarche, David Herman & Tress MacNeille all did a decent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Matt Groening & David X. Cohen did a decent job mapping out all thirteen episodes.
Animation brings elements to life including character models, fluid movement, lighting and environmental locations.
Humor has legit funny moments containing pop culture references, well-written dialogue and jokes smart people will get.
Opening Credits regularly displays a tagline and an old school cartoon.
Fun Fact: Besides Bender named after bending objects, he’s also named after Bender from “The Breakfast Club.” Matt’s a John Hughes fan.
Fry and the Slurm Factory is my favorite episode from Season 1.
Dumb: I know it’s the first season, but early episodes contradict later ones within the show’s continuity.
Episode 1 – Space Pilot 3000
If you pause at the 1:54 mark, there’s a shadow of a mysterious figure. Foreshadowing a prominent character.
Leonard Nimoy guest stars as himself.
Richard “I’m not a crook” Nixon makes an appearance. He later has a recurring role in later seasons.
Suicide Booths were invented in 2008. Thank goodness they don’t exist in real life.
Episode 2 – The Series Has Landed
Hermes Conrad, Amy Wong and my favorite character, Dr. Zoidberg make their debut.
Sal makes his first appearance. Another recurring character known for switching jobs in various episodes
Whenever a magnet sticks to Bender, he starts singing folk music. He later performs with Beck.
Bender coins a memorable line. “I’m gonna go build my own theme park, with blackjack and hookers!” A meme is born.
Fry has a sentimental moment of his dreams becoming an astronaut.
Episode 3 – I, Roommate
Sober: Due to Fry’s antics, Planet Express kicks him out. So, Bender invites him to his apartment. As a result of a lack of space in a tiny room, the pair go house hunting.
Bender’s favorite actor, Calculon makes his debut. Yet another recurring character known for his hammy acting in the fictional show “All My Circuits.” A parody of the soap opera “All My Children.”
Drunk: Bender’s only sober by consuming alcohol. If he doesn’t drink, he’ll end up drunk. Later episodes never explained how Bender remains sober without alcohol.
Episode 4 – Love Labors Lost in Space
Zapp Branigan, Kif & Nibbler make their debuts.
Fry, Bender & Leela are tasked to rescue animals from a planet before it blows up. They meet Zapp, who turns out to be an incompetent womanizer.
Zapp’s a parody of James T. Kirk. Originally, Phil Hartman had plans to voice him, but was tragically murdered by his wife. Mr. West filled in impersonating the late SNL star.
Episode 5 – Fear of a Bot Planet
Fry, Bender & Leela are sent to deliver a package in a planet filled with human hating robots.
Bender delivers a speech about humans. Way better than America Ferreira’s speech from “Barbie.”
Episode 6 – A Fishful of Dollars
After Bender gets arrested for shop lifting, Fry goes to the bank to bail him out. He discovers a tiny interest made him a billionaire. Once he bails Bender outta prison, he spends his money on random things.
Mom and her three henchmen sons make their debuts. She’s the main villain of the show pretending to be a sweet old lady, but in reality, is depraved like Oprah Winfrey.
Pamela Anderson guest stars as herself.
My favorite part is when Zoidberg shouts, “More! More! More!”
Episode 7 – My Three Suns
Hydrated: Fry becomes emperor of an alien society after unknowingly ingesting a ruler inside a bottle of water.
Bender makes a meal for his friends.
Bender made me laugh uttering, “Up yours, Bimbo!”
Elzar makes his debut. A celebrity chef Bender admires.
Dehydrated: Near the end, the army disappeared without further explanation.
Episode 8 – A Big Piece of Garbage
Fry, Bender & Leela must destroy a giant ball literally made as a big piece of garbage before it destroys Earth. Basically, a parody of “Armageddon.”
A Bart Simpson doll appears.
“We’ll Meet Again” is played during the End Credits. A reference to Stanley Kubirck’s “Dr. Strangelove.”
Episode 9 – Hell Is Other Robots
Beastie Boys (one of my favorite bands) guest star as themselves. May MCA Rest in Peace.
Dan Castellaneta guest stars as Robot Devil.
Bender becomes addicted to plugging himself. A robotic version of drug addiction. This episode got away with a risqué joke. The way Bender plugs himself to get drugged up is called, “jacking on.”
Robot Devil performs a musical number. To put the icing on the cake, the Beastie Boys performed for a few seconds.
A robot is named, Fender. This predates Robin Williams’ character from “Robots.”
Robotology is a play-on-word of Scientology. This is before “South Park” poked fun at Scientology in the episode, “Trapped in the Closet.”
I think this episode predicted Stephan Baldwin becoming a born-again Christian. Why? Because, Bender became addicted to drugs. Then, he changes his ways by becoming a born-again robot. Stephen used to be addicted to drugs. Then, he got sober and became religious. You think The Simpsons was the only show to predict the future?
Episode 10 – A Flight to Remember
Planet Express crew go on a luxurious cruise on the Titanic. Obviously, a parody of James Cameron’s romantic epic. Hilarity ensues when Zapp and Amy’s go onboard.
Hermes has a traumatic backstory.
Amy’s parents, Leo & Inez make their debut.
Episode 11 – Mars University
Fry attends a university to complete a degree on Mars. Meanwhile, Bender helps nerdy robot students by making them partake in frat boy hijinks like “Nation Lampoon’s Animal House.”
Gotta love one of Bender’s catchphrases, “Cheese it!”
Gunter the Monkey paraphrases a famous line from Good Will Hunting.” “I got her number, how do you like them bananas?” Instead of apples, it’s bananas.
A “Where are They Now” text of individuals is played for laughs. Paying homage to Animal House’s ending.
Episode 12 – When Aliens Attack
An alien species called, Omnicron invade Earth when their leader, Lrrr whos’ watching his favorite TV show from the 20th Century has a broadcast interference caused by Fry’s stupidity. Planet Express must prevent Lrrr from wiping out the planet.
Lrrr’s favorite show, “Single Female Lawyer” is a parody of “Ally McBeal.”
A space battle parodies “Star Wars: A New Hope.” The Rebel Alliance attempts to blow up the Death Star.
Episode 13 – Fry and the Slurm Factory
In a parody of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the Planet Express crew go on a tour inside a soft drink factory. They discover Slurm’s secret recipe.
Season Finale introduces Slurm. Fry’s favorite drink. I wish they exist in real life. If Nuka-Cola Quantum from “Fallout” promoted the fourth game, so can Slurm.
Slurm commercial got me crackin’ up. Especially the mascot slug voiced by Phil LaMarr.
Again, this is my favorite episode from Season 1.
The Final Verdict: A-
Futurama’s first season is a great start for an animated sci-fi comedy. If you’re a fan of the show or a newcomer. It’s a must-watch.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 