Way back in 1999, the adult cartoon sitcom Futurama began. From the creator of the Simpsons, Futurama is similar humor in a new setting: the year 3000. One thousand years prior, pizza delivery boy Philip Fry accidentally gets cryogenically frozen, waking up to a very different earth. He finds a living relative, Professor Farnsworth, and goes to work for him at his interplanetary delivery company. Along the way, we're introduced to the company employees (and other series mainstays):
- Leela, the tough, competent, but compassionate ship captain
- Bender, the lovable 'bad boy' robot
- Hermes, the Jamaican accountant
- Dr. Zoidberg, the clueless alien doctor
- Amy Wong, ditzy daughter of the billionaire Wong family and the Professor's assistant
A host of zany side characters are memorable and hilarious in unique ways: Zapp Brannigan, Kif Kroker, Morbo, "Mom," Robot Devil, Calculon, Elzar, and so many others.
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Season 1 featured just 13 episodes, but it was sufficient to establish the show as one of my all-time favorites. The humor was varied and excellent (I enjoy the surreal humor most), requiring knowledge of pop culture, history, math, science, politics, and more to fully appreciate its depth. Ultimately, Futurama's "primary source of comedy is its satirical depiction of everyday life in the future and its parodical comparisons to the present." (Wikipedia) In addition, the show did a good job of maintaining its light-hearted tone while examining serious topics (and nails the essence of good satire- amusingly displaying the ridiculous elements in our lives and society with the ultimate goal of improvement).
These Futurama DVDs were probably my most-watched media during my post-college bachelor days (2003-5). I'm in the middle of re-watching this season, and am amazed by what I forgot, what I remembered, how picture quality has improved, and how much this show influenced me and my humor: several Futurama lines have worked their way into my commonly-used expressions. This first season had its slow moments, but still has plenty of gold.
Rating: A-
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