Rate/Review "Attack of the Killer App"

[Kamerica]

things i liked:
the professor again
flexo
bender inserting himself into all my circuits
craig ferguson's performance

things i didnt like
how dated this episode will be, and how dated it already was (other than susan boyle being a lame reference...uh, what? wasnt she relevant about six months ago?)

the plotting. even when futurama wasnt funny in the past at least the plotting/pacing was pretty good. this one suffered from a family guy-esque desire to pack in more jokes and references at the expense of a good story...which is all well and good, but its not futurama

[Magnum]

as bad of a joke as it is, doing a susan boyle parody as a plot point in an episode about fleeting internet trends isn't a capital offense. it's probably even a better idea than doing yet another goddamned titanic parody two whole fucking years after the movie.


it's just terrible for the way it's handled, it's relation to leela, etc.

[Granto]

worst of the three newest episodes. the previous two didn't have great stories but at least they didn't need to revert to poor puns of technology and Susan "Boil" Boyle (eugh.)

considering it was the title of the episode I expected more from the killer ap instead of just a joke to go out with

2/5

[Cartoonnetwork]

as bad of a joke as it is, doing a susan boyle parody as a plot point in an episode about fleeting internet trends isn't a capital offense. it's probably even a better idea than doing yet another goddamned titanic parody two whole fucking years after the movie.


it's just terrible for the way it's handled, it's relation to leela, etc.

Yep, I could live with the bad pun if they had just presented it like a recent mutation and she got it permanently removed at the end of the episode. It would still be pretty silly but at least it would make more sense continuity wise and Leela would get rid of that weird aspect of her body forever. Although it won't probably be mentioned again anyway it works better when you actually close the conflict.

[Samuel L Bronkowitz]

Until the boil part, this episode was really top notch. It's unfortunate it took such a lame turn.

my sentiments exactly.

people have pointed out that the boil gag was on the level of family guy, and they'd be correct.....one FG subplot involved chris being harassed by a talking zit...

[Maefteda]

California Prunes put it right. I hate it when shows try to have parodies on stuff like this, it will get dated and its not funny and way too obvious. The Napster thing in "I Dated a Robot" wasn't really a parody of the old music program, and it was used to get kidnapster in it, which was a good joke.

Eyephone, Twitcher, Susan Boil, its all so obvious and feels pushed and it isn't funny. The Boil thing was bad in itself, but also naming it Susan? Come on! Insulting our intelligence, people! And making it the plot point made it even worse. Why anyone would think of something that disgusting, terrible and annoying as funny is beyond me.

I am tired of all the obvious rips on stuff(the damn stuff in this episode will be forgotten long before the year 3010), all the sexually explicit stuff(people being naked the entire episode 2) and the gross stuff(vomit, diarrhea etc.) all has to stop or at least made a bit more discrete like in the 4 original seasons. The way the writing is, the characters will become jokes instead of the serious, likeable characters in the original series and I will not care for major plot twists and turns if this keeps up.

There are some nice lines and funny jokes here and there though, but Futurama is starting to look like a parody of itself and is starting to deminish its own reputation like The Simpsons has done for many years now. I still have hopes for stuff like "The Late Phillip J.Fry" and I hope they can achieve at least 5 or so episodes this season that can be held up there with the episodes from the 4 original seasons.

Futurama is probably my favorite show of all time, it hurts me to see it going downhill like this. I hope the writers/show-runners can read som of this critque, watch the earlier seasons and learn how to make the show great again. Its still not too late.

2/5

[Magnum]

all the sexually explicit stuff(people being naked the entire episode 2)

yeah this was discussed in the review thread for that episode.

i think Why Must I Be A Crustacean In Love actually made me blush when i first saw it. and i'm me

[NoOneFamous]

I didn't review the first two episodes yet, but I'll start with this one.

I really hope this isn't the future of Futurama. Here we have great characters already set up, a great fictional world created with unlimited story potential, but apparently none of that matters, and the show and characters are just placeholders for "topical" satire of current events.

I HATE when shows do this. Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, South Park, they all do these parodies of "topical" stuff in almost an identical format. Futurama was refreshing because it avoided these cliches. As if Apple parodies weren't already done to death... the idea of basing a Futurama episode on this is just cringeworthy in itself. Its no better than the incredibly lame recent Simpsons parodies of new technology like the myPod and Funtendo Zii.

That said, while out-of-character for the show, the iphone/twitter/youtube jokes were pretty well done, and actually did make me laugh.

The boil thing though... probably the dumbest thing the show has ever done, by a wide margin.

Also, all three of the new episodes have been significantly more raunchy, violent, and gross than the original run ever was, and I'm not liking this trend.

Now that we've seen the first three episodes of the new season, I have to say I still feel like this is "imitation Futurama." The witty dialog is there. The joke delivery and comedic timing is still pretty good. Everything else feels "off." The pacing and structure of the episodes, the characterization of Leela, the fact that every character except Fry and Leela seem to have been reduced to 2-dimensional gag vehicles, etc.

Gonna have to give it a 2/5

If this is the future of Futurama, it will surely hinder the legendary status that the original run achieved.

[Magnum]

Also, all three of the new episodes have been significantly more raunchy, violent, and gross than the original run ever was, and I'm not liking this trend.

they did an entire episode about zoidberg needing to cum.

and another one about fry's worms.

where the hell do you even attempt to go from there? someone please answer this for me.

the fact that every character except Fry and Leela seem to have been reduced to 2-dimensional gag vehicles, etc.

bender still drinks, and brannigan still says stupid things, and farnsworth still wants to kill people, and amy is still rich, and zoidberg is still grotesque, and hermes still talks about pot-smoking green snakes, and kiff still sighs.

[Maefteda]

I didn't review the first two episodes yet, but I'll start with this one.

I really hope this isn't the future of Futurama. Here we have great characters already set up, a great fictional world created with unlimited story potential, but apparently none of that matters, and the show and characters are just placeholders for "topical" satire of current events.

I HATE when shows do this. Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, South Park, they all do these parodies of "topical" stuff in almost an identical format. Futurama was refreshing because it avoided these cliches. As if Apple parodies weren't already done to death... the idea of basing a Futurama episode on this is just cringeworthy in itself. Its no better than the incredibly lame recent Simpsons parodies of new technology like the myPod and Funtendo Zii.

That said, while out-of-character for the show, the iphone/twitter/youtube jokes were pretty well done, and actually did make me laugh.

The boil thing though... probably the dumbest thing the show has ever done, by a wide margin.

Also, all three of the new episodes have been significantly more raunchy, violent, and gross than the original run ever was, and I'm not liking this trend.

Now that we've seen the first three episodes of the new season, I have to say I still feel like this is "imitation Futurama." The witty dialog is there. The joke delivery and comedic timing is still pretty good. Everything else feels "off." The pacing and structure of the episodes, the characterization of Leela, the fact that every character except Fry and Leela seem to have been reduced to 2-dimensional gag vehicles, etc.

Gonna have to give it a 2/5

If this is the future of Futurama, it will surely hinder the legendary status that the original run achieved.

Quoted for absolute truth! I agree 100%

In the Zoiberg episode, it wasn't fully devoted to Zoidberg needs. It had a full plot where he needed to win over a female and where he misunderstands the whole deal with Fry and challenges him to a fight to the death. Not like "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela" where Zapp and Leela are awkwardly naked except some leaves for no appearant reason. There were some awkward moments though, like when Zoidberg walks in on Fry and Edna, but thats as far as Futurama went, back in the day.

How is Fry's worms gross in the same way? He gets worms after he eats the truck-stop sandwich, whats raunchy, violent or gross about that?

The episodes you list Magnum is not raunchy, violent and gross in the same way as the newer episodes. They make stuff way more graphical in the newer episodes. Its okay to have a plot regarding some sexual content to a degree, but it gets awkward when they try to make mental images of sexual stuff. Like Leela and Zapp at the end of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela" where it actually depicts Leela almost raping Zapp, thats way too far.

[Magnum]

In the Zoiberg episode, it wasn't fully devoted to Zoidberg needs. It had a full plot where he needed to win over a female and where he misunderstands the whole deal with Fry and challenges him to a fight to the death. Not like "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela" where Zapp and Leela are awkwardly naked except some leaves for no appearant reason.

There were some awkward moments though, like when Zoidberg walks in on Fry and Edna, but thats as far as Futurama went, back in the day.

How is Fry's worms gross in the same way? He gets worms after he eats the truck-stop sandwich, whats raunchy, violent or gross about that?

The episodes you list Magnum is not raunchy, violent and gross in the same way as the newer episodes. They make stuff way more graphical in the newer episodes.

Its okay to have a plot regarding some sexual content to a degree, but it gets awkward when they try to make mental images of sexual stuff. Like Leela and Zapp at the end of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela" where it actually depicts Leela almost raping Zapp, thats way too far.

[Maefteda]

Why not quote the whole reply and add just a single smiley?

Its weird how several people on many different forums and boards thinks the newer Futurama episodes are more edgy and sex-oriented when you are so sure they're not.

Besides Leela and Fry being 2-dimensional gag vehicles are not part of their actual character, its just some bad turn they have gotten in the newer episodes. All the other characters you described have always had the character elements you mentioned.

[Postmaster]

There's always been a balance in futurama between episodes that are driven by events and others that focus much on character relationships, there will be a mix of both throughout the series.

[Dark Homer]

How is Fry's worms gross in the same way? He gets worms after he eats the truck-stop sandwich, whats raunchy, violent or gross about that?

he got worms from a truck-stop sandwich

they stuck a camera up his ass

he later put himself into his own ass

none of this is gross to you?

[Magnum]

Besides Leela and Fry being 2-dimensional gag vehicles are not part of their actual character, its just some bad turn they have gotten in the newer episodes. All the other characters you described have always had the character elements you mentioned.

[Diversity Pumpkin]

futurama is serious business and must stay the same forever

[NoOneFamous]

futurama is serious business and must stay the same forever

There's always been a balance in futurama between episodes that are driven by events and others that focus much on character relationships, there will be a mix of both throughout the series.

There has never been an episode like this, where the parodying of a current event takes center stage (at least, that I can think of). For example the Napster parody, it was only there to set up the story, it wasn't the story. This whole episode's plot was iPhone and Twitter jokes.

I realize its only episode 3 so its probably too early to start worrying about this, but if the show is going to turn into a parody of current events by making them in the future then I feel like that defeats the whole purpose of the show, and its like taking the easy way out. I also feel that parodies of apple, twitter, and youtube are basically "current events satire by-the-numbers. Even if they still do it funnier than other shows (which this episode admittedly did), thats not why I watched and loved the original run.

he got worms from a truck-stop sandwich

they stuck a camera up his ass

he later put himself into his own ass

none of this is gross to you?

Ehh, yeah, I realize the show has never been above a good gross out joke. But I went in trying to watch these new episodes with no opinion or expectations either way, and I definitely get the vibe that they are taking liberties with being on Comedy Central.

[Diversity Pumpkin]

I saw you quoted me, so I should say my post wasn't really about whether it's good or bad the show has changed or not.

It was more about... Well, this sums it up quite nicely:

I realize its only episode 3 so its probably too early to start worrying about this

A show increasing in adult humor is no reason to worry, man. I'm sure that's why everyone else is so towards your posts. It doesn't really matter.

Go ahead and complain if the show has become total shit. That hasn't stopped anyone here from ranting about The Simpsons.

But really... they've been making some gross jokes. And it's Futurama. A cartoon on comedy central. It's not like you even have nostalgia attached to it since it started in 2000. Just enjoy it if you're enjoying it, or stop watching/complain if the show ever becomes "Al Jean'd".

EDIT: Just realized that wasn't you people were replying to with, but whatever. Point still stands. It's nothing, really.

[Postmaster]

Does seem like some people are expecting them to come out with a Roswell episode right off the bat. You now Roswell, the episode where fry fucks his own grandmother.

But at least it didn't show 2 nearly naked characters kissing! Eeeeew they'll catch each others gay.

[SIR oinks alot]

susam boil was pretty bad, but at least its not "funtendo" and "Mapple"

[NoOneFamous]

A show increasing in adult humor is no reason to worry, man. I'm sure that's why everyone else is so towards your posts. It doesn't really matter.

I guess I should say it isn't a major concern of mine. The more I think about it, the more the new episodes have only seemed slightly more gross/violent. I may just be desensitized by the older episodes. I have no problem with adult humor, I just don't want the show to become about shock humor, since there are plenty of other shows to fill that niche.

The much bigger concern of mine is the Apple and Susan Boil jokes.

[Postmaster]

I don't know that the apple and iphone jokes were as centre stage as people are saying, it seemed like it was a means for the fry & bender competing storyline, which then led into the fry & leela story, So it still had some grounding. Admittedly the apple jokes took up more time than than the character stuff, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[Maefteda]

he got worms from a truck-stop sandwich

they stuck a camera up his ass

he later put himself into his own ass

none of this is gross to you?

We didn't visually see or hear any of those stuff. We didn't see Zoidberg putting the camera up his ass, dropping a micro computerized version of himself down his pants wasn't that cringeful to watch either, wasn't even close to the thing that happened with Homer and the pencil in "Last Exit to Springfield", which wasn't all that bad anyway.

What do you think will make the most impact and will be harder to watch? Someone saying he put a bullet through another persons head, or actually seeing it? Thats the difference.

As I mentioned before, the Fry and Edna incident in "Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?" was a bit uncomfortable to watch, but other than that, I don't really find all that many moments in the original Futurama like that.

The newer episodes have far more of these sexual and gross stuff than they ever did have. I don't necessarily like immature humor like that. That stuff and the parodies/mentions of the topical stuff from today is stuff that keeps Futurama from reaching its former great levels. Accompanied by the fact that the humor feels a bit more pushed down our throats by being way to obvious. I like the old clever humor in Futurama you had to think a bit about before you figured it out. The kind of jokes your "family guy loving" friends didn't really laugh at.



There you go Magnum. I did your work for you. Feel free to post another meaningless post with the same smiley again, I know you want to...

[Dark Homer]

you're being whiny and pedantic for no reason

[Maefteda]

Well, thats just my opinion, nothing you can do about it. As I said, I've seen several other people talking about the same stuff I do, so I'm not alone. I really really hope Futurama picks up for me, and I'm not hating on the show itself. Futurama is probably my favorite TV-show of all time and I wish them all the best. I will keep watching the new episodes, and some of the upcoming ones seem interesting. Hopefully they will reach or even surpass former glory.

You can like the first three episodes if you want, but apart from a few laughs and some of the old humor I know and love, I have been a bit disappointed by the comeback from Futurama. I liked the first straight to DVD movie, but hated 2 and 3 while 4 was mediocre for me. I probably don't like the new humor they have in the show.

I guess its a lost cause for me trying to argue with you, as I guess you guys as active members on this forum still watch the newer episodes of The Simpsons which I have given up on for the same reasons I dislike the Futurama in its current state.

[Postmaster]

I guess its a lost cause for me trying to argue with you, as I guess you guys as active members on this forum still watch the newer episodes of The Simpsons

[Maefteda]

Not true?

[hammster]

I'd say more people on the board have given up on the simpsons than haven't. Even those still watching are only watching because they either: forgot how to not watch it, are desperately waiting for a good episode, are completionists or are d'ohmer.

[TriforceBun]

Wow, lots of suicidal smileys lately. The Jedis are going to feel this one.

This episode did feel a little strange to me; I'm inclined to agree with the general consensus that Apple and Twitter jokes are pretty well-worn territory, and Futurama's satire of this bit of pop culture didn't contain the show's usual pseudo-subtlety either. But that said, I still found myself chuckling quite a bit at the individual gags (such as Mom and her sons' silhouettes, complete with slapping). Also enjoyable was the WALL-E-esque implication that technology is overrunning our means of communication to the point where several people can sit around a table in a room and never look at each other or directly speak to one another. It's not a particularly fresh observation, but one that I feel can't really be made enough in today's world.

Which I guess brings us to the idea of Futurama not BEING today's world. I suppose I'm reminded of A Leela of Her Own, where the world feels largely 2000-ish, with the exception of a few sci-fi additions, and this usually isn't great for the show (unless it's a character-driven episode like I, Roommate). I'd prefer if the show stays out of pop culture unless it's a head-in-a-jar gag or something.

And yeah, the Susan boil was pretty strange and forced. I could deal with a minor character having that, or a quick gag with it on Leela might have worked (as she is a mutant, after all)...heck, it might've even passed for a plot point if it wasn't based on some dumb internet person I hadn't heard of prior to this episode...but in its current form, it's just too silly, too contemporary, and too stupid to be a permanent trait from Leela. They could've at least had her remove it or something by the show's end so we wouldn't be stuck with it in continuity.

I did like Leela harmonizing with it, though. And hearing Les Miserables on Futurama was a treat!

That aside, I enjoyed most of the rest of the episode. Fry's redemption was pretty sweet and I really enjoyed the new angle on their relationship. Leela's plight was fairly sympathetic (if nonsensical), and she was likable and in-character to me. The e-waste segment was good too, and even the goat was ridiculous enough to be funny. Mom's plot thread was pretty interesting to watch as well, and I personally enjoyed the resolution quite a bit. Futurama still has that clever element of storytelling to it.

Overall, I'd give it a 3.5, and will be generous with voting a 4 on the poll. It's not great, and the boil thing is one of the worst things that's been on the show, but it had enough solid jokes and decent storytelling to fit in pretty well with the series otherwise.

Onto the current topic. I agree that the show feels a little more raunchy than usual; Futurama has mainly kept the bluer stuff contained within the odd episode (Crustacean in Love, Amazon Women) rather than interspersed throughout, and even then, it's usually a bit more implicit or subtle than a pool of chunky vomit or the PE Crew's naked, gooey bodies messily ejected from a birth simulator.

[DotheBartman]

Regarding grossness, I would just like to point out that in the first season of this show an entire episode revolved around a soft drink that a giant monster produced from its ass.

A giant monster that eventually proceeded to drink the beverage out its own ass.

"Futurama" had quite a few moments that I thought were pretty raunchy and envelope-pushing for an animated series on FOX. Because back then, they were. The show has adjusted with the times. Do the same.