R&R The Futurama Holiday Spectacular

[DotheBartman]

I didn't see the whole thing...whatever the first segment was, I missed it entirely. My friend was nice enough to rewind the second (on Hulu) part with the zombies a little so I could see most of it (I'd gotten there late and they got impatient), and I was too nice to tell her I didn't want her to do so. It wasn't quite as cancer-inducing as the third Sweeney Todd part, I'll give it that.

But, I remember some worse ones. The specials with the Y2K and "zombie cowboys" segments (and I am talking the whole special in each case, not just those segments) weren't just particularly bad "Simpsons," but just plain awful television to me. At some point, even when I was still watching that show, I came to accept that THOHs were always going to be extremely mediocre at best, and quite often much, much worse, even if the season itself was still okay overall. In fact, not speaking for this special, but Futurama's two previous "Anthology of Interest" episodes I would take quite readily over even most of the older THOHs (the Mirkin ones and possibly the very first being the exceptions). Most of them, even then, just weren't all that great IMO. And the later ones are frequently unwatchable.

[Green_Peaness]

Yeah that wasn't...good.

The lone highlight was the kwanzaa song (with an earth wind & fire kalimba!!), and a couple lol's here and there. I hope the show gets back to where it was last season. 2/5

[morbot]

Don't know why they didn't just do a standard Xmas ep... would've been much better.

They did a real disservice showing the older Xmas eps right before it to... ya know back when they could actually work a song into an episode without it being so awkward. Plus, doing the 3 stories was so rushed. Anthologies of Interest never feel that rushed... but each one seemed so rushed last night that the payoff was pathetic.

Most amusing part to me was the Swedish guard for some reason... with his cautious "No..." answers to the obvious dangers.

[Tomacco]

I didn't see the whole thing...whatever the first segment was, I missed it entirely. My friend was nice enough to rewind the second (on Hulu) part with the zombies a little so I could see most of it (I'd gotten there late and they got impatient), and I was too nice to tell her I didn't want her to do so. It wasn't quite as cancer-inducing as the third Sweeney Todd part, I'll give it that.

But, I remember some worse ones. The specials with the Y2K and "zombie cowboys" segments (and I am talking the whole special in each case, not just those segments) weren't just particularly bad "Simpsons," but just plain awful television to me. At some point, even when I was still watching that show, I came to accept that THOHs were always going to be extremely mediocre at best, and quite often much, much worse, even if the season itself was still okay overall. In fact, not speaking for this special, but Futurama's two previous "Anthology of Interest" episodes I would take quite readily over even most of the older THOHs (the Mirkin ones and possibly the very first being the exceptions). Most of them, even then, just weren't all that great IMO. And the later ones are frequently unwatchable.

Yeah, again, both those THOH you mentioned had a couple rough stories. But in the Y2K one (THOH 10), the Werewolf Flanders and Stretch Dude & Clobber Girl segments were pretty decent, and in THOH 13 (the cowboy gun one - which was definitely bad), the first segment "Send in the Clones" I, personally, think is in the top 10-20 THOH segments ever (out of 60). But whatever, at the end of the day, you definitely like Futurama more than me, and dislike season 8+ Simpsons more than me, so this all makes sense. I do agree with you that the Anthology of Interest episodes are really good.

[DotheBartman]

Hmm...you're right, I'd forgotten the Clones one was in 13 (the numbers themselves are getting fuzzy for me now). I just remember hating that special overall, but the Clones one was pretty good. The other two, though, were (to borrow a Futurama line) so bad I think they gave me cancer.

10, though...I remember that one being my very least favorite of all of them that I saw. One of the very worst of the series, actually. I doubt I've even seen it in about nine or ten years, but from I recall the only half-way decent gag was the Xena actress blaming continuity errors on the wizards. Beyond that...well, I'd probably watch "Three Hundred Big Boys" (keeping it relevant!) before suffering through that again.

I'm really just generally not the hugest fan of these "trilogy" things in these shows, though, which unfortunately does extend somewhat to this special now. Even when I like them well-enough, I just feel they sort of defeat the purpose of watching the given show. Even the older Simpsons Halloween shows to some extent. Although, my least favorites (regardless of the show) are almost always the ones where the characters play dress up. Why the writers think grown adults really want to see that, I'll never understand.

[Tomacco]

I'm really just generally not the hugest fan of these "trilogy" things in these shows, though, which unfortunately does extend somewhat to this special now. Even when I like them well-enough, I just feel they sort of defeat the purpose of watching the given show. Even the older Simpsons Halloween shows to some extent. Although, my least favorites (regardless of the show) are almost always the ones where the characters play dress up. Why the writers think grown adults really want to see that, I'll never understand.

Yeah, I'm totally with you on that overall. Well, actually, as a kid growing up watching the Simpsons THOHs every year, I adored them and looked forward to them all the time. Keep in mind, back then it actually was a special thing, being the only trilogies and, of course, Simpsons being the only real mature cartoon sitcom. Plus, it makes sense since kids have shorter attention spans and are used to watching shorter segments on other cartoons. But either way, I think the first nine THOHs are all pretty good, with #4, 5, and 9 being among the best episodes of those seasons. "The Thing and I", "Bart Simpson's Dracula", "The Shinning", "Clown Without Pity", "Dial Z for Zombie", "Time and Punishment", "The Devil and Homer Simpson", "Citzen Kang"... these are all great little segments, just like how Futurama's video games short, human Bender, and Leela's murders being great Anthology of Interest shorts.

Unfortunately, over time, these shows (well, Simpsons mainly) has made me start dreading these trilogy episodes. "The Wettest Stories Ever Told" is probably the most offensive excuse for a theme trilogy I've seen to date, in season 17. I can hardly even remember it anymore... what was the setup? Captain McAllister telling them stories or something? Funny you should mention "playing dressup" though. I've never liked The Raven segment from THOH1 (which you overall like) because to me it's a total dress-up segment, but even the dialog isn't new.

[arii]

Ah, I didn't really have any problems with it. In retrospect it was a pretty "fuck it, let's just dick around and have fun" episode, right from when Fry awkwardly introduces the first song, but I just thought that was a lame joke initially... I wasn't expecting a triolgy episode, either, and I was surprised when the earth just blew up and that was that. Killing everyone was fun well enough, but yeah, a more solidified disaster story spreading itself over three acts would've been nicer.

Still laughed a couple of times though and enjoyed it. I wouldn't actively seek to rewatch it, but it was a decent way to kill ~20 minutes.

I think I enjoyed the Robanukah segment the most. Totally saw the ending coming, but that was still great.

[Bella Drape 'er]

Entertaining enough, Bender's story had the most laughs for me, especially "the air conditioner's on fire" gag.

But like others, I would have preferred a proper story than a trilogy.

3/5

[Granto]

like many others i was taken aback when i realised it was actually a trilogy and apart from Al Gore, the only real laughs i got were references to old episodes such as The Sting.

in a word, forgettable

[Swartzweldian]

I agree with the overall general feeling here. It was pretty dissapointing and forgettable - Especially when compared to the first 2 X-mas episodes played right before. Really shows how poorly the new episodes stand up.

The endings were definitely the best parts. Seeing the Planet Express crew turn to crude oil was pretty funny, along with Bender lighting a cigar and blowing up the planet.

The songs were all terrible. Futurama never had the best songs though.

[that70sguy92]

Worst Futurama episode ever. I was expecting so much better.

[Otis P Jivefunk]

I found this episode very disappointing. I hate to say it, especially at it's an Xmas episode, but it just failed. The first segment got boring fast, it wasn't nearly funny enough, only good thing was seeing Robot Santa again. Second segment was a total waste and forgettable. Third segment was a little better, but then when the Space Bees started talking it was all over. The only lol from me was Dr Zoidberg facing the wall. Also what was with the opening and closing credits in those grey boxes? That looked shite, most distracting. I don't know what IGN were smoking when they rated this episode a 9/10, but I give it a 2/5. One of the worst Futurama episodes ever, and it's a disgrace to be held in the same category as the previous Xmas episodes...

[TriforceBun]

Pretty middling, I thought. There were some fun gags here and there (the albino humping worm was destined to be one of the worst Futurama jokes ever...until Farnsworth's line completely turned it around and made it hilarious), and I liked the songs more than most, but just as many jokes fell flat or a little forced. Didn't the show already do "Something's different about Christmas these days..." *cut to Robot Santa mayhem* before...? I might be imagining this.

The conclusions were mostly pretty clever, especially the PE crew turning into oil and as candles in the third act, but it did feel a little repetitive when they went searching for a rare item in every act.

And am I the only one that's tired of Al Gore? To me, it feels like the writers just think he's hilarious, but his lines are generally pretty lame, or of the butt-kissing variety, or simply aren't delivered well.

3/5

[Jims]

And am I the only one that's tired of Al Gore?

He's getting pretty tired now on the show. It seems like they just trot him out whenever they want to make the same usual environmentalist message, a variation on the same joke they've been doing for awhile now. I don't know how they could really fix this, aside from just not having him on the show any more.

Then again, there is a bit of a novelty to having Al Gore on a cartoon show.

[Swartzweldian]

Matt is obviously a real big lib and a huge Gore fan. The Gore appearances didn't bother me too much. As long as he's willing to poke fun at himself, I don't have too much of a problem.

Anyone remember the commentary for the Simpsons with the talking Al Gore doll? Matt didn't care for the Gore jab.

Personally I'm very conservative/Libertarian minded - so I'm not a fan and any overly political episodes aren't high on my favorites list.

[♩ ♪ ♫ ♬]

definately a weak episode

it's almost like they tried to put too much story into each segment. Suffered a lot because of this and the stories seemed to make less sense because of it

[D'ohmer]

I didn't know about this, so I tried to find it online as fast as I could last night. I eventually found a source and...

It wasn't very good. I thougth the X-Mas and Robotica were decent, but the Kwanza segment was dull, besides The Sting callback. There were laughs throughout each story, though. I also didn't like how every segment ended with the crew dieing. 3/5.

[Mr.]

A very weak episode, especially for a holiday special (shouden't those things be... I don't know? SPECIAL ?) Bender Jewish-like song was the only part I liked, the rest was just boring and un-interesting.

2/5

[TriforceBun]

Matt is obviously a real big lib and a huge Gore fan. The Gore appearances didn't bother me too much. As long as he's willing to poke fun at himself, I don't have too much of a problem.

Anyone remember the commentary for the Simpsons with the talking Al Gore doll? Matt didn't care for the Gore jab.

Personally I'm very conservative/Libertarian minded - so I'm not a fan and any overly political episodes aren't high on my favorites list.

I've noticed that Groening, despite dishing out plenty of strong political jabs in Life in Hell, is pretty thin-skinned when it comes to his own beliefs. This is particularly evident in the commentary for Saddlesore Galactica, an episode he had never previously seen. When they asked him what he thought of the controversial troll jockey scene, he thought it was great...but when Clinton showed up at the end of the episode, Matt was noticeably far more upset about that than anything else.

I guess a bigger issue is that Futurama and Simpsons hadn't felt super liberal in the past (S1-4 former, S1-9 latter), even in their politically-themed episodes (A Head in the Polls, Sideshow Bob Roberts). It's just annoying when it feels like a show is pushing an agenda, and while it's not always related, it's grating when they put their guests on a pedestal too. I didn't like I Dated a Robot much for that reason--I think Fry refers to Lucy Liu as "the only good actress of our time."

[Tomacco]

So, just dropping in to say the Simpsons multi-story xmas episode this year actually ended up being a lot better than this Futurama one (in regards to earlier discussion in this thread about multi-parts on these shows).

[Mira]

Sheesh, that was rough. I completely lost interest halfway through the second segment, and this episode was completely unable to regain it after that. Worst Futurama Episode thus far. :/

In comparison to the THOH episodes, it was better than THOH 21, 17, 18, 19, and 14 and obviously better that four women and a manicure, margical history tour, and wettest stories ever told... but those episodes are unbearable so that means nothing! =0

[Mr.]

I've noticed that Groening, despite dishing out plenty of strong political jabs in Life in Hell, is pretty thin-skinned when it comes to his own beliefs. This is particularly evident in the commentary for Saddlesore Galactica, an episode he had never previously seen. When they asked him what he thought of the controversial troll jockey scene, he thought it was great...but when Clinton showed up at the end of the episode, Matt was noticeably far more upset about that than anything else.

From what life shown me people change their politicall views all the time. I know people who one day was very left wing, and year leater went hardcore right wing - and vice versa, and years after swich agian.
I think for writers of a show like this it's - whenever taking a political issue - it's important to poke fun of both sides so when they see episode year after, and for example change their world views they won't feel bad about it. Plus if you just take one side and only mock the other it's get preachy very fast.
That's what I love about South Park for example who - whenever take a political issue usally mock sides iqually, almost like it was trying to say "There is no wright or wrong - all people are stupid the same". It's a sing of a good satirist if you can poke fun of your own belives and even admit they are not better then the other side.

The whole Al Gore thing in ths episode just made roll my eyes and go "Ow, it's that guy agian". I think they using him way to offten and I bet there are more interesting political or eco-consern guest stars who would gladly appear in this show and would bring way more to the table...

[DotheBartman]

That's what I love about South Park for example who - whenever take a political issue usally mock sides iqually, almost like it was trying to say "There is no wright or wrong - all people are stupid the same". It's a sing of a good satirist if you can poke fun of your own belives and even admit they are not better then the other side.

I think you're mis-characterizing what they do.

South Park is nothing if not extremely opinionated. Try to think of about ten "issue" episodes that don't end with some kind of message or moral about the issue; I doubt you'll get that far.

Sure, there are many episodes that largely boil down to two different sides yelling at each other and someone in the middle telling everyone to chill out....but that is ITSELF an opinionated stance. They aren't making fun of their own opinion. They're saying that the other opinions are two loud and extreme, and staking their own place somewhere in the middle. They're not making fun of their "own side" at all, and certainly not to force some kind of false balance. Something which The Simpsons is quite frequently guilty of and which makes their satirical episodes far less interesting, even though I would probably tend to agree with the Simpsons staff more often.

Satire is generally lame and toothless if it doesn't carry at least some sort of point of view. Although I disagree with the messages of a lot of South Park episodes, I love the show precisely because it doesn't pull those punches or timidly try to strike a false balance and not give its own viewpoint. That would be less interesting and, above all, far less funny.

Regarding Al Gore: I've always found his appearances to be pretty funny. He actually puts a lot of oomph into his vocal appearances, where most of the (self-played) ones from other guests are pretty stiff. And regarding Matt Groening, I haven't heard the "Saddlesore" commentary because I couldn't live with myself if I actually bought that season, but I will say I remember him laughing pretty hard at some other jokes on past episodes that could be seen as pretty harsh toward liberal viewpoints (the elephant stomping by the RNC and DNC conventions, and Grandpa's "I thought the Democrats were back in power again." I think both Swartzwelder jokes?). Hell, I don't think past Clinton appearances bothered him much. Perhaps his problem with that one was merely that it was incredibly unfunny.

[Swartzweldian]

Yea, I can proudly say I haven't really seen any of season 11 since it originally aired.

Groening is obviously pretty opinionated/passionate about his political beliefs. Usually the more hardcore right or left you are, the harder it is to poke fun at your own side.

He's probably quite a bit like Gore in that he preaches for everyone else to have less of a carbon footprint, yet I imagine he lives in a massive mansion (or 2). I think a lot of people who become super rich from acting or another sorta overnight success that wasn't from working super hard running businesses, etc.. , feel some type of guilt deep inside over becoming wealthy so fast and are quick to preach to everyone else.

[Magnum]

it's been a few weeks and i remember nothing about this other than it sucked

Really shows how poorly the new episodes stand up.

no it doesn't

Futurama never had the best songs though.

yes it did

[Real Melvin]

The Robannukah story was great, certainly on par with my standard for Futurama. #1 was kinda shitty, seemed to suffer from trying to deliver a classic Futurama experience while just getting it wrong. and then the third one just plain sucked. I was okay with the "hey isn't this boring" Kwanzaa dinner, but the adventure/bee plot was terrible.

[Jesse Pinkman]

none of the stories really interested me a whole lot. i got slight chuckles from bender's story and the Kwanzaa one- bender's "I thought they were selfish, but in the end, it was I who thought they were selfish", and Labarbara' "This isn't a made up character. It's kwanzaa-bot." neither of those was even that humorous though but they were the only things that made me laugh. the rest bored me.

[delaford321]

I just don't like the songs that they do. If you're going to do a song it's gotta be clever, and a lot shorter than what they threw up there. no bueno x 3 IMO

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

Plain terrible... but overall I gave it a 2.5/5 rounded up to a 3/5 for the polls.

I hope you stayed up and watched the Venture Bros season finale on Adult Swim later that same night.. b/c.. it... was... AMAZING!

And if you compare the two:

V. Bros season 4 finale: 11/10 (yes, better than perfect)

Futurama holiday special: 1.5/10 (abysmal)