Xmas Story
"Xmas Story" | |
---|---|
Peter Avanzino | |
Written by | David X. Cohen |
Production code | 2ACV04 |
Original air date | December 19, 1999 |
Guest appearances | |
| |
Episode features | |
Opening caption | Based On A True Story |
Opening cartoon | Elmer Fudd in "Fresh Hare" (1942) |
"Xmas Story" is the fourth episode in the
Plot
While on a
When the others call him out on his mistake, Fry goes to buy a present to cheer Leela up. They warn him to be back before sundown, or else he will be killed by a murderous
Fry buys Leela a parrot, which escapes. Leela heads out to rescue Fry before Robot Santa arrives. After pursuing the parrot to the top of a tall building, Fry is saved from plunging to his death by Leela. Unfortunately, Fry and Leela's safety is short-lived, as sundown finally comes and the robotic Santa Claus makes his appearance and attacks the two friends, who seek solace in their loneliness and begin to fall in love with each other.
Fry and Leela take refuge in the Planet Express building after being saved by Bender and his homeless robot friends, but Santa breaks in through the
During Xmas dinner, Fry gives a toast on the importance of togetherness at Xmas. Everyone celebrates by singing "Santa Claus Is Gunning You Down". However, Santa vows to enact revenge on the crew next Xmas.
Production
The plot for this episode was one of the first storylines that Matt Groening and David X. Cohen came up with aside from the series' pilot. They had the basic idea before they pitched the show to Fox, although they did not develop the detailed plot until much later.[1] The episode ended up being controversial although those involved with the show did not expect it to be. Fox was concerned that advertisers would find the episode too controversial for the time slot. When they made a second episode featuring Robot Santa it was delayed for nearly a year before being broadcast in a later time slot.[1]
John Goodman guest stars in this episode as Robot Santa; however, he was unavailable to reprise the role in the later episode "
In this episode, Bender receives a card from the machine that built him, referring to him as "Son #1729", a reference to the
Cultural references
- The children skating on an iced-over pond is a reference to Peanutscomic strip.
- The robot Tinny Tim from the "shelter for down-and-out robots" is a reference to the character Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
- Bongo, a character from Matt Groening's comic strip Life in Hell, is one of the animals being sold at the pet shop that Fry goes into to buy an Xmas gift for Leela.
- Fry falling down the face of the clock is a reference to The Hudsucker Proxy and to the comic actor Harold Lloyd film Safety Last!.
- The gift exchange of combs references the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.
Reception
Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gave the episode an A−, stating, "As Christmas episodes go, this manages to be at once cynical and heartfelt, although the heart part is still a little iffy—it’s sweet, but somehow perfunctory."[6]
References
- ^ a b c d Cohen, David X. Futurama season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Xmas Story" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ "Meet the X-man who keeps Futurama's future secure". Sci Fi Weekly. October 30, 2000. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
- ^ Calder, Paul D. Futurama season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Xmas Story" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- S2CID 119751106.
- ^ Avanzino, Peter. Futurama season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Xmas Story" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Handlen, Zack (January 22, 2015). "Futurama: "Xmas Story"/ "Why Must I Be A Crustacean In Love"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
External links
- "Xmas Story" at The Infosphere.
- "Xmas Story" at IMDb