I’m still counting down The Best of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released today, November 27, 2007. Go buy it already!

“The Luck of the Fryish” is my favorite episode of Futurama, I’ve already established that. The “horse Pepsi” sequence alone seals the deal for me. However, the episode has a bittersweet ending that’s timeless: the bond between brothers is stronger than their antagonistic rivalry.

1. Don’t forget about me

I think this episode, and especially this sequence typifies the greatness of Futurama. On one hand, you have the hilarious and the absurd (Bender’s weird celebrity grave robbing), the pop culture reference (Breakfast Club soundtrack), and the touching moment of Fry discovering that his brother loved him and never forgot about him, despite all their fighting and rivalry.

Here lies Philip J. Fry, named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit.

If you watch only one episode of Futurama in your life, make it this one.

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

Before I get to #2, here’s some brief trailers for Bender’s Big Score from Yahoo and Amazon. It’s basically just some footage from the DVD with a different script related to Yahoo and Amazon. Here’s the Amazon trailer, and the Yahoo trailer. Nothing really new, and no spoilers. If you pay close attention, you can get Bender’s email address.

On to #2…

“Jurassic Bark” was originally aired on November 17, 2002. It is apparently based on one or more actual dogs, most notably Hachiko, a Japanese dog that waited for his master at the train station every day, even after his master’s death.

2. If it takes forever…

If you don’t tear up even a little bit when watching this clip, you have a heart made of dolomite.

The song is Connie Francis, “If it takes forever, I will wait for you”.

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

Surprise! It’s a bonus Best Moment of Futurama. Before I get to the top 2 best moments in Futurama, I wanted to throw out a quick bonus clip.

As a sidenote, it’s actually my wife (who claims dubiously not to like Futurama) who came up with this idea. I hadn’t put it in my original outline for this series of posts, so I decided to throw it out as a “bonus” clip. I hope you enjoy it.

I submit this question for your examination. What is Bender made of, besides the stuff of dreams?

BONUS: Bender’s mettle

To answer that question, I’ll let Professor Farnswarth introduce the topic, and then Bender himself can give us more information.

In summary, Bender is:

• 40% dolomite (Jurassic Bark)
• 30% iron (30% Iron Chef)
• 40% titanium (A Head in the Polls)
• 40% zinc (Fry and the Slurm Factory)
• An iron-osmium alloy with 0.04% nickel impurity (A Pharaoh to Remember)
• 40% lead (Futurama video game)

So there you have it.

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

Before I get on with #3, I wanted to point you towards this excellent interview with Billy West (the voice of Fry, Professor, Zoidberg, etc. He seems like one of those guys like Christopher Walken who is just happy to be working and doing what he loves, no matter if it’s a blockbuster movie or an obscure indy film.

On to #3…

“Put Your Head on My Shoulders” was originally aired on February 13, 2000. Bender starts a dating service just in time for Valentine’s Day.

3. Shut up, baby, I know it!

Of course, dating wasn’t his original idea…

I’ve mathematically determined that this is the funniest moment in all of Futurama so far. And I actually have worked in “Shut up baby, I know it” into my everyday conversations with my wife.

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

My favorite episode of Futurama is “The Luck of the Fryish”, originally aired on March 11, 2001. We will see more of this episode later…

4. Horse

There’s a quick sequence when Hermes and Leela go to the concession stand at the horse track. Try counting how many times the word “horse” is said. I can’t think of a single horse-related pun that’s not used in this brief scene. It’s horse-packed to the horse-rafters with horse. Horse!

This may be the single best horse-related comedy sequence since the Horse Marx Brothers.

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

One of the main themes of Futurama is Fry’s quest to find usefullness and a life he doesn’t hate. Going into the future was one of the best things that happened in Fry’s life; he easily adapted and lives a good life. But in the grand scheme of things, he’s even more important than he thinks.

5. Fry am make big brain lose

“The Day the Earth Stood Stupid” was part of season 3, and was originally aired on February 18, 2001. This episode was one of the episodes that make up the Fry-saves-the-universe story arc.

Only Fry is immune to the stupifying powers of the flying brains. Despite his obvious learning disorder, Fry is able to outsmart the flying brains.

In tribute to Fry’s heroism, please include at least 2 typos on purpose in your comments.

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

What’s God like? There’s sorta the traditional version of an authoritarian bearded old guy, and there’s the hippy version of commie Jesus, and all points in between.

6. Bender meets God

One thing I’ve always liked about Futurama is that when it’s political, it’s not overtly partisan like, say, “Family Guy”, “American Dad”, or 90% of the other shows on Adult Swim. In this episode, there’s lots of commentary about religion, war as a result of misuse of religion, and misconceptions about religion. It’s not calling believers stupid, and it’s also not preachy. It’s very good, and most importantly, it’s entertaining.

So, what is God like? Personally, I think the Futurama version is close. Futurama delivers a very serious, meaningful moment, but peppers it with appropriate humor.

So what lesson did I learn? You can’t count on God for jack!

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

Before I get to number 7, check out the very latest trailer for Bender’s Big Score.

BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. Oh, uh, sorry, what was I talking about? Oh yes:

7. Steve Castle

“Future Stock” was one of the last episodes of Season 3, originally aired on March 31, 2002.

While at a stockholder’s meeting, Fry finds a support group for people from the past. He meets “That Guy”, a caricature of a high-powered, coke snorting, ruthless 80s businessman.

He learned too late for himself that men have to find their own way, to make their own mistakes. Awesome. Awesome to the max.

I’m still counting down The Best Moments of Futurama.

This mini-series of posts is counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

8. Who are those horrible orange creatures?

“Fry and the Slurm Factory” was the last episode of season 1, and was originally aired on November 15th, 1999. The episode introduces the “Slurm” product as a soda so tasty that Fry can’t stop drinking it. He wins a trip to the Slurm factory where a Willy Wonka parody ensues.

Just like every other Wonka parody, this one has a different name for the Oompa Loompas–in this case, it’s the Grunka Lunkas, who are pretty lazy in their rhyming.

The Professor’s contempt is universal. If it exists, he hates it, and wants people to know about it.

I wish I could work that phrase into my conversations every day.

Welcome to a new mgroves.com mini-series, The Best Moments of Futurama.

I’m a huge Futurama fan, so I’ll be counting down to the release of the all-new Futurama DVD, Bender’s Big Score, set to be released on November 27, 2007.

If you are both a Futurama fan and user of the interpipes (which you no doubt are if you have read this far), then you are probably familiar with the famed 25 Best Futurama Moments Ever. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out.

I’m not going to recreate that list in this countdown. Rather, I’ve painstakingly compiled 9 clips that showcase the funniest, most emotional, and most entertaining moments from my experience watching it in reruns for the last however many years.

Let’s start it off with a bang, shall we? Counting up from #9.

9. Zoidberg abuse.

If lobster-men had hair, Zoidberg’s would no doubt be red, and his parents would probably be remarried. No one seems to like him. He’s severely underpaid, insulted, and dumped on for no reason. Here’s a montage of my favorite Zoidberg abuses.

In the end, Zoidberg’s popularity was only stifled by the presence of Bender, Leela, and Fry.