Thoughts on 6ACV13 - Futurama Holiday Spectacular - SPOILERS

[Reply #280 on:]

What's with the sudden love for this episode? For me, it fell well short of the bar set by previous Xmas specials - not only because a non-canon episode is usually a cheap cop-out and an excuse to get really lazy with continuity and characterisations - but also because it was a pretty mixed bag of various shades of "meh".

The albino humping worm and Al Gore's appearance were the two bright spots for me. Everything else just felt so incredibly contrived - not like Futurama at all. The first song, for example was basically a semi-expository excuse for Farnsworth to say "ass" and had Robot Santa acting out of character. Which is pretty bad by itself. Then this leads into a series of bad jokes, anvilicious exposition and in general a lack of subletly that does not behoove this program. Accent jokes and crappy tie-ins to twenty-first century history do not feel like Futurama at its finest.

A severe lack of plausibility even in Futurama terms makes this an absolutely awful segment. But it pales next to the space bees in terms of annoying crappiness, and only sets us up for further disappointment with the Robanukah segment.

Yes, I watched it before reviewing it. Yes, I was so irritated by it that I stopped writing about it once the song about Robanukah ended. That's all you get. It's not worth arguing about, as far as I'm concerned. The Futurama Holiday Spectacular is pretty damn sucky, and no amount of impassioned defense by some n00b who loves the stupidest jokes will change that.

[Reply #281 on:]

Yes, I watched it before reviewing it. Yes, I was so irritated by it that I stopped writing about it once the song about Robanukah ended. That's all you get. It's not worth arguing about, as far as I'm concerned. The Futurama Holiday Spectacular is pretty damn sucky, and no amount of impassioned defense by some n00b who loves the stupidest jokes will change that.

I like your post.  Thankfully I'm not looking to change your opinion of the episode.

[Reply #282 on:]

More errors in Season 6 than any Season before...... Hopefully less of these in 7.

[Reply #283 on:]

The more seasons there are, the higher potential for contradictions. Hopefully the writers know their stuff and don't choose to ignore it...

[Reply #284 on:]

This episode is probably in my bottom 10 or 15 or so, but I still find it to be rather underrated considering the level of vitriol it's received. The songs aren't amazing (though I rather liked the middle one), and the pacing is often pretty off, even for an episode like this, but it's still reasonably funny and has a few really hilarious moments in it. Pretty much any line Al Gore says is guaranteed to get some laughs. (I can only hope the Lance Starman episode is still on its way.)

I remember bringing the DVD over to show my sister and her friends. When we came to this one I think I did say "okay, this is one of the weaker ones...." or something to that effect, but ultimately, we were all laughing and enjoying it. It's still not a favorite of mine, but I do think we're kind of spoiled if we think this is one of the worst episodes. And I think there are at least a few episodes that are way worse anyway.

[Reply #285 on:]

I....

Agree.

[Reply #286 on:]

The problem with this episode is that the middle segment is the only one which is even remotely funny. The other two just dragged on...

Even sucky episodes like "A Leela of Her Own" and "The Cryonic Woman" still have an acceptable amount of funniness in them. The same can't be said for this episode...

[Reply #287 on:]

The more seasons there are, the higher potential for contradictions. Hopefully the writers know their stuff and don't choose to ignore it...

I feel they've been consistent from day one, and I suspect they'll ensure they don't make any mistakes regarding continuity.

[Reply #288 on:]

I'm not even gonna bother with examples to counteract that. Regardless of how you feel about their consistency you are wrong. To propose such a thing is quite frankly ridiculous, utterly ridiculous...

I think there are at least a few episodes that are way worse anyway.

Way worse? Than this? Yo Leela Leela is the only ep I can think of which is even remotely as bad as this, let alone way worse. Oh, Bender's Game is of a similar suckitude too, but I think of that more as a movie rather than the separate eps which it consists of...

[Reply #289 on:]

The more seasons there are, the higher potential for contradictions. Hopefully the writers know their stuff and don't choose to ignore it...

I feel they've been consistent from day one, and I suspect they'll ensure they don't make any mistakes regarding continuity.

It's what happened sometime after Day One that's the tragedy. Continuity has been slipping and becoming looser since BBS. I have to agree with Otis here, it's ridiculous to expect that now they've become used to playing fast and loose with it, the writers will suddenly try to make sure that continuity is more properly adhered to.

We can expect more futzing with it as time goes on, I fear.

[Reply #290 on:]

Way worse? Than this? Yo Leela Leela is the only ep I can think of which is even remotely as bad as this

*cough* Neutopia.

* UnrealLegend waits to be flamed for liking Yo Leela Leela more than Neutopia

[Reply #291 on:]

I think there are at least a few episodes that are way worse anyway.

Way worse? Than this? Yo Leela Leela is the only ep I can think of which is even remotely as bad as this, let alone way worse. Oh, Bender's Game is of a similar suckitude too, but I think of that more as a movie rather than the separate eps which it consists of...

Namely, A Pharaoh to Remember and (especially) Three Hundred Big Boys, which I find to be borderline unwatchable. There are various others also (30% Iron Chef, A Fishful of Dollars, That's Lobstertainment!, etc) that I don't necessarily dislike, but find to be kind of dull and less entertaining than this episode due to relative lack of laughs. This is maaaaaybe the weakest season 6 episode though, with All the President's Heads (watchable in its own right) being probably the main competitor. Again, it's not a favorite episode of mine or anything, but there ARE IMO worse ones. And even most of the ones I've listed I would still willingly watch again on DVD or in syndication. We're spoiled a bit.

Bender's Game also isn't a favorite really, but I enjoy it more than this episode (which I also generally enjoy). It has a lot of funny stuff* and is probably somewhere in the lower-middle of the series for me. One of my close friends actually adores it and considers it the best of the four movies, though. (And I don't think she really knows anything about Dungeons and Dragons; neither of us does.) I also find Yo Leela Leela to be a flawed but entertaining episode.

*(Related footnote: today I was walking by the White Castle near where I live, and started giggling uncontrollably when I remembered "Wipe Castle.")

[Reply #292 on:]

I think the hatred toward Yo Leela Leela is a tad overdone. But it at least had some funny moments, something that this episode lacks severely.

The albino-humping worm was the only joke that can compare to the rest of the series, and maybe excluding a few other very minor amusements, this episode offers nothing other than terrible songs and uncomfortable pacing.

[Reply #293 on:]

The albino-humping worm

It's "albino humping-worm" (if there is even a hyphen in there). Otherwise it would be a worm that humps albinos.

[Reply #294 on:]

Haha, yeah. That hyphen was a mistake. 

[Reply #295 on:]

The albino-humping worm

It's "albino humping-worm" (if there is even a hyphen in there).

There isn't. Check the Infosphere, TNUK.

[Reply #296 on:]

The albino-humping worm

It's "albino humping-worm" (if there is even a hyphen in there).

There isn't. Check the Infosphere, TNUK.

No. I don't care whether the word is actually hyphenated, I just wanted to point out that the placement of the hyphen has an impact on the meaning.

Besides which, the Infosphere is not infalliable. For example, if you're an editor there I'm guessing it's absolutely riddled with mistakes.

[Reply #297 on:]

The albino-humping worm

It's "albino humping-worm" (if there is even a hyphen in there).

There isn't. Check the Infosphere, TNUK.

No. I don't care whether the word is actually hyphenated, I just wanted to point out that the placement of the hyphen has an impact on the meaning.

Besides which, the Infosphere is not infalliable. For example, if you're an editor there I'm guessing it's absolutely riddled with mistakes.

Obviously I'm not; otherwise, you'd see references to FYUTUROOMA. Hyook hyook hyook.

Take your snark elsewhere.

[Reply #298 on:]

Take your snark elsewhere.

I and my snark were here before you. They will be here long after you are but a memory. I and my snark are eternal, unchanging, and essential for the smooth running of the universe.

In short: no.

[Reply #299 on:]

Wow. I thought I had no life, but now I have met someone who has less of a life than me, and who doesn't want one.

Time to start Ignoring this loser ... Is it possible to ignore posts on this forum?

[Reply #300 on:]

Is it possible to ignore posts on this forum?

No, it isn't.

I suggest you check out the manual for further information.

[Reply #301 on:]

tnuk is the most entertaining part of this forum.
I say "part of this forum", because as near as anybody can tell, he's actually an application programmed into PEEL's code, not a real person. The "tnuk" app responds according to user input, so you're basically just arguing with yourself.

[Reply #302 on:]

Wow. I thought I had no life, but now I have met someone who has less of a life than me, and who doesn't want one.

Time to start Ignoring this loser ... Is it possible to ignore posts on this forum?

Pity you didn't start sooner instead of posting yet another needless reply. Here's a test for you, see if you can ignore this post...

[Reply #303 on:]

The Kwanzaa Rap is actually pretty catchy, and as I've said many times before, the music used in it is very Futurama-y and reminds me of a lot of the music in the game.

[Reply #304 on:]

I'd sort of agree with that - but it's still let down by some very clunky lyrics - and they're not even particularly witty like in the Xmas song.

[Reply #305 on:]

I still find bits of it very catchy, such as:

"But before I go, the most important thing..." and "That's from Xmas and Robanukah you plagiarizing lout!"

[Reply #306 on:]

I did like the middle segment, but the rest of it was, well.......JAPAN.

[Reply #307 on:]

In other words...Cotton Candy and Soda Pop.

[Reply #308 on:]

I did like the middle segment, but the rest of it was, well.......JAPAN.

That's what she said..

[Reply #309 on:]

I gave this episode a 6 out of 10. The humor is present and I enjoy the Kwanzaa song, but this is easily one of the worst episodes in terms of story development. Let's compare the three acts' storylines:

XMAS
The crew explains Xmas through song with Robot Santa.
To celebrate Xmas properly, they need a pine tree, which can't be easily produced.
The crew travels to Norway to acquire what they need.
They achieve their goal, but the act ends with the world ending as a result of their plan.

ROBANUKAH
Bender explains Robanukah through song.
To celebrate Robanukah properly, they need petroleum oil, which can't be easily produced.
The crew travels inside the Earth to acquire what they need.
They achieve their goal, but the act ends with the crew dying as a result of their plan.

KWANZAA
The Conrads explain Kwanzaa through song with Kwanzaabot.
To celebrate Kwanzaa properly, they need beeswax, which can't be easily produced.
The crew travels to the space bee hive to acquire what they need.
They achieve their goal, but the act ends with the crew imprisoned as candles as a result of their plan.


Following this breakdown, we see how repetitive this episode really is. The story writing is far below what I expect from the Futurama crew, but the episode is saved by the jokes and Kwanzaa song.

[Reply #310 on:]

Wow, it's like watching Leno over and over again. He has different jokes but they always somehow end up the same...

[Reply #311 on:]

They achieve their goal, but the act ends with the crew imprisoned as candles as a result of their plan.

Wait, I get it now! The episode is trying to say "Why bother doing anything, because even if you get it right, something else will go wrong."

[Reply #312 on:]

I enjoyed the Kwanzaa song, and the occasional references to the fact that Kwanzaa was an ancient festival (over 1000 years old). I also enjoyed the underground section of the Robanukah episode, but unfortunately most of the rest of this episode was pretty awful. I only gave it a 3. It's in my bottom 5 episodes, and probably one of the few new season episodes that sunk lower than Futurama had ever gone before ( with AotKA and YLL)

[Reply #313 on:]

I was led to believe this was the WORST EPISODE EVER!!1 But it wasn't even close to being as bad as people say it is. The twitter episode is about a million times worse, as well as a few others. Bender and oil wrestling was stupid, and I really zoned out with boredom during the last segment. I did like Bender going 500 Billion years in the future or whatever though.

5/10

[Reply #314 on:]

What...

The...

FUCK!!!

I want to give it a 0/10, saw it twice, once in 2010, and once this year, no change in effect, I don't want to live on this planet anymore!

[Reply #315 on:]

I don't want to live on this planet anymore!

I don't want you to live on this planet anymore either.

[Reply #316 on:]

Basically the entire 6th season in one episode.
Lousy jokes...
This episode is a train wreck, to put it in perspective.

0/10

[Reply #317 on:]

The truth is often stupid. I hate Christmas themed episodes and the songs is terrible.
5/10

[Reply #318 on:]

Basically the entire 6th season in one episode.

Even season six's harshest critics generally agree this is a significantly low (if not, the lowest) point. It's certainly not representative of the rest of the season.

[Reply #319 on:]

Basically the entire 6th season in one episode.

Even season six's harshest critics generally agree this is a significantly low (if not, the lowest) point. It's certainly not representative of the rest of the season.

Particularly when there's a few of the show's best episodes in said season.

But yes, this particular episode sucks. There's a couple of funny lines but that's it.