Do You Think Futurama Should Be Considered the Ultimate Sci-fi TV Show?

[on:]

I'm writing a thesis paper on why Futurama should be considered the ultimate sci-fi television show (not the best, but the ultimate). I believe this such due to it's address of nearly every sci-fi topic and theme and it's reference to almost all sci-fi related things. Do you think this so as well, if so what are some reasons why? Or possibly why not?

[Reply #1 on:]

What's the difference between 'best' and 'ultimate'? Unless you're taking 'ultimate' to mean 'the last'.

In my opinion, it is the best science fiction TV show, anyway.

[Reply #2 on:]

I mean that it may not be the greatest sci-fi television program, but it is the ultimate accumulation of the things that make sci-fi sci-fi and the important influences from the genre on the show

[Reply #3 on:]

it's the ultimate sci-fi show because it holds no alliance to any sci-fi. one week it may pay homage to trek or '50s sci-fi, the next week it may come up with something totally original. being a huge fan of sci-fi(ask me anything. soylent green, dark star, i've seen them all), i am an ULTIMATE fan of futurama.

the quality stories make this show the best, imo.

there can be no question.

THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION!!!!

[Reply #4 on:]

1st time poster...usually Futurama pays homage to trek more than anything else.  And yes, I do think it is loosely based off of it (ex Zapp).

[Reply #5 on:]

Yes I think it is because it contains a lot of other sci-fi references and is a solid, funny, emotional show on it's own. Been my favourite show for years, always will be. 

[Reply #6 on:]

I feel that it's satirical approach to a specific genre as a whole, allows it more free room to play with anything that has been overdone in the sci-fi genre and refer to anything that has added to the sci-fi lexicon. @flesheatingbull, that is a good point about it holding no alliance to any sci-fi. Maybe due to it's sitcom-like style, it doesn't need to have an arching story, so it doesn't need to stick to any specific sci-fi subject (unlike most other sci-fi shows and movies)

[Reply #7 on:]

Yes, I think so!  The ultimate Sci-Fi comedy show to say the least!  It's spoofed a lot of sci-fi so I'll say yes! 

[Reply #8 on:]

I don't watch many Sci-Fi TV shows, perhaps none aside from Futurama come to think of it. Yes Futurama is the best in my opinion, but the comedy and the characters are a large reason for that. The Sci-Fi is very clool as well though. Yeah it's the ultimate show to me...

[Reply #9 on:]

I feel that it's satirical approach to a specific genre as a whole, allows it more free room to play with anything that has been overdone in the sci-fi genre and refer to anything that has added to the sci-fi lexicon. @flesheatingbull, that is a good point about it holding no alliance to any sci-fi. Maybe due to it's sitcom-like style, it doesn't need to have an arching story, so it doesn't need to stick to any specific sci-fi subject (unlike most other sci-fi shows and movies)

Yeah that's a good point both of you, the show has more freedom than say Stargate. It combines humorous sci fi scenarios with those of the everyday, making it both relateable and dare I say "fascinating" to watch heh.

Welcome to PEEL btw. There are a lot of heavy discussion Futurama threads you might be interested in, if I run across them I will link them here because I know I have partaken in quite many good ones.

I will add, it certainly brings up discussion like no other cartoon I have observed. Just check The Late Philip J. Fry thread in Re-check/weird scenes and you will see what I mean. What other cartoon can be so smart as to cause internet nerds to debate for days on the matter of cyclical time and cyclical universe models? The show has so many layers to it, more layers than an onion I think West said.

[Reply #10 on:]

I think your distinction of it as the ultimate scifi show has some merit to its proposition.  If we're talking about a single franchise/piece of literary work that touches upon science fiction as a whole most, then I think Futurama has a clear distinction in that field.  I can't think of a whole lot of shows that do do that...although there are probably shows that do to some extent, but they are not as fresh and unique and well portrayed at Futurama.  I'll have to think about it more and get back to you.  For this thesis, I'd probably work on a list of other shows that would fit in this category to compare and contrast with Futurama.

[Reply #11 on:]

The only other shows I can think of that offers sattire on sci-fi like this is Doctor Who and maybe Monty Python.

[Reply #12 on:]

It is definitely the ultimate sci fi cartoon, no question. Jetsons got nothing on Futurama!

[Reply #13 on:]

@winna, my thesis can only be on one specific show and make an argument for our idea, so I felt that this would be the #1 place to look. I've been watching all the episodes intently and taking notes on all of the sci-fi references. My thesis is a focus on Futurama as a sci-fi whole and showing examples of why it stands above others in its approach to sci-fi culture and themes. 

[Reply #14 on:]

I know that for many of the episodes, it has some scientific merit and thought process to it. I felt that it approaches sci-fi in a goofy manner, but nonetheless in a way that makes many of the ideas of sci-fi and the references that sci-fi fans make, more accessible.

[Reply #15 on:]

The scientific aspect may give it more merit than most shows in the genre.  If I recall correctly, the staff had 2 or 3 P.h.D. holders in science/mathematical fields, and some of the ideas developed in the show have basis in scientific reality.  This ties in with science fiction, because science fiction is the gateway to science fact.

My earlier suggestion was not intended to be taken as additional content for your thesis.  However, if the argument your paper is based on is the claim that Futurama is the ultimate example of its genre over all others, then you should consider the others of which it is superior to in representing its genre as a whole.  

After having thought about this a little... you might consider how Futurama is better than the Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Sliders, and possibly X-Files.... since most of those shows deal with multiple science fiction themes and ideals and to some varying degrees references.  Futurama is probably better than those 4 examples, because it cross-references science fiction better... but I still think there are other science fictional shows, prossibly comedies that also deal with these concepts.  It's just a thought though.

Edit: remembered Red Dwarf.

Maybe even MST3k......

This discussion also might pick up more steam if you discussed what ideas you're already throwing around in your paper.  It seems like you're trying to find examples in Futurama to support your claim, and I'm sure most of the people on this message board can name a bunch of them off the top of their head, but it would be easier if we had a direction to head toward...

Like time travel.... which Futurama displays in possibly different ways via episodes like The Why of Fry, Bender's Big Score, or The Late Phillip J. Fry.

Or space travel... like a 2001 reference found in The Sting, or an Alien reference found in Love & Rocket (which was also a 2001 referential episode)...

Or maybe that Dune reference they made in the 2nd season.

[Reply #16 on:]

No, it's too much of a humor show to be called the ultimate sci-fi show.

[Reply #17 on:]

No, it's too much of a humor show to be called the ultimate sci-fi show.

I like the show more for it's Sci-fi feel so I disagree.

[Reply #18 on:]

its hard to say cus LOOOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! futerama BUT!!! i LOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! STAR TREK BUT FUTERAMA TACKS THE TACO