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Author Topic: Thoughts on [4ACV06] - Bender Should not be Allowed on TV  (Read 9070 times)
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[-mArc-]

Administrator
Liquid Emperor
**
« on: 08-02-2003 16:10 »

Second to last time:

  • no posting before the episode started on the east coast
  • go away if you don't want to be spoiled
  • reviews/general discussion here, weird things etc in separate threads
  • no opening your own review thread to get around the closedness of this one. Be patient.
VelourFog

Space Pope
****
« Reply #1 on: 08-03-2003 19:21 »

go ahead
Nixorbo

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #2 on: 08-03-2003 19:33 »

First impressions:

- A few good laugh-out-loud parts - Hypnotoad, "You're watching Futurama", etc.
- Beatbox = sexxy
- Overall, boring.
TriforceBun

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #3 on: 08-03-2003 19:34 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 19:34 »

Everybody Loves Hypno-Toad!

This was a good episode with lots of laughs, some decent satire, and good pacing.  Unlike last week's episode, we didn't just get a lot of Bender, but a lot of the entire PE Crew.  The only thing that I really didn't like was the vomiting, which was kinda gross and unneeded.

Some funny parts off the top of my head: The remixed opening with Farnsworth, Bender and Zoidberg..."Hey Bender." (four times)...everything involving the Hypno-Toad...the Cool-o-Meter segment (Zoidberg's cool level, the "OH YEAAAAH" and the 30 Mega-Fonz line)...the Fathers Against R (I forget) Television...the line "Bender should not be allowed on television!"  Bender's final speech...the clip of Calculon after Bender's final speech...Fry's comment about the Hypno-Toad show declining after Season 3...and of course, "More reality shows!"

There were a couple dry spells here and there, but this is the best episode of Futurama in the past few weeks.  4/5 or 4.5/5
MacTech

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #4 on: 08-03-2003 19:34 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 19:34 »

Gotta love the constant subtle Apple and Macintosh references in Futurama, the Human Hunt in FOABP that was started by a Mac startup chime, the Judge that was a Mac 128K, IDAR's "Mac Formatted" blank robots, and in this ep where the Fox President looked remarkably like a TiBook running QuickTime 6 (even though the prez had a center mounted slot-load optical drive/gun holder, and the TiBook has a slot-load optical drive)

the Hypnotoad stuff was amusing, if predictable

i think Fox has given away their secret on how they schedule shows, rolling dice to determine shows, or using similar randomizing devices (like the random number generator in ATO2S) seem to be the best explination for fox's lack of focus and consistency
evan

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #5 on: 08-03-2003 19:37 »

Woo-hoo! First review of the second to last episode!

:: does Go Bender dance ::

IMO, Bender Should Not Be Allowed on TV was an alright episode. A lot of the plot seemed pretty cliche, but the episode was saved just by the severe outrageousness of it. ("This is so bad, it almost gave me cancer!" )

I can only speak for myself, but I love Bender as a giant jerk. Remember folks. He's not human, so he really shouldn't have any sort of human empathy.

The second act was by far the best, including the great surprise of the usage of Black Flag's "TV Party." Dwight and Cubert are starting to work well together, as are Hermes and the Professor. I think that all four were written well, and you could see each of their motivations as probable.

Problems -- a little bit too cliche, not enough Fry, Leela, rest of the cast. Zoidberg, par usual, was funny, in his "so uncool" ways.

Total Grade: B
Dr_Dave

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #6 on: 08-03-2003 19:39 »

Not a great episode.  However, we now know who runs F*X.  A roll of the dice, eh?
Zed 85

Space Pope
****
« Reply #7 on: 08-03-2003 19:39 »

Had some great moments, especially at the beginning, but otherwise the episode gave off the impression of pointlessness. Or something. I dunno, perhaps I'm viewing Futurama in a bad light recently for some reason.

*sighs*
Just one more then...  :cry:
homerjaysimpson

Space Pope
****
« Reply #8 on: 08-03-2003 19:40 »

I liked this episode, this was better than the last two Bender episodes. Funny seeing that kids smokeing.B+/A-
Atticus

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #9 on: 08-03-2003 19:43 »

It was alot better than I originally though it was going to be.  There were a few laugh out loud parts that the last couple episodes sort of lacked.
Well....  only one more......
*sniff*
Slashco

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #10 on: 08-03-2003 19:43 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 19:43 »

I dunno, this episode didn't strike me as particularly good for some reason. Some of the jokes were stupid/made no sense (like the auditions), and overall there didn't seem to be a lot of funny material. Still, it did teach us that stealing is cool, so it wasn't all bad. Well, I'm off to find a place to download it...
Mango

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #11 on: 08-03-2003 19:46 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 19:46 »

My favorite part was Doctor Zoidberg!
.....wait, my favorite part is always Doctor Zoidberg.  Never mind.

The Hypnotoad scared me.   :o  But Bender was fun to watch, and it was good to see more of Dwight, Cubert and Tinny Tim 'cause they're short people, and short people are cool.   :p

But now there's only one episode left...I'm so sad now.  :(
Anarchist

Professor
*
« Reply #12 on: 08-03-2003 19:46 »
« Last Edit on: 08-04-2003 00:00 »

This episode was GENIUS! Pure gold! SO much social commentary, and all of it done so well. Many laugh-out-loud moments, such as:
Hermes: That's not a cigar! And... um... it's not mine.
and
Fry: Yeah! Give public schools some credit!

Also, the Execu-bots were a great dig on FOX. I absolutely loved that.

And, of course, a tribute to the fans during the ending credits:
"...We're dedicated, yes,
to our favorite shows!
All My Circuits!
Everybody Loves Hypnotoad!
Scary Door!
Thursday Night Blernsball!
FUTURAMA!"

All in all, awesome ep. Oh, and the beatbox was pure awesomeness as well.

Oh, and in case you didn't see the ending credits on TV, you can download them from my webspace here: [SNIP]
(EDIT: Now available at The Leela Zone.)
It will only be up until one of the Futurama fansites puts it up. If I'm not allowed to post this here, please edit that link out.
Wonderbee31

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #13 on: 08-03-2003 19:50 »

I thought that it was a really funny episode overall, (the cool-ometer was great when it just ka-thudded over for poor ol Zoidy, and some of the lines were great, ex. that the worst coma acting I've seen?, so, I'm gonna give it at least 8.5 out of 10.
Extrablood

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #14 on: 08-03-2003 19:51 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Anarchist:
And, of course, a tribute to the fans during the ending credits

I was laughing out loud then, because it is one of my favorite songs. This was the biggest surprise for me which made me almost forget the rest of the episode.  ;)
Teral

Helpy McHelphelp
DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #15 on: 08-03-2003 19:54 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 19:54 »

    I think my opinion can mostly be described as: meh!

    There were some very good stuff in here:
    • the network executives, built to decide program schedules with the throw of a dice and to underestimate the viewers.
    • Cubert and Dwight were pretty good
    • Jibes at tv interest groups and again network executives (I once put a laugh track on a show that wasn't funny!)
    • The cool-o-meter
    • I like how Leela have evolved a bit these last couple of shows and not being so correct all the time. I can't imagine 1st season Leela to help Bender scam kids or drinking beer for breakfast. I like it.
    • Zoidberg!!
    • Plus some more I don't remember
    But there were also bad things: too little Fry, Leela and Amy. The final Bender speech felt a bit too preachy.

    But the main objection is: the mainstory simply wasn't funny or interesting. Sure the sidejokes were, but the Bender/Calculon interaction wasn't. The same flaw that was the downfall of "That's Lobstertainment". Calculon simply doesn't work as a main episode character! At least not for me.

    One of the best parts was the song the PE crew did while the credits rolled. That seriously rocked. Going by FOX' usually treatment of credits, I'm sure you Americans didn't get to hear it. You can all download it
here (ca 500 kb wav-file)

I'll have to watch this episode a few more times before I  rank it, but I'm thinking 7-ish.
mst99

Crustacean
*
« Reply #16 on: 08-03-2003 20:02 »

It was alright. It had it's moments but it could have been alot better.
Wonderbee31

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #17 on: 08-03-2003 20:04 »

Yeah, FOX showed a preview of Banzai!(ugh), while showing a simple credit scroll. At least CN, and TBS still show the full ending credits, though I bet they get pressured not to.
Venus

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #18 on: 08-03-2003 20:04 »

wow that ending credits thing was awesome. reminds me of why i've always been convinced a Futurama musical would do well.
MrB

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #19 on: 08-03-2003 20:09 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 20:09 »

How did this happen?  I didn't doublepost!
Technical Difficulties apparently...My apologies.

My post is below.
MrB

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #20 on: 08-03-2003 20:10 »

I LOVED this episode.  Best Bender episode ever.  Except for maybe Godfellas.  Tons of good points, very few bad ones.  Usually I feel the way the majority does on episodes.  But I'm very extreme this time.  It WAS indeed television gold.

What thing during the credits?!?  I had nothing during the credits!!!  I demand to know!
aslate

Space Pope
****
« Reply #21 on: 08-03-2003 20:12 »

Great episode, but it lacked something (as an episode, not the credits) to make it extra-ordinary such as "The Why Of Fry" or "The Sting".
Anarchist

Professor
*
« Reply #22 on: 08-03-2003 20:12 »

Hooray for double-posting! Oh, and if you want the ending credits, scroll up. I posted the video (1.5MB) and Teral posted the just audio (500kb).
Teral

Helpy McHelphelp
DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #23 on: 08-03-2003 20:12 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 20:12 »

Click on either of the links in my or Anarchists review. And all will be revealed in it's glory.

Whoops, it happened again.  :D
Action Jacktion

Professor
*
« Reply #24 on: 08-03-2003 20:15 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 20:15 »

I didn't really like the opening or ending credits.  Sorry.

I was also reminded of "That's Lobstertainment!" but for different reasons.  Both episodes have a solid plot (unlike last week's for instance), but that plot is fairly dull.  I just didn't care about what was happening, especially the parts with the kids.

However, there was a lot of funny stuff in this episode, especially the execubots and the network president.  I was worried it'd get too self-referential like The Simpsons, but fortunately it didn't.  And they also easily could have overdone the TV and soap opera references, or Bender's antics, but they didn't, so it was pretty funny.  However it did cross the line between parodying preachiness and actual preachiness.
VelourFog

Space Pope
****
« Reply #25 on: 08-03-2003 20:20 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by evan:
Woo-hoo! First review of the second to last episode!

or, you know, not

It was good, then got less good. It was "slightly" too obviously, "Take that FOX!" Not like Fox even watches the show to realize they've been zinged.

Beatboxing= soooo frickin' sexxy. I wish more shows were as in your face as Futurama

The kids= suck. (now with more kids!) ugh.
TriforceBun

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #26 on: 08-03-2003 20:22 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 20:22 »

After thinking about it some more and reading more reviews on the episode, I'm definately bumping up my rating a bit to 4.5/5.  This is one of my favorite Bender episodes now, and a GREAT pre-finale episode.  I say that because it got Futurama an entire episode to strike back at Fox for the cancellation...and next week it'll be the real finale...wow.  It's almost over folks.  Only one episode to go.

Though I do take solace in the fact that I've missed 90% of production season 2's episodes, and a good bunch of season 3's as well...

Anyways, tonight's episode was very good overall.

EDIT: Just remembered another line I liked...

Farnsworth: (walking in on the kids smoking, drinking, etc) "What's going on here!?"
*Hermes wipes Farnsworth's glasses with a cloth*
Farnsworth: "Ah."

Actually, that last line escapes me at the moment...but that scene cracked me up.  :)
BNLbum

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #27 on: 08-03-2003 20:49 »

I thought it was okay, although I missed big gaping holes in the second and third acts due to two public service announcments and my little sister coming in to discuss Harry Potter (can she think of nothing else?!). Can anybody tell me the line over the Futurama logo right before the second commercial break?

I liked the beatboxing, the ending, the Hypno-Toad... And I'm very glad that FOX didn't get their way and air this as the last episode. While it would've been appropirate ("What's on?" "Nothing good." "Let's keep watching!" ), it certainly isn't the tone I hope the series ends on.

That said, twenty-two minutes of Futurama left...  :(
The Names Nick

Professor
*
« Reply #28 on: 08-03-2003 20:55 »

Well, I have to say I was disappointed after watching this ep. I was just exspecting more given how good the eps leading up to this one were. I do like how this ep took a few shots at Fox though.
Nixorbo

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #29 on: 08-03-2003 20:55 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by BNLbum:
Can anybody tell me the line over the Futurama logo right before the second commercial break?

Bender: You're watching Futurama!  Those show that doesn't condone committing robbery to be cool!

Or something to that effect.
Futurama_Hil

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #30 on: 08-03-2003 21:17 »

if you didn't like the opening credits, you are not a futurama fan. if you're not a futurama fan you have no soul.

pretty good ep, except the plot idea was bad, but it was really funny with good laughs.  all zoidberg parts were very funny, the hypno toad parts, and fry parts were very funny as well. btw, did anyone see the comic he was reading- issue #15?  :) and of course i loved the fox dissing part! but the bender parts weren't as funny as hoped. that's what brought the rating down. also Needed more of Leela, Fry and Amy but it wasn't centered on them so it gets by that part.  fox didn't show the damn ending credits! thanks teral and anarchist!

This ep earns a fat : B
grunka_lunka

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #31 on: 08-03-2003 21:20 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 21:20 »

very funny ep, w/that smart, dry wit that's been missing recently. some of the jokes were a little too obvious (e.g. "television gave us the idea!" should've been cut- we got it already; and the last line should've been fry's "there's nothing on" followed by that long pause - the professsor didn't need to say anything), but overall, this ep was very intelligent and hilarious. i can't really remember many of the lines too well, but i loved the hypno toad and the execubots had me rolling    :laff: 
*rolls dice* MORE REALITY PROGRAMMING.
*rolls again* GAME SHOWS ARE BACK.
   :D

one....episode....left    :cry: crap, why don't they have a smiley that's screaming and bawling like a baby? well, at least i missed a few s2 & s3 eps.....

i give this ep a 4.5/5
Kryten

Space Pope
****
« Reply #32 on: 08-03-2003 21:21 »

It kinda struck me as Futurama's version of the "Poochie" episode, except a lot less funny.
Margarita

Space Pope
****
« Reply #33 on: 08-03-2003 21:25 »

episode was okay. not very good, not very bad. sorta weird i think...

5/10
zoidburgisking

Crustacean
*
« Reply #34 on: 08-03-2003 21:48 »

The episode was not bad, but not the best. The shots at Fox executives were great. Take that Fox.Zoidburg was great.
Evil Fox Exec

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #35 on: 08-03-2003 21:52 »

Hm, this episode had its good moments and its bad moments.  For one thing, I found those two brats, Cubert and Dwight, quite annoying, so I didn't care for their part.  And their part happened to be a large part of the episode, which was a bad move.  Also, like Teral mentioned, Calculon doesn't work in large doses.  I wasn't really impressed by the audition part, either.  I didn't find it all that funny.
But all that aside, I love it how this episode was clearly written with the fans in mind.  Namely, all the attacks on Fox and its mindless network execs.  I liked it how the top exec was shown as a mindless, heartless computer, which, by the way, is exactly was Gail Berman is.  Also the stuff with the attacks on reality shows and poor programming was great.
So, I give this episode a 3/5.  The episode itself had its flaws plot-wise.  But the social commentary on how evil the Fox network is surely greatly appreciated by all Futurama fans.  Also, it's unbelievable that there's only one episode left.  It's hard to believe or accept that it's nearly the end of the line. 
Futurama_Hil

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #36 on: 08-03-2003 21:55 »

don't make me start to cry...
homerjaysimpson

Space Pope
****
« Reply #37 on: 08-03-2003 22:24 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Kryten:
It kinda struck me as Futurama's version of the "Poochie" episode, except a lot less funny.

No,that was the Bend Her episode.

That episode to me was unfunny truely sh!t.
Action Jacktion

Professor
*
« Reply #38 on: 08-03-2003 22:27 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2003 22:27 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Futurama_Hil:
if you didn't like the opening credits, you are not a futurama fan.
I just thought it was too similar to the credits for "Spanish Fry."  (Yes, I know this one was supposed to come first, and if it had, I would have liked this one and disliked the other.)

 
Quote
Originally posted by grunka_lunka:
"television gave us the idea!" should've been cut- we got it already....
That was necessary for the joke from Bender about Futurama not condoning robbery.
bankrupt

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #39 on: 08-03-2003 22:35 »

This was an OK episode for me.  There were a number of laugh out loud moments and some good social commentary as Anarchist pointed out, but I found the underlying story pretty weak.  It seemed like the story was worked into the jokes and not the other way around. 

I really liked Calculon's outfit at the party and the appearance of Tinny Tim.  I was secretly hoping that Gunther would show up for Dwight and Qubert's party.  Like Evan, I like it when Bender is a big jerk (I liked A Pharaoh to Remember) and this episode had some of that.  I'll give it a 3/5.
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