Thoughts on 6ACV21 - Yo Leela Leela - SPOILERS!

[Reply #320 on:]

I mean what if they researched stuff from (what they thought was) his time, and came across Lady Gaga and whatnot.

That's a bit of a long shot don't ya think?...

I agree. Quit making excuses Danny, the joke was bad and you should feel bad!

Nahhh you're alright

[Reply #321 on:]

I'm just a super mega fan and I refuse to believe the show is getting worse. Because it isn't.

Come at me haters.

[Reply #322 on:]

Well I guess the casual viewer (That makes up the majority of the viewers of Futurama) will be completely confused when a show that obviously takes place in the future (!) makes a reference of things happening in the World today (Especially if you're watching this three or four years in the future when the reference is even worse) and they wouldn't think any further into it...

[Reply #323 on:]

Well they wouldn't. Because they're too ignorant to know when Fry was frozen. Unless they've seen that episode.

[Reply #324 on:]

I've seen that episode

[Reply #325 on:]

The worst part of the references is, like Boxy Robot said, that three or four years from now they're going to seem really dated. References from the nineties back in the first seasons were okay because Fry is from that time and it makes sense within the story, but the only reason episodes airing in 2010 have references post-2000 is to sound edgy and relevant. Futurama doesn't need crap like that to be relevant. Instead, we'll all rewatch season 6 in four years and cringe even harder.

[Reply #326 on:]

Too late spira, I'm already cringing...

Remember Susan Boyle? No one does.

[Reply #327 on:]

If there was a Like button on Peel I'd be liking spira's most recent post right there. I totally and utterly 100% agree. Well put! Die you crappy pop-culture "jokes" from the 10's!...

[Reply #328 on:]

Oh Spira is just a like-button-whore.  Like Lady Gaga.  Or that guy from the Social Network that Jessie Eisenburg plays.  Or Russel Brand.  Or the Kardashians.

 All those things will still be around in five years.

[Reply #329 on:]

Remember Susan Boyle? No one does.

I keep seeing this CD at Target; some people must still remember her.

Also: If there is ever a Justin Bieber reference on Futurama, I will have to stop watching the show for good. My head will explode. There is a world of difference between Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, even if both of them are bound to be forgotten in ten years.

[Reply #330 on:]

Well the Jonas Brothers and the High School Musical kids have shriveled up and blown away.  Even though I think Zac Efron will be unable to decompose for about three thousand years.  I swear he probably has MADE IN CHINA stamped on his arse or something.

Rebecca Black vanished before the Futurama writers could write a joke about her.  And Fry-day. 

[Reply #331 on:]

All those things will still be around in five years.

Doesn't mean references to them will sound clever. Or do sound clever, for that matter.

Also, "like-button-whore"? ...ouch

[Reply #332 on:]

Also: If there is ever a Justin Bieber reference on Futurama, I will have to stop watching the show for good.

Careful, I wouldn't put it past them, sadly...

[Reply #333 on:]

As long as they make him look bad I'm okay with it.

[Reply #334 on:]

I think I have to draw the line at an overt reference to him, like, in dialogue. Seeing him as a head in a jar or something? Meh.

[Reply #335 on:]

I have the theory about Fry's knowledge of Lady Gaga! He works in the Head Museum at night, right? (Well he did at the time) Well in ATPH we see him talking to the heads and getting on with them and stuff, it's not hard to imagine Gaga's head is in there.

[Reply #336 on:]

Ah, Danny, your theory charms me. But, honestly, the pop culture references don't bother me because they're nonsensical ("How could Fry know who Lady Gaga is?")--they bother me because they're so shoehorned in and inherently unfunny. Like, is it necessary to call Leela an "[Insert celebrity here]-esque fame hag" in the first place? Nope. It's not a funny line on its own, and is only made more irritating by the conspicuous pop culture reference.

Also: Damn it, PEEL, quit timing me out when I'm trying to make a post!

[Reply #337 on:]

I also disapprove the too specific pop culture references. The specific stuff is rather done in Family Guy and South Park, while Simpsons and Futurama often go for a more generalised and therefore timeless approach.

E.g. let's look at the South Park "World of Warcraft" Episode: That thing was a really very specific description of WoW, going even into little details how that game was played (up to WOW key combinations, Mana, etc...).
- In Simpsons, "Earthland Realms" was shown, which just features the most important aspecets of an MMORPG, and they kept to their traditional drawing style otherwise.

A non-WoW player will not get every joke in the first example, but -even years after Blizzard goes bancrupt- the Simpson joke about the general phenomen of Online roleplays will still remain valid.

[Reply #338 on:]

Mmhmm, and Futurama did a similar approach with D&D in Bender's Game. I've never played, but I got most of the jokes because it was just in general poking fun at tabletop RPGs, a concept I'm familiar with.

Agree with Gorky (shocker). I can't think of a single reference in the whole series that ranks among the most memorable or humorous lines. It's just the earlier ones from the 90s are more excusable.

[Reply #339 on:]

I have the theory about Fry's knowledge of Lady Gaga! He works in the Head Museum at night, right? (Well he did at the time) Well in ATPH we see him talking to the heads and getting on with them and stuff, it's not hard to imagine Gaga's head is in there.

That is actually a really great idea Danny. I could buy that, good job. Doesn't mean the original joke was that funny to be worth mentioning though.

I think I have to draw the line at an overt reference to him, like, in dialogue. Seeing him as a head in a jar or something? Meh.

What if they did something like they did to the Hansen brothers? That I would be okay with, and only that

Also Gorkster, I hate when it times out on a post of mine too

[Reply #340 on:]

Danny's idea is plausible, yes, but it doesn't make me like the references any more.

[Reply #341 on:]

All those things will still be around in five years.

Doesn't mean references to them will sound clever. Or do sound clever, for that matter.

Also, "like-button-whore"? ...ouch

I'm joking.  A lot of those things probably won't be around in two years.  I was trying to prove your point in a snarky way.

I like to think they keep Justin Bieber's vocal cords in a singing machine, and Nixon has it played to prisoners of war and the worst of Earth's criminals.

[Reply #342 on:]

Oh, okay. Sorry, that totally flew over my head. whoosh

Piano music can make a man go insane. Bieber could do it three times faster.

[Reply #343 on:]

After a rewatch, I've come to a conclusion on this episode.

It's an okayish episode that's severely damaged by a premise that's terrible for the context of the show.

What I liked:

-Pretty much everything with Abner Doubledeal. He's a great character.
-"The kids haven't been this excited since food day." 
-The way Sally delivers the line "Please don't" near the beginning.
-Leela sitting in the tiny chair. I don't know why, but I found that amusing.
-The song about not licking things was so absurdly charming.
-Zoidberg's tap-dancing.

What I didn't like:

-The idea of writing a kids show is so un-Futurama-like. It really doesn't sit well at all with  the show.
-Leela was way too snobby.
-The Lady Gaga line. 
-The "plot twist" so so corny.
-The Rumbledy-Hump scene went for WAY too long, and became quite tedious.
-"The 98 words we don't say" song. It seemed like the writers wanted to say the words "penis" and "gay" just to make it clear that this wasn't an actual kids show, and it was rather annoying, because it wasn't subtle at all. The same goes for Calculon's "Outstanding Sext Message" line...

Overall, a 5/10. I'm still surprised this is the lowest-rated episode, but I can kinda see why...

[Reply #344 on:]

Like with TFHS, this episode has lots of tiny great moments in it, but overall it sucks.

[Reply #345 on:]

One of the deleted scenes on the DVD for this episode is an alternate ending. It was so much better than what they actually used...

Show spoiler

Rather than Doubledeal adopt the orphans, he turned Rumbledy-Hump into an amusement park. It was much more interesting than Leela saying "someone punish me" for two whole minutes. Also, it ended with her whacking a giant owl with a bat. Why on earth did they think it would be funnier to end with her screaming "Nooo!" 

[Reply #346 on:]

Well on the commentary they said they felt the original ending was too harsh to the orphans. I need to watch that deleted scene, I meant to do that...but I pretty much just got frustrated with the disc after having to see that episode again.

[Reply #347 on:]

They should produce DVDs with deletable scenes.
(In that case, "Möbius Dick" would be sooo done in my later to be purchased season 6B DVDs... )

[Reply #348 on:]

How about a "build your own episode" type thing, heh.

[Reply #349 on:]

Show spoiler

Why on earth did they think it would be funnier to end with her screaming "Nooo!"  

Show spoiler

Because her screaming "Yesssss!" didn't fit?

How about a "build your own episode" type thing, heh.

The King Crimson Déjà Vrooom DVD allows you to create version of "21st Century Schizoid Man" which never existed; you could choose a vocal track from one performance, a guitar track from another, etc., and play the result.

[Reply #350 on:]

Who else loves the little scene with Hattie spraying Leela's eye? It caught me off-guard and provided a good laugh.

[Reply #351 on:]

I dunno, I enjoyed this episode overall.  There was some references that did the usual annoyance, and there were a few lines and scenes I didn't get any humor out of, but plenty of it worked for me.

I loved the kids reactions to Leela's first story and coming a second time.  I also thought Leela becoming so snobby over her false ability to be refreshingly human, and more so, pretty in line with her character.  While not usually so obvious, she's often been shown to have strong morale positioning on things...right up until they annoy her or she can gain some kind of advantage around it.  This felt right for her, if exaggerated compared to the norm.

I also thought the Rumbledee's were funny as characters, and enjoyed the "shock" of finding out they were real.  When they started their "bad words' song I cracked up a bit because it was such a typical stupid but cute kids show act, minus the language of course.

The ending was also funny to me, with how Doubledeal hired the kids and their reactions and the scenes of them toiling.

I also liked it because this is an episode where overall there was nothing to worry about letting my kid watch it.  At nine she's been exposed to Futurama for about a year, but I've always had to jump around at times or edge out some of the more questionable content episodes.

That much said it ranked a solid 7/10 for me.  Plenty of ups and only a few downs to me, compared to some other episodes.

[Reply #352 on:]

It was OK......not terrible, but could be stronger. Kids shows just don't mix well with Futurama. 6 or 7/10. Lets just say 6.5. (I actually agree with IGN on this one.)

[Reply #353 on:]

I think that this episode is bad. The first time I saw it, I wanted to use the suicide booth. It is that the episode seems childish / babyish.

[Reply #354 on:]

The first time I saw it, I wanted to use the suicide booth.

Just don't select "Slow and horrible", otherwise you'll be subjected to watching Yo Leela Leela again...

[Reply #355 on:]

Well on the commentary they said they felt the original ending was too harsh to the orphans. I need to watch that deleted scene, I meant to do that...but I pretty much just got frustrated with the disc after having to see that episode again.

I watched the deleted scene last night, and it was definitely harsher--but I think the writers might have been better off using it. Its darker tone might have gone over better with those people who accuse this episode of being too cutesy and kids' show-like. Personally, though, I like how the rewritten ending so wonderfully subverts and otherwise plays with the usual convention in kid's shows, where everyone loves one another and the world is a wonderful place and all the lessons and messages imparted are bright and sunny.

Who else loves the little scene with Hattie spraying Leela's eye? It caught me off-guard and provided a good laugh.

That's one of the few montages this past season that really worked for me, both in terms of its content and its music.

I also thought Leela becoming so snobby over her false ability to be refreshingly human, and more so, pretty in line with her character.  While not usually so obvious, she's often been shown to have strong morale positioning on things...right up until they annoy her or she can gain some kind of advantage around it.  This felt right for her, if exaggerated compared to the norm.

Well-said, and I agree with you completely. I sometimes feel like a Leela apologist because I'm so willing to see her obvious flaws as signs of her humanity, as opposed to the products of bitchiness or inconsistent writing. But it's true that getting a big head, and going against one aspect of your morality (your belief that stealing and lying are wrong) to satisfy another (your belief that orphans need a role model and a sense of self-worth), is totally understandable and relatable. It may be annoying to watch Leela act like a self-righteous braggart, but it feels right for her character and is thus forgivable, in my opinion.

[Reply #356 on:]

I guess I'll try to over-analyze Yo Leela Leela 

Anytime I see a reference to the Orphanarium, I immediately know that Leela is somehow directly or indirectly involved in the episode.  And that's not a negative, as I find Leela to be one of the more amusing and interesting characters on the show.  This episode took me for a surprise though, as it clearly wasn't the strongest episode in the new season's running.  With a generous vote of 6/10, I thought this episode wasn't the best Futurama has to offer, but it was good enough, and feel that there were underlying messages that we, the viewers, should look out for.  I hold the studio staff in high regard for bringing us quality programming, however anything short of excellent doesn't necessarily mean failure but means more planning and execution is required.  Of course, I am constantly torn for my love of the show vs. being impartial while reviewing.   

Obviously, this episode is a satirical spoof on Yo Gabba Gabba, a children's show with an odd array of characters.  Personally, I have never seen an episode, and I couldn't tell you how much Yo Leela Leela accurately exploited the intended satire, but I'll give the writers the benefit of the doubt as they're much smarter and clever than I'll ever be.  Leela returning to the Orphanarium shows how she's willing to give back to her "community" - and I use community in quotations because the Orphanarium holds a motley crew of abandoned adolescent misfits that very few would ever want.  This isn't the ideal community by anybody's standards, but it's one Leela identifies with and sympathizes for (see her actions in the Why of Fry and The Cyber House Rules).  With this in mind, it isn't shocking to see that Leela wants to give back to her community and impressing the children with her story telling.  And we see this dedication as she manifests her observations on the "secret planet" into a children's television show.  Leela's pursuit to make the orphans happy even had her turn to "plaguerism" - which begs to ask: do the ends justify the means?  It is an interesting question, and clearly Leela saw that the answer was "yes".  She made the children happy at the expense of her morality and unethical behavior (HIGHLY subjective, I might add, because it can be interpreted that all Leela did was simply turn a natural observation into a television show... but it's impossible to determine what type of standards are expected in the 31st century  ).  The ending of the show is positive, somewhat, as the children were adopted but were also working for Abner Doubledeal.  I don't know if that's positive at all, actually. 

Anyway, I have to remind myself that Futurama is a comedy, and this episode was missing a large part of that.  I didn't necessarily find this episode to particularly funny.  However, I tend to OVER analyze Futurama episodes, and look for points and details that aren't necessarily explicit.  With that said, I feel that, although this episode may have missed its mark on comic value, it reinforced Leela's compassion for everyone - including those in the past, present AND future.  Remember, Leela was constantly teased at the Orphanarium by the other children because of her eye.  Why would anyone want to return to the place that brought so much emotional trauma and misery, especially during one's childhood?  I don't think they would.

I stand by my 6/10 review, although that could easily change +1/-1, depending on when I see the episode again. 

[Reply #357 on:]

 There would have to be a good episode eventually....

[Reply #358 on:]

I think it was a great episode, a few problems with continuity here or there but overall one of my favorites.

[Reply #359 on:]

Really? Tell me why you liked it so much. In my opinion, it had a lot of failed jokes and just didn't feel like an episode.