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Author Topic: Thoughts on 7ACV14 – Forty Percent Leadbelly – SPOILERS  (Read 21709 times)
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PEE Poll: Octupi, or octupuses?
1/10 This episode cracked corn and I don’t care.   -4 (6.8%)
2/10 Should've stayed frozen in carbonite.   -3 (5.1%)
3/10 It’s octopi dumbass.   -1 (1.7%)
4/10 Bender gets a job episode #56   -3 (5.1%)
5/10 Meh on a bun.   -8 (13.6%)
6/10 Folkish music.   -11 (18.6%)
7/10 Octupusses is also okay.   -10 (16.9%)
8/10 It’s fun on a bun!   -14 (23.7%)
9/10 Bob Dylan approves this episode.   -2 (3.4%)
10/10 Ken Keeler has done it again!   -3 (5.1%)
Total Members Voted: 59

DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #80 on: 07-07-2013 11:18 »
« Last Edit on: 07-07-2013 11:19 »

Though I agree with DtB, Zed, and others who say this episode follows the typical formula for Bender-centric stories, this fact doesn't bother me because I have always been pretty fond of such episodes ("The Birdbot of Ice-Catraz," "Godfellas," and "Bend Her" are Top 25 episodes for me).

I should clarify (along with saying I also like those episodes) that I don't really consider episodes like that to be part of the same formula that this one is. Nor do I really think that Bender episodes as a whole are, necessarily, usually on the weaker side of things. There are plenty of exceptions to that. Plus, I mean, I named my dog after Bender. I love Bender!

It's more specifically about episodes where Bender takes on some new job or interest and thus goes on some kind of adventure that mostly excludes the other characters. Godfellas has deeper themes, Birdbot is specifically about the conflict between Bender and Fry (and with Leela also), even something like Pharaoh to Remember (as bad as that episode is) is really about something more than "here's a standard sitcom story, but it's more interesting because it involves robots." There's more of a central conflict to all of those episodes, other than us caring (for some reason) about whether Bender succeeds in his new interest that he literally just learned about or took interest in.

Bender becoming a chef. Or joining the mob. Or becoming a wrestler. These are more what I'm talking about. Or becoming a paparazzi. Episodes where you could probably sub Homer Simpson from the Mike Scully era in and change a few details and no one would could tell the difference. It's kind of a sitcom "X character becomes [blank]" formula where there just isn't even much to say about it.

I don't even hate those episodes, either. I like all the examples I mentioned well enough (though, 30% Iron Chef is probably in the bottom ten or so of the series). It's just a specific type of formula that works okay but almost refuses to produce greatness, with the odd exception (namely Bendin' in the Wind, the previous folk-singing episode). But Bender episodes as a whole have a much prouder history than that, including many recent episodes. Lethal Inspection, Benderama, Ghost in the Machines, among others are favorites of mine.
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #81 on: 07-07-2013 19:16 »
« Last Edit on: 07-07-2013 20:57 »

Eric Rogers briefly mentioning the bad reception for this ep, here.

*edit*

Some reviews of the episode:

Television Blend - Futurama Watch: Season 7, Episode 17 - Forty Percent Leadbelly

io9 - Futurama makes us wish we'd stayed in prison
Beamer

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #82 on: 07-08-2013 06:28 »

This episode didn't have me cracking up like Futurama usually does (though more than enough chuckles to keep it from being completely stale), but it had a pretty surprising plot, in that, I thought it was going to be a lot less inventive than it actually turned out to be. Once I realised what was going on, I enjoyed this one a lot more. And I liked the drawing style during Bender's songs, too. I gave this one a 7.
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #83 on: 07-08-2013 17:46 »

Another review:

IGN - Futurama: "Forty Percent Leadbelly" Review
MuchAdo

Professor
*
« Reply #84 on: 07-09-2013 02:10 »

I agree with all the bad reviews and Eric Roger's saying they were high on plastic fumes when they made it.

This episode was only 40% good, at most.
Fnord
Starship Captain
****
« Reply #85 on: 07-09-2013 05:32 »

But WTF was that rap-ending! :mad:

Ditto on that. They're folk singers, d***it!
Svip

Administrator
DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #86 on: 07-09-2013 09:49 »

But WTF was that rap-ending! :mad:

Ditto on that. They're folk singers, d***it!

I am pretty sure that was the joke with 'let's sell out'...
Eternium

Professor
*
« Reply #87 on: 07-09-2013 11:13 »

I found the rap ending quite amusing, but the lyrics were a bit weird...
sparkybarky

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #88 on: 07-09-2013 17:15 »

I didn't dislike this episode. On the whole, I enjoyed it. The animation was superb. I especially loved the "old-timey" monochromatic segments that illustrated Bender's lyrics; it provided that O Brother Where Art Thou feel to his songs. Which I think is very fitting, given how music is central to that movie, and that people went nuts when T. Bone Walker unearthed all those old, old songs from a time and place that made them feel...nostalgic perhaps (for the good ole days of Jim Crowe?). The space train was quite beautiful (though pretty nonsensical to me--why would there be trains in space, even if they do fly, given that there are much sleeker and more aerodynamic means of traveling). I especially loved the animation of the scene where the robots were working while Bender reclined with his drink.

The plot was overly circuitous and meandering, but I did appreciate the twist, and the theme of the 3D printer printing out anything that Bender imagined. (Octopuses/octopi were quite stupid, though.) I liked the character of Big Caboose and his deep baritone voice...I wish he had sung more. The ending...eh, yeah, it was slick and overdone a la Simpsons but I suppose slick and overdone was the point. I was amused by their rapping.

Being a big fan of Americana and roots music, I was rather distracted by the moniker "folk singer." It seemed his songs were more blues or bluegrass. When I think of "folk songs" I think of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, or Woody Guthrie...but, whatever. The distinction is probably one that I alone make, or care about.

The jokes were few and far between, but as I said, the animation tipped the scales in favor of a more positive experience for me. I give it a 6.5/10.
Juliet

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #89 on: 07-10-2013 08:24 »

Manage to watch this episode. Another great Bender episode with some funny moments and a good story plot. Remind me of the episode Bending In The Wind with Beck.
Inquisitor Hein
Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #90 on: 07-10-2013 09:27 »

But WTF was that rap-ending! :mad:



Ditto on that. They're folk singers, d***it!

They stole that ending from me...:p
Mr Snrub

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #91 on: 07-10-2013 19:25 »

Badass.
flesheatingbull

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #92 on: 07-11-2013 09:13 »

So where's the joke in the prison name. 11-Worth. I know there's a joke and I'm just missing it.
fryfanSpyOrama

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #93 on: 07-12-2013 01:38 »

loved the creative way they managed to make everything Bender sung on his guitar real.  Also enjoyed the twist at the end.
Tachyon

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #94 on: 07-12-2013 01:53 »

So where's the joke in the prison name. 11-Worth. I know there's a joke and I'm just missing it.



SilverWolf

Crustacean
*
« Reply #95 on: 07-16-2013 19:38 »
« Last Edit on: 07-16-2013 19:46 »

There was a grammar/linguistics usage subplot hiding in the episode.

This is probably the single greatest episode of Futurama; easily the best to introduce new fans to the series.

Winnaaaaa!! Explaiiiiiiin! Pretty please. :)

Why did you like it so much? I feel like people are missing something about it, but I can't figure out what. Or are you being sarcastic?


Quantum Neutrino Field

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #96 on: 07-16-2013 19:58 »

SolidSnake

Professor
*
« Reply #97 on: 07-23-2013 06:26 »

I found the rap ending quite amusing, but the lyrics were a bit weird...
I wish they could have saved it for the credits, like they did with "Free Will Hunting".

I really wanna bring my vote for this ep down to a 6/10. It kinda blew. Not exactly horrible or anything, but kinda bad. I do like Bender's folk song a little, and the printer twist alot, but it just wasn't even funny. The worst part, is that there wasn't even any B-Plot to help make up for the ep! It totally deserves a 6/10 meh.
Not4You2Know
Crustacean
*
« Reply #98 on: 07-24-2013 15:40 »

Negative Negative Negative!   What do you people WANT?

Spicy Weasel

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #99 on: 07-24-2013 22:22 »

^ better writing & more funny.  5/10, 2nd one this season..... sigh.
JoshTheater

Space Pope
****
« Reply #100 on: 07-28-2013 20:41 »

It goes without saying that this isn't Keeler's best episode, but it's far from the worst. I'll call for a 7.5/10 for now, and as always that's bound to change for either the better or worse.
Exactly how I feel. The Honking was more than likely his worst.

Whaaaa? Sorry, but The Honking is a great episode. The Tip Of The Zoidberg, The Six Million Dollar Mon, Overclockwise, and this episode were all phenomenally worse. Not sure why everyone thinks Ken Keeler has been the show's saving grace recently, since his last good episode was The Prisoner Of Benda (which, to be fair, was excellent, especially in terms of being a newer episode).
SolidSnake

Professor
*
« Reply #101 on: 07-28-2013 20:53 »

....Read my post after that one.
JoshTheater

Space Pope
****
« Reply #102 on: 07-28-2013 22:38 »

Well, I've just seen that episode so many times that I guess I've more easily cemented my opinion on it.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #103 on: 07-28-2013 23:08 »

Putting aside that writing credits don't (necessarily) actually mean a tremendous amount... I think Keeler's had a pretty solid record on the Comedy Central seasons. Prisoner of Benda, Tip of the Zoidberg, Overclockwise, and Six Million Dollar Mon are all great episodes. This one is forgettable, but fine.

Though I will agree with JoshTheater about The Honking. That's a great episode and actually about the point that I think Futurama truly hit its stride.
SolidSnake

Professor
*
« Reply #104 on: 07-28-2013 23:11 »

Yeah, I only watched it like 3 times in the past. I was too busy watching Classics like "The Luck of the Fryrish", "Parasites Lost", "Farnsworth Parabox", you know, those eps. I never liked alot of Season 2 episodes. I did really like some episodes. like "A Head in the Polls", and "A Clone of my Own".
Mr Snrub

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #105 on: 07-28-2013 23:28 »

I regard Keeler about as highly as I do Horsted and Weinstein. Perhaps even a little less than those guys.
bnevs18

Crustacean
*
« Reply #106 on: 11-10-2013 15:39 »

I just watched this for the first time, CC had a marathon on and I watched 40% through Assie for the first time.  Alot of times you have to watch an episode twice before you get most of the episode...that said:

1/10
Not the worst episode ever based on itself, but considering the resources they had it is possibly the most disappointing.  Where were the jokes?  There were very few of them, and while this season is alot about revisiting good things from the early seasons, Bender's folk singing already has been revisited.
Monster_Robot_Maniac

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #107 on: 11-11-2013 17:50 »
« Last Edit on: 11-11-2013 17:53 »

I gave it a 5/10, and honestly, I'm being very generous by giving it that high of a score.
The story was poor and felt very re-hashed, the jokes fell flat, and it was just overall bad. They covered all of the bases on Bender's love of folksinging back in 2001 with Bendin' in the Wind, which wasn't a very good episode either, so why would they do it again so many years later? Even the 3D Printer plot felt very stupid. By the year 3000, 3D printing would be a very common thing, making the use of it in this episode very illogical. Unless I'm forgetting an episode or two, I'd say that this is Ken Keeler's worst Futurama episode, and that's sad, because he's such a great writer. I can't quite decide if I hate Saturgay Mourning Shit Fit for this one more, but judging by ratings, I guess it's SMFP. :nono:

After looking through and thinking about most of 7B's episodes, I'm starting to realize that this wasn't that great of a season, for the most part. I think the quality picked up from Assie Come Home on, however, so I suppose they were just saving the best for last.
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #108 on: 12-13-2014 22:46 »

You know, after watching this episode again, I don't think it's that bad. It's definitely one of the show's weakest episodes, but I didn't find it as bad as I did when it first aired. Some of the songs in it are pretty catchy, and the twist is neat, even if it is somewhat obvious to most viewers.
UnrealLegend

Space Pope
****
« Reply #109 on: 12-14-2014 01:18 »

Yeah, I wouldn't call the episode bad, I'd call it utterly unremarkable.
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