Is Zapp The Greatest Lesser Character In Cartoon History?

[Reply #40 on:]

Oh, certainly it was the sort of thing he'd do; no doubt; my point was that it wasn't really the sort of thing the writers would've done.
Formerly.

[Reply #41 on:]

Feh, it's nice to have SOME unpredictability in the writing.

[Reply #42 on:]

I agree with you km, all of the characters feel a bit different (well, the ones we are more familiar with anyway). I suppose this is what happens when a few years pass and the writing staff changes a bit 
I am still going to enjoy the ride though 

[Reply #43 on:]

 

Originally posted by TommyMagic:
Icome to this board a lot but never post, I decided I would today, maybe the merriment of xmas did it to me :-)

I know this type of thing has probably been asked before, but whether specifically to Zapp I dont know!

I was thinking about it yesterday when I was watchin Branning Begin Again - As a somewhat lesser character on the scale of Futurama (I'd say anyone other than Fry Leela Bender and Professor could be counted) Zapp is just golden! This of course, is nothing shocking, we all know he is!

But would you go as far as me and say he is the greatest lesser cartoon character in history? (i'd say he's close to greatest cartoon character period, but thats me!)

'His' whole way of carrying him self and his comments are golden! I've never had such a big laugh from another character as I have had from some of the things Zapp says in the show!

I say he is The Greatest Lesser Character in cartoon history (nicely put btw)

[Reply #44 on:]

I know the writers went slightly low-brow, even though I don't mind it, but it made for one of the best lines in the movie "Kif, she didn't have a dictionary, she was butt-naked." That alone qualified it for me.

Also, while I would say he is one of the best, I also have a soft spot for sideSHOW Bob.

"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth! No truth-handler you! Bah, I deride your truth-handling abilities!"

[Reply #45 on:]

I love how he commands the entire battle from the safety of the NNY Applebee's. That's classic Zapp right there.

 

Originally posted by HipNoJoe:
Having already scored with Leela and then scoring with Amy and then on top of it...

Well it certainly makes him the luckiest character ever.

Lucky bastard

[Reply #46 on:]

It says in one of the episode commentaries that with the character of Zapp they were aiming for something half-Capt. Kirk/half-William Shatner. Mission accomplished, I'd say. Zapp is an insufferable, overbearing shameless narcicist; he almost makes Shatner pale in comparison. (Those in doubt read "Star Trek Memories" by William Shatner.)
And yes, sleeping with Amy was a cheap shot.

[Reply #47 on:]

Yup, Zapp manages to out-Shatner Shatner.  Excerpt from the most obvious episode regarding the 2, Where No Fan Has Gone Before:

William Shatner: Shatner's log, airdate unknown.  The impossible has happened.  It would take days to recount the events I've witnessed, so settle in.  It all began...
Zapp: Quiet, you!  This court martial is now in session.  The honorably sexy Zapp Brannigan is presiding...

[Reply #48 on:]

Personally, I always found Zapp to be quite annoying. Lrrr and Morbo on the other hand, now there are some quality supporting characters!

[Reply #49 on:]

I agree with Bear; Lrr and Morbo are great supporting characters, especially Lrr. His quarrels about his weight with Ndunda are hilarious (Ndunda: "Why don't you cut out the middleman and just have it [butter] injected straight to your ass!)Also their all-too-human bedroom problems make Lrr more real and likable. It's hard to be the ruler of a whole planet and watch you weight AND still keep the sparks flying in the sack. Poor Lrr...   

[Reply #50 on:]

Windmills do not work that way! Goodnight! 

[Reply #51 on:]

 

Originally posted by Kifz:
It says in one of the episode commentaries that with the character of Zapp they were aiming for something half-Capt. Kirk/half-William Shatner. Mission accomplished,

I think the exact way they described it was "what if Shatner had been captain instead of Kirk?"

 

Originally posted by seattlejohn01:
Yup, Zapp manages to out-Shatner Shatner.

And that is one of the things that makes him awesome!

[Reply #52 on:]

   Zapp truly is one of, if not the greatest secondary character in cartoons. When I watched the deleted scene from "Amazon Women In the Mood", where Zapp says, "There's nothing like a wet, soapy flying buttress,", I almost shot cola out of my nose, it struck me as so funny! Should I ever actually encounter another flying buttress at some time in my carpentry career, I hope I can contain myself, and that I'm not on a rickety ladder.

[Reply #53 on:]

If you are make sure somebody takes a picture of the incident. You know for science....and my amusement.

[Reply #54 on:]

YES! And he's disabled too. He gives hope to all of those who have seckslexia

[Reply #55 on:]

Zapp's definitely a strong contender...I'd also throw the Robot Devil into the mix.

Granted his appearances are few and far between but he's a brilliant character when he gets screentime. He played a big part in making the Devil's Hand's one of my favourite Futurama episodes.

Going back to Zapp though I feel that a lot of his hilarity value is a by product of his humorously strained relationship with Kif...not that that's a bad thing but without Kif he wouldn't be anywhere near as amusing.

"And that's why you'll never make Captain Kif..."

Quotes like that are priceless.

[Reply #56 on:]

Okay I don't mean to throw a wrench into the conversation...but for the next comicon in san diego I really want to dress up like The Zapper. I don't have the voice down pat but I am really really trying to have it ready by then. And I'm also making the costume my self to try to get is as close as possible. The standard costume not the white and gold one. Ok...I've said my peace.

[Reply #57 on:]

Without the Zapper i feel like futurama would not be futurama. So my answer is yes hes the greatest at being less. bam!

[Reply #58 on:]

Okay I don't mean to throw a wrench into the conversation...but for the next comicon in san diego I really want to dress up like The Zapper. I don't have the voice down pat but I am really really trying to have it ready by then. And I'm also making the costume my self to try to get is as close as possible. The standard costume not the white and gold one. Ok...I've said my peace.

Just be sure to get your mircometer out for the hemline on the uniform. In one of the commentaries they do say that they spent ages getting it just short enough that it was only the poses he was so fond of striking; all modelled on Shatner in Star Trek, that kept the censor off their backs.

Seriously, Zapp is one of those characters who is guarenteed to make you laugh as soon as he appears on screen. An incompetent, egotistical narcissist of the first order, who seems to have this extra reflex that ensures that every time he opens his mouth, his foot is sure to end up firmly lodged in it.

There's just too many memorable lines, both in the series & on the DVDs for this character; I love the moment of Kiff's death, when Zapp's having a sandwich &, after Kiff splatters everywhere, including the sandwich, he says, "Kiff, come here, you gotta try this!", & proceeds to lick his lips.

[Reply #59 on:]

My God! I've just been rewatching Amazon Women in the Mood again & it's finally struck me why Zapp performs his rendition of Lola/Leela in the manner he does. It's a perfect mickey take of Shatner's recording of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, from the late 60's/early 70's; often voted one of the worst recordings ever. No wonder the other diners flee, screaming, for the escape pods.

Try this & you'll see what I mean (requires Windows Media Player):

http://www.pathcom.com/~boby/lsd.htm

[Reply #60 on:]

Just be sure to get your mircometer out for the hemline on the uniform. In one of the commentaries they do say that they spent ages getting it just short enough that it was only the poses he was so fond of striking; all modelled on Shatner in Star Trek, that kept the censor off their backs.

Seriously, Zapp is one of those characters who is guarenteed to make you laugh as soon as he appears on screen. An incompetent, egotistical narcissist of the first order, who seems to have this extra reflex that ensures that every time he opens his mouth, his foot is sure to end up firmly lodged in it.

There's just too many memorable lines, both in the series & on the DVDs for this character; I love the moment of Kiff's death, when Zapp's having a sandwich &, after Kiff splatters everywhere, including the sandwich, he says, "Kiff, come here, you gotta try this!", & proceeds to lick his lips.

That's going to be the hardest part. I have to get the minimum amount of decency. The bad part is being seen in the outfit OUTSIDE the convention...I'm sure that will cause some commotion with non-futurama fans.

[Reply #61 on:]

Just get someone, dressed as Kiff, to turn up to shield your thighs.

[Reply #62 on:]

Okay I don't mean to throw a wrench into the conversation...but for the next comicon in san diego I really want to dress up like The Zapper. I don't have the voice down pat but I am really really trying to have it ready by then. And I'm also making the costume my self to try to get is as close as possible. The standard costume not the white and gold one. Ok...I've said my peace.

Make an appearance at DragonCon in Atlanta next year and see how it goes over.

Of course @ DragonCon, you probably won't be noticed. 

Ralph "hopes to be a judge at the Klingon Beauty Contest" Snart

[Reply #63 on:]

Can't make it out there...using most of my vacation time for Comic Con.

[Reply #64 on:]

A zapp costume would be cool, but who wants to wear a short skirt?

[Reply #65 on:]

A zapp costume would be cool, but who wants to wear a short skirt?

That depends...
Do you have the legs for it?
I'll just ooze out under the door now...

[Reply #66 on:]

One word: Nylons!

I'm going to butcher it, but my favorite Zapp line has to got to be from his first appearance.

"We both know you won't get very far before THE CRAVING sets in.  Then you'll come crawling back for another taste of sweet, sweet candy. 

Bang."

The bang kills me everytime.

[Reply #67 on:]

And it all worked out in the end. I hope Zapp plays a bigger role in the 4th movie.

[Reply #68 on:]

   "We both know you won't get very far before THE CRAVING sets in.  Then you'll come crawling back for another taste of sweet, sweet candy. 

   Bang."

   The bang kills me everytime.

Bang? Isn't it 'bam'? I thought it was 'bam'. It's always sounded like 'bam' to me.

[Reply #69 on:]

Fine, I'll just go rewatch the episode and get the quote right... honestly.  Who would want to watch Futurama over and over again? 

"We both know you won't make it halfway to Vergon 6 before -the craving- sets in.  Then you'll come crawling back for another taste of sweet, sweet candy.  Bam." 


"Well, well, well."  "So... crawling back to the Big Z like a bird on its belly. Delicious."  "They've been known to!"  "Can't you ask a little more sexfully?"  "Hahm.  Certainly, but first you'll have to get rid of that thing.  That's the law, Leela, and Brannigan's Law is like Brannigan's love - hard and fast.  Now put that greasy rat out and we'll tow you to safety."  "And which one rocked your world?"

[Reply #70 on:]

Close but my favorite is still Groundskeeper Willy.

[Reply #71 on:]

Yes, he is the funniest cartoon character I have ever seen, I especialy liked him when he did the song in Amazon Women in the Mood.

[Reply #72 on:]

"Prepare to be boarded again and again!"

Seriously, I can't think of a single unfunny Zapp line.

[Reply #73 on:]

"Prepare to be boarded again and again!"

Seriously, I can't think of a single unfunny Zapp line.

I completly agree. Personally, my favorite line has to be "Say, uh, Lemon, do you like to read? I just got a great book on tape. It's about life in Ancient Greece and--"  from War is the H-Word... 

[Reply #74 on:]

All this Holodeck madness has stressed me out, I need to calm down. If you need me I'll be on the Holodeck. - Kif gets knocked up a notch.

[Reply #75 on:]

Yeah, Zapp is a pretty great character. However some of his best work come when he is paired with kif as his bitter and sarcastic sidekick.

That said, his best work, his undeniably best work is usually with Leela onscreen. The interplay between them after LLLIS is fantastic. It's like watching a chiuahua try to mount a wolfhound. Sorta.

[Reply #76 on:]

 

That said, his best work, his undeniably best work is usually with Leela onscreen. The interplay between them after LLLIS is fantastic. It's like watching a chiuahua try to mount a wolfhound. Sorta.

With the exception of one of the best lines from ITWGY.

Zapp: "For me there is only one eighties."

[Reply #77 on:]

Zapp is one of the greatest characters in history. He is better that Peter Griffin.

[Reply #78 on:]

Zapp is one of the greatest characters in history. He is better that Peter Griffin.

Isn't everyone better than Peter Griffin?

And to keep this on topic, I love the line from Brannigan Begin Again "What makes a man turn neutral? Lust for gold? Power? Or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?"

[Reply #79 on:]

Do you like family guy?. I think it is boring with all the constant jokes