http://theinfosphere.org/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=5.81.37.70&feedformat=atomThe Infosphere, the Futurama Wiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T12:53:21ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.36.3http://theinfosphere.org/index.php?title=A_Flight_to_Remember&diff=145708A Flight to Remember2014-08-16T16:27:16Z<p>5.81.37.70: /* Goofs */</p>
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<div>{{episode infobox 2<br />
|name=A Flight to Remember<br />
|no=10<br />
|image=[[File:A Flight to Remember.jpg|225px]]<br />
|season=1<br />
|broadcast season=2<br />
|number=1ACV10<br />
|caption=Filmed On Location<br />
|first aired={{date|26 September}}, [[1999]]<br />
|written by=Eric Horsted<br />
|directed by=Peter Avanzino<br />
|title reference=Titanic novel {{w|A Night to Remember (book)|''A Night to Remember''}}<br />
|caption reference=<br />
|opening cartoon={{w|Clutch Cargo|''Clutch Cargo'' - "Space Station"}}<br />
|broadcast number=S02E01<br />
|prev ep=Hell Is Other Robots<br />
|next ep=Mars University<br />
}}<br />
This episode tells several tales on board the cruise liner ''[[Titanic]]'', piloted by [[Zapp Brannigan]]. It also introduces [[Kif-Amy relationship|the relationship]] between [[Kif Kroker]] and [[Amy Wong]].<br />
<br />
== The Story ==<br />
=== Act I: "It's just my way of thanking you for not reporting my countless violations of safety and minimum wage laws." ===<br />
The crew return to Planet Express, having narrowly escaped a delivery on the [[list of planets|planet]] [[Cannibalon]] with their lives. They abruptly tell the [[Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth|Professor]] they're quitting, but they quickly reconsider after he tells them they are all taking a company vacation - on the maiden voyage of the largest space cruise ship ever built, the [[Titanic]]. None of them see any danger in this.<br />
<br />
=== Act II: "I christen this ship Titanic!" ===<br />
At the ship's christening and launch ceremony, [[Mayor C. Randall Poopenmeyer|Mayor Poopenmeyer]] presents [[Zapp Brannigan]], who is honorary captain for the Titanic's maiden voyage. Hoping to avoid Zapp's advances, [[Turanga Leela|Leela]] pretends to be engaged to [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]]. In the Titanic they all visit the professor's suite, which is in first class but the others' room is in the lowest class. [[Bender Bending Rodriguez|Bender]], in the casino, meets a rich fembot, the [[Countess de la Roca]], who thinks Bender is rich too. Zapp Brannigan takes the ship off course seeking adventure, but the new course passes through a swarm of comets. [[Amy Wong|Amy]] runs into [[Leo and Inez Wong|her parents]], who immediately begin trying to hook her up with an [[Unnamed Fat Guy|unpleasant fat man]]. To put them off, she also claims to be dating Fry, and kisses him.<br />
<br />
=== Act III: "I'm a poor, lazy, sexy fraud." ===<br />
Leela gets jealous of Fry's pretend relationship with Amy after seeing them kiss. Bender, pretends to be a rich aristocrat to impress the Countess, and in her room, he looks for something to steal and sees a gold bracelet with a diamond, but he can't take it. In the bar, he asks [[iZac]] why he couldn't steal the bracalet, and he says Bender's in love with her. Then Bender steals some drinks and gets beat up by guards called by iZac. The Countess saves him and accepts Bender anyway; romance ensues, and they have a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, as the others have a limbo competition, [[Hermes Conrad|Hermes]] remembers when he was in the [[2980 Olympics]] limbo team and a [[2980 Olympics Boy|young fan]] of his broke his back while imitating him, this is what made Hermes quit limbo. Zapp makes Leela the winner, though she didn't even participate and as a reward he invites Fry, Leela, and the Wongs to dinner. At the restaurant, the Wongs want Fry to kiss his "girlfriend" Amy, but Zapp, suspecting Leela and Fry are not engaged, is watching him. When [[Kif Kroker|Kif]] calls Zapp away after his course corrections lead the ship into disaster, he has to leave the table, and Amy kisses Fry. Again, this makes Leela jealous and insecure. When she confronts Fry, he actually says the right thing for once. They see all the couples: Hermes with [[LaBarbara Conrad|LaBarbara]], [[Dr. John A. Zoidberg|Zoidberg]] with the [[Jellyfish Nurse]] and Farnsworth with [[Hattie McDoogal]]. They're about to kiss but the moment is ruined when Zapp's course corrections make matters worse. The Titanic is going to a black hole.<br />
<br />
=== Act IV: "Tell 'em I died robbing some old man." ===<br />
As the ship falls into the black hole (thanks to Zapp, who makes Kif the captain and escapes in a small ship), everyone heads for the life boats. Bender goes to find the Countess, who is trapped in a burning room deep in the ship. Bender uses a fire hose to put out the fire, and the room floods so Bender rides the Countess, who is a Class 3 Yacht, to safety. Meanwhile, the Planet Express crew is caught behind an emergency bulkhead, and it's up to Hermes to save the day by limboing under the door while [[Dr. John Zoidberg|Zoidberg]] holds it open slightly with his claw. Hermes goes really far down and manages to get to the other side to open the door. The Wongs find another boyfriend for Amy, Kif, and they kiss as they go to the boat. They wait as long as they can for Bender before boarding the last life raft and escaping, but Bender and the Countess arrive just in time and grab the raft's door before it launches. The pod is too heavy, and they are saved when the Countess falls into the black hole. Fry tries to console a sad Bender by saying the Countess might be in a parallel universe, but according to the professor she must be dead. Bender says he still has the bracelet but Hermes examines it and says it's fake. Bender cries as the pod flies away.<br />
<br />
== Additional Info ==<br />
[[File:Promo 1ACV10.jpg|right|thumbnail|[[Promotional picture|Promo pic]] of this episode]]<br />
<br />
=== Trivia ===<br />
*Kif and Amy meet for the first time in this episode, beginning the [[Kif-Amy relationship|romance between them]].<br />
*This is the first time we learn of Hermes' history as a professional Limbo champion.<br />
*This is also the first time that Leela and Fry are seen in a [[Fry-Leela relationship|romantic situation]].<br />
<br />
=== Allusions ===<br />
{{cultural mentions}}<br />
*This episode's main plot is a parody of the 1997 film ''{{w|film=Titanic|1997}}''.<br />
*iZac is a robotic version of Isaac Washington, the bartender played by Ted Lange on ''The Love Boat'', his name doubling as a reference to the Apple iProducts.<br />
*When the crew rush to an escape pod, [[Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth|the Professor]] is seen on the back of Fry, a possible reference to {{sw|Yoda}} on {{sw|Luke Skywalker|Luke}}'s back during his training in ''[[Star Wars]] {{sw|Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back|Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back}}''.<br />
<br />
=== Quotes ===<br />
{{q|<br />
<poem>'''The Countess de la Roca''': It may hurt for a while, but one day you'll share your love again. After all, it's shareware.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Kif''': Sir, remember your course correction? Well it's proving somewhat more suicidal than we had initially hoped.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Leela''': Take it off, or I'll break it off.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Bender''': Well, I'm tired of this room and everyone in it. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna pop over to the casino for the next 135 hours.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Fry''': You're going back for the Countess, aren't you!?<br />
'''Bender''': Alright, I am, but I don't want the others to know! If I don't come back, just tell them I died robbing some old man!<br />
'''Fry''': I'll tell them you went out prying the wedding ring off his cold, dead finger!<br />
'''Bender''': [tearful] I love you, buddy!</poem><br />
|2}}<br />
<br />
=== Goofs ===<br />
*Bender gets in the escape pod, which lacks a dual airlock system, without causing the pod to decompress in the end.<br />
**The escape pods might have been built with an invisible barrier that stores air. This was brought up in the commentary for ''[[Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'', as the [[Planet Express ship]] crashes through a glass wall in the middle of space without any change in gravity or air pressure.<br />
*In the scene when LaBarbara tells Hermes to hit the door release, Amy is seen without a nose.<br />
*When Bender is looking at the dice he has three fingers, but when he rolls the dice he is seen with four fingers on his right hand. Once he puts his hand on the table, he has three fingers again.<br />
*Although Zoidberg was seen with a [[Jellyfish Nurse|jellyfish-like woman]] in this episode, it was shown in "[[Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?]]", almost a year later, that he was oblivious of the meaning of love at that time. He is also revealed to be a saltwater animal in this episode, but he spat out salt water in "[[My Three Suns]]". However this may not be a goof as being with the [[Jellyfish Nurse|jellyfish-like woman]] doesn't imply he understands love, as he clearly already had an understanding of mating.<br />
*Due to the massive gravitational pull of a black hole, the part of the ship that was close to it should have started to have a time dilation, where the furthest part of the ship would have been moving faster than the closer part.<br />
*In "[[The Series Has Landed]]", Bender says magnets screw up his inhibition unit, making him "flip out and start acting like some crazy folk singer", yet, in this episode, he says his bow tie is magnetic, but not once does he sing.<br />
**It is possible that magnets only affect his inhibition unit when placed on his head.<br />
*When the Countess is being pulled into the black hole she is only holding onto her bracelet (while Bender holds on to the other end); after the Countess says "it's shareware" the bracelet rotates 180°.<br />
*Zoidberg is poor, yet he is able to have his own suite.<br />
<br />
=== Characters ===<br />
{{chars-begin}}<br />
*[[Amy Wong|Amy]]<br />
*[[Bender Bending Rodriguez|Bender]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[Bisque guy]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[2980 Olympics Boy]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[Countess de la Roca]]<br />
*[[Philip J. Fry|Fry]]<br />
*[[Hattie McDoogal]]<br />
*[[Hermes Conrad]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[iZac]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[Jellyfish Nurse]]<br />
*[[Kif Kroker]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[LaBarbara Conrad|LaBarbara]]<br />
*[[Turanga Leela|Leela]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[Leo Wong]]<br />
*'''Debut''': [[Inez Wong]]<br />
*[[Mayor C. Randall Poopenmeyer]]<br />
*[[Number 9 Man]]<br />
*[[Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth]]<br />
*[[Zapp Brannigan]]<br />
*[[Dr. John Zoidberg]]<br />
{{chars-end}}<br />
<br />
=== Themes ===<br />
* The [[Fry-Leela relationship|romance]] between Fry and Leela is explored in this episode.<br />
<br />
== Reception ==<br />
The episode is often voted in the top three of [[season one]].<ref>[http://reviews.theinfosphere.org/ Futurama reviews]</ref><ref>[http://www.gotfuturama.com/cgi-bin/EpisodeReview.cgi Can't Get Enough Futurama: Episode Reviews]</ref><br />
<br />
== Episode Credits ==<br />
{{credits-begin}}<br />
*Writer<br />
**[[Eric Horsted]]<br />
*Director<br />
**[[Peter Avanzino]]<br />
*Voice Actors<br />
**[[Billy West]]<br />
**[[Katey Sagal]]<br />
**[[John DiMaggio]]<br />
**[[Tress MacNeille]]<br />
**[[Phil LaMarr]]<br />
**[[Maurice LaMarche]]<br />
**[[Lauren Tom]]<br />
**[[Dawnn Lewis]]<br />
{{credits-end}}<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
{{navigation bottom<br />
|prev ep=Hell Is Other Robots<br />
|next ep=Mars University}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:A plots focusing on Bender]]<br />
[[Category:B plots focusing on Amy]]<br />
[[Category:B plots focusing on Fry]]<br />
[[Category:B plots focusing on Leela]]<br />
[[Category:Media featuring flashbacks]]<br />
[[Category:Media wherein characters run away]]</div>5.81.37.70http://theinfosphere.org/index.php?title=Dr._John_A._Zoidberg&diff=145707Dr. John A. Zoidberg2014-08-16T16:23:05Z<p>5.81.37.70: /* Mating Season */</p>
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<div>{{character infobox<br />
|name=Dr. John A. Zoidberg<br />
|type=p<br />
|image=[[File:Zoidberg promo 2.jpg|225px]]<br />
|image text=A [[promotional picture]] of Zoidberg eating a {{cat|fishe|fish}}.<br />
|age=At least {{age|2928}}{{er|6ACV18}}<br />
|birth date=Between {{date|23 November}} and {{date|23 December}}{{er|3ACV14|6ACV08|space=no}}<br />
|species=[[Decapodian]]<br />
|origin=[[Decapod 10]]<br />
|job=Staff doctor<br />
|family=''See [[#Family|family]] section''<br />
|first appear={{e|1ACV02}}<br />
|voiced by=Billy West<br />
}}<br />
{{update}}<br />
<br />
'''Dr. John A. Zoidberg''' is a [[Decapodian]] employed as staff doctor at [[Planet Express]]{{er|1ACV02}} and an honorary [[Globetrotter]].{{er|3ACV14}} He is only tolerated at Planet Express because of his ability to cut things.{{er|6ACV14}} An extremely poor man and a doctor of art history,{{er|6ACV05}} he is still lovable to many and hated by others. He is also noted as the only [[alien]] member of the [[Planet Express crew]].<br />
<br />
== Personality ==<br />
Desperate for acceptance, Zoidberg lives with a continuing delusion that he is well regarded by the rest of the Planet Express crew. He does appear to be rather intelligent, but he is an inept medical practitioner. Most of his co-workers look down on him, especially [[Hermes Conrad|Hermes]], who likes to make his life even more miserable. Dr. Zoidberg is [[Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth|Professor Farnsworth]]'s oldest friend, which suggests that Zoidberg is much older than he appears. A citizen of [[Earth]], he loves his chosen home planet for the personal freedom it provides.{{er|4ACV05}} He is also apparently the only intelligent organism on [[Earth]] deemed nice by the [[Santa Claus|Robot Santa Claus]].{{er|2ACV04}} It is unknown why, but it may be because of a glitch in Santa or because of Zoidberg's kind and innocent personality. Other than the professor, the only people known to identify him as a friend are the members of the [[First Planet Express crew]], [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]] (sometimes), [[Mom]] and [[Marianne|his girlfriend]].<br />
<br />
== Biography ==<br />
[[File:Anthology.jpg|right|thumb|Giant Zoidberg.{{er|2ACV16}}]]<br />
<br />
=== Early years ===<br />
<br />
Dr. Zoidberg was born on [[Decapod 10]] and seems to have visited high school there, going to school together with and having a crush on [[Edna]].{{er|2ACV05}} During that time, his face was covered in barnacles, for which he was laughed at.<br />
<br />
As a youngster, Zoidberg wanted to become a comedian, following the footsteps of his uncle [[Harold Zoid]], but he was discouraged by his guardian,<ref>Decapodians die upon mating.{{er|2ACV05}} One theory suggests that barren females care for the newly hatched young.</ref> whereupon he developed an interest in medical science.{{er|3ACV08}} In spite of trying to win his surrounding's respect, he was then looked down on because of giving up his dream of being a comedian. Eventually, he went to medical school and left his home planet to seek his fortune on [[Earth]], although it is not known whether he studied on Decapod 10 or on Earth. He never received a doctorate in medicine for humans, but in art history.{{er|6ACV05}} However, he started practicing human medicine nonetheless. He is however, an expert on aliens, as stated by [[Professor Farnsworth]].{{er|6ACV18}}<br />
<br />
In [[2927]], Zoidberg met [[Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth]] while on a mission to capture a Tritonian [[yeti]] for [[Mom]]. During the mission, the Professor was infected with hypermalaria, which at the time, was thought to be impossible to cure. The Professor ended up saving Zoidberg from the yeti by killing it, and in exchange, Farnsworth pleaded that Zoidberg kill him as soon as the symptoms of hypermalaria started, so he wouldn't have to experience the horrible consequences.{{er|6ACV18}} Zoidberg agreed, leading to his employment at Planet Express in [[2961]], when it was founded.{{er|6ACV15}} <br />
<br />
[[File:Claw-Plach.png|thumb|left|225px|Zoidberg and his friend [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]], battling in [[Claw-Plach]].{{er|2ACV05}}]]<br />
<br />
=== Planet Express doctor ===<br />
In his early days at Planet Express in 2961, he had a brief relationship with [[Candy]], until she was eaten by a [[Four-dimensional space whales|four-dimensional space whale]].{{er|6ACV15}}<br />
<br />
During [[Xmas]] of [[3000]], Zoidberg was the only person on Earth deemed "nice" by [[Robot Santa]] and was given a pogo stick as his present.{{er|2ACV04}} In [[3001]], Zoidberg saved [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]]'s life by transplanting his head onto [[Amy Wong|Amy]]'s shoulder when his body was severely damaged in a car crash on [[Jupiter]]'s moon [[Europa]].{{er|2ACV07}}<br />
<br />
===Mating Season===<br />
In 3001, Zoidberg was filling with male jelly and becoming violent due to the approaching mating season for his species. He went to his home planet to find a mate, and soon became intent on sharing the ritual with his old classmate Edna. Edna was disinterested and more attracted to Fry so Zoidberg challenged Fry to the Decapodian tradition of [[Claw-Plach]]. He intended to kill Fry until he noticed the mating ritual had begun without him, so he and Fry returned to Earth as friends again.{{er|2ACV05}} <br />
<br />
Later that year, when he was trapped at the bottom of the ocean with the rest of the Planet Express crew, he found a shell to live in and planned to reside there permanently, until it [[somehow]] burned down after Bender left his cigar next to it.{{er|2ACV12}}<br />
<br />
He served as a military doctor in the 3001 conflict with [[Spheron 1]].{{er|2ACV17}}<br />
<br />
===Attempts at comedy===<br />
Although his medical career meant giving up his dream of becoming a comedian, Zoidberg has since tried on occasion to be a freelance comedian of some sort, but lack the necessary talent and sense of humour. In his biggest try, he even had a minor part in [[Harold Zoid|his uncle]]'s film ''[[The Magnificent Three]]'' in [[3002]].{{er|3ACV08}}<br />
<br />
When the crew had to explore Fry's body in 3002, Zoidberg made himself useful by using his limited knowledge of human anatomy to lead them through a capillary.{{er|3ACV02}} Also that year he began coughing up pearls which were sold as necklaces while the crew were following Bender on tour.{{er|3ACV13}}<br />
<br />
===Roswell Alien===<br />
After a supernova he was accidentally sent back in time to [[1947]] Roswell where he was captured by the [[US Army]]. He met [[Harry S. Truman|President Harry Truman]] (it is unclear which of them was more baffled by the other) and was partially vivisected. He was rescued by Fry and returned to the [[31st century|future]] where he put his organs back in (except a non-vital one) and fixed himself with duct tape.{{er|3ACV19}}<br />
<br />
When Planet Express was taken over by [[Steve Castle]], he sold all his shares for a sandwich.{{er|3ACV21}}<br />
<br />
===Death Sentence===<br />
In [[3003]] on [[Freedom Day]], he ate [[Old Freebie|an Earthican flag]] and was chased by an angry mob sent by [[President Nixon]]. He took refuge in his planet's embassy and was sentenced to death for his crime while in hiding. In response, the Decapodians invaded and conquered Earth, enslaving all its citizens. Eventually, Zoidberg disagreed with the takeover and helped defeat the invaders with a burning flag.{{er|4ACV05}} <br />
<br />
In [[3004]], after an accident in a health spa, he reverted back to all his childhood stages until he returned to his current age in the [[Fountain of Aging]].{{er|4ACV09}}<br />
<br />
When Professor Farnsworth created a box containing [[Universe 1|a parallel universe]], Zoidberg quickly befriended his parallel counterpart. The two Zoidbergs, fed up with how the crew treats them, stole the box containing [[Universe Γ|our universe]] and tried to escape into other universes until they were caught by Farnsworth.{{er|4ACV15}}<br />
<br />
When everyone on Earth was given a 300 dollar government refund, Zoidberg was inspired to live like a rich person, until he was mocked by Mom for thinking the money had a lot of worth. He eventually spent his money on food for a group of homeless people.{{er|4ACV16}}<br />
<br />
===Mercy Killing===<br />
In [[3011]], the rest of the [[Planet Express Crew|crew]] became fed up with Dr. Zoidberg's incompetence as a doctor, and demanded that the [[Hubert J. Farnsworth|Professor]] fire him.{{er|6ACV18}} However, the symptoms of hypermalaria had after several decades, finally began to infect him. Farnsworth approached Zoidberg and informed him that it was time to perform the mercy killing, only it needed to be by surprise. But before Zoidberg could carry out the act, the rest of the crew caught Zoidberg trying to kill the Professor and imprisoned him in his office, restraining him with the Professor's lab coat. On the coat, Zoidberg discovers a thin, white, [[yeti]] hair, and realizes that the Professor never had hypermalaria, but [[yetiism]], a dangerous disease with identical symptoms to hypermalaria, that turns the victim into a yeti. Shocked by this revelation, Zoidberg escapes and goes to the headquarters of [[Mom]], where he exchanges a coupon for a free tanning session for the disembodied head of a yeti. Zoidberg returns to the [[Planet Express headquarters]] just moments before the rest of the crew kill the Professor themselves, (after he revealed the truth to them) Zoidberg reveals to them that the Professor has yetiism, not hypermalaria. Using the pineal gland from the yeti's head, he creates an antidote and forces him to swallow it; just as the yeti transformation begins. The cure was successful, and the rest of the crew apologize to Zoidberg for treating him so poorly.<br />
<br />
By [[3013]], Zoidberg had gotten a job at [[Elzar's]] as a busboy.{{er|7ACV17}}<br />
<br />
Amazingly enough, by at some point in 3013, Zoidberg met [[Marianne|a flower girl]] and they began dating.{{er|7ACV25}}<br />
<br />
== Character description ==<br />
=== Family ===<br />
*[[Norm Zoidberg|Norm]], [[Sam Zoidberg|Sam]] and [[Sadie Zoidberg|Sadie]], parents,{{er|3ACV08}} presumably one is the woman who raised him,{{er|4ACV05}} the other two are deceased biological parents. It is also possible that Decapodians have three biological parents. He referred to one of them (his mother) as a saint, which was most likely just an expression. Non-[[canon]]ically, his parents' original intentions were for him to become a Lawyer.<sup>[[Claw and Order|[US#048]]]</sup><br />
*[[Harold Zoid]], uncle.{{er|3ACV08}}<br />
*His brother [[Norman Zoidberg|Norman]] and up to nine other siblings that budded from Zoidberg during the coral stage of his larval stadium. A duplicate Norman dies when he is sucked into the [[Fountain of Aging]], but all other siblings are never mentioned again.{{er|4ACV09}}<br />
*[[Zoidfarb]], [[list of cousins|cousin]]. Zoidberg received an [[Xmas]] card from him in [[3001]].{{er|2ACV04}}<br />
*[[Cubert]], godson.{{er|6ACV09}}<br />
*Unknown ex-wife. Zoidberg's wedding album was destroyed by the Professor to make two small sweaters using the [[Banach-Tarski Dupla-Shrinker]] work.{{er|6ACV17}} Possibly [[Grrrl]],<ref><poem>'''Grrrl''': Hello.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Of course I'll marry you!<br />
''["[[Lrrreconcilable Ndndifferences]]".]''</poem></ref> however unlikely, as Zoidberg video-dated [[Zindy]] for four years.{{er|7ACV25}}<br />
*[[Marianne]], girlfriend.{{er|7ACV25}}<br />
<br />
=== Relationships ===<br />
:''(In chronological order)''<br />
*[[Candy]]<br />
*[[Lobster]] (went on a date)<br />
*[[Jellyfish nurse]]<br />
*[[Edna]]<br />
*[[Yivo]]<br />
*[[Grrrl]]<br />
*[[Zindy]]<br />
*[[Marianne]]<br />
<br />
== Production ==<br />
[[File:Zoidberg lab.jpg|right|thumb|Production pic of Zoidberg's lab.]]<br />
The original inspiration and the basic traits and characteristics were developed by [[David X. Cohen]],<ref name="epTSHL-com-dxc">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Cohen|David|X.}} |episode=The Series Has Landed |volume=One |disc=1}}</ref> while the cartoon design was created by [[Matt Groening]]. The later refinement and addition of various traits came from the various [[:Category:Writers|writers]].<ref name="epPYHOMS-com-kk">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Keeler|Ken}} |episode=Put Your Head on My Shoulders |volume=Two |disc=2}}</ref><br />
<br />
Cohen's name for Dr. Zoidberg came from a video game he had developed during the [[1980s]], called "Zoid",<ref name="epTSHL-com-dxc"/> which was largely inspired by the popular arcade game {{w|Qix}}.<ref name="epTL-com-dxc">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Cohen|David|X.}} |episode=That's Lobstertainment! |volume=Three |disc=2}}</ref> Cohen tried to get the then famous publisher {{w|Brøderbund}} to publish the game.<ref name="epTL-com-dxc"/> Unfortunately, Brøderbund refused to publish Cohen's assembly-written game, and he shelved it.<ref name="epTL-com-dxc"/> Dr. Zoidberg was thus named to honour those wasted years in college.<ref name="epTSHL-com-dxc"/><br />
<br />
Cohen's inspiration came from {{st|Bones McCoy}} from ''[[Star Trek]]'', the doctor on the ''{{st|U.S.S. Enterprise}}''. Bones was often faced with treating aliens and other non-humans, including [[Spock]].<ref name="epTSHL-com-dxc"/> Cohen's idea for Zoidberg was the exact opposite, where an alien would perform on humans.<ref name="epTSHL-com-dxc"/> Zoidberg's trait of being a bad doctor was then established.<ref name="epPYHOMS-com-kk"/><br />
<br />
Later traits, such as his lust for seafood, became apparent in "[[A Fishful of Dollars]]". More demeaning traits such as being poor and lonely came in "[[Put Your Head on My Shoulders]]"; eating garbage and being homeless appeared later as well.<br />
<br />
Certain contradicting situations can be seen in "[[A Flight to Remember]]", where Zoidberg is seen being given a suite, something that the writers would not give him in the later course of the series.<ref name="epAFTR-com-dxc">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Cohen|David|X.}} |episode=A Flight to Remember |volume=One |disc=3}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Voice ===<br />
[[Billy West]] has often stated that the voice of Zoidberg was inspired by profile actors from Yiddish theater such as Lou Jacobi and George Jessel.<br />
<br />
== Additional Info ==<br />
=== Trivia ===<br />
*Zoidberg is featured both on disc 7 of ''[[Futurama: The Complete Collection 1999-2009|The Complete Collection 1999-2009]]'' and on the cover for [[Volume 7]]. He is also featured on one of the discs of Volume 7.<br />
*Zoidberg's E-mail is: zoidberg@freemail.web.{{citation needed}}<br />
*As the show progresses, Zoidberg's apparent utility becomes less obvious, and the Planet Express staff shun his presence from one instance to another.<br />
*It has been mentioned several times that the Planet Express crew openly abuses him. In Bender's Big Score, he yelled that Fry was the only crew member who had never struck him. Also, several times he has done something wrong and exclaimed "Don't hit me!"<br />
*As with all Decapodians, Zoidberg's mannerisms, speech, and personality are representative of dry East Coast humor readily seen in Jewish communities.<br />
*He claims to have lost his medical degree in a volcano. This, however, was an excuse for not having one to give to Cubert.<br />
*In earlier episodes he is animated with teeth, but in later episodes he is drawn without. His mouth frills are prehensile and can move independently, although most of the time they remain loose.<br />
*Is apparently his own medical corporation, as described on the door to his office.<br />
*Zoidberg has a top fin or crest on his head that appears at times of emotional duress, such as "[[Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?]]" and ''[[Bender's Big Score]]''. It seems to be linked to his species' equivalent to testosterone, as it appears to be linked to both aggression and arousal, as shown in ''[[Bender's Game]]'' and "[[Attack of the Killer App]]". Also, the fin appears when he remembers a forgotten event. The crest, referred to by Amy as "cockateiling", has been shown on one occasion to occur just before a traumatic event, allowing Zoidberg to predict danger, but not with enough notice to do anything about it. <br />
*His greatest fantasy is to be a grandmother ("Subjugated yet honored!").<br />
*Hermes from the earliest episodes seems to harbor a bitter hatred toward Zoidberg, never explained or given a rationale. This starts in "[[Hell Is Other Robots]]", when Hermes states someone (in fact Bender was addicted to it) has been using a lot of electricity, then blames Zoidberg who exclaims "MEEE?" Hermes later removes the office's salt-water cooler to save money, prompting Zoidberg to blurt out, "This is a witch-hunt!"<br />
[[File:Zoidberg office.jpg|right|thumb|Zoidberg in his office with Fry.{{er|6ACV18}}]]<br />
*An [[Zoidberg (Cornwood)|alternate version]] of him as a blob-like creature appears in ''[[Bender's Game]]'', although he begins as an innocent Dungeon Monster.<br />
*In the [http://www.homestarrunner.com/ween08.html Halloween 2008] cartoon of [http://homestarrunner.com Homestar Runner], the Poopsmith is dressed as Zoidberg. Also, if you click him at the end of the toon, the King of Town uses the phrase "[[Good news, everyone]]."<br />
*Apparently likes [[Barbados Slim]] (Although he says he likes a lot of people, possibly a catchphrase).<br />
*He has been shown to cough up colorful beads after eating copious amounts of dirt, which can be sold to make money. This is only seen in the episode "[[Bendin' in the Wind]]".<br />
[[File:Zoidberg promo.png|right|thumb|Zoidberg reading a book entitled ''Diseases of the Claw and Egg Sac''.]]<br />
*His [[birthday]] is the day after Amy's.{{er|3ACV14}}<br />
*His claws and exoskeleton are incredibly strong and resilient. His claws can cut through human flesh, bone, and even some metals while his exoskeleton is impervious to knives and swords.<br />
*He is first mentioned to be desperately poor in the episode "[[Put Your Head on My Shoulders]]".<br />
*In "[[Insane in the Mainframe]]", it is said he started working in Planet Express in [[2992]], though in "[[Möbius Dick]]", he is seen working since the start, around [[2961]].<br />
**Possible that he is fired and rehired to avoid paying out benefits.<br />
***The Professor's senilty and Hermes' not caring may also be the explanation.<br />
*Grows brown hair that usually turns white immediately in cases of extreme fear (as shown in "[[Möbius Dick]]").<br />
*He is noted by Farnsworth to be a "doctor for aliens", often gives mistaken diagnoses on Fry and Bender that may apply to other species, and has demonstrated knowledge of alien physiology (as shown in "[[The Tip of the Zoidberg]]"). This may suggest he qualified as a doctor on Decapod 10. He was also described as a "medical doctor" by the [[Contrabulous Choosematron]], implying he may be qualified in some form as a doctor. <br />
* Interesting, the only thing about being a doctor Zoidberg seems to know about is reattaching limbs, as he does this several times.{{er|2ACV05|2ACV07|BBS|space=no}}<br />
*He has shown infrequent romantic interest in human men, thought this probably means nothing as he is repeatedly unable to differentiate between human genders.<br />
*In ''[[Bender's Big Score]]'' he was crowned Prince of Bageria by the [[Scammer Aliens|Scammers]]. Although it's obivously a scam, Zoidberg still fell for it.<br />
*Zoidberg appears to think humans have multiple mouths, dorsal fins. He also can't tell humans apart from robots and males from females. He also thinks that food is digested in the heart.<br />
*Several of Zoidberg's internal organs are either redundant or vestigial. In "[[Roswell that Ends Well]]", he is vivisected by scientists who know nothing of his physiology and leaves one of his hearts behind.<br />
*He may be a fan of Scooby-Doo, as he said "Well gang, it looks like we have another mystery on our hands.", a catchphrase of Fred.{{er|3ACV06}}<br />
*According to the [[Contrabulous Choosematron]], Zoidberg is "delicious with butter and lemon",{{er|7ACV02}} though this could be a gag since those two do work well with lobster.<br />
*He can harmonize with himself, possibly with two sets of vocal cords.<br />
*He is one of three current crew members of Planet Express that have worked for Mom in some capacity, the other two being Farnsworth and Hermes.<br />
<br />
=== Quotes ===<br />
{{cleanup|section=yes|formatting}}<br />
<br />
{{q|<br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': ''[To [[Fry]].]'' Young lady, I am an expert on humans. Now pick a mouth, open it, and say ''BR BR BR BR BRRRRRRRR''.<br />
'''Fry''': ''BR BR BR BR BRRRRRRRR''.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': What? My mother was a saint! Get out!!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': In my experience, boxes are usually empty, sometimes with a little cheese stuck to the top, and one time pepperoni, what a day that was!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Bender''': I got a busted ass here, I don't see anyone kissing it!<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Alright, I'm coming.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': The female Leela's problem is purely medical, soon she will lay her eggs and they will hatch and all will be well.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': Oh, the hypochondriac's back! So what is it this time?<br />
'''Fry''': Well, my lead pipe hurts a little.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': That's normal. Next patient!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': Fry, it's been years since medical school, so remind me. Disemboweling in your species: fatal, or non-fatal?</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': Friends, help! A guinea pig tricked me!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': I saw a frilly cake in here you would remember all your life. I know I will. Late at night it haunts me with its frosty beauty. [shouting] Order the cake, dammit!!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Lrrr''': I mean, look at Donkey Kong here. Have you smelt his loincloth lately?<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Yes.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Dr. Zoidberg''': I don't quite know how to say this. Fry is dead!<br />
'''Fry''': Oooow... ''[Fry stirs, alive.]''<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Wait. Not dead, the other thing.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Fry''': Like Dr. Zoidberg: he's a weird monster who smells like he eats garbage, and does.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Damn right!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Bender''': Oh, so it's just coincidence that Zoidberg here is desperately poor and miserably lonely? Please!<br />
'''Leela''': For your information, it's because he's hideous.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Aw!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': Look, coupons! I can get two oil changes for the price of one. Now, if I could only afford the one... and the car. Ah, the years! So many memories, so many strange fluids gushing out of patients' bodies.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': Switch bodies? I don't see why not. I also don't see why.</poem><br />
<poem>'''Clamps''': Mind your own business, slick.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': My name is not Slick. It's Zoidberg. JOHN [bleep]ING ZOIDBERG!!!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Bender''': I'll just do the cutting.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': You do and I'll [bleep]ing gut you like a {{cat|fishe|fish}}!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Professor Farnsworth''': No. I'm afraid the Smellescope isn't powerful enough. Bender's odour is so mild it's being overpowered by local sources.<br />
''[He, Fry and Leela glare at Zoidberg who jumps up and claps with delight.]''<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Hooray! People are paying attention to me!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Zoidberg''': Only $14.99 for a two-record set. ''Two'' records! Oh, Zoidberg, at last you're becoming a crafty consumer!<br />
'''Man''': [on phone] Hello?<br />
'''Zoidberg''': Hello? I'll take eight!<br />
''[Time lapse.]''<br />
'''Tinny Tim''': [shouting] Extra! Extra! Greatest opera of all time sucks.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': I'll take eight!</poem><br />
<poem>'''Hermes''': Strange. Usually you don't know anything about human anatomy.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': I learned it from a decongestant commercial. [echoing] "Soothing action, action, action, action..."</poem><br />
<poem>'''Professor Farnsworth''': So many loves half-loved. So many inventions half-invented. That damn time machine alone set me back fifteen years.<br />
'''Zoidberg''': If only it'd worked, you could go back and not waste your time on it.</poem><br />
|2}}<br />
<br />
=== Catchphrases and running jokes ===<br />
[[File:Zoidberg 7ACV19.png|thumb|225px|Zoidberg as [[Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth|the berry burglar]]'s monster.{{er|7ACV19}}]]<br />
*(At inappropriate times) Hello.<br />
*Sometimes he will (with a grin) exclaim "What an honor!"{{er|3ACV19}}<br />
*Excellent, excellent!<br />
*(Famous person)? I love that guy!<br />
*Woop woop woop woop!{{iiw}} (This sound effect is based on sound effects made by The Three Stooges.)<br />
*Hooray!<br />
*Dibs on...! or alternative forms of calling dibs on something. Zoidberg usually comes late to Bender (for Leela's [[iPod]] in ''[[Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'' and the ship's shotgun in "[[Parasites Lost]]") or [[Amy]] (for Leela's maid of honor in ''[[Bender's Big Score]]'')<br />
*(Depressed, after being insulted, ignored, or one-upped) Awwww...<br />
<br />
Also, he is usually shown to be highly unintelligent when it comes to being a doctor, such as thinking that Amy is the father of Leela's [[popplers|poppler]], that humans have multiple mouths, that Fry is a robot, and that humans digest food in their hearts. More so, he often mistakes the human penis for other objects, especially that of Hermes. The closest he has ever been to showing competence in the field of human medical science was in "[[Parasites Lost]]", but only because he saw it in a commercial.<br />
<br />
=== Appearances ===<br />
While Zoidberg appears in almost every episode/film/comic, only missing the episodes "[[Space Pilot 3000]]", "[[Mars University]]" and "[[Brannigan, Begin Again]]", these categories may be of interest:<br />
<br />
*[[:Category:A plots focusing on Zoidberg|A plots focusing on Zoidberg]]<br />
*[[:Category:B plots focusing on Zoidberg|B plots focusing on Zoidberg]]<br />
<br />
== Notes and references ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Characters]]<br />
[[Category:Decapods]]<br />
[[Category:Doctors|J]]<br />
[[Category:Globetrotters]]<br />
[[Category:Planet Express]]</div>5.81.37.70