Difference between revisions of "The Problem with Popplers"

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"'''The Problem with Popplers'''" is the twenty-eighth episode of ''[[Futurama]]'', the fifteenth of the [[Season 2|second production season]] and the eighteenth of the [[Broadcast season 2|second broadcast season]].  It aired 7 May, 2000 on FOX.  After discovering very tasty snack called [[popplers]] on a distant planet, the [[Planet Express]] company goes into the industry of supplying these snacks to [["Fishy" Joseph Gilman|Fishy Joe's]], however the popplers carry a terrible truth.
"'''The Problem with Popplers'''" is the twenty-eighth episode of ''[[Futurama]]'', the fifteenth of the [[Season 2|second production season]] and the eighteenth of the [[Broadcast season 2|second broadcast season]].  It aired 7 May, 2000 on FOX.  After discovering very tasty snack called [[Popplers]] on a distant planet, the [[Planet Express]] company begins selling them to the citizens of New New York. Shortly after, are becoming a big hit and the crew begins supplying these snacks to [["Fishy" Joseph Gilman|Fishy Joe's]], however the Popplers carry a terrible truth.


== The Story ==
== The Story ==
=== Act I: "We taught a lion to eat tofu." ===
=== Act I: "We taught a lion to eat tofu." ===
Returning from the Planet of the Moochers, the crew has no food. After some foraging they discover a delicious, bite size, motionless animal, and pack the ship full of them. the rest of the staff approve and Fry comes up with the name [[Popplers]]. Bender decides to sell them. [["Fishy" Joseph Gilman|Fishy Joe]] decides to sell them at [[Fishy Joe's|his restaurant]], paying them $1 a dozen. Soon over a million are sold. Hippies, led by [[The Waterfalls#Free Waterfall Jr.|Free Waterfall Jr.]], protest the eating of Popplers outside [[Planet Express]]. [[Turanga Leela|Leela]] discovers a week-old Poppler, it opens its eyes and calls her "mamma".
Returning from the Planet of the Moochers, the crew has no food. After some foraging they discover a delicious, bite size, motionless animal, and pack the ship full of them. the rest of the staff approve and Fry comes up with the name [[Popplers]]. Bender decides to sell them. [["Fishy" Joseph Gilman|Fishy Joe]] decides to sell them at [[Fishy Joe's|his restaurant]], paying them $1 a dozen. Soon over a million are sold. Hippies, led by [[The Waterfalls#Free Waterfall Jr.|Free Waterfall Jr.]], protest the eating of Popplers outside [[Planet Express]]. [[Turanga Leela|Leela]] discovers a week-old Poppler, it opens its eyes and calls her "mama".


=== Act II: "Parrots talk and we eat them, right?" ===
=== Act II: "Parrots talk and we eat them, right?" ===
Leela tries to stop people from eating Popplers, and has the rest of the crew join the protesting at Fishy Joe's. Joe, Free and Leela appear on ''Datenight'' with [[Linda]] to discus wether it's okay to eat Popplers, the young Poppler joins in. The [[Omicronians]] arrive and tell the world that the Popplers are their young and announce that they'll eat the people of Earth. [[Zapp Brannigan|Zapp]] and [[Kif Kroker|Kif]] begin negotiations with them. They make a deal stating that they'll only eat the Earthling that first ate one of their young, Leela.
Leela tries to stop people from eating Popplers, and has the rest of the crew join the protesting at Fishy Joe's. Joe, Free and Leela appear on ''Datenight'' with [[Linda]] to discus whether it's okay to eat Popplers, the young Poppler joins in. The [[Omicronians]] invade Earth again and tell the world that the Popplers are Omicronian young and announce that they'll eat the people of Earth. [[Zapp Brannigan|Zapp]] and [[Kif Kroker|Kif]] begin negotiations with the invaders to reach a peaceful settlement. A deal is struck stating that only one Earthling will be eaten, the one that first ate one of Omicronian young, Leela.


=== Act III: "Try our new, extreme walrus juice!" ===
=== Act III: "Try our new, extreme walrus juice!" ===
The eating of Leela is done on TV with a large audience. Zapp creates a plan to fool the Omicronians, Kif disguises an orangutan as Leela. [[Lrrr]] almost falls for it, but Free Waterfall Jr. interrupts and tells him the truth to save it. [[Ndnd]] eats it anyway. Leela is sent out to Lrrr, but the young Omicronian, now calling itself [[Jrrr]], convinces him to stop. Lrrr eats Free, to the delight of the crowd, and becomes high. The Omicronians leave and Leela is safe. The staff has a feast of young animals to celebrate, including a veal, a pig and a dolphin, though they don't want to eat it because dolphins are intelligent this is different since he blew all his money on instant lottery tickets, so the crew has no problem eating it.
The eating of Leela is broadcast on TV with a large audience. Zapp devises a plan to fool the Omicronians, Kif disguises an orangutan as Leela. [[Lrrr]] almost falls for it, but Free Waterfall Jr. interrupts and tells him the truth to save the orangutan. [[Ndnd]] eats it anyway. Leela is sent out to Lrrr, but the young Omicronian, now calling itself [[Jrrr]], convinces him to stop. Lrrr, instead, eats Free Waterfall Jr., to the delight of the crowd, and becomes high. The Omicronians leave and Leela is safe. The staff has a feast of animals to celebrate, including a veal, a pig and a dolphin. The crew are disgusted by this and refuse to eat the dolphin because dolphins are intelligent. The Professor assures them that this is different since this dolphin blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.
 
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=== Trivia ===
=== Trivia ===
<!-- Add any trivia here, in bullet-list form. -->
<!-- Add any trivia here, in bullet-list form. -->
*The start of the tradition of killing [[the Waterfalls]].
*This episode is the start of the tradition of killing [[the Waterfalls]].
*Brought to you by ''Molten Boron''.
*This episode was brought to you by ''Molten Boron''.
*198 billion Popplers eaten.
*Over 198 billion Popplers were eaten before the end of the episode.
**The profit that Planet Express and staff would have received from the sales comes to $16.5 billion, where the money went is unknown.
**The profit that Planet Express and staff would have received from the sales comes to $16.5 billion, where the money went is unknown.
*Fry and Leela's rarely-used given name and surname, respectively, are used.
*Fry and Leela's rarely-used given name and surname, respectively, are used.
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=== Goofs ===
=== Goofs ===
*In the negotiations, Kif states that 189 billion Popplers were eaten though previously we saw the well known billboard advertising "over 3.8 x 10^10 Popplers served", which comes out to be 38 billions. so there is no goof at all.
*In the negotiations, Kif states that 189 billion Popplers were eaten though previously we saw the well known billboard advertising "over 3.8 x 10^10 Popplers served", which comes out to be 38 billion. so there is no goof at all.
*When Leela first discovers that Popplers are intelligent creatures she throws Jrrr down and licks her fingers. There are 5 "finger-licking" sounds, even though she only has 4 fingers.
*When Leela first discovers that Popplers are intelligent creatures she throws Jrrr down and licks her fingers. There are 5 "finger-licking" sounds, even though she only has 4 fingers.
*When the first batch of Popplers are sold and the sign starts working, it should count by twelve, as Popplers are sold in batches of twelve.
*When the first batch of Popplers are sold and the sign starts working, it should count by twelve, as Popplers are sold in batches of twelve.
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*'''Fry''': Leela! That's the second billboard you've crashed into this week!
*'''Fry''': Leela! That's the second billboard you've crashed into this week!
**Refers to the [[Opening sequence|introduction sequence]]'s billboard crash.
**Refers to the [[Opening sequence|introduction sequence]]'s billboard crash.
*'''"Fishy" Joe Gellman''': The reason we don't eat people is because they taste lousy.
**In [Fry and the Slurm Factory], Leela reveals the existence of a soda called "Soylent Cola" (whose taste apparently varies from 'person to person').


=== Outside References ===
=== Outside References ===

Revision as of 00:07, 10 September 2010

Season 2 episode
The Problem with Popplers
No.28
Production number2ACV15
Writers
Patric M. Verrone
StoryDarin Henry
Directors
Chris Sauve
Gregg Vanzo
Title captionFor external use only
First air date7 May, 2000
Broadcast numberS02E18
Title referenceStar Trek episode The Trouble with Tribbles
Opening cartoon"Bold King Cole"
SponsorMolten Boron
Nomination(s)Environmental Media Awards
Comedy — TV Episodic, 2000 (won)
Additional
Commentary
(Transcript)
Transcript

Pictures

Season 2
  1. I Second that Emotion
  2. Brannigan, Begin Again
  3. A Head in the Polls
  4. Xmas Story
  5. Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?
  6. The Lesser of Two Evils
  7. Put Your Head on My Shoulders
  8. Raging Bender
  9. A Bicyclops Built for Two
  10. A Clone of My Own
  11. How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back
  12. The Deep South
  13. Bender Gets Made
  14. Mother's Day
  15. The Problem with Popplers
  16. Anthology of Interest I
  17. War Is the H-Word
  18. The Honking
  19. The Cryonic Woman
← Season 1Season 3 →

"The Problem with Popplers" is the twenty-eighth episode of Futurama, the fifteenth of the second production season and the eighteenth of the second broadcast season. It aired 7 May, 2000 on FOX. After discovering very tasty snack called Popplers on a distant planet, the Planet Express company begins selling them to the citizens of New New York. Shortly after, are becoming a big hit and the crew begins supplying these snacks to Fishy Joe's, however the Popplers carry a terrible truth.

The Story

Act I: "We taught a lion to eat tofu."

Returning from the Planet of the Moochers, the crew has no food. After some foraging they discover a delicious, bite size, motionless animal, and pack the ship full of them. the rest of the staff approve and Fry comes up with the name Popplers. Bender decides to sell them. Fishy Joe decides to sell them at his restaurant, paying them $1 a dozen. Soon over a million are sold. Hippies, led by Free Waterfall Jr., protest the eating of Popplers outside Planet Express. Leela discovers a week-old Poppler, it opens its eyes and calls her "mama".

Act II: "Parrots talk and we eat them, right?"

Leela tries to stop people from eating Popplers, and has the rest of the crew join the protesting at Fishy Joe's. Joe, Free and Leela appear on Datenight with Linda to discus whether it's okay to eat Popplers, the young Poppler joins in. The Omicronians invade Earth again and tell the world that the Popplers are Omicronian young and announce that they'll eat the people of Earth. Zapp and Kif begin negotiations with the invaders to reach a peaceful settlement. A deal is struck stating that only one Earthling will be eaten, the one that first ate one of Omicronian young, Leela.

Act III: "Try our new, extreme walrus juice!"

The eating of Leela is broadcast on TV with a large audience. Zapp devises a plan to fool the Omicronians, Kif disguises an orangutan as Leela. Lrrr almost falls for it, but Free Waterfall Jr. interrupts and tells him the truth to save the orangutan. Ndnd eats it anyway. Leela is sent out to Lrrr, but the young Omicronian, now calling itself Jrrr, convinces him to stop. Lrrr, instead, eats Free Waterfall Jr., to the delight of the crowd, and becomes high. The Omicronians leave and Leela is safe. The staff has a feast of animals to celebrate, including a veal, a pig and a dolphin. The crew are disgusted by this and refuse to eat the dolphin because dolphins are intelligent. The Professor assures them that this is different since this dolphin blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.


Additional Info

Poppler song lyrics

See List of song performances#Popplers Song.

Trivia

  • This episode is the start of the tradition of killing the Waterfalls.
  • This episode was brought to you by Molten Boron.
  • Over 198 billion Popplers were eaten before the end of the episode.
    • The profit that Planet Express and staff would have received from the sales comes to $16.5 billion, where the money went is unknown.
  • Fry and Leela's rarely-used given name and surname, respectively, are used.
  • This episode was named #11 on IGN's list of Top 25 Futurama Episodes.
  • This episode was named #10 on TV.com's list of Top 10 Futurama Episodes.
  • The hippie's necklace looks very similar to the Esperanto jubilee symbol.

Quotes

    Leela: Well, it's a type M planet, so it should at least have Roddenberries.
    Fry: I'm experienced at foraging. I used to find edible mushrooms on my bath mat!
    Bender: I found some rocks! You guys eat rocks, right?
    Leela: No...
    Bender: [invitingly] Not even if they're sautéed in a little mud?

    Farnsworth: Hey! Unless this is a nude love-in... get the hell off my property!
    Free Waterfall Junior: You can't own property, man.
    Farnsworth: I can. But that's because I'm not a penniless hippie.

    Farnsworth: Oh god they're back!
    Amy: We're doomed.
    Hermes: Doooooomed!
    Bender: [Breathes in.] Doooooooooooooooooooo...

    Brannigan: Hmm. A hundred and ninety eight billion babies in a few weeks. We'll need an army of super virile men scoring 'round the clock! I'll do my part. Kif, clear my schedule.
    [Kif takes out an Etch-A-Sketch and shakes it.]

    Lrrr: Where's the real female?
    Brannigan: I'll never tell.
    Lrrr: [cocks gun] Where is the real female?
    Brannigan: I'll get her for you.

    Ndnd: Would you like some human with your salt!?

    Bender: Who wants Dolphin?
    [The crew gasps.]
    Leela: Dolphin? But they're intelligent!
    Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on lottery tickets!

    Fry: [confused] Turanga?
    Amy: That's her first name, Philip.
    Bender: Philip?

    Leela: Well this Poppler spoke to me.
    Bender: Well maybe it's just like a parrot and only learned to talk as a parlour trick, like Fry.
    Fry: Like Fry! Like Fry!

Goofs

  • In the negotiations, Kif states that 189 billion Popplers were eaten though previously we saw the well known billboard advertising "over 3.8 x 10^10 Popplers served", which comes out to be 38 billion. so there is no goof at all.
  • When Leela first discovers that Popplers are intelligent creatures she throws Jrrr down and licks her fingers. There are 5 "finger-licking" sounds, even though she only has 4 fingers.
  • When the first batch of Popplers are sold and the sign starts working, it should count by twelve, as Popplers are sold in batches of twelve.

Inside References

  • Fry: Leela! That's the second billboard you've crashed into this week!
  • "Fishy" Joe Gellman: The reason we don't eat people is because they taste lousy.
    • In [Fry and the Slurm Factory], Leela reveals the existence of a soda called "Soylent Cola" (whose taste apparently varies from 'person to person').

Outside References

  • "Roddenberries" (see Quotes) and the term "Type M Planet" refer to the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, and his creation.

Characters

(In alphabetic order)

Episode Credits