Futurama (TV Series) Xmas Story (1999) User Reviews

Safety Last

[suchenwi · 9/10 · 26 July 2008]

Oh wow. I'm just beginning to acquire my taste for Futurama, but this episode really made me cry with joy.

Like in others, it is chock full with gags and surprising good ideas. But what really blew me was the scene when Fry chases the parrot up on a skyscraper, and falls from the rim just to hold on to the digital clock. Such a witty reference to Harold Lloyd's "Safety Last" (1923), where the clock scene I thought was iconic in film culture - I was surprised it's not listed under Movie References here.

Much more, of course - another I liked was the mistletoe / TOW missile confrontation... I'm gonna re-watch this around Dec 24 :^)

Bite my Shiny Metal A**

[nikitacpv · 8/10 · 7 August 2023]

First of all: Seeing Nibbler on Bender's lap is adorable!

This episode we also learn that Leela is an orphan which makes Fry realize he really isn't that lonely. As well as learning that Leela is a cyclops (might have mentioned that in another episode but I guess I didn't pay enough attention).

Bender and his robot companions stealing this lady's two former husbands was savage.

Also love the horror version of Santa Claus.

Bender as a ''lazy homeless bum'' and a re-introduction of the priest robot. And why is the professor and (the Jamaican guy sorry forgot his name) playing chess naked?

Leela and Fry together was really cute. I was wondering when these two would grow closer together but I guess in this episode it finally happened.

I know it's now on streaming platforms and it's been re-released as better quality but still crazy to think this episode is 24 years old

Also the Futurama version of the christmas songs are a must listen to from now on, new Christmas tradition.

The One With Xmas...

[taylorkingston · 7/10 · 2 June 2015]

I enjoy this episode. It makes me kind of sad though, because I love Christmas and the idea of Santa.

In this episode, it's Christmas and Fry is shocked to discover that Christmas has changed a lot in the last thousand years. First off, no one calls it Christmas, everyone calls it Xmas, and Robot Santa is quite vicious as he terrorizes New New York. Robot Santa is actually quite creepy and disturbing.

Title Gag: Based on a true story.

Overall, I give this episode a 7 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Great.

He Knows When You Are Sleeping... He Knows When You're On The Can....

[RiffRaffMcKinley · 10/10 · 9 December 2006]

"Xmas Story" is arguably the greatest episode of "Futurama" ever made. John Goodman guests as a robotic Santa Claus who, according to the Professor, "invariably judges everyone to be naughty" (except, apparently, Dr. Zoidberg). When Fry angers Leela and goes out to buy her the perfect present, both their lives wind up in danger when Santa Claus comes to town. Every year, this episode must be watched, and it will be loved by numerous people because it is hilarious, well-written, and carries more of a message than any other episode in the whole series. In addition, all the actors are at their best, especially John DiMaggio as Bender, John Goodman as Santa, and Conan O'Brien as his own disembodied head ("Oh! Looks like somebody forgot to feed Max!")

A great Christmas episode

[Tweekums · 10/10 · 14 April 2012]

This is another episode that demonstrates just how good Futurama can be. It starts shortly before Fry's first Christmas in the future... or as it is now known Xmas. After some entertaining escapades on the ski slopes they return to the office where Fry starts to feel upset because everybody he was once close to is long dead; he is so busy feeling sorry for himself that he doesn't notice that things are even worse for Leela; she is the only known member of her species in the universe. When this is pointed out to him he is determined to get her a present to cheer her up. He is warned that he must be back by sundown however or he is likely to be gunned down by a robotic Santa Claus who kills anybody he judges to have been naughty... and he is very strict. Inevitable Fry stays out too long and Leela goes out to save him. Also out is Bender; his reasons are less charitable though; he heard they were giving free booze to homeless robots so thought he'd have some.

There are lots of great jokes in this episode and even some slightly tense scenes which is a bit surprising as we known now of the main cast are going to get killed! Their winter sports session was packed with laughs; I particularly liked the professor's amazing skiing... while he was fast asleep! Robot Santa, voiced by guest star John Goodman, was a great guest character who I'm sure will return in a future Christmas special... he certainly said he'd be back. He had plenty of great moments; highlights include when he fired a TOW-missile are Fry and Leela as they were about to kiss under the mistletoe and when he announces that one of the Planet Express crew has been good... I won't spoil anything by naming the character though!

Christrama.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 10/10 · 27 December 2017]

With Christmas coming up I started gathering my favourite X-Mas special TV eps. Reviewing the wickedly dark League of Gentlemen special last year,it felt like the perfect time to check Futurama's first naughty and nice lists.

The plot:

On a ski trip with the crew Fry learns about how Christmas has changed over 100's of years. As cards are passed round on their return, Fry finds that there is no one who wants to give Leela a card or present. Feeling sorry for her,Fry rushes out to get Leela a last-minute Christmas gift. Unknown to Fry, the jolly Santa that he knew of has been replaced,by a murderous robot.

View on the ep:

Making his lone Christmas round for Futurama, John Goodman gives a magnificent performance as the robot Santa,who cackles with a deadly glee from Goodman. Presenting the first Christmas special of the show, the script by David X. Cohen smartly blends the Sci Fi Comedy staple with yuletide Horror,as Santa attempts to sleigh all those who have been naughty,whilst the Planet Express crew hilariously try to survive this futuristic holiday in the most clumsy way possible. Following Santa and his robotic reindeer's across the sky, co-directors Peter Avanzino & Bret Haaland smoothly combine the slick 2D animation of the series with a 3D CGI Santa that gives the blood thirsty HO Ho Ho's a vast scope,with Santa and his sleigh flying to the Christmas of the future.

Fry's first Christmas in Futurama

[travelertoon · 9/10 · 22 December 2021]

Ho Ho my first Christmas review this year, also my first review on an adult cartoon. This review will be on the Futurama episode "Xmas Story". Futurama is one of the best adult cartoons: great animation, writing and characters. Anyways this episode is about Fry's first Christmas in the future, now called Xmas.

Fry learns that Leela is an orphan who doesn't have anyone to hang out with during Xmas. So Fry decides to get a present for Leela, as well as Bender joining a group of homeless robots for booze. Fry, Leela, Bender and the group of homeless robots soon have to run away from a murderous robot Santa Claus (who sees everyone as naughty except for Zoidberg). They return back to the Planet Express building, defeat the robot Santa and they enjoy Xmas with all their friends.

This episode is really funny, action packed, emotional and shows what Futurama is during Christmas. There are a lot of differences like using palm trees as Christmas trees and Santa being an evil robot. Some funny moments in this episode include the Robot Santa giving Zoidberg a pogo stick, Bender in general and the Xmas version of "Santa Claus is Coming To Down." Every character is good in this episode: Fry being a good friend, Bender being his usually naughty self, the Robot Santa being a great villain and the rest of the crew being likable.

Like most Christmas specials (even the bad ones), this episode has a Christmas spirit. From how the crew are enjoying being together even from how chaotic Xmas is. The flaws are that it only really gets really great during the episode's half. As well as the episode isn't something I would go out of my way to watch. But still this Futurama Christmas episode is great to watch. This gets a 9/10. I'm reviewing the Regular Show Christmas special next.