Xmas Story (19 Dec. 1999)

Fry learns how Christmas has changed and remained the same over the last 1000 years when a Robot Santa terrorizes New New York.

Directors:

Peter Avanzino, Bret Haaland,

Writers:

Matt Groening (creator), Matt Groening (developer),

Stars:

Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Billy West	...	Philip J. Fry / Prof. Hubert J. Farnsworth / Dr. Zoidberg / Conan O'Brien's Announcer / Tree Voice (voice)
Katey Sagal	...	Turanga Leela (voice)
John DiMaggio	...	Bender / Man with Broken Leg (voice)
Tress MacNeille	...	Crowd / Linda / Tinny Tim (voice)
Maurice LaMarche	...	Morbo / Inglis Raoul (voice)
John Goodman	...	Robot Santa Claus (voice)
Conan O'Brien	...	Conan O'Brien (voice)
Phil LaMarr	...	Hermes Conrad / Reverend Preacherbot / Homeless Robot #2 (voice)
David Herman	...	Skier / Weapons Shop Clerk / Pet Shop Clerk / Homeless Robot #1 (voice)
Lauren Tom	...	Amy Wong (voice)

Storyline

Fry learns how Christmas has changed and remained the same over the last 1000 years when a Robot Santa terrorizes New New York.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | evil santa | killer santa claus

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Sci-Fi

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Details

Release Date:

19 December 1999 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the pets Fry considers buying is a one-eared rabbit, a reference to Bongo, a character from Matt Groening's comic strip "Life in Hell".

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Goofs

Fry is told by the Professor that the pine tree has been extinct for eight-hundred years, and yet in the previous scene pine trees were visible in the background of the lodge.

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Quotes

Santa Claus Robot: Your mistletoe is no match for my T.O.W. missile!

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Connections

Features Fresh Hare (1942)

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Soundtracks

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
Traditional
Arranged by Christopher Tyng

User Reviews

A great Christmas episode

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!