“Futurama” deserves so much better than to become a sight gag in future episodes of “The Simpsons,” but hey, at least “Simpsorama” is a hilarious meta-crossover. Not to mention it’s kind of a closer to the “Futurama” series that gets the official goodbye by Matt Groening’s first really popular show. It’s a respectful and dignified farewell to what was a great companion to “The Simpsons.” Not to mention, an animation crossover I actually give two craps about. At least “Futurama” deserved this crossover.
Springfield Elementary is preparing to bury their time capsule with various artifacts from the students. Despite the hole being filled with radioactive ooze, the capsule is buried. The next night during a lightning storm, Bart and Homer investigate a mysterious intruder in their basement and are confronted with Bender, the robot. Bender is unsure why he’s there, but after a reset from Professor Frink, he explains that he’s there to kill Homer Simpson after unleashing a horde of mutant rabbits on New New York. Not shying away from the idea that this is just a crossover for the sake of fans, there are a lot of blatant nods, as well as subtle background gags too numerous to recollect.
Zoidberg mentions how he has his obligatory screen time like everyone else, there’s yet another joke about Bart’s catchphrases, we see Fry’s old dog waiting for him in front of the pizzeria, and there’s also Hypnotoad-ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD. There is even a funny moment where Bart and Lisa realize that Homer and Bender look alike (“Kinda lazy if you ask me,” observes Lisa), and pretty much all of the major “Futurama” characters get their screen time, including Scruffy. I wish this crossover could have been an hour event, as both series had much more to offer. “Simpsorama” has a lot to squeeze in to a half hour, so sacrifices are pretty much made in favor of giving the Simpsons more dominant screen time.
In particular, we don’t see too much of Zoidberg, and I’d loved to have seen more awkwardness between Leela and Marge. However, the writers have fun with the Simpsons in the future, including the mutant rabbits mutating, and the way Homer destroys them. As with trademark “Futurama” the time paradoxes are numerous and they don’t even try to wrap up any lingering questions, but I guess there’s still the a chance we may see these characters continue on in some form. “Simpsorama” is a solid crossover and its obvious Groening and co. love “Futurama” in the same vein as “The Simpsons.” It’s a delight to see the series’ cross streams in the wake of the former’s cancellation. If anything, I hope there’s a sequel to this crossover down the pipeline.