The 2014 crossover episode “Simpsorama” mined most of its humor by comparing Homer and Bender. In the episode’s first act, Bender travels back in time to Springfield, Present Day (or the past for “Futurama” fans — the episode itself jokes about these competing perspectives.) He and Homer hit it off; they drink at Moe’s, go bowling, and even nap together. (“Kill all humans,” Bender whispers in his sleep. “Start with Flanders,” Homer snores back.)
Bart and Lisa Simpson notice the similarities, with Bart proposing that “The guy who designed Bender just took a drawing of Dad and stuck an antenna on it.” (You be the judge.) “Simpsorama” throws out some other character comparisons; Leela is the sensible one like Marge (with purple hair to contrast Marge’s blue), and the episode also gives Professor Frink a sizable role to contrast him and Professor Farnsworth.
So, who is Fry’s “Simpsons” counterpart? “Simpsorama” doesn’t give them much screen time together, but it’s Bart. Fry is not a malicious prankster like Bart, but both are impulsive, immature, lazy, and not too bright. Fry provides a good look at what Bart would be like at age 25 (if the Simpsons aged, anyway).
So, has Bender eclipsed Fry as the protagonist of “Futurama” like Homer did Bart? Bender is unquestionably the breakout character of “Futurama” (“Why not Zoidberg?”), but I think Fry’s character arc of a 20th-century man stranded 1000 years in the future is still the central idea of “Futurama.”
No one can relate to being a foul-mouthed robot, but a lot of us can empathize with an everyman slacker. In that way, Fry and Homer do have something in common.
The new season of “Futurama” premieres on Hulu on July 29, 2024.
