That's Lobstertainment!

Lore & Background

The plot begins after a disastrous attempt at stand-up comedy by Dr. Zoidberg. He informs the crew that his uncle, Harold Zoid, was a star in the silent hologram era. Zoidberg writes to his uncle asking for help with his comedy act, and the washed-up Harold sees this as an opportunity to restart his career. The crew sets off for Hollywood. While taking a bus tour of movie stars' homes, Bender leaves the tour and scams his way into employment as Calculon's water heater. Zoidberg meets his uncle in a restaurant, where Harold tells him to give up comedy because he would be perfect for drama, and he needs Zoidberg to finance a drama to the tune of a million dollars. Bender tells Calculon that he can star in the movie if he provides the production money. Calculon initially refuses on account of disliking the font, but after learning Harold Zoid wrote the script and getting a guarantee from Bender that he will win an Oscar, he accepts. The film, The Magnificent Three, is a story about a son (the Vice-President of Earth) not wanting to follow in his father's (the President of Earth) footsteps. Due to Harold Zoid's inexperience with drama and outdated directorial style, the movie is terrible, and at the premiere, the entire audience walks out. Furious, Calculon threatens to kill Bender, Zoidberg, and Harold Zoid if they do not get him an Oscar. They all agree to rig the awards. Meanwhile, Leela and Fry crash their ship in the La Brea Tar Pits on the way to the premiere. When the awards reach the Best Actor award, Dr. Zoidberg tosses the presenter (a fictional character named Billy West, voiced by Billy West) off the stage and takes his place. In place of the fifth nominee, he substitutes Calculon. But when he sees his uncle's depression at being a has-been, Zoidberg announces him as the winner. In his acceptance speech, Harold Zoid says his nephew's gesture has made him realize that the award itself is secondary to the knowledge that someone, even if only one person, still respects him as a filmmaker. Calculon, somewhat chastened by this speech, decides not to kill him or the others. Fry and Leela finally escape from the tar pits and are allowed to enter the after party when the skeleton they are dragging is recognized as that of Sylvester Stallone.

In Their Own Story

The neon lights of Hollywood shimmer as Zoidberg meets his silent hologram-era uncle Harold Zoid in a restaurant. Harold tells Zoidberg to give up comedy—he'd be perfect for drama—and needs a million dollars to finance a film. Bender, now working as Calculon's water heater, convinces Calculon to star in and fund the movie after promising him an Oscar. The resulting film, The Magnificent Three, is a disaster: at the premiere, the entire audience walks out. Calculon threatens to kill Bender, Zoidberg, and Harold if they don't get him an Oscar. They agree to rig the awards. At the ceremony, Zoidberg tosses presenter Billy Crystal off the stage and substitutes Calculon for the fifth nominee. But seeing his uncle's depression, Zoidberg instead announces Harold as the winner. Harold's acceptance speech—about the award being secondary to knowing someone still respects him—chastens Calculon, who spares their lives. Meanwhile, Fry and Leela escape the La Brea Tar Pits and enter the after party when the skeleton they're dragging is recognized as Sylvester Stallone's.

Reader's Guide

The episode begins with Dr. Zoidberg's disastrous stand-up comedy attempt, prompting him to contact his uncle Harold Zoid, a silent hologram-era star. The crew travels to Hollywood, where Bender scams a job as Calculon's water heater. Zoidberg meets Harold in a restaurant, and Harold convinces him to finance a drama film for a million dollars. Bender persuades Calculon to fund and star in the movie by promising him an Oscar. The resulting film, The Magnificent Three, is poorly made due to Harold's outdated style, and the entire audience walks out at the premiere. Calculon threatens to kill Bender, Zoidberg, and Harold unless they secure him an Oscar. They plan to rig the awards. At the ceremony, Zoidberg replaces presenter Billy Crystal and substitutes Calculon for the fifth nominee, but instead announces Harold as the winner. Harold's heartfelt speech about respect over awards softens Calculon, who spares them. Meanwhile, Fry and Leela crash into the La Brea Tar Pits and escape, entering the after party when their dragged skeleton is identified as Sylvester Stallone's.

Did You Know?

• The episode originally aired on February 25, 2001, on the Fox Network.
• It was written by Patric M. Verrone and directed by Bret Haaland.
• The film within the episode is titled The Magnificent Three.
• The presenter at the awards ceremony is a fictional character named Billy West (voiced by Billy West), not Billy Crystal. Zoidberg tosses him off the stage.
• Fry and Leela escape the La Brea Tar Pits and enter the after party when the skeleton they drag is recognized as Sylvester Stallone.