Stories from the set

The name Philip was given to Fry in memory of Phil Hartman, who was selected to voice Major General Zapp Brannigan in the series.

Creator Matt Groening named the robot Bender after John Bender from the film The Breakfast Club.

"Futurama" was the name of the famous General Motors exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair, showcasing the technological wonders of the future.

Some of the sound effects used in the animated series are taken from other science fiction television series, including The Jetsons and Star Trek.

Leela's full name, Turanga Leela, is connected to the work "Turangalîla-Symphonie" by the French composer Olivier Messiaen. The title "Turangalîla" comes from two Sanskrit words that can be translated as "song of love."

Dr. Zoidberg has teeth in several of the first episodes of Futurama.

Fry's favorite song is "I'm Walking on Sunshine."

The portrait of Zapp Brannigan in his room is based on the famous portrait of U.S. President John F. Kennedy in the White House.

In the very first episode of the series, in the Head Museum, you can notice the head of the series creator — Matt Groening.

In the first episode, when Fry wakes up in the year 3000, on the wall in Leela's office there is a poster with a worker and the caption "You do what you gotta do" — this is a take on the famous New York slogan of the 2000s: "You do what you wanna do."