The creator of Futurama, Matt Groening, offered insight into a peculiar detail of the show’s universe:
“The owls are in fact a result of an attempt to curb the rat population. Once introduced, they wiped out the rats and subsequently became a pest themselves. It’s a typical science fiction take on the concept!”
This bit of world-building comes off as both clever and humorous.
Such a whimsical take on an invasive species issue echoes a scenario depicted in a “The Simpsons” episode written by David X. Cohen, who later co-created “Futurama” with Groening. The episode “Bart the Mother” from September 27, 1998, involves Bart accidentally causing the death of a mother bird and taking responsibility for her eggs, only to discover they contain baby Bolivian tree lizards. The episode humorously imagines the lizards as a solution to an overrun pigeon population in Springfield.
Principal Skinner humorously suggests a chain of predator introductions to control each problematic species, culminating in a plan involving gorillas that would ultimately freeze in the winter. “Futurama” took a subtler approach with owls as a background element, showing restraint from escalating to a town full of gorillas, which could have overshadowed the main stories and jokes.
FAQ Section
Why did Matt Groening choose owls for Futurama?
Matt Groening chose owls for Futurama as a joke to represent an invasive species that was initially brought in to deal with a rat problem but then became the nuisance themselves.
What is the joke from The Simpsons that Matt Groening’s explanation of the owls references?
The owl concept in Futurama is similar to a joke from “The Simpsons” episode “Bart the Mother,” where escalating attempts to control an invasive species result in ever more absurd solutions, ultimately suggesting that gorillas would solve a snake problem and then freeze to death in the winter.
Is the joke about owls in Futurama referenced often in the series?
While the owls are seen regularly in the background of Futurama, the gag about them being an invasive species is subtly embedded in the show’s universe and is not a major focus of the storylines.
Was the “Bolivian tree lizard” from The Simpsons based on a real animal?
Although there is no such thing as a Bolivian tree lizard, this fictional creature in The Simpsons symbolizes genuine behaviors of some parasitic birds like cuckoos and cowbirds, which replace other birds’ eggs with their own.
Is David X. Cohen connected to both The Simpsons and Futurama?
Yes, David X. Cohen is a common link between the two shows, having written for The Simpsons before co-creating Futurama with Matt Groening.
Conclusion
In the engaging worlds of “The Simpsons” and “Futurama,” creators like Matt Groening and David X. Cohen often embed clever jokes and thought-provoking gags deep into the fabric of their shows. In “Futurama,” the presence of owls as an invasive species mirrors such humor, adding a layer of science fiction logic to the animated series. The running joke of the owl nuisance subtly nods to the unexpected consequences of introducing predator species into an ecosystem, a concept drawn from real-world environmental issues, and playfully tied into the show’s futuristic setting.