December 06, 2003
Levels
All praise Futurama.
The other day, I happened to be watching episode S05E11, which you probably know by its production code, 4ACV16. As you'll recall, in this episode the characters must decide how to spend their $300 tax refund check (part of a Silk Surplus from the defeat of the Arachnid homeworld).
Professor Farnsworth walks into a stem cell clinic and asks if it's true that by rubbing stem cells on his face, he can remove all his wrinkles, and look and feel twenty years younger. I'm paraphrasing, but the woman behind the counter responds that, yes, it is true, in the same way it's true that a baby could defeat Muhammad Ali in a boxing match.
I chuckled at first, but then my jaw dropped and my eyes opened in wide wonder when I decoded the true brilliance of this joke. The stem cell debate centers around fetal stem cells. And one of the most promising potential uses of stem cells is in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Who is one of the most famous Parkinsons's victims? Muhammad Ali! Brilliant.
Some will say I'm reading to much into this joke. But those people will be wrong.
Posted by cradle at December 6, 2003 06:04 PMThere's a theory that humor comes from making connections between things that doesn't necessarily exist. So, no, you're not wrong. By that theory.
Ahhh, such things as this are often lost on the average viewer. Some shows, such as Futurama require a great deal of knowledge to watch and properly enjoy. That's the beauty of it, and to people who say television is for the mindless masses, I say fooey!
Posted by: pete at December 8, 2003 12:40 PM