Few things are as lovely as sitting down in front of the tv and watching animated shows. But, to busy working folk as myself, finding the time between work hours and everything else to actually catch shows when they air is definatly a chore. Thankfully the DVD phenomonon has allowed people to set their own schedule for watching tv.

What the Futurama DVD boxset has to offer is the first 13 episodes (that's the entire first season!!) on three DVDs. The layout of menus is almost identical to the Simpson's DVD boxset (Season 2) so there was no learning curve for me there.

Each of the 13 episodes is solid. The first episodes accomplishes the monumental task of introducing main characters, setting the tone, and still achieving laughs. The second episode flows a bit better while continuing to introduce regular characters. The rest of the episodes then carry on well from there. Futurama flows chronologically, unlike many shows today. So some jokes carry on throughout the season (and into future seasons).

The basic storyline is that Fry is from the present (1999, if memory serves correct) and is a delivery boy for a pizza place. On new years eve he makes a delivery to a science lab. Finding no one in the room, he settles down to spend new years eve alone. Leaning back in his chair and drinking a beer, he tips too far back and falls into a machine behind him. This machine freezes him until 1000 years in the future where he finally wakes up. He finds friends and a living relative (a great great, etc, nephew) and starts a new life.

After you watch the 13 episodes, it's great to go back through and enable the "audio commentary" option. This provieds insights by the creators/writers/animaters/actors/and so forth. Most of them hadn't watched the episodes since they aired, so it was fun to hear them reminisce and talk and joke between themselves.

While the price tag feels a bit steep (compared to the Simpson DVD collection) it's still a very worth while collection.

peace.