Summary
While there are many memorable characters on the popular animated TV seriesFuturama, Scruffy Scruffington is one of the bestPlanet Express employees. The janitor may not be part of the main action, but he always has hilarious lines and an interesting perspective on the company. While fans often wonderwhen a cartoon series should end, viewers were happy aboutFuturama’s revival because the intelligent and witty series has endless story possibilities.
Scruffy’sFuturamacharacter arc is compelling and unexpected, and the character voiced by David Herman is always a funny, welcome sight. There’s a lot to know about his time at Planet Express. There is also a crucial question: is Scruffy a zombie?
Did Scruffy Die In Futurama?
In season 6, episode 16, “Law and Oracle,” viewers find out that Scruffy died inFuturamabut came back. “Law and Oracle” is also a compelling episode because the robot Roberto kidnaps Fry and the others at Planet Express. Fry then becomes interested in police work, which is a more unique and fulfilling career. The Future Crimes section of the police is run by a human/robot named Pickles who can tell when crimes are going to happen.
David X. Cohen and Matt Groening
8 seasons
March 28th, 1999-August 10th, 2003
July 24th, 2023-TBA
Where To Watch
Hulu
Scruffy’sFuturamadeath is also discussed in theFuturama/The Simpsonscrossover episode “Simpsorama.” Bender shows up at the Simpson house and explains that he is visiting from the future. When a hologram appears, it shows creatures that look like rabbits on a violent rampage in New York City. Scruffy fromFuturamais an important and memorable part of this episode and he has a storyline that involves his signature mustache. After the rabbits take off his mustache, he explains that he doesn’t want to live anymore and takes his life. While someFuturamaepisodes are heartwarming and moving, this one is a little intense.
Hermes Reveals Scruffy’s True Nature
In “Law and Oracle,” Hermes Conrad reveals Scruffy’sFuturamatrue nature: he is a zombie. While there aremany sad episodes ofFuturama, Scruffy’sFuturamacharacter often provides comic relief, especially since the others working at Planet Express always forget that he even exists. When viewers find out that he is a zombie, this character becomes even funnier since this is so unexpected and unique.
Scruffy may become a zombie afterFuturamaseason 7 episode 1, “Rebirth,” when the Planet Express employees are killed. Scruffy comes back to life via the stem cell machine that Professor Farnsworth has. SinceFuturama
doesn’t include the details of when Scruffy turns into a zombie, this makes him more mysterious. Any episode that puts this character front and center is as good asepisodes that focus on Bender.
It turns out that Scruffy was going to be a minor character, but he was given more to do for a reason. According toSlash Film, Matt Groening talked about Scruffy’sFuturamaarc at Comic-Con and said:
“Well, the original idea of Scruffy was that every time the spaceship landed, he was gonna get crushed and killed. And then David [Herman] appealed to my sense of compassion. We love Scruffy because we use him so little. I would imagine that there’s probably some future with him and mop bucket.”
Scruffy’s Best Lines In Futurama
ManyFuturamaepisodes are even more enjoyablewhen fans rewatch them, and Scruffy’sFuturamaquotes stand out when revisiting favorite episodes. One of his best lines is when he says:
“My job? Toilets ‘n boilers, boilers ‘n toilets, plus that one boilin’ toilet. Fire me if’n you dare.”
This quote works since Scruffy genuinely enjoys his job as a janitor, even though no one can even recall that he works at Planet Express. Another great ScruffyFuturamaquote is when Leela says “I’ve never seen you before” and Scruffy replies:
“Well I’ve never seenyoubefore neither!”
Some of themost popularFuturamaepisodesare as moving as they are humorous since the characters are complex and layered and often think carefully about the meaning of life. Since he spends so much time lounging around at work, Scruffy has a lot of time to think and sometimes surprises the others with what he has to say. Scruffy reveals himself as a somewhat profound and wise thinker when he says, “Life goes on, but I believe we’ll forever carry the pain on the inside.”
