8. Robot Santa Claus
In season 2, Fry bravely remarks that he knows all about Santa Claus with a wink. But this isn't the fat, jolly, bearded old man who hands out Christmas presents that we all know and love. This is a futuristic Santa Claus, built in 2802 by Mom's Friendly Robot Company in a bid to make it easier for presents to be disposed to all of the nice people of Earth. Unfortunately, something went terribly wrong, and Santa Claus horrifyingly judged everyone to be naughty. Ever since, Xmas has blown people apart instead of bringing people together, forcing the inhabitants of Earth to hide and cower away on Christmas day to make sure that they don't get blown straight to hell by the menacing Santa Claus, accompanied by his robot reindeers equipped with self-destruct. On the bright side, at least future Christmas' will be more exciting than sitting around on December 25th with a hangover, arguing with the family, and watching awful television.
Voiced by: John Goodman in 'Xmas Story', and John DiMaggio in all appearances since then.
First appearance: The first time that we all had to run for our lives from a John Goodman voiced robotic Santa Claus was in the fourth episode of season 2, entitled 'Xmas Story'. It proved to be one of the best Christmas television specials ever, and we hoped, and received, more tinselled brutality on a number of more occasions throughout the brilliant animated sitcom.
Greatest episode: It's a difficult toss up between the aforementioned 'Xmas Story' and 'A Tale of Two Santas' as both episodes have shining moments for the holiday slayer. 'Xmas Story' perhaps edges it due to the fact that it was Robot Santa's first pleasantly surprising Futurama appearance, and because John Goodman as a serial killing robot is a thing of pure monstrous beauty.
Finest line: 'Xmas Story' "You dare bribe Santa?! I'm going to shove coal so far up your stocking you'll be coughing up diamonds!"