10 Greatest Character Introductions In Sitcom History

Described by executive producer David X Cohen as “half Captain Kirk, half William Shatner”, Zapp Brannigan is arguably Futurama’s most memorable character.

In the fourth episode of the show, Love’s Labours Lost In Space, the Planet Express crew are on a mission to save the animals of Vernon 6, facing extinction due to the planet being mined for dark matter. The gang come face to face with the world-renowned Brannigan, who quickly takes a liking to Leela.

Later on, Brannigan summons Leela to his quarters, and in a moment of weakness she ends up sleeping with the leering captain. Brannigan’s reputation precedes him - while Leela and her crew have heard him to be a brave military hero, they soon see the chauvinistic, dangerously vain and utterly hilarious character he really is.

Pretty much every single Brannigan line in this episode hits the mark, with a particular highlight being his explanation of Brannigan’s Law - “like Brannigan’s love: hard and fast.” The writers knew the comedic greatness of this creation, as the inept captain would go on to make a number of appearances during the show’s run.