Talk:Zoidberg

Zoidberg plays Diablo II? Is this vandalism, or mentioned in one of the comic books/games?

How is Zoidberg modeled on Yakoff Smirnoff? That is a stretch to me. 10:30, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Removed "The Zoidberg character is obviously inspired by Cthulhu." This isn't obvious to me. Does anyone have a reference for any connection between the characters? -- Oliver P. 04:46 6 Jul 2003 (UTC)

Well, both are aquatic, are humanoid, and have facial tentacles. Both are also considered to be hideous by most (or, rather, by most folks in their respective universes). Dr Archeville 19:22, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

What evidence is there that Zoidberg adds salt to the water cooler? It's not shown in any episodes of the cartoon IIRC. 12.01pm 27 July 2006 (GMT)

Well we at least know that there is a salt-water cooler. Hermes said something about getting rid of it as a cost-cutting measure in one of the earlier episodes. --Foot Dragoon 02:42, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

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Now that somebody has graciously expounded upon Zoidberg's jewish traits, it might be interesting to also note that Zoidberg's uncle--the famous silent hologram comedian Harold Zoid--deliberately dropped the 'berg' from his name (perhaps to gentile-ize' it for show business) problem is, I don't know enough about the history of hiding one's jewish heritage by creating a stage name, anybody want to pick up this particular baton? -- Brendan Brown 10:10 12-12-03 (MST)

John?

John Zoidberg?

Where did it say that his name was John?

It's mentioned at least twice. It's on Zoidberg's letterhead, used for the forged confession note in 30% Iron Chef. Nixon introduces him as John Zoidberg at the end of A Taste of Freedom. I think it may be written on his office door in one episode, but I'm not sure. -- Cyrius|✎ 05:28, 9 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Zoidfarb, son of Harold?

Who wrote that? We see Harold Zoidberg in That's Lobstertainment! and what we know of Decapodian reproduction from Why Must I Be A Crustacean in Love? argues strongly that Zoidfarb's father is not Harold Zoidberg. If no one speaks up for a while, I'll edit out that part. -- Wyvern 22:56, 30 Dec 2004 (UTC)

It's never stated in the episodes. John Zoidberg's got a cousin Zoidfarb, and an uncle Harold Zoid, but no mention is made of Zoidfarb and Harold's relationship. Or how they know who they're related to in the first place. -- Cyrius|✎ 01:23, 31 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Right, but Harold Zoid is alive in That's Lobstertainment!; since Decapodians die after mating (as we learn in Why Must I Be A Crustacean in Love?), it logically follows that Harold Zoid has no children and that Zoidfarb's parents include some as-yet unnamed relation (deceased). As for how Decapodians track their relations, darned if I know. Of course, this is also show in which the speed of light was increased in the 23rd century (but old TV signals take a millenium to go 1000 light years), Zoidberg's underwater house burned down, and Abraham Lincoln's intact head lives on in a jar; maybe we shouldn't rely too much on logic! Either way, I'm going to edit out ", although it is not known if Zoidfarb is Harold Zoid's son." for now; anyone who really objects can put it back. -- Wyvern 14:45, 3 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Ah, good point about the dying. Slipped my mind, that did. -- Cyrius|✎ 17:51, 3 Jan 2005 (UTC)

In the silent movie era, Jewish comediens and writers woul oftn take the "berg" of of the end of their name, as some people woul refuse to watch something made by Jews. Zoidberg's long lot uncle from the "silent hologram" era was just Harold Zoid.

John wanted to be a commedian but his mother siad it would make his grandparents roll over in the grave.

Arguing with yourself

"The decopodians are contradictory. In "A Taste Of Freedom", a young Zoidberg is stood talking to his mother about his dreams of becoming a comedian, but in "Why Must I Be A Crustacean in Love?" we find out that the decopodians die after mating, therefore, making the above scene completely contradictory. It is possible that Zoidberg is talking to another relative in "A Taste of Freedom", for example he may live with his aunt. As the older female figure says "sure, you can be a comedian--if you want your parents to roll over in their graves!," it is more than unlikely that she is his biological mother."

So the author of the above piece starts out buy saying that the decapodians are contradictory, then argues with himself, and concludes that decapodians aren't, in fact contradictory. Anyone else agree that this sort of debate is best left for those unkempt people traveling the streets with shopping carts, and that it shouldn't really be included in a Wikipedia article? Unigolyn 23:44, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

There was clearly more than 1 author, just in case you weren't intentionally being ironic, but yes, it should go if it hasn't already.

Fictional Jews

Just to make sure, Zoidberg is Jewish, right?

--WalterJid 13:29, 26 May 2006 (UTC)

Well, he ain't Kosher... But I believe he still is. :) OzOz 15:39, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

No, I think he's just based on the Jewish sterotype. His religion is never discussed in the show, although he IS refused entry to a Jewish Bot-Mitzvah in Future Stock. - 12.01pm 27 July 2006 (GMT)