Dr. John A. Zoidberg

A crustacean alien doctor whose medical incompetence is matched only by his heart of gold.

Dr. John A. Zoidberg is a fictional character from the American animated series Futurama. He is a Decapodian, a crustacean-like species of alien only found on the planet Decapod 10, most similar to a lobster. He works as the staff doctor for Planet Express, despite his woeful understanding of human physiology and questionable credentials. His character sharply contrasts with the typical image of a doctor as a wealthy and respected professional. He is shown to be incompetent when it comes to basic human anatomy and performing surgeries. He lives in a dumpster near the Planet Express building. Zoidberg is voiced by Billy West, who performs the character with a Yiddish-inflected accent inspired by actors George Jessel and Lou Jacobi.

Quick Facts

Role: staff doctor
Affiliation: Planet Express
Species: Decapodian
Home planet: Decapod 10

Lore & Background

Zoidberg is named after an Apple II game that series writer David X. Cohen created in high school called Zoid, similar to the game Qix. The game was rejected by the software company Broderbund. One of Cohen's inspirations for the character was that Star Trek character Leonard McCoy frequently administered medical treatment to aliens such as Spock, so Cohen wished human characters in Futurama to be in the uneasy situation of being treated by an alien doctor.

During the first season, jokes about Zoidberg usually focused on his poor understanding of human anatomy and the fact that all of his co-workers hate him. Despite his incompetence, he believes that he is really an expert on human anatomy, and will blithely attempt to treat human patients as he would his own species. One of his running traits is his pronunciation of the word "robot", pronouncing it ROH-bət rather than ROH-bot. His use of English grammar and idioms resembles the stereotypical speech of Jewish people living in the northeastern United States, and elements of Jewish humor, and playful reversals on it, are a theme.

As the series progressed, the writers gradually introduced themes that Zoidberg is poor, homeless, friendless, smelly, undignified, and repulsive—the opposite of a stereotypical doctor. In front of others, Zoidberg frequently pretends to be refined and successful, though this illusion is quickly dashed. Regardless of his flaws, Zoidberg is good-natured and means well, and will help the crew when the situation calls for it.

Reader's Guide

He is a Decapodian from the planet Decapod 10. His character is defined by his incompetence with human anatomy, his poverty (living in a dumpster), and his desperate loneliness. Despite his flaws, he is good-natured and means well. Key episodes include: "Put Your Head on My Shoulders" (successful head transplant), "Parasites Lost" (accuses Fry of hypochondria), "A Taste of Freedom" (saves Earth from his own kind), "The Tip of the Zoidberg" (revealed as a competent alien physician and explains why Farnsworth keeps him employed), "The Six Million Dollar Mon" (creates a ventriloquist dummy of Hermes and saves him), and "That's Lobstertainment!" (his uncle Harold Zoid advises him on comedy). Zoidberg is voiced by Billy West with a Yiddish-inflected accent. His signature sound is a high-pitched whooping sound when frightened, similar to Curly Howard.

Did You Know?

Zoidberg's PhD is in art history, not medicine, as stated in 'The Duh-Vinci Code'.
Zoidberg has four hearts, and in 'Roswell That Ends Well' he tells human doctors 'Take it, take it, I have four of them!' when one is removed.
Zoidberg is the adopted brother of Turanga Leela.
Zoidberg's uncle is Harold Zoid, a silent hologram star parodying Harold Lloyd.