Ghost in the Machines

"Ghost in the Machines" is the one hundredth and seventh episode of Futurama, the nineteenth of the sixth production season and the third of the eighth broadcast season.

Story
After Bender dies, his software takes on a ghostly existence.

Production
Countdown to Futurama began releasing promotional material for the episode in May 2011. It has so far released five items: a promotional picture featuring the Robot Devil on 15 May, concept art of an Earthican pride float depicting Zapp Brannigan and the Nimbus on 16 May, a promotional picture featuring the Planet Express crew mourning for Bender as his ghost watches from above on 17 May, part of the storyboard showing Mayor Poopenmeyer give Fry the keys to the city on 18 May, and a promotional picture featuring Fry and Bender's ghost sleeping in their apartment on 19 May. On 15 June, David X. Cohen revealed that Dan Castellaneta would be reprising his role as the Robot Devil.

Allusions

 * The title is a parody of the phrase "".
 * Zapp Brannigan holding up the Earth is a reference to Atlas of Greek mythology, who supported the heavens in such a way.

Continuity

 * The concept of robots turning into ghosts was previously seen in "The Honking".
 * Bender's mortality was the main theme of "Lethal Inspection".

Characters

 * Amy
 * Bender
 * Professor Farnsworth
 * Fry
 * Hermes
 * Leela
 * Mayor Poopenmeyer
 * Robot Devil
 * Zapp (Earthican pride float)
 * Dr. Zoidberg