Title screen joke: "As seen at the 1939 World's Fair" The 1939 World's Fair, held in New York City, did in fact feature an exhibit/ride called "Futurama." It presented a possible model of the world 20 years into the future (1959-60). Sponsored by the General Motors Corporation, the installation was characterized by its automated highways and vast suburbs.
The meat store behind bender when he video calls the group has a sign written in the futurama alien language that reads "Rack of Human"
In Bender's locker is a copy of Gorts Illustrated magazine.
In this show it's learned that the Planet Express building has a bowling alley (Farnsworth Lanes) one floor above the lava pit.
Bender and Leela both reference "Gilgamesh". Bender says he is now a greater hero than Gilgamesh and Leela exclaims "Praise Gilgamesh!" when she finds Fry safe. Gilgamesh was a historical king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk, and he was a major hero in ancient Mesopotamian mythology.