What is the basis for Zapp Brannigan's uniform?

Question

In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes "Encounter at Farpoint" and "Lonely Among Us", we see guys in miniskirts:

Did those miniskirts inspire Zapp Branigan's outfit?

Do you have some screenshots you can add demonstrating this? I have no memory of them ever wearing skirts. — Jack B Nimble, Jun 29 '12 at 21:03
related: What is this man doing with a Starfleet mini-skirt? — bitmask, Jun 29 '12 at 21:03
Sorry, this is probably not a duplicate, after all. Ignore the VTC. @JackBNimble: See the other question above. — bitmask, Jun 29 '12 at 21:05
This was two separate questions, 1) What's with the skirt in Star Trek? and 2) Is Zapp Brannigan's uniform based on it? The former is definitely a duplicate. Revised it to only ask about Zapp Brannigan. — , Jun 29 '12 at 21:15
The entire Futurama universe is loosely based around Star Trek's, such as Zapp apparently being what Kirk would be like if William Shatner was being himself, and the consistent hidden references to the ST universe. — AStopher, May 02 '17 at 21:06
They're not wearing skirts. To me it looks like a kind of tabard or tunic with a belt at the waist. — , Nov 08 '18 at 22:03

score 19 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 09 '18 at 09:10

19

I always thought they were a shout-out to the outfit worn by classic comic book character Magnus: Robot Fighter. Right down to the white boots!

edited Nov 09 '18 at 09:10

TheLethalCarrot

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answered Jul 05 '12 at 16:34

Alex

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Those robots even resemble the robots from Futurama! – Kalamane Jul 05 '12 at 18:18

score 6 · Answer 2 · edited Nov 09 '18 at 09:10

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The character Zapp Brannigan was based on Star Trek's Starship captain James T. Kirk and the actor who plays him: William Shatner. He is also said to be based on comic book hero Flash Gordon. The idea of his uniform was to copy that of the women on the USS Enterprise (the Star Trek starship).

edited Nov 09 '18 at 09:10

TheLethalCarrot

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answered Jul 01 '12 at 09:21

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Do you have a reference that the costume wasn't a reference to the men? – AncientSwordRage Jul 01 '12 at 09:55
@DavRob60 Uhura wasn't the only woman on the Enterprise. There was the nurse, and a number of enlisted or ensign women coming to Kirk for his ~~autograph~~ signature on (presumably) daily reports/orders/etc. – Kevin Jul 01 '12 at 15:10
@AncientSwordRage There is a reference from the show's creators, but I can't find the link. – AStopher May 02 '17 at 21:08

score 5 · Answer 3 · edited Jul 04 '12 at 11:32

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The uniforms were drawn, or 'made', to resemble that of James T. Kirk in Star Trek (mostly Enterprise) but another reason is purely for the humour embedded in the sight of a grown man wearing a miniskirt.

edited Jul 04 '12 at 11:32

dlanod

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answered Jul 03 '12 at 20:06

bobbishmax

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 10 '19 at 23:32

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His not wearing pants is based on Magnus: Robot Fighter, but Zapp himself is based on James T. Kirk. However, the creators say he is based more on the actor, William Shatner, than on Kirk. Either way, that guy has swag!

answered Aug 10 '19 at 23:32

TheMan

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score -6 · Answer 5 · edited Nov 09 '18 at 09:10

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I suspect that the standard DOOP uniform isn't necessarily anything like what Zapp Brannigan chooses to wear. After all, he is a lecher, braggart, and narcissist.

This is obviously a combat uniform instead of a dress uniform, but captains of modern naval ships don't wear dress whites while on deck anyway. And the basic styles and cuts are the same, just finer cloths are used with more ornament (braids, brocades, etc).

edited Nov 09 '18 at 09:10

TheLethalCarrot

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answered Jul 05 '12 at 19:58

John O

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Do you have any references that indicate what a standard DOOP uniform looks like? – Jul 05 '12 at 20:16
Also we see in S1:Ep4 "Loves Labours Lost in Space" that Brannigan's men have essentially the same uniform as him. Here is a link to a screenshot LINK – Dason Jul 16 '12 at 22:30

What is the basis for Zapp Brannigan's uniform?

5 Answers5