Sally asked:
not so much why this character or that (especially
Snarly), but why characters at all?
Well, I'd say they came up with some sketches for interesting characters (to be filled in in performance) and had a "life's a bitch, then you die" perspective that refreshingly contrasts with the generally upbeat nature of television--but then they ran out of innovation and hauled every scifi cliche out of the locker.
-(Y)