FOX

[on:]

Ok I know fox is the network we all love to hate, they have a very duplicitous nature when it comes to their shows. 
My current rant is...
I'm sure you've all seen the huge promotion campaign going on right now for the
"that 80's show", a show that I don't think will last past 3 episodes.  Yet I've seen very few, probably none, commercials telling people that futurama is on.  Now I remember the 80's, I lived through them, and I personally think they sucked.  I have noticed a large anount of "80's" products tho, albums, trivia games, so fox is obviously trying to cash in on this popularity.  But are these things even popular?  I think the best part is, fox wasn't even a network in the 80's, not a real one anyhow, not til married with children and the simpsons pulled them out of the gutter, how soon they have forgotten.

Maybe they should change the title of futurama, to "that future show" and maybe fox would give it some respect, or at least some promotion.

Also, another thing that cracks me up, the after simpsons timeslot has always been fox's "new comedy helper" slot.  Any new show that needed a boost, all the had to do was stick it behind the simpsons.  Now the awfull malcom in the middle has been there for awhile now, I guess that tells you all a little about how crappy that show is, it's gotten the helper slot for how long now? lol

I personally can't stand malcom in the middle, and would love to see it get a new time slot, and then it would be off the air in a week.

It's amusing how pretentious fox has become, but if it wasn't for a couple irreverant and crass comedy shows, fox wouldn't even have news, or probably even still be around.

Here in chicago, the simpsons are re-run 3 times a day. Like 2 years ago, they took off the 10pm simpsons for fraiser. The outcry and protest was so huge, that not only did they put it back at 10pm, but also ran 2 different commercials that ran for a few weeks apoligizing for removing it .
It's one thing to get a response or a change, it entirely a different thing to get 2 different apology commercials.

Of course, the simpsons sunday comics were removed after a violent itchy and scratchy x-mass one. We got a total of 3 simpsons sunday comics.

fox, the network we love to hate 

[Reply #1 on:]

Fox people are retards, the only place Fox treat Futurama with dignity is on DVD, they better release all the seasons and not just the first one.

[Reply #2 on:]

And it seems that Futurama seems to be getting more glam and popularity in Europe than in the States. The offbeat style of Fox's shows still intrigues me. They manage to get huge ratings with some of them, then watch them die down quickly. And I'm glad Fox is almost through with the reality show craze. 10x more reality shows than other networks means 10x less planning and thought and 10x less popularity.

My ideal Sunday time schedule:
6 PM - Malcolm
6:30 - King of the Hill
7:00 - The Simpsons
7:30 - Futurama

I wanna look forward to a nice Futurama after seeing a mediocre Simpsons episode.

[Reply #3 on:]

I think Malcom in the Middle is a strong enough show (rating wise) to now lead its own weekday.  Like Monday or Wensday.  But FOX doesn't want to mess up its one hour ratings machince sunday  .  I would just be happy if Futurama and KotH switched places.

[Reply #4 on:]

 

Originally posted by The Baz:
I would just be happy if Futurama and KotH switched places.

King of the hill sometime gets the run into football aswell.So,it still would be a bad time.

[Reply #5 on:]

 

Originally posted by Bender_Unit_22:
I think the best part is, fox wasn't even a network in the 80's, not a real one anyhow...

guh.  You can't use that as one of your points.  Fox wasn't a network in the 70s either (why does that matter anyway?  Movies have been made that took place 2000 years ago, and I don't see anyone freaking out because "movies weren't even around back then!).  I would have to assume that "That 70s Show" was doing alright, since they are making essentially a spin off. 

But I agree with you that the concept of "That 80s Show" is insulting to my sense of good taste.

[Reply #6 on:]

The appeal of That 70's Shows' 1st season was the fact that the kids sat around a big wire spool table & smoked weed. Hell, I used to do that with my old friends. We had a wire spool table. We definitely had weed. And that's why that show was a success. I'm not glamorizing weed, just nostalgia.
That 80's Show looks as worn out as any action-heros' cliches.

[Reply #7 on:]

I'm inclined to agree with your veiws on "That 80's show". In all the many previews and commercials for it (and there was a lot of them) I didn't even chuckle once. And they were showing their best stuff? Pathetic.

My ideal lineup would be:

7:30 Malcolm in the Middle
8:00 The Simpsons
8:30 Futurama
9:00 Family Guy

Thats wishful thinking of course. If you wanted X-Files and King of the Hill, well, X files at 9:30 and KotH at 7. Futurama gets the 8:30 slot so that it can contain mature content and not get screwed with terribly. I like Malcolm, but it isn't as funny as it was a little while ago.

In closing, I spit on Rupert's sence of business.

[Reply #8 on:]

If I remember correctly, last season FOX did very little advertising for Futurama until after the football season.  Then you saw a lot of "all new episodes" advertising.

As for "That 80's Show", it's typical Hollywood.  When something succeeds, copy it.  I remember the 70's too, but without the weed.  As for the 60's, well, as we old folks say, "if you can remember the 60's, you weren't there!"

(brief pause for drug-induced flashback)

As for Malcolm in the Middle, it's one of FOX's top rated shows, so it isn't going anywhere.

Futurama is one of the lowest rated shows on FOX (I hate to admit it, but numbers don't lie).  It's in a tough time slot.  When it isn't pre-empted by football from September thru January, it's up against "60 Minutes" on CBS (a top 10 program). The good news is that it is on Sunday, which is when FOX gets it's best ratings. For the moment, FOX appears happy with its 90 minute block of animation on Sunday night.

[Reply #9 on:]

I remember when the Simpsons was opposite The Cosby Show on Thursday nights, & it kicked ass. Why can't they put Futurama on Thursday at 8pm??

[Reply #10 on:]

 

Originally posted by Sarge:
I remember when the Simpsons was opposite The Cosby Show on Thursday nights, & it kicked ass. Why can't they put Futurama on Thursday at 8pm??

Remember what happened to Family Guy? It couldn't stand a chance against Survivor and Friends.   

[Reply #11 on:]

 

Originally posted by Sarge:
I remember when the Simpsons was opposite The Cosby Show on Thursday nights, & it kicked ass. Why can't they put Futurama on Thursday at 8pm??

I am inclined to Laff at you Sarge.  For the reasons Fry's Girl already pointed out.  Do you live under a rock?  Nothing beats Friends/Survivor!

Anyone want to punch that damn "portable phone" guy from the "80s Show" promos? 

[Reply #12 on:]

woo got some response here
Otis P Jivefunk: at least we get anything of them on dvd.  Before dvd there was vhs, and the simpsons didn't have much at all released at the same early stage as futurama.  I think they had the christmass show.

Just Chris: I agree with you fox always seems to jump on the band-wagon.  They were scrambling for "reality" shows after the success of survivor.  I think it's great that futurama is popular in europe, but I don't live there.  I also agree about the mediocre simpsons, I guess the after simpsons time slot is not what it used to be.

The Baz:  Yes malcom has become a strong show, but my point was, how did it get that way?  By riding the coat-tails of the simpsons every week.  If it had it's own timeslot from the begining it wouldn't even be on the air anymore.  A good example of this can be seen on nbc.  The had a very popular show, seinfeld, after which they ran a crappy one, freinds.  People seem to cross over to the next show after the good one.  They are still in the moment, or "vibe" of the good show.  And eventually the crappy show gets viewers, and maybe even better.

VelourFog: I wasn't actually using that as a point, I had said that it cracked me up.  Like how fox is spewing so much hype for an "80's" show when they didn't exist then.  It's funny to me cause hey "we can all look back to a time when fox didn't make the best tv shows then totally piss you off by not showing them".  seems strange that you would focus on that part of my post but whatever.

Sarge: I agree with you, I think that concept of kids smoking pot was a draw for people to the show.  They never actually show them getting stoned tho, there is always a bunch of smoke, and it's always implied.  but it's still a some-what funny show.  I just find it hard to get nostalgic about a era that is't that far past, or have the kind of defining qualities that the 60's or 70's had.  If the 80's show lasts longer then a few episodes I will be surprised.  I am still trying to forget the 80's.

Chump: your right there are a ton of commercials or it, seems ever 20 min there is a re-run of the commercial they played 10 min ago.

Dr_Dave:  I was kinda thinking more to the promotion of futurama before it ever hit the air.  Compared to the promotion of the 80's show.  They did promote futurama back then, but nothing like this new show.  Fox seems to be the only network that even play any animated shows so I guess we can all be grateful for that.

I just try to think about it from fox's point of view, but the view out of my belly button cause my head is so far up my ass is kinda constricted...
seriously tho, I don't get why they seem to spend so much time and money, on shows that have no merchandising possibilities.  They obviously love money, you would think they would want futurama to be as popular as possible so they could juice it for every cent it's worth.

and none of you even made a comment on this part of my post:

Here in chicago, the simpsons are re-run 3 times a day. Like 2 years ago, they took off the 10pm simpsons for fraiser. The outcry and protest was so huge, that not only did they put it back at 10pm, but also ran 2 different commercials that ran for a few weeks apoligizing for removing it .
It's one thing to get a response or a change, it entirely a different thing to get 2 different apology commercials.

I actually thought somebody, anybody would make a comment on this.  Has anyone ever seen anything like this happen before?

[Reply #13 on:]

My ideal show lineup: Futurama. Sometime. any time. JUST PUT FUTURAMA BACK ON, YOU CHANNEL 7 CRETINS!!

[Reply #14 on:]

That 80's Show better be good.  Then I would remember what it was like living in the 80's. All I can remember was kindergarten, Legos, and watching Sesame Street.

I was jumping for joy when The Simpsons finally replaced Frasier. And yes, I too remember those apology commercials. I guess local networks look out to the little guy more than 'the big cheese'.

I can't wait till Futurama airs for the 100th time to watch it in syndication. This was the only way I could get really good in Simpsons trivia. 

[Reply #15 on:]

 

Originally posted by VelourFog:
 

I am inclined to Laff at you Sarge.../...Do you live under a rock?  Nothing beats Friends/Survivor!

A live webcam shot of my sphincter beats Survivor. Maybe Friends is a well written show, but reality shows?    I barf on your 'rock'! 

[Reply #16 on:]

-licks it up-
mmm so you had chicken burger for lunch...im sensing some rootbeer to wash it down, as well. (sorry its late)

[Reply #17 on:]

I love the 80's, but that 80's Show looks like the biggest piece of crap ever. "Whoa look! It's the 80's and he's playing with a Rubik's Cube! How hilarious and nolstalgic!"

But about the promotion: fox is weird about that. I've noticed they tend to hype up the first episode of every new show, but after that they just stop for some reason. Futurama was pretty well promoted at first, and now look at it. The Lone Gunmen had tons of commercials for its Sunday premiere, but I don't think I saw any commercials after it settled into its normal Friday timeslot. And I can't remember the last time I saw a commercial for Undeclared.

I'm no marketing genius, but I really think fox should spread out their commercials more, in order to a) keep people from getting tired of the show before it even premieres, and b) to keep people watching after the first couple episodes. Stupid tv.

[Reply #18 on:]

 

Originally posted by Sarge:
Maybe Friends is a well written show

 

[Reply #19 on:]

 

Originally posted by Just Chris:That 80's Show better be good.    Then I would remember what it was like living in the 80's. All I can remember was kindergarten, Legos, and watching Sesame Street.

:High fives Just Chris:
You know it!
 

[Reply #20 on:]

 

Originally posted by VelourFog:
Anyone want to punch that damn "portable phone" guy from the "80s Show" promos? 

I don't think there's anyone in that commercial I don't want to punch.

[Reply #21 on:]

 

Originally posted by FishyJoe:
     
 

I did say 'maybe'.   

[Reply #22 on:]

 

Originally posted by Bender_Unit_22:
Now I remember the 80's, I lived through them, and I personally think they sucked. 

a wise man from activision once said: "Yeah, the 80s sucked. But so did the 70s and look what we did with them."

[Reply #23 on:]

I hate the 80s too, I'm ashamed that I was born during them but also kind of glad because the 90s were a cool time to be in as a teenager.

[Reply #24 on:]

 

Originally posted by Otis P Jivefunk:
I hate the 80s too, I'm ashamed that I was born during them but also kind of glad because the 90s were a cool time to be in as a teenager.

Geez Otis, its 2002. Get with the times. 

[Reply #25 on:]

 

Originally posted by Chump:
 Geez Otis, its 2002. Get with the times.   

I am aware of that.

[Reply #26 on:]

I like to laugh at the eighties. the shoulder-riding sweaters.... floppy socks..... frizzy hair.... it's just a funny-looking time-period. And it gives us Labyrinth, with David Bowie's ever shrinking pants. And now... we have Nix's quip from watching that movie for the 8th time or so... "Bring me my battle-pants!"

[Reply #27 on:]

Are the 80"s haha funny or ha ha I'm so ashamed.
All 80's time period bashing aside tho, it's this show.  I've not seen as many commercials for any other fox show as if yet.  It's non stop, if I can't change the channel before the commercial ends I start puttin my belt around my neck and closing the other end in the door.  I'd be a blue corpse right now if the batteries on my remote died.
And to top it off, yesterday, fox night at the movies, ms fukin doubtfire!!!
that was the worst tv night ever, survivor, friends, football, pop stars, ms doubtfire, and wrestling.  I almost read a book.

Whats with this 24 show?  how many fukin timeslots does it need? 2 each week on fox, a few more on fx.  Maybe that should buy the channel 24 on cable and make it it's own network.  at 10 kiefer sutherland could do the news.

ok, takes a deep breath, at least we are on season 4, I still remember waaay back when, channel 5 cancelled manamal, after only what 7 episodes?  That show had limitless potential, thank yer god for sci-fi channel to show all the episodes on creature land, and remind how truly horrible that show was.

well my neighibor has aparently gotten a electric guitar and is learning to play, oh joy, yea that makes no sense to you but you can't hear it.

[Reply #28 on:]

 

Originally posted by TheMadCapper:
"Bring me my battle-pants!"

        

[Reply #29 on:]

Well, seeing as this has turned into the 80's thread, I'm moving it to off-topic.

And while we're speaking of Labyrinth . . .
"You remind me of the babe . . ."