By Hawking's chair! Futurama is back! (News thread) (No spoilers)

[Reply #560 on:]

Sure, they can be done right, but I'd rather an entirely new episode than a clip show.

[Reply #561 on:]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22372

I know it doesn't include anything new.  But it is by the best transcript of the Futurama panel thus far.

If you ignore the spelling mistakes such as "Kip" instead of "Kif".  But Kif is among the names that are most often misspelt on Futurama.  Hehe.

Anyway, good article, good source

[Reply #562 on:]

But I have seen excellent done clip shows.  I think it was on Scrubs once, where I actually enjoyed that episode.  Even though I had not seen most of the clips, as I am not a regular Scrubs watcher (you may kill me now or whatever).

For not being a regular Scrubs viewer or for being a Scrubs viewer in general (cuz I'd comply for either)?

[Reply #563 on:]

But I have seen excellent done clip shows.  I think it was on Scrubs once, where I actually enjoyed that episode.  Even though I had not seen most of the clips, as I am not a regular Scrubs watcher (you may kill me now or whatever).

For not being a regular Scrubs viewer or for being a Scrubs viewer in general (cuz I'd comply for either)?

I dunno what you are angry about.  Make up your own damn mind.

[Reply #564 on:]

But I have seen excellent done clip shows.  I think it was on Scrubs once, where I actually enjoyed that episode.  Even though I had not seen most of the clips, as I am not a regular Scrubs watcher (you may kill me now or whatever).

For not being a regular Scrubs viewer or for being a Scrubs viewer in general (cuz I'd comply for either)?

I dunno what you are angry about.  Make up your own damn mind.

Nah, I just saw a chance to dump on Scrubs and took it.

Anyway, interesting read on the panel. Obviously, we already know about most of what was said, but I liked reading exactly what the writers said (for instance, we now know that the Twitter episode might not make it through with the "Twitter" name (which I'd prefer anyhow) and that the Time-Travel will happen because Fry doesn't want to wait 10 minutes for something).

I did enjoy David's slight confession of not knowing how to write for movies (his mention that some of them (2nd and 3rd, I'd assume) felt more like stapled together episodes rather than full films). For what it's worth, I think they mostly nailed the 1st and 4th ones.

I'm still surprised that Matt didn't think that addressing the wormhole matters. Was this the same attitude that didn't explain Nibbler's return in Bender's Game? Maybe Matt still thinks of Futurama too much as a self-contained T.V. show rather than one with a general sense of continuity.

That joke at the beginning with Hypnotoad was pretty funny, but playing a DVD extra that most fans would have already seen showed how little material the panel had without the actors.

Even though the panel was apparently boring and dreadful, we still learned a lot about the new season and the actors are back so there is no cause for worry now. Still looking forward to those new episodes.

[Reply #565 on:]

Sorry if this has already been posted, I don't think it has.

But here is a video that Maurice LaMarche made as a Thank You to the fans:
It's on my photobucket..

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff241/leiapadme77/?action=view&current=WMCap48.flv

Sorry for the crappy quality.
He seems like really cool guy. I'm so glad everyone's back!

[Reply #566 on:]

Only thing crappy about that was the sound quality.  Image was good enough.  You can tell that he cares by what, why and how he says those things.

Also concerning his involvement in the whole petition, Facebook group, whatnot deal.

According to this article on Variety, the actors will be paid 40,000 dollars per episode.

[Reply #567 on:]

Sorry if this has already been posted, I don't think it has.

But here is a video that Maurice LaMarche made as a Thank You to the fans:
It's on my photobucket..

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff241/leiapadme77/?action=view&current=WMCap48.flv

Sorry for the crappy quality.
He seems like really cool guy. I'm so glad everyone's back!

watching that made me happy

[Reply #568 on:]

That video was awesome.  Thanks for passing it on, leiapadme77.

[Reply #569 on:]

Aw, I love Maurice LaMarche. He and Billy, in particular, have never been shy about their respect for the show, their admiration for the writers, and their love of the work. That video was just awesome.

As for that article Svip linked to: I'm glad to hear that

Show spoiler

they plan on addressing the Fry/Leela thing in the first episode. Get it out of the way--either they're dating or not, writers--and then get back to doing the funny, dramatic, awesome sci-fi stuff, kthx.

[Reply #570 on:]

Sure, they can be done right, but I'd rather an entirely new episode than a clip show.

Me too. If there's a clip show then FS will throttle.

[Reply #571 on:]

From The Simpsons Channel:

Futurama Casting Drama Over!

Sun, Aug 2, 2009

Featured, News

futuramacastreturnFuturama fans can breathe a big sigh of relief as there will be no need to recast the show. The creators of the series say they are thrilled the animated show’s five original voice actors have agreed to stay on. Matt Groening and David X. Cohen praised the new deals reached by 20th Century Fox TV and series cast members John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille, Variety reported Friday.

“We are thrilled to have our incredible cast back,” Groening and Cohen said in a statement. “The call has already gone out to the animators to put the mouths back on the characters.” The new deals for the comedy’s five voice actors come after 20th Century decided to resurrect the canceled animated series for 26 new episodes. The new episodes of “Futurama,” which originally aired from 1999 to 2003, are to air in mid-2010 on Comedy Central.

Variety said the contracts were reached after the two sides ironed out salary issues. Details were not reported.

To be honest I just joined here to spread the news  ! (however I will post more, so hi)

[Reply #572 on:]

It is good news, but we have already known for almost a week.

[Reply #573 on:]

Oops, I'm slow 

[Reply #574 on:]

O_O FOX IS BACK, BITCHES.

And this time with possibly good news.

http://www.ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=8506
http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/06/more-from-fox-execs-futurama-glee-dollhouse-but-no-more-ki/

To sum up, if Futurama does well on CC, FOX is bringing it back.

* Svip runs off to http://theinfosphere.org/Season_6 and http://theinfosphere.org/Futurama_status to get this in.

After having studied the evidence, it appears that President Kevin Reilly was asked if Futurama would return to FOX.  Reilly responded like so:

It’s going to do its run on Comedy Central first. They really saw continued commercial business on that and fan interest and that’s what led to that order. It’s a good show, we like the show. It’s not out of the question [to pick it up on Fox], but we have not committed to picking up that option yet.

I hope he is right when he says they like the show.  Because maybe he won't treat it like shit when it comes back.

[Reply #575 on:]

okay, now I'm just a bit confused.  One of the big budget cuts that the show took was condensing the production schedule, right?  So, if Fox isn't going to air the show until after it runs on Comedy Central, rather than beforehand, then why are we waiting until next summer for new episodes to air on Comedy Central?

[Reply #576 on:]

okay, now I'm just a bit confused.  One of the big budget cuts that the show took was condensing the production schedule, right?  So, if Fox isn't going to air the show until after it runs on Comedy Central, rather than beforehand, then why are we waiting until next summer for new episodes to air on Comedy Central?

It is another way of saying; "we are considering, but we cannot really say how our considerations are going".

I expect FOX to later make an announcement that they are going to air Futurama before CC.  Right now, no decision has been made, so he cannot really say anything that they "are considering it" and making up some story about "CC motivation".

[Reply #577 on:]

Sound interesting, but notice the expression of Fry, Bender and Leela


What i'm saying is that this could be good or could we bad. If Futurama is treated by FOX like the previous time.. I dunno, but I also know that the new Fox Exec are kinda smarter somehow.

[Reply #578 on:]

I understand the concern about FOX treating the show.

But I be damned if I'd thought I hear a Fox Exec utter this before:

“[The mandate is] to keep doing what he’s doing.  That is really the gift of Joss. Some people can create a good show. Joss was pretty open about those hiccups. I think in the second half of the year, he found the show and started having fun with it. I don’t think he was having a lot of fun early on, but he was fantastic to work with all the way through. The fact that he found that, it will be much smoother sailing this year.”

Woah.  If they are willing to let Joss Whedon do that, man, I can actually expect them to be able to treat Futurama right.

Also, bring Firefly while you're at it (it = kissing the fans' asses).

[Reply #579 on:]

Also, bring Firefly while you're at it (it = kissing the fans' asses).

Agreed.

[Reply #580 on:]

Double seconded.

[Reply #581 on:]

Cool, according to Maurice LaMarche, tomorrow they're doing the table reading for the first episode of the next season. 

[Reply #582 on:]

Cool, according to Maurice LaMarche, tomorrow they're doing the table reading for the first episode of the next season. 

That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

[Reply #583 on:]

It makes me as hard as a fucking diamond.

[Reply #584 on:]

Cool, according to Maurice LaMarche, tomorrow they're doing the table reading for the first episode of the next season. 

Blah, I am confused by timezones again.  You mean 7 August or 8 August?

Anyway, it is still very cool news.  Did he shout it from the roof tops over at Facebook?

[Reply #585 on:]

Pretty much. From his Facebook:

Maurice LaMarche  is looking forward to tomorrow's table reading for the first episode of Season 6 of Futurama! We're REALLY Back, Baby!

And he posted at around 3 AM my time. Assuming he is in California right now that would put him posting at around 12 midnight. If he is like me he could have meant today, because when it is dark outside, I think tomorrow.

[Reply #586 on:]

Cool, according to Maurice LaMarche, tomorrow they're doing the table reading for the first episode of the next season. 

Awesome. So we're well on the way to getting new episodes.

[Reply #587 on:]

[Burns]Excellent.[/Burns]

[Reply #588 on:]

First post here, so please be gentle. (And thanks for the invite, Svip.)

Blah, I am confused by timezones again.  You mean 7 August or 8 August?

I'm pretty sure Moe meant the table read was scheduled for Friday because union gigs don't normally allow for working on weekends.

Also have confirmation from another source that the supporting cast negotiations are settled and done, and *everyone* is back.

[Reply #589 on:]

Also have confirmation from another source that the supporting cast negotiations are settled and done, and *everyone* is back.

HOORAY!:D

[Reply #590 on:]

First post here, so please be gentle. (And thanks for the invite, Svip.)

Blah, I am confused by timezones again.  You mean 7 August or 8 August?

I'm pretty sure Moe meant the table read was scheduled for Friday because union gigs don't normally allow for working on weekends.

Also have confirmation from another source that the supporting cast negotiations are settled and done, and *everyone* is back.

What's your other source?

[Reply #591 on:]

I saw this about what Katey Sagal thought of them trying to replace the cast.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/07/katey-sagal-talks-about-contentious-futurama-negotiations-tca/

Not much new. It's like what everybodys here has been saying.

[Reply #592 on:]

Interesting, thanks. It sounds like like the VA's were asking for a payrise afterall. I guess that clears that up.

Also it's clear that it's the fans who persuaded F*X to find in our favour just as LaMarche intimated in his video (thanks Leiapadme77). We do rock.

[Reply #593 on:]

Also have confirmation from another source that the supporting cast negotiations are settled and done, and *everyone* is back.

I was never really worried about that. They are doing a table reading today, and according to this article, they are recording next week. I don't think they would have started without the supporting cast.


edit: YES!

Maurice LaMarche  wants you all to know, after today's table read at 20th Century Fox, Episode One of Season 6 kicks ass! John, Billy, Katey & Tress were brilliant! David X. Cohen & Matt Groening's script was hilarious, and strangely, touching. You guys are gonna LOVE this episode in nine or ten months! What a fantastic way to get back into Futurama, The Series!

[Reply #594 on:]

Here comes that fuzziness again.

[Reply #595 on:]

Maurice LaMarche posted 2 photos of the table read on his facebook.


facebook is being fustrating as hell, can't post the link

[Reply #596 on:]

Yeah don't post a link or anything.

For people without Facebook, like me, I had to sign in with a friend's account.

"Waiting to start the "table read" for the first episode of Season 6 of Futurama."


"The Futurama Five, happy to be back at work on the best primetime animated show in the world!"

Now does anyone work at CSI so we can zoom in on those scripts?

[Reply #597 on:]

Awesome. Awesome to the max.

[Reply #598 on:]

What's your other source?

Sorry, I'm not at liberty to say. I've been reporting on animation and voice actors since 1999 and sometimes sources decline to be named or directly quoted for whatever reason, and if I didn't honor their wishes I'd lose access to my sources. Let's just say it's someone "close to the cast" for now.

Oh yeah, and there's also confirmation directly from Phil LaMarr now on his FB page. I'd copy/paste it here, but Phil posted on his FB page Tuesday specifically asking fans not to quote him elsewhere without asking permission first.

BTW, thanks for the frontpage link, Svip.

And an FYI to Futurama_Freak:

I hope you asked Moe for permission to lift his photos. Moe's usually pretty cool about that kinda thing IF you ask his permission (as other VAs have been with me when they've donated other photos for my blog and the "Voice Actor Appreciation Group" I host), but you really should ask for his permission before using his personal photos. It's the right thing to do.

And to Chug_a_Bug:

Katey gives the reason in her TVSquad why they were asking for a pay raise: "We wanted what's fair."

Considering the show is on for a 6th season (which will bump it over the 100 episode landmark), and a potential movie in development, and that the show might return to FOX as well, it stands to reason that they would negotiate for a pay raise. When the show his 100 eps, FOX stands to make huge profits from syndication. The actors have been a vital part of the show's success and for me at least that justifies their request for a pay raise.

However, what they were asking was nowhere near to what Variety and The Hollywood Reporter stated, and they continue to report the same error in their updated coverage in spite of the fact it that their statement was proven false.

Keep in mind that the media source that first broke the news was The Toronto Star which Moe gave the scoop to, and that article stated:

The compromise agreement, with the studio paying more and the actors accepting less, comes after the announcement of a 26-episode pick-up here by Comedy Central. [Emphasis mine.]

That was an indirect quote from Moe. So please don't believe the crap that Variety is reporting about what the cast was asking and what they allegedly finally settled for.

[Reply #599 on:]

I hope you asked Moe for permission to lift his photos. Moe's usually pretty cool about that kinda thing IF you ask his permission (as other VAs have been with me when they've donated other photos for my blog and the "Voice Actor Appreciation Group" I host), but you really should ask for his permission before using his personal photos. It's the right thing to do.

Oh boo hoo.