Other people's reasons for not liking Futurama

[on:]

There is a topic like this in the FMMB as well.

The reason why I think other people don't like Futurama is because they probably don't understand it.  Don't like the character's personalities, or simply because it's not real and it's not like The Simpsons.  I agree with you Rush that I, myself hate soap operas and reality TV.   

One time I showed a friend of mine a Futurama shirt I was wearing and he told me he saw the show and thought it was stupid.  And my friend prefered shows like Friends and Family Matters.  Also, another reason why I think people don't like it is this:  it's not sappy, not stereotypical, not about a dysfunctional family who try to kill each other.   It's something bold and new and it's not the same crap you usually see on TV that people are so used to, and don't like change.   And some people probably think just because it's a cartoon that it's for kids.  My parents and cousin think Futurama is a show aimed at 5 year olds. 

Also, I believe some people don't like it because there's no anti-feminism in it.  Maybe some people expect it to be like Super Mario Brothers.  (the cartoon of my nightmares). My cousin hates the show and he likes to try to make me feel bad about it on a certain basis.  Also, another reason why people don't like it is because the main character is not a spotlight stealing hero, and the lead female isn't a helpless damsel-in-distress Princess Toadstool type who get kidnapped and tied up all the time.  That's the reason my cousin hates the show.    He wishes Fry would be a tough hero, Bender a cowardly Luigi-like helper, and Leela a helpless wimp.  That's how he thinks Futurama should be. 

[Reply #1 on:]

Most common reason I hear is they just don't get the jokes. And to be fair, you often need to follow the show to get some of the humor. My wife is (finally) watchin more and more of it. And I know one thing she got me for xmas was volumes 1-4.

[Reply #2 on:]

No offense, but you are way off the mark. I would bet money that "it's not enough like Super Mario Bros." is the least common reason why anybody would dislike Futurama.

jeepdavetj has it about right. Mainstream folks want to laugh right now. Instant gratification. They'll catch four or five minutes of Futurama and if it's not instantly funny to them, they will tune out.

Bash Family Guy all you want, but you can tune into any episode, at any point, and you'll be able to laugh. There's no story or characters to worry about--it's like watching a room full of 30 writers pitching gags to you, one after the other, without ever stopping.

When I was dating my wife, a fan friend of mine sat down and we showed her some episodes. My friend said to her "look--you might not think this is the best show ever, at first. But you are going to keep watching it until you agree that it is the best show ever". And that's exactly what happened. She didn't quite get it at first, but soon she got to know the characters a little better, and got into the storytelling style of the show, and now she is a fan.

I wish more people would give it a chance! I shouldn't have to tie people down and force them to watch a dozen episodes just to get them to like it.

[Reply #3 on:]

most people i know like it, but they don't follow it religiously.

a few don't watch it because they dislike sci-fi.

[Reply #4 on:]

FishyJoe is right.  The original run of Futurama was character driven; you had to understand the characters to get the interplay between them & get the jokes.  It requires people to invest in watching the show a couple of times to get it; most don't want to do that.  It's like Fishy said regarding his wife; she didn't get it at first, but warmed up to it once she got to know the characters.

[Reply #5 on:]

I'm the guy who started this on the Futurama Madhouse Message Board.

I will give the link to the "Other people's reasons for not liking Futurama" on the Futurama Madhouse. "Here"

OK, not everyone likes everything, like I don't like any soap operas, reality TV shows or musicals, and most chick flick movies.

[Reply #6 on:]

curse they are as*hold's ????

[Reply #7 on:]

curse they are as*hold's ????

Errr wha? Didn't catch that?

Edit wait ... assholds? Oh now, I get it. This not a good reason/raisin though.

[Reply #8 on:]

sorry ment

because they dont like futurama is because they are some A**hold's

[Reply #9 on:]

everybody love's futurama and hypnotoad

[Reply #10 on:]

I second that

[Reply #11 on:]

Futurama fans as I sorta said somewhere else let us never lower ourselves to some fandoms out there, which have insane fans who beat people up (or kill them.) if someone doesn't like their show or whatever, just because they have a different opinion. We must respect them (if even they hate Futurama), and if you want to get someone into Futurama do it through peaceful means.

[Reply #12 on:]

hehe never gonna do that .  but just saying that they really dont know what they a missing

[Reply #13 on:]

I don't find it that hard to get into unlike say...Arrested Development. That's a show where context was EVERYTHING and 90% of the jokes were callbacks. Futurama was easy to get into imo but I watched it from Day One. Even the episodes with multilayers of jokes that I didn't get at the time - like Where No Fan Has Gone Before - were very funny. And now that I have become a fan of Star Trek (due to its heavy presence in Futurama) I laugh even more at the jokes

[Reply #14 on:]

Some people don't like cartoons, some people don't like science fiction; I'd say those are probably the two biggest reasons.

[Reply #15 on:]

According to my ex, Futurama is "male humour".

[Reply #16 on:]

I've got friends that doesn't like the voice acting, calling it "annoying", etc.
Futurama's got the best voice acting ever. [IMO]

Some people don't like cartoons, some people don't like science fiction; I'd say those are probably the two biggest reasons.

Yeah, that's probably it.

[Reply #17 on:]

I've heard some say the humor is too crude.  I told them that any crude-ness in Futurama is nothing compared to say, Family Guy.

[Reply #18 on:]

According to my ex, Futurama is "male humour".

Being of the female sex and gender, I find that offensive! Sounds like she was too closed-minded to embrace the awesomeness of Futurama.

I've heard some say the humor is too crude.  I told them that any crude-ness in Futurama is nothing compared to say, Family Guy.

I remember early Family Guy was nothing but fart jokes. That's something you put in when you have nothing intelligent or witty to say. It's for dumb people who do not understand why referential jokes (as used in Futurama) are funny. They went on the basis of greater # of fart jokes = exponentially funnier. But they were also high when they wrote all those episodes so...yeah. Those episodes were probably all just their lucid drug trip fantasies anyway, hence why there was no plot and it was all random with no deeper meaning behind it.

[Reply #19 on:]

A rather silly video by some Futurama hater: Youtube New Futurama Sucks (it's just a short unedited clip of "The Futurama Holiday Spectacular")

[Reply #20 on:]

I remember years ago (I'm talking, like, 9 or 10 years ago.  It was still on FOX, then) a teacher of mine saying that it was just "too weird" and that "the woman with the one eye" was too perturbing to her.  I also remember, back during the original run, that sometimes I would mention Futurama and people would say "oh yeah, that show...is it still on?" or things to that effect.  I think some of them had seen it and even liked it but just never really caught it thanks to FOX's mishandling of the series.  It was just "that other show" from the Simpsons guy.

Actually, when Futurama was still just finishing its run and Adult Swim had just started showing it, suddenly all my peers (this was back in high school) were suddenly talking about it and quoting it all the time.  This, when months before I'd been talking it up and people didn't know what I was talking about.  It was almost literally an overnight change.

Nowadays, most of my friends, immediate family, etc love it.  Obviously for some people it's just not their type of humor, which is fine.  I've always been more bothered/confused by people not liking it when it seems like they'd love it, anyway.  Like, if someone likes shows like The Simpsons, South Park, Seinfeld, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, or whatever other "weird" comedies like that, I don't know why Futurama would be such a stretch.  But these days, it isn't really.

[Reply #21 on:]

And I have to say in spite how much I love Futurama, it's main appeal is us nerds (not to say every Futurama fan is a nerd.), which unfortunately isn't the wider population.

[Reply #22 on:]

At the time it first aired, all we really had was Simpsons (me anyway, I don't have cable). And I loved Simpsons (at the time). So combining animations with space and the universe = best cartoon ever. The show has changed quite a bit since it first aired, but will always be my first true love

[Reply #23 on:]

Also I'd like to add a lot of people really hate sci-fi in general.

[Reply #24 on:]

Whaddya mean, like dumb jocks? Again, those people don't matter.

[Reply #25 on:]

I've not really met anyone who dislikes Futurama. I know a lot of people who don't follow it, but they also don't mind it. Never met anyone who dislikes it though.

The only reasons I'd guess for someone not liking it is that they don't like sci-fi, or don't understand the jokes. Also, the show might be a bit too emotional for people that just want belly-laughs. An episode like Jurrasic Bark for example, quite emotional and serious compared to any FG episode.

But anyway, if people don't like the show then screw them. It has many fans so I don't know why people worry over it's popularity. It's not exactly as unpopular as 'sit down shut up' is it? (Which I thought was a pretty good show btw)

[Reply #26 on:]

That show was terrible. And I pretty much love anything Will Arnett does.

[Reply #27 on:]

Another theory I have about some people not liking it, is maybe it's doesn't follow the Sonic SATam approach.  Maybe some people want it to be like a post-apocalyptic war type of thing like Sonic SATam was.  Like have them be at war with some megalomaniacal villain and have it be serious instead of played for laughes.   Because some people expect sci-fi to be serious. 

Like if Pat Allee and Ben Hurst wrote for the show Zapp would probably be the hero, Leela would be Zapp's girlfriend and the leader of a rebel alliance group that Hermes, Farnsworth Amy, and Zoidberg are a part of.  Kiff would be Zapp's partner and Bender would be the evil villain and Fry would be his bumbling assistant.   That's probably why some people don't like the show, as I've explained here.   

I can see it now:

Zapp:  Am I cool or what?

Leela:  More like what!

Zapp and Leela:  Let's do it to it!

Bender:  Fry!  Get that spaceship captain and I mean now!  I got a plan to get him! 

Fry:   But, siiiiirrrrrr!  Can't we just!

Bender:  No!  We do it my way!

Fry:  Yes, sir! 

Amy:  Oh, my stars!

Zoidberg:  Sacrebleu! 

Hermes:  I fixed some repairs. 

[Reply #28 on:]

Well not I'm so sure, Kurt. But I guess it might be a little.


Another reason why people would hate sci fi (Futurama, and other fantasy/fiction things) would be that there are lot's of people who are obsessed with things that are "real". Well, things may change we might, however unlikeily we'll have a Futurama like future in 1000 years. So then it would be real.

But yeah, there's lot's of people who hate idealism, originality, and anything that may need to something which is not reality, which they don't understand straightaway means it: sucks. But a lot of those people never think that a fantasy story may be based on something that really happened.

Fantasy stories is part of humanity, we've been telling stories and tales when we were gathered around the camp fire in the stoneage, they mightn't be real, but a lot of them help lift the darkness and raise hope against the evil in life (world).

Hope is a very important thing in humanity to stand against evil.


___________


Futurama has millions of fans around the world but it isn't mainstream and universally recognized like the Simpsons, or even ... Family Guy.

From the: Infosphere: Under Futurama.

Appeal

The main audience of Futurama is comprised mostly of self-described "nerds". This is due in part to the fact that much of the humour on Futurama is derived from the fields of mathematics, physics, computer science, and a hefty dose of Star Trek (TOS) and Twilight Zone references. In fact, several members of the crew have PhD's in these fields.

Not to say all of it's fans are nerds, but that's the main audience. Which unfortunately isn't the massies of the Human rase.

[Reply #29 on:]

I've not really met anyone who dislikes Futurama. I know a lot of people who don't follow it, but they also don't mind it. Never met anyone who dislikes it though.

My sister hated it when I first started watching it and she even went as far to say that she hoped that the show would get cancelled. She probably only hated it though because I didn't let her watch whatever crap she wanted to watch. I also had a friend who though it was crap and thought that family guy was a million times better but he was borderline retarded to be fair. I agree with Fishy though, Family Guy is a much easier show to just jump in and out of when you are channel surfing.

I didn't really get into Futurama until I watched a bunch of episodes in a row but now it is my joint favorite show of all time, along with the Wire which is also a show that takes a while to get you hooked.

[Reply #30 on:]

It's funny. My sister was the one that got me liking Futurama.
I absolutely love Futurama and now she doesn't like it anymore.

[Reply #31 on:]

"They don't like Sci Fi."

[Reply #32 on:]

Another reason why people would hate sci fi (Futurama, and other fantasy/fiction things) would be that there are lot's of people who are obsessed with things that are "real".

People feel a need to have a connection to something that's firmly anchored in the present, and in their own lives. Because they are small, smallminded people who inhabit a universe with a radius far less than our own planet, and lack the imagination or sheer courage to concieve of anything greater and grander than the sum of their own experiences.

These people will be the ones who remain behind in their crude huts as the remainder of the human race scramble into rockets to flee the expanding shell of our parent star one day.

[Reply #33 on:]

Another reason why people would hate sci fi (Futurama, and other fantasy/fiction things) would be that there are lot's of people who are obsessed with things that are "real".

People feel a need to have a connection to something that's firmly anchored in the present.

I think that applies to the majority of people, even Futuama fans. Thats why the show's protagonist Fry, is from our time. Without someone like Fry, the show would have far fewer fans.

[Reply #34 on:]

Another reason why people would hate sci fi (Futurama, and other fantasy/fiction things) would be that there are lot's of people who are obsessed with things that are "real".

People feel a need to have a connection to something that's firmly anchored in the present, and in their own lives. Because they are small, smallminded people who inhabit a universe with a radius far less than our own planet, and lack the imagination or sheer courage to concieve of anything greater and grander than the sum of their own experiences.

These people will be the ones who remain behind in their crude huts as the remainder of the human race scramble into rockets to flee the expanding shell of our parent star one day.

Totally agree, well said. They're also the kind of people who are spoon fed everything. They'll listen to the radio and will base their music tastes on that, and dislike most other things because they're not on the radio. They won't actively seek out anything...

[Reply #35 on:]

Hate people like the ones mentioned above. 

[Reply #36 on:]

These people will be the ones who remain behind in their crude huts as the remainder of the human race scramble into rockets to flee the expanding shell of our parent star one day.

As my ex used to say, "Let the meek inherit the Earth, the rest of us are going to the stars!"  I don't know whether she was quoting Rush or whether she came up with it on her own.

[Reply #37 on:]

Haha, I'm the most mature of all of the 7th graders at my school, well, except for my friends, we're all nerds. It's amazing to watch the pea-brained kids talk about Jersey Shore and laugh like a bunch of idiots while imitating their  behaviour. Dear God, our generation..... I've always been...different. I'm not a sheep, if you don't like my methods then I don't care.

[Reply #38 on:]

Haha, I'm the most mature of all of the 7th graders at my school, well, except for my friends, we're all nerds. It's amazing to watch the pea-brained kids talk about Jersey Shore and laugh like a bunch of idiots while imitating their  behaviour. Dear God, our generation..... I've always been...different. I'm not a sheep, if you don't like my methods then I don't care.

Oh my God... Someone who has the same opinions and hate for the current generation as me! And CommanderZapp! WOOOOT.

[Reply #39 on:]

Why don't some people like Futurama? You could also ask the question, Why are there some people who love Applebee's, Chile's, McDonald's, and other corporate restaurant chains that serve microwaved sh*tty food, and not the homegrown bistro down the street? Why do some people prefer Lady Gaga and Kei$ha over Billie Holiday or some innovative indie band? Why do so many people eat up Steig Larson's books but ignore the works of Cormac McCarthy? *

What I'm getting at is, there's no accounting for taste. Some people just have very mainstream tastes, maybe because what they like is easily consumable, or they feel comfortable because of the throngs of other fans validating their opinions, or...whatever. Who knows? People like what they like; pleasure is not something that can be argued with or persuaded.

I try not to have an "Us vs. Them" mentality when it comes to stuff like this.

Also...think about it. Part of the appeal of Futurama for many is that it's special, that it's not some insanely popular show with mainstream appeal, constantly talked about in the media, by our friends, etc. Right? We'd get sick of it and turned off. Or, at least, I would.

* Disclaimer: I'm not trying to dis on any Lady Gaga, Kei$ha, and Steig Larson fans. Not trying to dis is my whole point. But I do think corporate restaurant chains should be microwaved to charred bits, which would be very apro pros.