Futurama News (including but not limited to Countdown to Season 7)

[Reply #720 on:]

EDIT: Added quote for context.

Also, it's got Leela dancing on a glowing stripper pole.

So far, only an image of Takei's head eying sceptically some kind of "Zero-G stripper" (or whatover), of whom only the legs are seem, has been posted.
Did you see Leela in a TV add?

Yes.  It also appears to be in the same scene that Leela tries to seduce Zapp.

[Reply #721 on:]

Yeah, I predict "Dingbat" will be very divisive.  Some will like it for excessive Zapp Brannigan.  Hardcore shippers will hate it because it messes with their precious Fwy and Weewa.  Wait!  I'm a hardcore shipper!  I'll make me eat those words!

Though I'm still holding out hope that this episode will in fact follow season seven's trend thus far and be pretty good, I'm far more worried about what it may do to Munda and Morris's relationship (and their characters) than I am about the effects it might have on Fry and Leela. Those two have been through enough resets by this point that I'm sort of inured to them, but Munda and Morris's relationship has remained unspoiled since the characters' introduction--and I would like it for the writers to keep it that way.

It's a lot more irritating when a long-term, committed couple is broken up for dubious reasons of plot (see: Kif and Amy in "Proposition Infinity") than it is when Fry and Leela, who have always been on-again/off-again (though this season seems intent on rectifying that), are on shaky romantic footing. I mean, it still annoys me when Fry and Leela's relationship is written inconsistently, but at least those two aren't married or otherwise betrothed to one another to the same degree that Kif and Amy or Morris and Munda are.

[Reply #722 on:]

The stripper/dancer has a tail. I think it's Munda.

[Reply #723 on:]

I'm not sure what to think of "Zapp Dingbat" from what I've seen so far. It looks like it could be either really funny or really terrible. Let's hope it's the former. I hate seeing Zapp episodes fail.

[Reply #724 on:]

The stripper/dancer has a tail. I think it's Munda.

I wasn't referring to the still image.  I saw an ad on CC that showed Leela dancing on a glowing stripper pole.  It looked like it was in the same room that she seduces Zapp in, and he was there also.

[Reply #725 on:]

There are two things, I believe, that this episode needs to do to keep its respectability and potential high.

1) Munda cannot cheat on Morris. As I and others said before, it would be completely out of character for her to do that and she'd lose a lot of her likability as a character.

2) There can't be any sex. I think the "Leela hates Zapp, but still ends up in bed with him" joke has run its course-and many people seemed to have an issue with the end of the "Adam and Eve" Zapp/Leela episode (the name escapes me). It would throw a wrench into the Fry-Leela relationship, and it would again destroy Munda's character if it was her instead of Leela.

Now will these things be held up? I think it's definitely possible, even probable. I don't think the writers are going to assassinate Munda's character to that degree, and Futurama has never been a very sexual show.

They would also do well to keep the fan-service to a minimum. I understand its use in this particular episode to some extent, but let's not make it excessive. Yes, Leela is attractive but don't just show skin because you can.

On another note I wouldn't be extremely surprised if this episode ended with Leela, Morris, and Munda all simultaneously stomping Zapp's guts out.

[Reply #726 on:]

and Futurama has never been a very sexual show.
 

Erm...well...cough cough....

[Reply #727 on:]

Yeah, your argument lost a little steam with that one MYK, because Futurama has always had sexual themes, but the rest is on.  I wouldn't mind it that much if Leela slept with Zapp if she thinks that's the only way to get him away from her mom, but I'd prefer her not to for the reasons you mentioned.

I don't mind the fan service, as long as it is balanced.  Taking that into account, we've already seen Fry down to his underpants (and even bare naked in one) in two episodes this season already, so I think some Leela skin is fair game.

[Reply #728 on:]

I should have worded that differently. Futurama does have sexual humor, definitely. What I was getting at is:
 The sexual humor Futurama has is very well integrated into the writing, it's pretty subtle, and it VERY rarely comes across as arbitrary or "Let's do this because we can!" Because of this it comes off as a fairly clean show to me.

About fanservice: Well, yeah. As long as it's not excessive I don't mind. This episode definitely has a good reason for it to a certain extent. I just don't want them to run away with it.

[Reply #729 on:]

I should have worded that differently. Futurama does have sexual humor, definitely. What I was getting at is:
 The sexual humor Futurama has is very well integrated into the writing, it's pretty subtle,  

If you consider "Spanish Fry" subtle, I don't want to know what you consider "offensive sexual humor"
(Sorry, dude, but you basically served me that one on a silver plate )

But kidding aside, I get what you mean. Some jokes like Bender asking "Why two of every kind", Leela whispering in his ear, and Bender giving a dirty laugh are rather on the cute/harmless than on the dirty/naughty side

[Reply #730 on:]

A couple of new episode titles: "Break on through to the mother side", "Murder on the Planet Express". Source.

[Reply #731 on:]

"Murder on the Planet Express"?  How many times have I predicted that?  Did any of the writers read my post?  Where are my royalties!

[Reply #732 on:]

What are you talking about?

[Reply #733 on:]

Wow, they sound sweet! Now I've got The Doors in my head.

[Reply #734 on:]

What are you talking about?

This.

[Reply #735 on:]

Nice one!

[Reply #736 on:]

Wow, were you overclocked at the time, Svip?

[Reply #737 on:]

Wow Svip, clever prediction!
Wonder if we'll get a Poirot character parody or whether it'll just be Zoidberg afoot!

[Reply #738 on:]

I hope "Murder on the Planet Express" is the final title, not a working one.

[Reply #739 on:]

I second that emotion request!

[Reply #740 on:]

I saw that ad again (I watch way too much CC) and some coincidence has Fry, Leela, Bender, Munda and Zapp in the same bar, and I'm almost positive that bar is the same one that Zapp makes his deal with the shark people in.  He is kissing Munda over by the bar while the trio are sitting at a booth.

I really like those episode titles.  I wonder whose mother is going to be the subject of that first one?

[Reply #741 on:]

I wonder whose mother is going to be the subject of that first one?

I thought it was a pretty obvious title for a Mom episode...

[Reply #742 on:]

Doh!  Brain fart.  That is totally obvious now that you mention it.

Good!  It's been a while since we had a Mom oriented episode where she wasn't just the antagonist.

[Reply #743 on:]

I hope "Murder on the Planet Express" is the final title, not a working one.

Since they're already doing a MotOE parody, I'll recycle my ideas for a Futurama parody of MotOE into my own space opera comic.

You know, a lot of the new things they have revealed actually sound quite exciting.  I especially like the sound of Naturama.  You know what, I am really excited for this season, even more then usual.  My anticipation gland is at maximum engorgement now. 

[Reply #744 on:]

I agree, those sound really interesting and have enormous potential. And the Doors are awesome. I would love to see Jim Morrison's head in a jar.

Back to "Dingbat" for a second.
 I thought of something that could really help this episode get some points.
 If Leela tells Fry how she's going to try to derail Zapp and Munda,  it could make for a solemn but sentimental moment. "Better to be trusted than loved" and all that.

"My mother's in trouble, and I need to get Zapp away from her. I can't let my parents' relationship be destroyed by this horrible person, not after I only recently have been able to get to know them. I don't want to do this but I think I have no choice. Please forgive me. "

[Reply #745 on:]

"My mother's in trouble, and I need to get Zapp away from her. I can't let my parents' relationship be destroyed by this horrible person, not after I only recently have been able to get to know them. I don't want to do this but I think I have no choice. Please forgive me. "

Highly questionable, as Leela is a character hardly written to face consequences of her actions. Even screw ups (e.g. Möbius Dick) usually offer a solution right off the bat (her MB dialog was just "I should have listened to my crew", and switching after that few seconds immediatelly to bragg on how great Leela was, how she saved the day, etc, etc, etc...).

My guess: Leela seducing Zapp will be a similar "Kick Fry in the balls" as e.g. IaGDL

[Reply #746 on:]

Can someone find a link to this CC ad? It sounds interesting.

Oh also? MYK, that would definitely get some points from me. Let's hope that that's the case...and Hein isn't right.

[Reply #747 on:]

Solid Gold Bender has posted an ad for 'Zapp Dingbat' on YouTube.

[Reply #748 on:]

Okay...this preview looks....erm.....well....

[Reply #749 on:]

Hey Guys, CC updated the "Head in a Jar" app, making it compatible with androids and iOS, and put in alot more features! You should check it out!

[Reply #750 on:]

That's cool, but tell me when it comes to the Canadian app store.

[Reply #751 on:]

Ugh.

The shot of Munda making out with Zapp is just foul.  Morris and Munda aren't comedic characters, they work because of their emotional quality as Leela's parents.  Splitting them up for cheap jokes is probably the poorest thing the new season has done.  I was trying to give this episode an open mind (and some nice snacks to eat during it) but this is just awful.  

[Reply #752 on:]

Solid Gold Bender has posted an ad for 'Zapp Dingbat' on YouTube.

Yep. That's the one I saw.  There's definitely another one with Leela on the stripper pole though, and then she pounces on Zapp.

My guess: Leela seducing Zapp will be a similar "Kick Fry in the balls" as e.g. IaGDL

How did she "kick Fry in the balls"?  I assume you mean metaphorically - by having sex with Zapp, right?  Like a challenge to his manhood?  I don't think they see it that way.  Relationships tend to be more open in the 30th century, and people seem to be more accepting of having multiple partners or "cheating" than in our time.  Fry wasn't jealous or emasculated so much as grossed out with the rest of them at the end of IAGDL, and Leela certainly didn't have anything to say after Fry slept with Poopenmeyer's wife in GITM.

[Reply #753 on:]

Haha that promo is the best.

Thanks for the app tip. I'm excited to see what they added.

[Reply #754 on:]

The UK is seriously getting screwed over when it comes to new Futurama episodes and merchandise. Not cool.

[Reply #755 on:]

Ugh.

The shot of Munda making out with Zapp is just foul.  Morris and Munda aren't comedic characters, they work because of their emotional quality as Leela's parents.  Splitting them up for cheap jokes is probably the poorest thing the new season has done.  I was trying to give this episode an open mind (and some nice snacks to eat during it) but this is just awful.  

Also, Futurama is a workplace sitcom.
Morris and Munda are the only "typical old couple" they have, and I am not sure that they should be abandoned.
After all, they cheating/basically seperated wife role can already be taken by LaBarbara, Munda following a similar path would just be redundant.

[Reply #756 on:]

Exactly.  They've already got several dirty old cougar characters like Petunia, why do they need to screw up Munda's personality and her character dynamic?

Plus, if Zapp is just doing all this to spite Leela, then it's less Lovable Oaf! Zapp and more Creepy Sociopath! Zapp, if he's willing to destroy the happy marriage of her parents just to upset her.  Like his seduction of Amy in TBWABB, that wasn't funny, it just made him look like a sexual predator. 

[Reply #757 on:]

You never know, Morris and Munda could be quite unhappy with their relationship?

[Reply #758 on:]

Yep, but this isn't about realism, this is about characters taking a certain role.

And the "typical old couple" role can only be filled out by those two, while there are lots of other characters being able to fill out the "dysfunctional/cheating/unhappy couple".

Bickering about a realtionship was already done more or less successfully by Leela in "Overclockwise".

[Reply #759 on:]

Geez, everyone's flying off the handle like MuchAdo.  There's some heavy assuming going on about Morris and Munda.  The truth is we don't know much about their relationship.  They behave well when Leela or company is around, but we don't know what kind of troubles they may have when they are alone which is most of the time.  We know that Morris goes fishing with his pals, and that he has a dream of surfing all of the great sewer waves underneath famous cities.  It could be that Munda thinks he is idiotic for wanting this and the have to take some time apart.  We don't know yet!

EDIT: Also, Zapp Brannigan is a sociopath and a sexual predator.  He's just harmless, for the most part.