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Author Topic: Futurama has a future (don't get your hopes up!)  (Read 4635 times)
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PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« on: 07-26-2002 04:55 »

The following article appeared today on Channel 4 Teletext.  Read, digest, then spend many happy hours picking holes in it.

 
Quote
Article by Derek Robins

FUTURAMA HAS A FUTURE

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening says his sci-fi cartoon Futurama is not doomed, even though US network FOX is threatening to wield the axe.

FOX has halted production, featuring Bender the robot, though there are still 16 episodes which have not yet been broadcast.

Groening said "It's not over.  We are trying to keep it alive with movies, cartoons, video games, toys and comic books."

More than 142,000 fans have signed a petition to stop US channel Fox from axing Futurama.

Creator Matt Groening has given them hope by announcing that he has big plans for the show, which began in 1999.

The show started with pizza delivery boy Fry being transported to the 30th century where he met up with a host of zany characters, including one-eyed alien Leela and Bender the robot.

Futurama creator Matt Groening has backed the team behind the sci-fi cartoon which is facing the axe.

The team has developed Futurama computer games and other merchandise, and Groening says he will continue to work with them if the TV series, shown here by Sky, is dropped.

He said "If it's not Futurama, we are going to work on another project.  I have a couple of series in the works and TV shows I want to do."

We're boned, aren't we?  :hmpf:
wiggles

Bending Unit
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« Reply #1 on: 07-26-2002 06:06 »
« Last Edit on: 07-26-2002 06:06 »

I so hope that Groening has the guts to take any new creations he comes up with to another network. He's made a mint off the Simpsons (and to a lesser extent, Futurama) so its not like he's strapped for cash.

FOX and Sky can sit there, happy that they are filling their schedules with bland, uninteresting new eps of the Simpsons while another network takes a leap of faith with MG.
RandomEngy

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #2 on: 07-26-2002 08:51 »

It does disturb me that MG considers comics, videogames and merchandise a "future" for the show.  IMO you just can't replace those 22-minute long laugh-fests.
Lesotho_Leela

Bending Unit
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« Reply #3 on: 07-26-2002 09:24 »

You cant replace this classic with crappy merchandise. I have hear somewhere however, that antoher U.S TV station has made an offer to but the show. Lets Hope Matt takes it there.
PCC Fred

Space Pope
****
« Reply #4 on: 07-26-2002 09:32 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Lesotho_Leela:
You cant replace this classic with crappy merchandise. I have hear somewhere however, that antoher U.S TV station has made an offer to but the show. Lets Hope Matt takes it there.

Seriously?  :eek:

I hope this is true, I really do.
Just Chris

Urban Legend
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« Reply #5 on: 07-26-2002 09:51 »

Ironically, Matt still wants Fox to air his show after all that's said about the network. How hard is it to jump ship anyway?
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #6 on: 07-26-2002 09:54 »

The thing about "all that's said about the network" is that Groening himself has said very little about FOX.  Even if he's not happy with FOX, it probably wouldn't be a good idea for him to slag them off vocally, it might put other networks off working with him in the future.
Timo

Bending Unit
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« Reply #7 on: 07-26-2002 13:00 »

Just to add a little more info, this article was posted on the SCI FI Wire page yesterday:

 http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-main.html?2002-07/24/13.00.tv

A Future For Futurama?

Matt Groening, co-creator of Fox's animated SF spoof Futurama , told SCI FI Wire that he has big plans for the show, even if Fox doesn't resume production on the series once it airs the remaining 16 or so episodes that have already been completed. "Futurama's not over," Groening said in an interview at Fox's fall preview party in Los Angeles. "We're going full-steam ahead with keeping the universe alive in whatever form we can. And there are stories and movies and cartoons and comic books and toys yet to come. And video games."

Groening's Futurama partner, David X. Cohen, added that the game is due in January. "We have a Futurama video game for all the major home platforms: Xbox, PlayStation, GameCube," he said. "And I think there was much more input from the creative team, partially because we're not having to spend our time on the show, for some reason. So [J.] Stewart Burns, one of the original writers on the show, has written the script for the game. And there's actually so much material in there that basically you get a whole episode of Futurama sort of in the interstitial segments of the game."

Fox ordered the end of production at the end of last season and will air the remaining episodes starting in the fall. <Spoilers removed.>

Groening said he's eager to continue working with the creators of the show, whether or not Futurama has a future. "I love this group of people that I worked with on Futurama, and we're going to work on another project," he said. "If it's not Futurama , I'm going to try to keep as many of the same people as I can to work on another animated project. I've got ... a couple of [SF&F] movies in the works, and I've got a couple of TV shows as well that I want to do. And we'll see. As many people as I can work with, I will go for."
Zed 85

Space Pope
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« Reply #8 on: 07-26-2002 13:24 »

I'm glad Matt doesn't feel dejected by the treatment of Futurama by FOX and perhaps thinking of giving up on it - so any future is good, but as L_L and RandomEngy said, just having the original show is just so much better. I dearly hope that whatever other network puts an offer in for Futurama and Matt considers it. My main wish is for the continuation of the series, especially if said computer game keeps going the way it's going and will be released for every entertainment system ever devised - except a bloody PC!!!!  :mad:
Joe25

Bending Unit
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« Reply #9 on: 07-26-2002 13:57 »

I'm glad that Greoning didn't give up on the show, even though there isn't much of a chance for renewal.  A Futurama movie seems more and more possible after reading this.  And is anyone else looking forward to greonings supposed next show (if of course Futurama doesn't continue)?  Greoning has yet to dissapoint! (and maybe he can premier it on a network that appreciates his work)
KENNEDY

Starship Captain
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« Reply #10 on: 07-26-2002 14:10 »

Even if Fox does not produce new episodes of Futurama, creator Mat Groening said that his still has some bigs plans for the series. Groening recently talked to Sci-Fi Wire about what he hopes to accomplish with the series.

"Futurama's not over," Groening said in an interview at Fox's fall preview party in Los Angeles. "We're going full-steam ahead with keeping the universe alive in whatever form we can. And there are stories and movies and cartoons and comic books and toys yet to come. And video games."

Earlier this year, Fox ordered the end of production at the end of last season and will air the remaining sixteen episodes starting in the fall. Groening said he's eager to continue working with the creators of the show, even if Futurama's future is cut short. "I love this group of people that I worked with on Futurama, and we're going to work on another project," he said. "If it's not Futurama, I'm going to try to keep as many of the same people as I can to work on another animated project."

Groening said he has a couple of movies in the works and plans to do some more television projects. Thanks to Animated Movies for the leads. Stay tuned for more updates here at TZN.

From Toonzone.net
static

Starship Captain
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« Reply #11 on: 07-26-2002 16:26 »

Well, its out of our hands it seems. Not much can be done by us except see what happens, and pray that everything will turn out for the better.... though i doubt it  :(
Kryten

Space Pope
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« Reply #12 on: 07-26-2002 18:50 »

I'm considering buying a PS2 or Gamecube just for the Futurama game. Does that make me hopeless?
Tzlk
Professor
*
« Reply #13 on: 07-27-2002 01:49 »

I would to kryten....even though i would miss the $300 or so dearly. And out of curiosity has futurama  comics # 10 come out yet??!
Teral

Helpy McHelphelp
DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #14 on: 07-27-2002 04:14 »

While the comics, calendars, the figures and probably the video game are/will be great merchandise, the episodes are the driving force in the Futurama universe. We need those new episodes.

And it's good to know that Matt still fights for the show, even though this

 
Quote
He said "If it's not Futurama, we are going to work on another project. I have a couple of series in the works and TV shows I want to do."

paragraph sort of could be the first sign of doom for the show. Heres hoping it's not.

 
Quote
Originally posted by Lesotho_Leela:
I have hear somewhere however, that antoher U.S TV station has made an offer to but the show. Lets Hope Matt takes it there.

Now this is interesting. Any info on who the station was?

Although no big love is lost between Matt and FOX, it just doesn't feel like his style to just jump ship. He even refused to use The Simpsons as leverage to improve FOX's treatment of Futurama. But I do hope he change as soon as another station gives him a favorable offer.

And release the bloody video game on PC!!
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #15 on: 07-27-2002 12:22 »
« Last Edit on: 07-27-2002 12:22 »

I got my letter concerning Futurama's cancellation printed in SFX magazine.

 Read it at CGEF
Guy

Professor
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« Reply #16 on: 07-27-2002 13:34 »

Atta Boy Fred, give 'em hell till they give in to our crazy demands!
What network do you think Matt would take Futurama to? Would he take the Simpsons with him?
KENNEDY

Starship Captain
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« Reply #17 on: 07-27-2002 13:49 »

Doubt it.
Just Chris

Urban Legend
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« Reply #18 on: 07-27-2002 13:55 »

They've grown stale, he'll probably do something more original. ::salutes:: Here's to Futurama, "the greatest show that nobody's seen."
wu_konguk

Urban Legend
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« Reply #19 on: 07-27-2002 14:04 »

As long as there are loyal fans Futurama will never die. I mean look at Star Trek, the original series was cancelled and now it is one of the biggest sci-fi show ever. That is not to say i want to see a Futurama the Next Generation  :rolleyes:
Teral

Helpy McHelphelp
DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #20 on: 07-27-2002 14:06 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Guy:
Atta Boy Fred, give 'em hell till they give in to our crazy demands!
What network do you think Matt would take Futurama to? Would he take the Simpsons with him?

Matt's already stated that it really wouldn't be his style to use The Simpsons as a barganing tool. Besides I'm under the impression that FOX holds the exclusive rights to The Simpsons anyway. Ofcourse I could be wrong.

Then again, you have a standpoint until you get a new one. Maybe it is possible for FOX to push Matt far enough. At any rate I think they've just about destroyed every chance for Matt ever to approach them again with a new project. Serves them right.
Guy

Professor
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« Reply #21 on: 07-27-2002 14:52 »

Yeah, Matt wouldn't take a new project to FOX, out of common sense. They don't deserve it anyway.
Code Green

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #22 on: 07-27-2002 20:51 »
« Last Edit on: 07-27-2002 20:51 »

I bet that Matt Groening will announce a Futurama Movie. Seriously, Futurama is going to go off the air this year. I hate to say it, but I know it will happen. Hopefully Matt Groening will make a future out of the show and keep it alive like he's saying. About a new project, I think that would be cool, but it will never replace Futurama...maybe it could be a Futurama spin-off, if it would be possible to do so. Maybe it would be a Simpsons spin-off. No one knows but Matt.
haleys_comet

Starship Captain
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« Reply #23 on: 07-28-2002 03:32 »

I want to get the game when it comes out  :cool:
Teral

Helpy McHelphelp
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #24 on: 07-31-2002 11:50 »

Anyone seen Graham's latest update at TLZ?

Just a single line from it(taken out of context, read for yourself):  "Fox having unlimited rights to Futurama and that the giant media company refused Matt the option to move the show onto another network or production company."

If this holds up, they're bigger assholes than I imagined. Yeah, yeah sure it's all about money. But considering that huge cashcow called The Simpsons, they could at least try to show a little compassion for the guy they own their very existence as a network.

It'll be interesting to read Leandro's next update.
Guy

Professor
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« Reply #25 on: 07-31-2002 13:06 »

I agreee, Matt Groening made FOX what it is. If he did use the Simpsons as a weapon, FOX would probably give in. It depends on how much power Matt has over the Simpsons. FOX has probably taken full control of it so that Matt can't take it away....
Zed 85

Space Pope
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« Reply #26 on: 07-31-2002 16:09 »

It makes me pretty furious... urge... to.. massacre... rising...!!!!!
Binder

Starship Captain
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« Reply #27 on: 07-31-2002 17:24 »

Hey! Season 2 DVD comes out soon! Yippie!
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #28 on: 07-31-2002 18:35 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Binder:
Hey! Season 2 DVD comes out soon! Yippie!

Anyone want to tell him?  I'd do it myself, but I couldn't bear to see the look on his face.  :(
M5438

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #29 on: 07-31-2002 18:40 »

Alright.  Season two has been delayed to November 11.
Zed 85

Space Pope
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« Reply #30 on: 08-01-2002 02:37 »

God knows if they are ever gonna release Season 1 in America, and will they even bother with Season 3 DVD at all???

 :nono:
Binder

Starship Captain
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« Reply #31 on: 08-01-2002 18:18 »

My post can work for either Simpsons or Futurama DVDs, pretty tricky huh?
Zed 85

Space Pope
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« Reply #32 on: 08-02-2002 03:34 »

 
Quote
and will they even bother with Season 3 DVD at all???

This can also work for either Simpsons or Futurama DVDs...  :hmpf:
Tweek

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #33 on: 08-02-2002 05:06 »

I guess they might have delayed the video release so that those series 2 episodes that were shown as part of series 3 get shown on C4 before their video release here  :hmpf:
bankrupt

Urban Legend
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« Reply #34 on: 08-02-2002 12:21 »

More delays?  Futurama and the Simpsons seem to be the DVDs that get delayed more than anything else I've seen.  It'd be nice if we actually knew a reason for the delays.
bart182

Professor
*
« Reply #35 on: 08-03-2002 03:45 »

I think its really sad that shows like greg the bunny, king of the hill, and game shows that shouldnt have ever been made get more attention than futurama does on fox.  Its just wrong.  People list futurama as one of the best tv shows ever made, period.  yet fox wont give it a chance or listen to what people say.  Futurama has been nominated for an emmy every single year, doesnt that say a lot?

what sucks is that matt groening will start working on a new show now that futurama is gone, meaning we wont get full attention of futurama anymore since matt's brain will be in other places :/  Thats what happened with the simpsons and why it turned into crap.
PCC Fred

Space Pope
****
« Reply #36 on: 08-03-2002 09:31 »

The good news I'm 90% certain there WILL be 3th and 4th season DVD releases for Futurama.  Think about it: the series has been effectively cancelled, but FOX have gone out of their way to hold on to the rights for the show.  Obviously they want to squeeze as much money as they can out of it, and along with syndication, the best way to do that is through merchandising!  And what better way to sell the product than by slapping already made episodes onto disc?
aslate

Space Pope
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« Reply #37 on: 08-03-2002 09:40 »

Or they don't want to be proved wrong that it is a successful show by seeing it being done properly on another network.
P.S. It's 3rd, not 3th.
Ben

Space Pope
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« Reply #38 on: 08-03-2002 09:48 »
« Last Edit on: 08-03-2002 09:48 »

Wow, did they have a clearance sale of those rose coloured glasses recently? Groening can't (and I suspect wouldn't, even if he could) just get up and take a program or programs that Fox owns to a rival network. It's rather naive to think that Fox would have developed a business case and invested cash to develop these programs if at any moment the guy who thought of the concept could just get up and leave.

Oh, Kryten, I wouldn't waste my money. Licenced games have always sucked and will continue to suck as long as the concept exists (Goldeneye was good compared to the rest of the piss-poor N64 catalogue at the time it came out, but it was no Quake). I'm sorry, but you'd be in the same boat as the kids who buy 'Britney's dance whatever' for playstation or any game based on a disney movie.

As for a movie. If you were rich (like matt) and you had once ounce of common sense, would you blow a large chunk of your fortune on a movie based on a show which, lets face the facts here, was a ratings failure? And that would be the only option for a movie, because I highly doubt any self-respecting studio would finance such a risky concept.
VelourFog

Space Pope
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« Reply #39 on: 08-03-2002 11:25 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Ben*:
And one more thing, Santa isn't real!

man Ben, i bet everyone is off crying now. but i agree with and laugh at you post. you meanie

* may or may not be actual quote
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