Thoughts on NP903 - Radiorama - SPOILERS

[on:]

For anyone unaware, a new double-length, audio-only episode of Futurama has been released. Check it out!

I really enjoyed it. It was like a reunion, celebrating the show once more, rather than genuinely pushing it forward. I can't see this being more than a one-off, but if they decided to make a premium series of "audiobook" episodes... well, they could shut up and take my money. The X Files actually just did that so it's not completely unthinkable.

Much of the humour is specific to the podcast format which is another reason why maybe this is better left as a one-off, but I enjoyed it. A decent, high-concept, sci-fi storyline and humour completely on par with the series. And the whole cast back again! And some nice continuity, particularly with bringing Bender's mother back into the mix.

[Reply #1 on:]

I'm not reading your entire post for fear of spoilers, but there's a countdown clock and no link at futuramanow, and that's what Nerdist points back to.  Guess I'll just have to wait...

Thanks for the heads-up, Cyber!

[Reply #2 on:]

"Watch" it here.

[Reply #3 on:]

Domo arigato gozaimasu!

* Tachy bows *

[Reply #4 on:]

Just gave this a listen--thought it was deeply charming and thoroughly delightful. I enjoyed the send-ups of the radio play (and podcast) form, with the borax commercials and the announcer and such. There were a number of great gags (a couple favorites: Fry thinking Amy is dying when she's just translating for Bender's mom, and Leela lamenting her imminent death by Vaseline, as predicted by a carnival psychic). The story itself was surprisingly not bad, though I think the Fry/Leela subplot is the only thing, in terms of its execution and overall level of quality, that I could've seen working on the actual show.

I was also reminded of the conceit of my beloved "Reincarnation," whereby the big gag in each segment is how the climactic moment cannot be appropriately rendered in the chosen animation style (the rainbow in black and white, the beautifully fluid dance moves in a stiff anime montage, etc.). I thought they were going for something similar with Fry's 3D sculpture (and its gratuitous nudity), which would obviously be a tough sell in animation but in audio form allows us as listeners to imagine it in all its profane glory. It was fun and clever.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's clear a lot of genuine thought and effort went into this production, and I appreciate that. I really enjoyed it, and on its own merits (not thinking of it in the context of Futurama as an animated show) I'd say it's worthy of an 8/10. Some of the callbacks felt shoehorned in, and I didn't especially care about the Bender's mom storyline (I wonder if they could've given him a plot that was less reaching for pathos--no matter how silly--and more of a straight comedic thing), but the performances were great and the story was compelling enough and it almost made me want to give Worlds of Tomorrow another try, so all in all I'd deem it a success.

[Reply #5 on:]

I think it's spelled "seamless."

[Reply #6 on:]

So this was a nifty little reunion podcast episode thingy. When I heard what the plot was I thought it sounded a little too overtly meta but I quite enjoyed how it was executed and thought it was neat how much of the story revolved around the format. It made it feel more like a fun li'l thing than them trying to continue the series as a podcast which is cool since I could kind of take or leave a whole series of podcasts to be honest.

Also there were some good jokes but for some reason the thing I laughed most at was Fry's frustration at there being a whole planet for every little thing.

[Reply #7 on:]

It was fantastic to hear all the cast back together again & I could visualise everything in my head pretty well, but I was also kind of underwhelmed? The plot & Klaxxon felt like something straight out of one of the Futurama comics, and the fact they had to say the word "podcast" every 5 seconds was kind of annoying. It also kind of stopped grabbing my attention as much in the last 15 minutes or so.

All that being said, it had the vibe/atmosphere of an episode of the show, and I would definitely listen to a whole series of these. Now, we still have to work out if this podcast & Worlds of Tomorrow are canon or not.

[Reply #8 on:]

I sort of agree with you - I found my attention drifting a little bit in the last 10 minutes. I kind of wish they'd just put it out as two separate episodes, 22 minutes each like the TV show.

I don't mind that too much, though, because I'm definitely going to be saving this to listen to again and again in the future.

As for if it's canon... I don't think it can be. Not that it really matters at this point. But the show never really broke the fourth wall like that - and Worlds of Tomorrow is a game that exists within the podcast, too.

I expect that if they do make future podcast episodes, they'll follow any canon established here, but if the show is ever properly resurrected (or they make any more movies), then this podcast and Worlds of Tomorrow will be completely disregarded.

[Reply #9 on:]

Well, I gave it a watchlisten. I really, really loved hearing everyone's voice again. These guys are so talented. A bunch of the jokes made me giggle such as Fry wondering why everything has its own planet and Calculon having a thousand voices which all sound the same.

The story was really boring unfortunately. Like Danny said, I was struggling to pay attention toward the end. Part of that may have been because it was 1:00 AM, but it all felt really dull. I also thought Leela "breaking up" with Fry AGAIN was jarringly forced, as were the constant meta jokes about podcasts.

But again, it still made me feel giddy and nostalgic and I feel like it would have still been a pretty decent episode if it were in video form, despite some of my annoyances. I gave it 6/10

[Reply #10 on:]

I haven't listened to it yet.  Having Fry & Leela break up seems really dumb though, that's a bit disheartening.

Like when the season after the movies came out, and they decided to go along with Fry & Leela being together seemed really well handled.

That's even ignoring the fact that I find Fry & Amy to be a more preferable pairing.

[Reply #11 on:]

Meh. For what it is, it's fine. Good performances from all the cast, funny jokes here and there. But "what it is" is just not my thing. I'm not into the idea of podcast episodes, it needs to be the full package for me. But I checked it out for curiosity, and with low expectations.

Just bring the show back.

[Reply #12 on:]

You tell them Jarvio.  Make them bring it back!  Yeah, tell them!  Break some legs.  Bring back futurma, yeah.  Kidnap someone's family members.  They don't know about bring it back.  Futuram, yeah!  Murder.  More Future of Futurma, more.  Murder.  We deserve more futuream.  Deserve.  More.  Murder.


human trafficking

Futuruma, yeah!

[Reply #13 on:]

I'd say it was pretty fine. Big 'O', little "kay".

Better than the average comic. Probably better than the average game, all the non-console ones have really brought the score down.

It's better than nothing.

I should go plug in my PS2...

[Reply #14 on:]

Like most of you, I found myself very happy just to have some new Futurama in any form possible. And now for my review in 999, 998, 997, 996...


Story
As advertised, the story fit in with the special event for that week in the game Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow. Though it's not required playing to understand the radio play, they did a good job making the two complement each other.

Making fun of podcasts in an episode about a podcast that is itself a podcast. Classic Futurama. People online are complaining about it being too 'podcasty' -- revolving too much around podcasts. I can't imagine why that's a problem for one episode. People complain too much! Leave me alone!


Plot
The storytelling was a mixed bag. Everything tied together well and wrapped up nicely, but the progression from one plot point to the next felt forced and unnatural, similar to many episodes from the second run of the TV series. Not to devalue all of the good aspects of the plot, though.

Overall, I'd say the plot was fairly strong and well-thought out. There was some pretty good foreshadowing, for instance. Leela yelling "It's like you can't even hear my voice!" to Fry sounds like regular conversation on your first listen, but on subsequent listens you can clearly see the importance of the phrasing.

The plot, in true Futurama form, involves a lot of pseudo-science fiction that was cleverly explained and employed to make it seem reasonable in the Futurama universe. I especially liked Complexogenesis, the process by which the Professor creates something that sounds like gibberish but will someday probably become reality.

Oh, and can Calculon can be re-revived. I thought he died for good, again.


Funny
There were some easy, tired, and predictable lines and jokes along the way, much akin to the second run of the series. That said, a good number of the jokes got me to smile in enjoyment, if not laugh out loud.


Characters
There were plenty of fun little cameos, such as Bubblegum Tate, Roberto, the queasy doctor, etc. Chris Hardwick did a good job at voicing Claxxon. Had I not been told it was him doing the voice, I would have guessed it was Dave Herman or Phil LaMarr. In fact, Claxxon sounded a bit reminiscent of the Dark One, which was voiced by Phil LaMarr.

I also have to say that I wish it would have been President Brannigan rather than President Nixon, due to obvious recent events and obvious similarities.


Visuals
The good voice acting and sound cues make it easy to visualize the environments and actions, such as Fry and Leela falling down the long, greasy staircase. Or the long, dramatic footsteps of the queasy doctor.
Reincarnation -- each segment focused on the limitations of that visual medium. And Leela not being able to see Fry's 3D laser sculpture perfectly fits (outside of) this medium.

Getting away with jokes they can't get away with on TV, like Fry's statue and Fry sticking the podcast-blocking earplugs in his, uhh, wherever.


Gripes
Retconning Amy to be a sign language interpreter felt cheap and easy. Although it does actually fit in with Amy being an interpreter in A Farewell to Arms, which aired *squints at The Infosphere* OVER FIVE YEARS AGO!? *Cries at the passage of time*


Highlights
 • Yay! It worked! -- Zoidberg
 • It's not porno! It's folk art. For folk who like to see me doing a naked headstand!
 • The whole crew was happily beating Dr. Zoidberg with a banjo, when suddenly... the phone rang.
 • 1930s style phone operator. Makes me smile like Felix the Cat.
 • Hearing Fry get beat up by a banjo, bagpipes, and piano.
 • Vintage-style radio commercials.
 • Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O
 • Hi, I play the part of Human Friend, but real name is -- No one cares! Shut up!
 • Vrrr vrrr vrrr vrrr vrrr. -- Bender's Mom
 • The Robot With No Name's existential crisis.
 • Jah damnit!


Overall
Mostly, I'm just happy that I got to experience some brand new Futurama content! I found myself smiling throughout the whole show. Though not perfect, Radiorama was quite enjoyable, and I sincerely hope there's more where it came from.
7.5/10

After a brief confusion where Fry stupidly thought Amy was dying...