Could another TV station continue Futurama after its FOX death?

[on:]

Do you think that it is possible, if Futurama has a good afterlife on DVD and everything like that, Cartoon Network or some other station could hire the cast of Futurama to continue doing new episodes after FOX has cancelled the show? If they decided to, do you think FOX would let them?

[Reply #1 on:]

No, as that would be the decent, human thing to do, and we all know FOX aren't too good at that.

There are a myriad of legal reasons why it can't be done, plus the fact that it wouldn't be the same show. They could never really get the exact same team together, sadly.

Hmm.. I feel Tweek breathing down my neck. You say this has been discussed lots and lots in other topics? Very well.

Listen to the Mod!

[Reply #2 on:]

 

Originally posted by SamuelXDiamond:
There are a myriad of legal reasons why it can't be done, plus the fact that it wouldn't be the same show. They could never really get the exact same team together, sadly.

says who? the LA animation biz isn't exactly a huge world. and writers and artists are always looking for more work.

[Reply #3 on:]

Even in a continuing show, there's some staff turnover, but they usually do a good job of keeping the show consistent  .
I have wondered in the past why someone didn't direct a letter-writing campaign or petition to a network that might pick futurama up, instead of at fox, who already know how many fans they have...

[Reply #4 on:]

Sammy X is right.  If Futurama were picked up by another network they'd have to hire and train a totally new bunch of animators, and hire mostly new writers.  They might not even be able to get all the cast members together.

[Reply #5 on:]

But some shows can transcend their cast. Law and Order has gone through many cast changes.

FOX could release rights to the show. Matt and DXC would definitely not have a problem with letting another network pick it up. And, since rights are jointly owned (I think) by TCFTV and The Curiosity Company (Matt Groening's company), legal hangups would be gone.

The only actors that I could forsee problems getting back are Katey and Billy. Billy doesn't seem that terribly busy (according to IMDB, he's got nothing in the works, just a movie that's in post), and Katey is in 8 Simple Rules, which may be a problem, but I'll bet she can record voiceover and act in 8SR.

On another note, Katey is credited as Toronga Leela/Toronga Munda for Futurama. She played her mother, as well? (Oh, and I was bored so I watched an ep of Married...With Children on FX. Katey uses a very similar voice for Peg as she does for Leela, which is part of what makes "A Bicyclops Built for Two" so perfect.)

[Reply #6 on:]

It's just not realistic to keep hope alive anymore. The show is dead. It has a snowball's chance in hell of coming back. It's way too expensive to be picked up, and FOX will definately not release it unless they're offered a huge bribe... er... payment. Like it or not, FOX's poor advertizing did its job - Futurama's fanbase is relatively small, and most people have never heard of the show. Picking it up is way too risky, and would be a downright bad business decision.
Let it go gracefully.

[Reply #7 on:]

 

Originally posted by Anarchist:
It's just not realistic to keep hope alive anymore. The show is dead. It has a snowball's chance in hell of coming back. It's way too expensive to be picked up, and FOX will definately not release it unless they're offered a huge bribe... er... payment. Like it or not, FOX's poor advertizing did its job - Futurama's fanbase is relatively small, and most people have never heard of the show. Picking it up is way too risky, and would be a downright bad business decision.

Agreed, but who needs rationality when we have false hope?

Gypsy: Look, do you want false hope or not?
Fry: Only if you don't have any real hope!

[Reply #8 on:]

Don't hold your breath on it. Although it IS possible, the chances of it happening are really really really extremely unlikely.

[Reply #9 on:]

Cartoon Network COULD make new episodes, but since it costs like a million dollars to make on ep and Adult Swim's commercials say "We need money for to make new shows," I don't think it's gonna happen.

[Reply #10 on:]

Well they did sell the rights to "Grounded for Life" so I guess it's possible.

[Reply #11 on:]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Cartoon Network blew their wad on Futurama and Family Guy reruns.  They've got nothing left.  They are not going to order new episodes.

I love beating dead horses!

[Reply #12 on:]

Oh the capitalism involved! ::smashes head against wall:: cursed be the day of supply and demand~~ (yeah I'm just rambling, but good thoughtful words are hard to come by)

[Reply #13 on:]

 

Originally posted by SQFreak:
Oh, and I was bored so I watched an ep of Married...With Children on FX. Katey uses a very similar voice for Peg as she does for Leela, which is part of what makes "A Bicyclops Built for Two" so perfect.)

Wasn't that the reason why they did ABBFT in the first place?

Re: Topic:
Giving up with dignity is an lost art...

[Reply #14 on:]

 

Originally posted by Beamer:
Don't hold your breath on it. Although it IS possible, the chances of it happening are really really really extremely unlikely.

Leela: This is by a wide margin the least likely thing that has ever happened.

[Reply #15 on:]

It also depends on how much the other network offer.

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nixorbo:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Cartoon Network blew their wad on Futurama and Family Guy reruns.  They've got nothing left.  They are not going to order new episodes.

I love beating dead horses!

Although, those reruns that they bought are doing very nicely in the ratings, adult swin in genereal is very popular.  The only thing on CN that beats adult swim in ratings is Dragon Ball Z. 

[Reply #17 on:]

Tell all your friends, co-workers, family- anyone to watch it.  Maybe they'll grow to like it and help.  Start websites or post an ad for it on your web site, put up signs, anything, to help show everyone this show's greatness.  It's not impossible for someone to bring it back-if it's popular, anyone will do something for money.

[Reply #18 on:]

 

Originally posted by Futurama_Hil:
Tell all your friends, co-workers, family- anyone to watch it.  Maybe they'll grow to like it and help. 

Unless they're a Neilson family (those that are monitored) it won't help.
 

Start websites or post an ad for it on your web site, put up signs, anything, to help show everyone this show's greatness.

FOX are trying to shut down Futurama sites for no reason.
 

It's not impossible for someone to bring it back-if it's popular, anyone will do something for money.

FOX don't care about the money and Futurama, they just hate it.

[Reply #19 on:]

 

Originally posted by Futurama_Hil:
Tell all your friends, co-workers, family- anyone to watch it.  Maybe they'll grow to like it and help.  Start websites or post an ad for it on your web site, put up signs, anything, to help show everyone this show's greatness.  It's not impossible for someone to bring it back-if it's popular, anyone will do something for money.

Sorry, hun, but it's too late for that. If we all stated doing that a few years ago, it *might* have helped a little. The show's cancelled.
Etan "Bubblegum" Tate: Deal with it.

[Reply #20 on:]

Getting the voice cast wouldn't be a problem, and I guess many of the writers and animators could be assembled again, and new ones brought in to replace those who are busy elsewhere. The main reason it's a hopeless project is the pricetage of 600000-900000$/episode. Not many outside the Big 4 have the resources to pay that, and of the Big 4 only FOX have a history of prime time animation. So basically we're boned.

[Reply #21 on:]

 

Originally posted by newhook_1:
Well they did sell the rights to "Grounded for Life" so I guess it's possible.

Yeah but who has heard of that. It probably went down the drain after the rights were sold! 

[Reply #22 on:]

The show's dead, but can't we still hope for a movie?

[Reply #23 on:]

Yes. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes.

I'm lying to make him feel better!

But seriously, if DXC says it's possible, then we may have a nice treat in store a few years down the line.

[Reply #24 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
Not many outside the Big 4 have the resources to pay that, and of the Big 4 only FOX have a history of prime time animation. So basically we're boned.

Teral, you just made all UPN employees cry...
 

[Reply #25 on:]

 

Originally posted by SQFreak:
 Katey uses a very similar voice for Peg as she does for Leela, which is part of what makes "A Bicyclops Built for Two" so perfect.)

it's not majorly similar. I can hear the difference. It seems like her Leela voice is a mix of her Peg voice and her normal voice. Kinda high pitched but not as shrill.

[Reply #26 on:]

 

Originally posted by Gocad:
  Teral, you just made all UPN employees cry...
 

Didn't UPN blow their entire budget on Enterprise? We need a network with intelligent execs.

[Reply #27 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
 Didn't UPN blow their entire budget on Enterprise?

They did.

 

Originally posted by Teral:
We need a network with intelligent execs.

 
oh, wait...
 

[Reply #28 on:]

I believe that's what's known as "a set of mutual exclusives". 

The Dilbert Principle - Idiots are promoted to management, where they can do the least damage. 

[Reply #29 on:]

 

Originally posted by CyberKnight:
I believe that's what's known as "a set of mutual exclusives".   

Or an oxymoron.

[Reply #30 on:]

Ah - that's the word I was searching for. For some reason, there are a few terms like that (referring to statements) that I don't know the full meaning of. For example, what the heck is a "non sequiter" (and somebody better not say "A Voyager Episode" (I'm looking at Teral, here  ))?

[Reply #31 on:]

 

Originally posted by Anarchist:
Sorry, hun, but it's too late for that. If we all stated doing that a few years ago, it *might* have helped a little. The show's cancelled.

A girl can dream, a girl can dream...

 

Originally posted by winna:
The show's dead, but can't we still hope for a movie?

That's what I'd love to see.  There's a better chance for that.  Hey, anyone want to come with me to be the first in line to see it?  All tickets on me!

It's offtopic, but I just saw a ad for Futurama on fox with oppisiite Leela, Farnsy and DR.Z.

[Reply #32 on:]

 

Originally posted by CyberKnight:
For example, what the heck is a "non sequiter" (and somebody better not say "A Voyager Episode" (I'm looking at Teral, here   ))?

As far as I know, it's basically the same as "drawing a wrong conclusion that have no basis on the available facts/terms".

Considering the way "Endgame" played out.... Well, I'll let you draw your own conclusions. 

[Reply #33 on:]

 

Originally posted by SQFreak:
But some shows can transcend their cast. Law and Order has gone through many cast changes.

Most TV shows cover cast changes by getting rid of an existing character and adding a new one.  If Billy West had quit Futurama, would MG have gotten rid of Fry, the Professor, Zoidberg and Zapp?

TUVOK: "That is a non-sequitur.  Would you please pass me a burrito."

[Reply #34 on:]

Yeah, the show is dead, and that's that, but at least we can hope for a movie, though it would either be:

A. Far down the line
B. Straight to dvd
C. Both

Apparently they are considering doing a straight to dvd "Family Guy" feature, so its always possible.  Hopefully Futurama will be on the big screen, but that's somewhat doubtful since its a risky endeavor with any show that doesn't have an absolutely huge fan base.

[Reply #35 on:]

if futurama wasn't made in the states then yes

[Reply #36 on:]

It's not a question of ratings.  Cartoon Network just doesn't have the funds to order new episodes.

Non-sequiter - literally "it does not follow."  A faulty conclusion based on totally unrealted evidence/whatever.  "I failed the test, it must be a conspiracy."

I think that's a correct example.

[Reply #37 on:]

i wish that futurama would come back on a new station but it is not happening