Why is Futurama so underrated?

[on:]

Anybody got an idea?

I really, really can NOT understand why it got such bad ratings that they actually cancelled it.

Almost everybody i know like/love Futurama, but thats maybe because i always tell them they SHOULD like it 

But without kidding around, i agree that The Simpsons is funny as well, but its missing something that futurama had.
And now its gone.
And The Simpsons is still going on and on.

Any thoughts?

OW, this is my first BTW, so sorry if this topic has been discussed before, but i'm to lazy to dig throught all the previous topics.
 

[Reply #1 on:]

I believe that Fry explains it best in this conversation with Leela:

Leela: "Why not? It's clever, it's unexpected..."
Fry: "But that's not why people watch TV. Clever things make people feel stupid and unexpected things make them feel scared."

Basically, Futurama is a very clever and brilliant show, and the majority TV audience feels put off by it; for the exact reasons mentioned by Fry. 
So what does Fox do?  They give funding to shows that are the absolute farthest you can get from clever and unexpected.  That way, they make more money.  Sad, isn't it?   

[Reply #2 on:]

Because f*x are idiots. they wanted simpsons, simpsons, simpsons (check the latest David X Cohen interviews).  i agree with you- everyone i know likes/ loves it, how could you not?  F*x seem to be the only ones who don't.  it's because futurama has more heart than the simpsons- dont get me started on the various eps with tremendous heart. They thought it was too futuristic or too "daring".  Well, the future is part of what makes it so great- the amzing possiblities, and a great show has going to be daring to go where no show has gone before, and in this case, Futurama got an A+ on that.  CN seems to enjoy the brilliance of it, so what's wrong with f*x?

[Reply #3 on:]

In my opinion, the MAIN reason it got lousy ratings (although I'm not sure it got THAT bad of ratings someone else will have to post the actualy ratings) was that it was put in the absolute worst time slot in existance. It was prempted on the east coast more time than it actually played. Fox decided to screw it in the rump right from the beginning, which is very sad. Two other networks have picked up the re-runs and I believe they are getting GREAT ratings, even being re-runs. I don't think it can blamed all on the tv audience, cause Futurama obvioulsy has a large fan base of people willing to watch the re-runs.

Futurama is a great show with terrible, terrible luck and many enemies, that is why it is cancelled.

[Reply #4 on:]

Futurama has always lived in the shadow of The Simpsons. It's a sad truth.

[Reply #5 on:]

I entirely rest all blame on Fox.

[Reply #6 on:]

I think that Futurama was sometimes to sophisticated for the average viewer...

But that's what I like about it. 

[Reply #7 on:]

FOX just plain hates the show. Its fairly obvious. ex. Timeslot... nuf said.

[Reply #8 on:]

ITS ALL FOX'S FAULT ITS SO UNFAIR

                    
Also, people i know LIKE futurama, but they only watch it if they turn on the tv and its on. They never say anthing about it either.....

[Reply #9 on:]

 

Originally posted by Gocad:
I think that Futurama was sometimes to sophisticated for the average viewer...

But that's what I like about it.   

Yeh snooty TV rocks   

But really I must agree that fox hated it and people just thought that it was a poor simpsons knock off. Which is a shame as it was so much more.   

[Reply #10 on:]

Futurama is under-rated comercially, but only because Fox took a bizarre dislike to the show.
Critically, it's not under-rated at all, it's one of the most praised shows in history! The fact that it's now doing brilliantly on cartoon network since they have actually bothered to advertise it, shows that the problem was Fox, not Futurama itself.

[Reply #11 on:]

 

Originally posted by Jamesbondcja:
 Yeh snooty TV rocks      

But really I must agree that fox hated it and people just thought that it was a poor simpsons knock off. Which is a shame as it was so much more.   

Say it brother!!!!! It has ALWAYS been overshadowed by the simpsons so people NEVER took it seriously. Also, people prefer stupid humour eg. people getting hurt instead of subtle references to other shows.
*sigh*

[Reply #12 on:]

I understand that it had an average of 5.5 million viewers, and that was with all of the bouncing around and premptions, could you imagine if FOX had really promoted the show, it had the potential of having at least been a top 20 show, if not top 10.

[Reply #13 on:]

Science Fiction has always faced an uphill battle on network tv. Without Fox to support the show, it just couldn't succeed. All the fans in the world don't mean anything if they don't know when it's on or if it's being pre-empted or not.

[Reply #14 on:]

the *heart* in futurama  all happend too soon.
my problem with it at first was that the creators and writers seemed to expect people to care about fictional characters before you even knew them.

simpsons won peoples hearts by being so radically hilarious, so the emotional content was acceptable
you actually could empathise with the characters.

when it first came along futurama just wasn't as funny as simpsons, and it was also too similar.
it was just a not so funny simpsons, and it took ages to pick up and lots of people probably lost patience with it. also it just couldn't have the impact of simpsons, it probably also comes to down to nostagia, people rember the impact of simpsons, futurama couldn't replicate that

[Reply #15 on:]

I have to disagree, futurama was funny from day 1. Althouh i think you may be onto something with the nostalga. Simpsons has been on at 6 oclock on BBC2 ever since i can remember (I'm 19) I only ever saw a few episodes of futurama on channel 4 and even that timeslot was bounced around. I only really got into the show because i bought the box set on a whim and its greatnes was revealed to me.
I also have to agree that all itys downfalls are due to poor advertising and timeslots. Everyone and i mean everyone that i have introduced to futurama loves it, including my mum!
I worry that i sound like an angry nerdy niave fan when i blame fox entiely, but i really think it is the cause of futurama's downfall.

Thankyou and good night

[Reply #16 on:]

I've heard various theories thrown around, but the one that seemed most logical to me was Matt Groening wanting retain creative control over the series.  The cruddy timeslot with the continual preemptions for various sporting events and a total lack of promotion was how The Visionaries at Fox punished Matt.  It's the same warm human caring they show for Simpsons and Futurama fansites, too.  Iif they can't have 100% control over something, they'll destroy it rather than share.  It's the American way of business.

[Reply #17 on:]

too much geek jokes
most people dont like/get them

[Reply #18 on:]

What Fromage said is a bit true, although if you don't get it do you even notice it's there, I don't know. Some people however have an irrational hatred of Science Fiction. I know a lot of members of my family didn't go a bundle on it.

Futurama did for SF fans what Simpsons did for people. People is a very large group comprising the whole human race. Not all people liked the Simpsons but I warrant the percentage of people who liked the Simpsons is the same percentage of SF fans who liked Futurama. What we must bear in mind is that there are much fewer SF fans than there are people. We could argue that SF fans is a small subset of the set we can call people. If 1 in 10 people are SF fans and that might be generous, then Futurama will have 1/10th the popularity of the Simpsons.

Quod Erat Demonstandum

[Reply #19 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
the *heart* in futurama  all happend too soon.
my problem with it at first was that the creators and writers seemed to expect people to care about fictional characters before you even knew them.

I disagree. They didn't really start going for the big emotional moments until season 3, when we had plenty of time to know and love all the characters.

Plus, look at all the emotion in the first season of The Simpsons. We had Homer being depressed and trying to kill himself in the second episode! Plus Lisa and her whole thing, and Homer and Marge's relationship on the rocks a few times.

Otherwise, I agree with your post. The first season of Futurama couldn't really compare with classic Simpsons, which may have turned some impatient viewers off.

Still, I rest all the blame on FOX. If they had supported the show, and kept it in a decent timeslot, the show would have gotten good ratings. When King of the Hill is aired at 7pm Sundays, it gets worse ratings. Yet KotH is renewed, and Futurama is cancelled.

[Reply #20 on:]

 

Originally posted by FishyJoe:
 The first season of Futurama couldn't really compare with classic Simpsons,

well but what can, really?

[Reply #21 on:]

Making out with God himself.

[Reply #22 on:]

Well its difficult to say why Futurama is so underrated. Take for example other countries. If I asked some of my acquaintances here in Germany if they know "Futurama". They have usually sayed no. (BTW the seconds season runs here at the moment). I think the main reason is the politics of Fox. Futurama is too much satire against the American Way of Live and i think some important people at FOX or in America don't like this style of satire. I don't know how it will go on with Futurama but I hope It will not be the end.

[Reply #23 on:]

i cant help but think if Matt Groening wasnt involved it would have kept going. not through any fault of his own simply because he is who he is. also i think Fox just thought it was too much hassle. Hassle they dint need. Matt Groening is constantly trying to work against them maybe the thought whats the point this is just hassle we dont need get rid of it.

[Reply #24 on:]

Futurama is underrated because of Fox.  I've talked to some people at school, and they remember watching it once-upon-a-time.  I know of at least two people who watch it at least now and then on CN.  That's what's so sad.  If Fox supported the show, Futurama would probably be as big or nearly as big as the Simpsons right now.

[Reply #25 on:]

Futurama was to good for this world anyway...

[Reply #26 on:]

Maybe someday 30th Century Fox will show reruns on some New New York station.  Morbo will not be pleased.

[Reply #27 on:]

i dont think poor advertising was a factor in england. or even the timeslot.

but on the commentaries they mention it had been intended to be an 8:30 timeslot. because they thought the show wouldn't be appropriate for younger viewers.
they also in the first christmas episode, the time on the digital clock was supposed to be in synch
with the broadcast time

[Reply #28 on:]

Grrr I hate Europe Sometimes look it's not the americans it's fox I'm a american and Futurama owns the simpons it's Fox I asked people at school if they liked futurama they said hadn't seen or only saw one
why cuz the time I missed the final episode cuz of the time (Werid I changed the  channel to Fox at 7:20 they showed something else some sort of all that rip)

so please do't blame us americans just FOX and I'd give Fry a millon dollars for

Show spoiler

Almost wipeing out fox during a pizza deliviry

but I'm a guy in 2003 and if I had a millon bucks I'd pay fox to continue futurama and put it on a decent time well no I wouldn't I'd get a decent PC instead ok I've gone way to off topic sry I got carried away *  on fox *

[Reply #29 on:]

*BUMP*

Read this.  And be afraid.  very afraid.

 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149460/board/nest/2470635

[Reply #30 on:]

To be honest I know shit all about sci-fi and I love futurama with a vengance   

[Reply #31 on:]

It has always been in the shadow of the Simpsons..

also due to the slowness of new epasodes it was showed only once a week over here while the simpsons was shown several times a day.
Hence it was used as a filler cartoon.

Its total foxes falt...for under supporting it.

Also a lack of good ideas to make it last..
constant Re hashings of old ideas....
that whole Amy+kif thing....

Its fully the writers falt.


Besides good things are not ment to last forever.

It should be totaly sold off to some company with plenty of good writers with fresh ideas.(cartoon network for example)

[Reply #32 on:]

 

Originally posted by PCC Fred:
*BUMP*

Read this.  And be afraid.  very afraid.

 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149460/board/nest/2470635

Gee, that guy wouldn't give up, would he. 

[Reply #33 on:]

   

Originally posted by JayJayDelmonico (from IMDB boards):
Got to throw in my two cents here. From what I've observed the reason Futurama has so many haters is because the characters are so different and original people just don't know what to make of them. I am constantly hearing that people will not even sample the show because one of the characters "has one eye". It's called being shallow, people. The whole premise of the show is that there are cyclops and mad scientists and emotionless robots and hideous lobsters but they are still relatable in a human 20th century way. But, the big thing that people don't get about the show is that the characters (with the exception of fish-out-of-water Fry and straight-man Leela) are supposed to be anti-heroes. They are the classic "flawed heroes" the likes of which are praised so much on shows like Seinfeld, The Sopranos and Boomtown. Their motives are all suspect, they will sell out their closest friends at any moment. People are uncomfortable with this in an animated show.

To address a previous post: I would say that Futurama is superior to The Simpsons in every imaginable way. If only for the simple reason the The Simpsons looks like lazy TV compared to all the next-level, blood-and-sweat effort put into Futurama. This show really went above and beyond the call of duty. The Simpsons is based in a town reflecting typical middle America suburbia, Futurama built an entirly new universe from the ground up. The Simpsons are family members so it's easy to say "this is the father, this is the daughter and in the end they love each other", while Futurama created a surrogate family out the Planet Express crew (like an "office comedy" ) and created reasons they bonded together. The Simpsons is broad slapstick desperate to please the masses. While Futurama will delve into more dramatic, character driven episodes often with anti-endings that are geared more toward their fans. The Simpsons is topical like a political cartoon, Futurama will explore timeless themes - what other show would do an entire episode about bureaucracy. The Simpsons will do 3 episodes about Marge having road rage, Futurama will do episodes about why you shouldn't date robots, quantum particles hyper-accelerating time, the main character exploring the past of his long dead brother, or an 8-foot robot Santa that slaughters people on Christmas eve. The Simpsons is episodic, Futurama is telling a continuous story where all the episodes have cause/effect relationships to each other. Futurama was consistant quality it's entire run, The Simpsons creatively died about 5 years ago. Lastly, Futurama was the most recent winner of the Emmy for Best Animated series and is the favorite to win again this year, The Simpsons is not. People are stupid. They feel they have to compare everything to everything and because Futurama is like nothing we've ever seen before they go to the closest comparison - The Simpsons - regardless of how little sense it makes. If you really needed to compare Futurama to something (and open a new can of worms) there are more similarities between it and "Seinfeld" then there are between it and The Simpsons.

Word! That robocop guy's a bastard. Strange that he has "robocop" in his s/n...I'm thinking URL...

[Reply #34 on:]

It was good, but did it get people off their tractors

[Reply #35 on:]

 

Originally posted by Otis P Jivefunk:
I entirely rest all blame on Fox.

Second

[Reply #36 on:]

 

Originally posted by PCC Fred:
*BUMP*

Read this.  And be afraid.  very afraid.

 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149460/board/nest/2470635

robocoptng986127 have been trolling the IMDB boards for close to a year by now (I never understood why they didn't ban him), so he's best left alone, ignored and forgotten. What's more worrying is that, thanks to IMDB's rotating reviews feature, his flaming negativity and poor excuse for a review is the first thing people see when they look up Futurama. Then again it is IMDB we're talking about.

[Reply #37 on:]

must..... destroy.... fox.... executives.....

[Reply #38 on:]

I only recently came to watch Futurama, not because I never heard of it, or had no interest, but because I simply never knew when it came on. I have never seen a commercial for Futurama on Fox and the only way I saw it was because my friend bought the season 1 dvd.

[Reply #39 on:]

Fox only claimed that bad ratings meant the demise of Futurama.  The executives wre scared of it because it was clever and new...something they are not programmed to like.  I must also agree with VPActionRanger.  The fox executives must go...(sigh...if only I had a doomsday device to blow their asses off with, whilst retreating everyone else to a safe distance)