Defend your show!!

[on:]

I visited Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" message boards and came across some lowlife trying to urge those in charge to bump Futurama from their lineup. His claims: the show is boring, has no fans, and was dumped by Fox for those very reasons.

You all know this isn't true. It would be nice if ya'll let him know YOUR feelings, and display the true power of The Futurama Fan.

Unfortunately I cannot link you directly to his post because you have to register on the Adult Swim boards first. I did my best to defend the show, and others have...though I feel this guy needs a good lesson in just how many of us there are, and that the entire fan-base isn't a bunch of mindless 13-year-olds.

If you'd like to voice your feelings about Futurama to this clueless wonder, it really isn't that hard to register with the Adult Swim boards. Once you've done it, you can access his post here:

 http://boards.adultswim.com/adultswim/board/message?board.id=5&message.id=108758&page=1

Just clicking the link should bring you to a registration option.

I'm not asking you to start a flame-war or anything...I just think there are a lot of people here who could articulate their love of the show better than most of the board-goers on that end.

We're NOT all 13-years-old, Futurama ISN'T boring, and it has a HUMONGOUS fanbase. Let him know it.

Oh, and to top it all off, he seems to think that Family Guy is infinitely better.

-Mark

[Reply #1 on:]

Eh, i think its better that we just leave this dumb f*ck alone. Just ingore him, because his one opinion doesnt really matter.

In dealing with ranting dumbasses, sometimes it's better to just ingnore em'.
Kinda like all you guys do with me.

[Reply #2 on:]

He will learn his lesson! Just not by me. I am too lazy you see... Anyways he obviously hasn't seen it if he thinks that.

[Reply #3 on:]

I've never met a person over about 17 that thought Family Guy is a superior show. I know several people who were absolutely devout fans to it, and gobbled up the DVD sets. A little while later, they told me that they had majorly lost their luster after seeing them again. Dr. j_ohanley prescribed Futurama, of course, and they have grown to like it. Family Guy has the larger fanbase for now, I predict that won't last.

Does Adult Swim show Futurama before Family Guy? They don't on Teletoon. Family Guy isn't a very good lead in to Futurama. People who watch it are there for some big laughs, and when they see that Futurama isn't always concerned with that, they deem it stupid and change the channels. Vice versa however, Futurama fans say "Yeah this show isn't bad, I'll watch it why not."

Still, the worst kind of criticism of this show is from morons who think it's a kid show, and learn it's not, and become appalled. Go to epinions.com, search Futurama, then click on some of the 1 star reviews. Angry parents complaining "Is this the kind of programming FOX exposes our kids to?" Many complained about the 7 PM slot. Maybe we should have riled up some angry parent into suing FOX for having it on so early, like some bastard did on Cartoon Network. Ah, too late.

[Reply #4 on:]

Huh.. I thought this was a thread to defend a show you liked that most people you know dislike. Futurama is pretty safe on [adult swim], I'm worried about Case Closed[aka Great Detective Conan], which has kickin' music, lovely animation, a retro flair and a smart script with above standard dub. It's a great show. So, typically, it has no practically no fan following on the as boards. It'll probably be moved or kicked off soon, and that's a damn shame. Especially considering the new episodes of Brak Show draw more viewers.. Yuck.

[Reply #5 on:]

When I was in Japan a few years ago, Conan (Case Closed) was all over the place.  It was like the #1 show in the country, and I saw whole families sitting down to watch it.  I've only seen like two episodes since it started on CN, but from what I read of the comics in Japan, it seems pretty awesome.  And it looks like a cutesy-poo cartoon, but it deals with dark themes and has pretty harsh content sometimes.  But for this reason it's not lowbrow enough for a mainstream TV audience in the US, especially the AS audience. 

This is essentially my view of Futurama bashers like this mystery dude.  It's over their heads.  Futurama wasn't meant to have mainstream, lowest common denominator appeal, and when you hear a guy leveling the arguments above against the show, it's pretty clear that he just doesn't make the cut.  Watching the show is like taking an IQ test.  You either love it, and pass, or you're puzzled, and fail.  The show's greatest intellectual strength is its greatest commercial weakness; viz: most people are stupid.

[Reply #6 on:]

You know this guy doesn't know what he's talking about when he says that Family Guy has amizingly clever writing.

[Reply #7 on:]

Ah. Family Guy.
It's a good show. Really it is. It has several laugh out loud moments.
Although... I brought S1 on DVD recently. Had a few laughs. But I noticed something when I watched some eps again...
It's no where near as funny the second time around.
A lot of it's humour comes from random 'WTF?' moments. And, naturally, these have a lot less impact the second time around.
Also, the crudeness can get annoying at times (this from a South Park fan        ).
Futurama really is an infinately better show. Not just better, funnier, too. While watching "The Route of all Evil" the other day, which definately  isn't one of my favs, I just suddenly noticed the line: "Who's gonna use a delivery service with a kicked sign? Nobody, that's who!" Laughed my ass off. Family Guy never has a joke you don't notice. It's staying power suffers accordingly. (Also, it doesn't help that it's stuffed with American pop culture references that a poor dumb Aussie isn't going to get.)
And, although it's shallow of me to admit this, Futurama is a hell of a lot prettier.

Oh, and isn't Futurama something like the #1 or #2 rated program on the network? Not bad for a show with no fans.

EDIT: Hey mlwald! Feel free to link to cut and paste some of our responses, as I'm too worried about our Karma to register anywhere but PEEL...

[Reply #8 on:]

It's #2. Futurama and Family Guy are the main reasons people watch [adult swim]. If they didn't have those, no one would see ads for the other shows, or even know about them.

[Reply #9 on:]

Just ignore him.  He's an idiot. 

[Reply #10 on:]

Yeah, Family Guy and Futurama are two very different shows.  Futurama generally focuses on a story surrounded by jokes, whereas Family Guy has jokes and builds a story around them.

[Reply #11 on:]

Man, I wanna see this, but I keep clicking Register Now and not a damn thing happens.

[Reply #12 on:]

What browser are you using?  It doesn't work in Firefox for me, but if I switch over to IE (oh, the pain!), it works just fine... sloppy webpage.

[Reply #13 on:]

I personally feel that the two shows are about equally good.  On one hand, Futurama does tend to be better-written, while my mind just so happens to be disordered in basically the same way as Seth McFarlane's, so I manage to catch things in Family Guy that almost everyone misses.  The Adult Swim boards tend to suck; virtually no one in their right mind would listen to those imbeciles.

[Reply #14 on:]

Simple:
He thinks he 's the smartest person in the world. Just let the baby have his bottle.

[Reply #15 on:]

Jesus H. Christ, but that thread sucks. I don't think you can create anthing constructive by replying to that guy, so just let him sit in the corner stewing in his own gastric juices.

Though I think that the funniest part was a VIP member (so presumably someone affiliated with CN) posted in reply to "Please cancel Futurama."

The VIP's  response? "No." 

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by SlackJawedMoron:
Jesus H. Christ, but that thread sucks.

Second.

That was much too irritating. I'm not registered at the AS boards, but even if I were I wouldn't give that terribly misinformed twit the time of day. I know the truth, the hell with that guy.

[Reply #17 on:]

It's generally not worth the effort to post at the [as] boards.  I'm registered, but I grew bored with the ordeal because all the threads are the same.  Someone doesn't like one show, so they bitch about it.  Repeat etc. about Futurama, Witch Hunter Robin, Home Movies, whatever. 

[Reply #18 on:]

You're all right; it's really not worth the effort at all. I guess I'm a bit overly-sensitive, especially when it comes to my favorite show. 

Thank you guys, once again, for putting things into perspective. Feels more comfortable discussing it in less hostile territory as well. The Adult Swim boards are like visiting Mars compared to this place.

-Mark

Forever a Futurama-Freak =)

[Reply #19 on:]

hes probbley too stupid to get the jokes

[Reply #20 on:]

j_ohanely, from the epinions.com site you mentioned:
 

I recently watched an episode of Futurama and I was puzzled by the type of message it displayed to children. Futurama is a show where a group of men and one women travel in outerspace taking care of different duties. The characters are very much like the characters of The Simpsons, except that in The Simpsons they often send subliminal messages teaching children what is wrong and what is right. The Simpsons is a show that is watched by children at a young age and by grown ups basically making it a family show.

Though I am neither a frequent watcher of Futurama nor a parent, I noticed that this show was not the best show to allow your children to be a witness to. This show displays the most explicit context I have ever seen in a cartoon. A show with content of this nature should be rated as PG13 because I feel that it is very inappropriate for young children to watch programs that are not going to give them a moral values. Instead, I feel that Futurama is a show that will give children the wrong idea telling them that sex is okay with anyone at any time and that Futurama should not be the first show to appear on a family television night where more children watch.

WTF?? could someone please explain to me how futurama is explicit and tells children "that sex is okay with anyone at any time". the only episode i could think of would be love's labors lost in space.and that had one short scene, in which kids would probably not even know what was going on.

and as some people have said, most of the people who don't like it, they're only reason was "it's not funny." by which they're telling us all they're mindless TV watching drones who don't want to have to think about anything.

[Reply #21 on:]

 

Though I am neither a frequent watcher of Futurama nor a parent, I noticed that this show was not the best show to allow your children to be a witness to.

Maybe that's why it's shown on Adult Swim.   

[Reply #22 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ranadok:
What browser are you using?  It doesn't work in Firefox for me, but if I switch over to IE (oh, the pain!), it works just fine... sloppy webpage.

Same problem here, and I'll be damned if I'll switch over to IE to look at something. As people have said it is usually best to leave this people alone.

I would agree with SJM though, I really like Family Guy but on second viewings episodes just aren't as funny. Although I still laugh quite hard when I first see them.

[Reply #23 on:]

Couldn't sign in either, but hey, I'll just laugh at him from here.
Ha haha ha haha 

[Reply #24 on:]

Zeep, whilst that quote is laughable, I would have to say this one really takes the biscuit:

 

For the first time, my husband and I decided to watch Futurama. What a terrible show. It shows disrespect, uses foul language, and depicts violence as a normal behavior. No wonder our children have no self-respect, no respect for others, act violent, and have no qualms about cursing at every opportunity. Shows like this don't need censoring, they need to be removed from television altogether!!!
Why, in a world where violence is already a serious problem, should we have such programming for our children? How are they to learn manners and decency when they are subjected to ill-mannered behavior and indecent language in the media? Many children have no role models to teach them except the television. If I could not write better scripts, I would hang up my pen. (I am an author).
Having such foul language presented as normal is bad enough, but to add the violence and disrespect to it is simply horrible. This is not to say that all FOX programs are bad, but several of their shows are just as bad as this one or worse. Where are the moral standards that used to be a part of our lives? Are we so careless and calloused that we must subject the innocent to this before they become teenagers? If my children were still at home, I would have no TV before allowing them to watch such trash.
FOX should get back to putting on good, decent shows for children. The language in this particular show would make a sailor blush. Until FOX can present better programming, we will boycott that station in our home.

 They must know some very mild mannered sailors. Still, it's good to see some people doing their bit and boycotting FOX. 

[Reply #25 on:]

whats the guessing that these are the people that believe the fate of television lies in reality TV shows. also, as an author i would like to read some of her books, so i can pofficially tell her to hang up her pen, coz the futurama writing is top notch. Also let me put the swearing in perspective with a quote from a book called "educating Rita" by willy Russell.

"you dont mind me swearing do you?"
"no, why would i?"
"just wondering. i wanted to see if you cared, but you dont. you understand that they are just words."

[Reply #26 on:]

I LOATHE people who think that cartoons are for children. Also, clearly these are people who happened to tune in at just the wrong time, watch for thirty seconds, then turn it off.

Notice how nearly every [adult swim] viewer who wants Futurama cancelled has no reason beside "Family Guy is better"?

[Reply #27 on:]

 

I recently watched an episode of Futurama and I was puzzled by the type of message it displayed to children. Futurama is a show where a group of men and one women travel in outerspace taking care of different duties. The characters are very much like the characters of The Simpsons, except that in The Simpsons they often send subliminal messages teaching children what is wrong and what is right. The Simpsons is a show that is watched by children at a young age and by grown ups basically making it a family show.
Though I am neither a frequent watcher of Futurama nor a parent, I noticed that this show was not the best show to allow your children to be a witness to. This show displays the most explicit context I have ever seen in a cartoon. A show with content of this nature should be rated as PG13 because I feel that it is very inappropriate for young children to watch programs that are not going to give them a moral values. Instead, I feel that Futurama is a show that will give children the wrong idea telling them that sex is okay with anyone at any time and that Futurama should not be the first show to appear on a family television night where more children watch.

The Simpsons is a kids' show.  It's fundamentally about the American family, about kids growing up and learning life lessons, and about parents trying to juggle kids and a life.  So families are supposed to watch, and see themselves reflected in the show.

Futurama isn't about kids.  It's about adults, trying to deal with alienation and loneliness in a technological society.  It's sort of a coming of age story.  So adults are supposed to watch it, and see themselves reflected in it.

The reason the show depicts sleaze, drinking, smoking, and casual sex, is that that's how people try to escape from alienation in real life.  Everybody's always jumping into bed with everybody because that's how relationships work nowadays.  But just showing it on the show doesn't mean they're endorsing it.  Look at how it's portrayed more carefully.  Notice that the only relationship we have any faith in on the show is the one that's never consummated.  Notice that Bender's drinking and smoking make him cool, but he's a miserable wreck whose only real solace is in his best friend. 

Futurama is quite as subversive as the Simpsons when you look below the surface; it's just aimed at a different audience.  That's why it's on AS at 11 PM.  If I had kids, I wouldn't let them watch it, but once they were like 14, 15, dealing with adult problems, I'd insist upon it.

And, finally:

 

I feel that it is very inappropriate for young children to watch programs that are not going to give them a moral values.

That's disturbing.  TV is not there to impart moral values.  That's what parents are for.

[Reply #28 on:]

(I know its corny to say but..)well said canned eggs!!

[Reply #29 on:]

From what I know the [as] boards are equivalent to the FUX Forums.

And it's fun to read how people (on epinion.com) insist of "animation=childrens show".

[Reply #30 on:]

Yeah, Simpsons and Family Guy are in that category too.   

Oh, and if you think that one is bad, you obviously haven't stumbled onto this one. Warning, may induce passion for disembowlment.   

 

Pros
None

Cons
There is no value, entertainment or otherwise, for children in this show.

Full Review
For the first time, my husband and I decided to watch Futurama. What a terrible show. It shows disrespect, uses foul language, and depicts violence as a normal behavior. No wonder our children have no self-respect, no respect for others, act violent, and have no qualms about cursing at every opportunity. Shows like this don't need censoring, they need to be removed from television altogether!!!

Why, in a world where violence is already a serious problem, should we have such programming for our children? How are they to learn manners and decency when they are subjected to ill-mannered behavior and indecent language in the media? Many children have no role models to teach them except the television. If I could not write better scripts, I would hang up my pen. (I am an author).

Having such foul language presented as normal is bad enough, but to add the violence and disrespect to it is simply horrible. This is not to say that all FOX programs are bad, but several of their shows are just as bad as this one or worse. Where are the moral standards that used to be a part of our lives? Are we so careless and calloused that we must subject the innocent to this before they become teenagers? If my children were still at home, I would have no TV before allowing them to watch such trash.

FOX should get back to putting on good, decent shows for children. The language in this particular show would make a sailor blush. Until FOX can present better programming, we will boycott that station in our home.

Recommended
Yes

Type of Program: Cartoon or Animated
Program Quality: Low-grade humor, relies on cheap tricks to tug at the heartstrings

OH NO! BENDER SAID THE A WORD! HIDE TEH CHILDREN!!!!11!!1! And how come after all that, she still recommends the show?

I don't have words to say. I let the rest of you offer some comments.

[Reply #31 on:]

       

quote:
Program Quality: Low-grade humor, relies on cheap tricks to tug at the heartstrings

I...you...you're...I...I'm very mad at you![/Eric Forman]

First of all, I cannot for the life of me see how anyone could think of "Futurama" as "low-grade" humor. Sure, it can be crude at times but for the most part it's intelligent, sharply clever writing that wins the day.

Secondly, "Futurama" contains some of the most genuinely moving moments I've seen in entertainment. Period. I'm not even going to say "for a cartoon" because tacking that on would be detracting from the statement. The show's ability to make you feel for its characters and become invested in given situations is remarkable. It's not just straight comedy or straight drama, but smoothly blends elements of both. It gives each of its characters depth of personality and pulls you wholly into their world. In this TV wasteland of bland, mindless garbage, I appreciated "Futurama" for its beauty, its effort, its intricacy and its wit. It's nothing but an utter shame that there is apparently no room on television or in the general public's collective mind for such brilliance.

Okay, I'm done now.


edit: Fixed some typos. Thinking faster than I could type.

[Reply #32 on:]

Amen Alee!

Also...

Urge to disembowl stupid parents, rising... rising...

[Reply #33 on:]

Such comments about Futurama make me sad, no joke. They reflect nothing but short-sightedness and judging things by face value, which makes me wonder what show they were watching, because it doesnt sound like futurama at all

[Reply #34 on:]

 

Originally posted by canned eggs:
 That's disturbing.  TV is not there to impart moral values.  That's what parents are for.

Bender: "Try this at home, kids!"
"Warning, do not try this at home.

[Reply #35 on:]

 

Originally posted by the idiot:
Tell all your friends (FUT fans) to STOP replying to my post. It is making the thread have a life of its own!

Yeah, unlike him!!! 

[Reply #36 on:]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by the idiot:
Tell all your friends (FUT fans) to STOP replying to my post. It is making the thread have a life of its own!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

what doesnt he like the idea people have opinions other than his?

[Reply #37 on:]

Nope. He can't handle it!

He told me I was a feminist because I had an opinion. 

[Reply #38 on:]

looks like someones doomed to a life of lonliness

[Reply #39 on:]

Low grade humour? Low grade humour?! That woman is obviously too ignorant to understand the high-grade humour with which the show is saturated. If the emotional stuff is all "Cheap tricks", then why do I always well up at the end of Jurassic Bark, TWOF and The Sting, but rarely feel a thing at the end of most Hollywood sob-films?

These "Won't somebody please think of the children!" morons really annoy me. If you don't think Futurama is good enough for your little darlings, it's because it's not a kids' show! If the poster j_ohanley quoted is talking about her kids when she says "our children", then she should simply change the channel when Futurama comes on, the same action appropriate if you accidentally tune in to The World's Bloodiest Gunfights or Pole-Dancers Uncovered; it's not intended for a young audience, so the language and situations can change accordingly. That's why the DVD packs are rated 12 in the UK. If you are talking about the nation's children, then cancelling Futurama won't make a bit of difference - it'll just create a generation of embittered delinquents. This is, of course, assuming that Futurama is the cause of wide-spread hooliganism and general depravity.

That felt so good 

There any chance we could provide a link to these idiots? I feel like getting some righteous indignation e-mail from people I don't know