Comedy Central Press Release: "at least" 13 new episodes...

[#160 :]

There WILL BE BOTH movies and episodes to come.

[#161 :]

I'm still leaning towards mArc on this one: if his source didn't mention the episodes, then I automatically question why.  It could simply be a case similar to the one Xanfor (I think) described earlier, where the producers wanted to keep the episodes under wraps until the details solidified, and Katey and Billy just revealed it all earlier than intended.  But I find it strange that mArc's source only mentioned the movies, while Katey only mentioned the episodes.    RDS's forums only mentioned working on the movies as well, and has yet to say a word about these episodes.

I don't know.  This whole mess confuses and thrills me.

[#162 :]

 

Originally posted by Xanfor:
I thought I posted that already... Well, here we go again:
 Does this mean that there are no new episodes, just the movies to DVD which will eventually be broadcast in episode form (a la 'Stewie Griffin, The Untold Story'), or that the movies were scrapped and the resources to make them were conveyed on to new episodes instead, or that there are movies and episodes coming?

I don't think the latter is true. But which of the first two?

There are new episodes and it says that the 4 proclaimed DVD movies have now been known to be episodes instead thats all... so there are now 16 episodes to be aired!          

[#163 :]

That's not exactly what it says:

 

The 4 DVD movies which we reported about a few days ago will eventually be shown as 4 episodes each on Comedy Central.

So, if mArc is right, there will still be 4 DVD movies, which can then be separated into 4 episodes each (ala Family Guy's movie).

I know I've mentioned this before, but is anyone going to Comic Con this year?  It's only a few weeks away, and unless we hear something between now and then, I think that's our best bet for confirmation from the producers themselves.

[#164 :]

oh now I get it thanks Officer 1BDI I thought it was something different I am stupid!!!

[#165 :]

I did have a google news alert for "futurama" which, basically just sends you news articles containing the word futurama, but i've had to remove it because every day my inbox is flooded with messages about futurama's return to TV from hundereds of internet news sites, and most have the exact same story just with a different title.

[#166 :]

Billy West has been strangely quiet on his site about the DVD's and the episodes.  I figure that he's probably under some sort of gag order from RDS and DXC.

Plus, when he did let people know about the upcoming eps, he got bashed pretty well when he had to recant (by order of DXC - the deal was done with CC when the contract was signed for them to take over the Futurama rights in 2008).

Like everybody else, I'm hoping for epic length movies and not 4 episodes squeezed together to fill the DVD.

[#167 :]

I wonder how many seasons CC will actually make and if they'll do a one season run at a time or spice each season into halves like south park

[#168 :]

 

In October of 2005, Comedy Central picked up the exclusive cable syndication rights to air Futurama's 72-episode run at the start of 2008, following the expiration of Adult Swim's current deal. It was cited as the network's largest and most expensive acquisition in their history.

The following summer, on June 22, 2006, Comedy Central announced that 13 brand new episodes were to be produced, to air with the reruns in 2008, however there has been confusion surrounding this issue. It has also been claimed that the new episodes will simply be the 4 new Futurama films (due winter 2007) broken down into episode sized chunks.

Comedy Central has also confirmed that Billy West, Katey Sagal, and John DiMaggio will return for the new episodes, with a 2008 debut planned.

According to 'Attack of the Show!' on G4, David X. Cohen and Matt Groening will produce 30 new episodes.

However, that '30 new episodes' bit is a typo. I checked the source and it said 13. To quote myself again:

 

Originally posted by Xanfor:
I thought I posted that already... Well, here we go again:
 

It seems that some of these articles got some things confused. The 4 DVD movies which we reported about a few days ago will eventually be shown as 4 episodes each on Comedy Central. This makes the number of episodes 16, not 13. But as I understand it, there is no other new content other than those movies.

Does this mean that there are no new episodes, just the movies to DVD which will eventually be broadcast in episode form (a la 'Stewie Griffin, The Untold Story'), or that the movies were scrapped and the resources to make them were conveyed on to new episodes instead, or that there are movies and episodes coming?

I don't think the latter is true. But which of the first two?

[#169 :]

Some how I fear that if Futurama were to be picked up by CC for 4 years, it would slowly turn into another gross-out, racist or low-brow show to supplement the existing line-up. It just doesn't seem like the kind of show that would be on that network.

 All these big networks see are numbers and money and make all these decisions with the same mentality. I doubt they really know or care whether or not it really belongs on there. All they understand is the same vague consumerisms that have plagued television since the begining. Futurama is in high demand, so they are going to seize the chance to sell it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful it's coming back. But I predict that in a few years, they'll find that the show's advertisements are reaching the wrong demographic despite very high ratings and quickly pull the plug on the show or Comedy Central will refuse to stay their hand in Futurama's creation. Slowly, it will be turned into something it's not. This might happen even faster if most of the show's original staff can't be reached, resulting in an overall lack of identity for Futurama.

[#170 :]

Never to fear - part of the agreement is that Groening keeps complete control of the show.  Futurama is Matt's baby and he'd rather it die a noble death than be polluted by network executives.

Also, my source states that most of the new 13 eps are being derived from scripts written for Futurama's 5th season and most importantly - DXC is back in the driver's seat. 

The DVD's are more of a question mark at this point - as of last week there are major rewrites in progress.  The original script was for one DVD and was to close a lot of arcs, but with the done-deal of 4 DVD's and the revival of the series, that script is now dated.  There is still debate between Groening and DXC on how to present the DVD's - Groning is partial to a large mini-series (major plot including all 4 DVD's) with several subplots per disk.

Groening is rich beyond comprehension - he doesn't need the money.  He never buckled to FOX in regards to the series and I doubt if he'll let CC demean Futurama.

Be happy - it's coming back.  18 months and counting down.

[#171 :]

Ralph... Thanks for filling us in... This is all very exciting!

[#172 :]

 http://interviews.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/06/29/0218245&from=rss

Billy West gives his first interview since the news of the series revival.  The interview will be available and 10 questions asked by fans will be answered on July 5, 2006.

Enjoy...

[#173 :]

I wonder what celebrities the show will get in it's revival, I mean Family Guy didn't get super star guests until the show came back

[#174 :]

Ok, so here's the plan; we've got two years to implement it. We need to get a list of the families with neilson boxes for 2008 before the premiere. We'll assign teams based on proximity, and through whatever means necessary (B&E or Bribery if possible, blackmail or kidnapping if needed) make sure that at least 50% of their boxes are tuned to Comedy Central durring the first airing of all 13 episodes. In that way we can ensure both that CC will take their option to produce more seasons, as well as helping to maximize the advertising revinue, which in turn will ensure the show's budget maintains the very high level we're used to.

[#175 :]

We need to get the ladies on this board to marry an old rich guy, divorce them and use the money to fund more futurama

[#176 :]

 

Originally posted by tyraniak:
We need to get the ladies on this board to marry an old rich guy, divorce them and use the money to fund more futurama

   

[#177 :]

 

Originally posted by Xanfor:
No, if they conclude the Fry+Leela relationship, so long as they both are happy (and not regular happy, I mean both satisfied with their relationship, weither together or not), than I'm sure us shippers will gladly rejoice.

The best thing that they could do is address Fry&Leela in the first episode and then put it on ice. (Cryogenically freeze it, if you will.) Having at least a season (in the 13 ep. format) without major super-shippy episodes would do a lot for the show. More time must be spent doing character exploration vs. shipping. (It hurt like hell to type that, just don't want the ship to engulf the rest of the show.)

Oh, don't get me wrong, after that time they can bring it back in style. (I'll be begging them by that point.)

[#178 :]

While I believe that the seasons will indeed deal in part with the Fry-Leela Relationship, I don't see it being a big portion of the plots. For it's first new season in 5 years, they're gonna want to hook audiences back in with their nerdy, future humor ala' Season 2. Statistically, it's the most proven way to higher ratings and better reviews...

I think that the shippy stuff will be saved in the most part for the Direct-to-DVD feature films...

[#179 :]

Couldn't agree more...

[#180 :]

A minor update from Billy West, courtesy of iFMagazine and Comic-Con:

 

iF: What’s happening with FUTURAMA. It’s back, right?

WEST: We’re going to go record the voices starting next week or so, we’re starting to roll. David X. Cohen and Matt Groening are back. I know they most of the writers and I know they got the voice people. I can’t wait, because I know where I’m going to`work in the next year. I’m in the business of 90 percent unemployment and my job is looking for work.

iF: Did you ever think FUTURAMA would come back?

WEST: I knew it was going to come back, because I happen to know the audience was snowballing behind everyone’s back. It’s more popular now, than when it first came out in 1999.

iF: How many episodes has Cartoon Network committed to?

WEST: 13. I think that’s the standard run.

iF: So it will be like old home week, next week.

WEST: I’m thrilled, I’m going to go to work with people I absolutely love next week. Maurice LaMarche, Phil LaMarr, Katey Segal and John Di Maggio

iF: So when will they air?

WEST: They said something about 2008, but you know how fast time goes. I woke up one morning and I was 55 years old.

I kind of wish I knew which writers consisted of "most of the writers," but I'm satisfied knowing that Ken Keeler is at least back on the staff.

[#181 :]

I am so excited for both the movies and the episodes! I'm very happy we're getting both the movies and the episodes and not one or the other. Hopefully I'll still like Futurama when I'm an old grouchy high school softmore.

[#182 :]

Wow... Does anyone here remember the 'Star Trek Lives!' campaign back in the sixties that got 'Star Trek' renewed for another season? This is suprisingly similar...

I know, let's all write to FOX and flood their mailboxes. I know we're a little late, but we can feign ignorance. We could be remembered up there with the 'Star Trek' fans! How about it, everyone? That's the publicity 'Futurama' needs!

[#183 :]

Some differences:

NBC renewed Star Trek, then placed in the 'TV Graveyard', thus ensuring its death.

Paramount wanted to renew the series several times in the 70's, but Roddenberry wouldn't because it was his 'Ace In The Hole' to use as leverage to get other ideas of his (which failed) produced.

Star Trek was going to become a syndicated TV show in 1978, but the popularity of Star WArs led to ST:TMP to bereleased late 1979.

FOX killed Futurama delibeately and probably would be happy to leave it in the Cartoon Graveyard, but money talks and there is a lot of demand for the show.

Another network is going to be airing the new episodes.  This network is paying a large amount of the production costs for the new series.

The new network has a vested interest to make the new series successful and profitable.  They will not place it is shitty and pre-empted timeslots.  It will be treated like gold on CC.

Now a new Star Trek movie is scheduled for 2008 - Starfleet Acadamy days of Kirk and Spock.

Prequals.  I hate Prequals.

Why not a decent combo of DS9 with some cameos from TNG and Voyager?

[#184 :]

A Prequel? Oh no, they decided against that several decades ago! Shows you what 'Star Trek' has come to now. It just keeps going on and on and on. Like 'The Simpsons'. Yes, it's good that 'Futurama' is not going to do that. You're totally right. But it could still use more publicity...

[#185 :]

A futurama prequel would pretty much deal with Fry in New York during the late 20th century, or Leela in the orphanerium, or the Zoidberg saga on decapod 10

[#186 :]

 

Originally posted by tyraniak:
A futurama prequel would pretty much deal with Fry in New York during the late 20th century, or Leela in the orphanerium, or the Zoidberg saga on decapod 10

Fry? Yes.
Leela? Definitely.
Zoidberg? Hmm...

I have only two things to say where Zoidberg is concerned:
"WMIBaCiL," and, "TL."
Neither were spectacularly popular.
My point is that while Fry's and Leela's backstories would make very good ep's - perhaps movies - Zoidbergs probably would not.
If done right, it could make a good secondary plot thread - and we know the Futurama writers can do things right. 

There's also Hermes' backstory; Hermes & LaBarbara; Farnsworth's; Farnsworth's & Mom's; Amy's; Bender before meeting Fry; and a hundred minor characters the could be expounded upon, like Linda and/ or Morbo.

I'll, uh... I'll shut up now...
 

[#187 :]

 

Originally posted by SpaceCase:
My point is that while Fry's and Leela's backstories would make very good ep's - perhaps movies

They would and have(at least in Fry's case (Me want more Leela backstory!)) make great episodes. A movie would be pushing it, that is unless your happy with a sad ending. A major tennant of the series as per the pilot and other eps. is that life was less than great for F/L/B before we meet them.

[#188 :]

Well, I doubt that a prequel series or even one of the movies for that matter would merit a look at a younger Fry, Leela, Prof, Zoidberg, etc, but I wouldn't rule it out as an episode, in which it's entirely a flashback looking back at their childhood or events leading up to Fry coming to the future.

But then again, that was done a few times, especially with Fry (Jurassic Bark, Luck of the Fryish).

One prequel episode however which I would LOVE to see would be Zapp and Kif talking and Zapp recounting all of his amazing war stories  through flashbacks and how he rose through the ranks to become the hero he is today...

[#189 :]

 

Originally posted by Nasty Pasty:
... Zapp recounting all of his amazing war stories  through flashbacks and how he rose through the ranks to become the hero he is today...

Isn't that what Press Releases are for? 
IE. something short of truthful?

[#190 :]

I'd bet at least one ep of the first 13 will include a significant flashback to someone's youth, either Fry or Leela. We can probably expect one of the first large story arcs they introduce to address "the Other" which I'm still betting is Leela. 

Do you think they will rush through the new arcs in case the new run is short-lived, or bet on a long run and build up a lot of story threads over many seasons like in the first run?

Moving further into speculation... Fry has special powers resulting from the ... unique ... circumstances of his birth, but Leela has at least one extraordinary ability resulting from her own mutant ancestry: she is resistant to mutation from exposure to radiation.

[#191 :]

Yay, I can now stop being sceptical about it, should watch some Futurama now since I haven't for three months

[#192 :]

this is so raw i will never forget were i was on F-Day June 22nd will always have a place in my heart

[#193 :]

I can't say I'm particularly hopeful for this show's return. The first two seasons of Futurama were my favorite for the basic fact that you actually felt like you were in the future. It was like being inside a whole new world. The third and fourth seasons they ignored the future, had on a slew of unnecessary celebrities, and turned what was once a tasteful, subtle, and only occasional love tension story between Fry and Leela into an awful, pathetic joke. Now it's going back to a network that might not even have the money for such things as the expensive animation, a full orchestra, or whatever else. Not to mention I'm sure these writers are rusty, if the show was going downhill anyway, I'd hate to see what crap they spew out now. After seeing Family Guy go from being a flawless series of 50 episodes to being absolutely pummeled into retardedness and pop culture drool, I honestly think Futurama was better off dead.

Also, I didn't read the whole thread so I'm assuming everything I've said has already been addressed.

[#194 :]

You seem a bit pessimistic Lampy... :P

[#195 :]

I doubt someone will force you to watch the new season. So, why worry? Just stop watching Family Guy and Futurama, that's all. It's not like you'll miss anything, the things went way downhill anyway, so stop wasting your precious time on that stuff. Also, anybody thinking that early FG run was something like 'flawless' should get his head checked instead of writing bitter baseless bullshit.

[#196 :]

Hey guys, I was gonna start another thread about this, but it seems like too little information to do so. Just wanted to inform everybody that at the Comic Con, on the Simpsons Panel, Matt Groening himself announced that bnext year they will be showing clips from the new thirteen episodes. So start buying you're plane tickets now. Unless you're afraid of snakes . . . on a plane?!

Seriously though, this also gives more preceedent to to speculation that the episodes are not in fact chopped up movie bits, or I'm guessing the Big Groen would have said it himself.

[#197 :]

Hmm, i wanna see that "snake on board" film!
I can't fly to America, i'm only 13 and i don't have a bloody job! (damn it)
I'd love to see Groaning for real to ask him, make sure he isn't jokeing   

[#198 :]

Thats pretty awesome. I Heart comedy central.

Comedy Central, whats up, have you met my other friend Arrested Development?

[#199 :]

Looking foward to this time next year. A Simpsons Movie and clips from the new Futurama eps, what could be better?...