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

[Reply #40 on:]

CN loses Futurama Dec. 31, 2007.  It's new home is CC on Jan. 1, 2008.

I'm willing to bet that the new eps will be shown prime-time (and repeated often) and will give CC some of its highest ratings ever.

Futurama is slowly showing that it's the "little show that could".

[Reply #41 on:]

Wow.  Just wow.  This is the most believable, most...best news yet.  I'm at a loss for polysyllabic words.

That's better.

I'm glad I came to look directly at the source here, instead of just assuming it was another coked-up Billy West statement.  I won't be fully convinced until I see the full public press release, but...wow.

[Reply #42 on:]

I have to admit i'm a little worried about how popular Futurama will be by 2008. 2 years is a long time a good portion of their fanbase may have moved on by then. How many peelers have we lost since the cancelation? We'll have been through 5 years of no new episodes. That's a real long time.

[Reply #43 on:]

It sure doesn't feel like it's even been three, so another two probably won't hurt the fanbase much. 

[Reply #44 on:]

@ Venus and other insecure fans:

You'd be surprised how popular this program is.  It's still AS's highest rated program - and that's after over 2 years of heavy rotation.

Yes, PEEL has lost a lot of PEEL'ers - but that's because of nothing new to talk about - not everybody is into fan fics and off-topic.  Bring on the new eps and some of the old members will be back and new ones will appear.

Plus I'm sure that CC will have a huge PR blitz prior to the airing the new eps, which will generate more buzz, and I'm sure that we won't have to hunt for the airings - CC doesn't carry sporting events that have overuns to pre-empt the eps.  Plus I'm sure that CC is putting more money into these eps than anything they have done before - they will treat this revival like it's firstborn.

Have faith, young grasshopper(s).  I remember the collective sigh of disappointment when Star Trek: The Motion Picture came out in late 1979.  A lot of Trekkies said it was the end of Trek - then in 1982 The Wrath Of Kahn hit the screens and pure pandalirium erupted.  Since then, we've had several Trek movies, several Trek series and even though though ST: ENT crashed-and-burned - the francise is still strong.

Futurama will do well - I predict well enough to get another run of at least 13 more eps.

Just have faith.

[Reply #45 on:]

...Good God, you're old.  (winksmiley)

[Reply #46 on:]

I may be old, but I know how to enjoy life and have fun...

Excuse me, but I hear "The Wrath Of Kahn" calling me.

[Reply #47 on:]

Great news, no question.

However, does that mean that we get both new episodes on CC and the four DVDs?

Regarding this I'm a bit confused, although I wouldn't mind about getting both. 

[Reply #48 on:]

Yet more confirmation:

Going by this, Billy didn't jump the gun about the new eps - this was planned when CC bought the rights.  Organizations like FOX, CC and RDS are anal about releasing information on their time schedule.

A lot of us owe Billy West an appology.

"Futurama" gets new life on Comedy Central

Thu Jun 22,11:36 PM ET


"Futurama" has a future.

Comedy Central has resurrected the former Fox animated series from "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. At least 13 new episodes will be produced -- the first since the series' original run from 1999-2003.

The new batch is part of a deal the cable network made with 20th Century Fox Television last year to pick up syndicated rights to the existing "Futurama" library of 72 episodes. Comedy Central also had an option to air any new episodes produced.

New and old episodes will begin airing in 2008 on Comedy Central. Actors Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio have agreed to return as voices for "Futurama."

"We are thrilled that Matt Groening and 20th Century Fox Television have decided to produce new episodes of 'Futurama' and that Comedy Central will be the first to air them," said David Bernath, senior vice president for programming at the network.

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"There is a deep and passionate fan base for this intelligent and very funny show that matches perfectly with our audience, and it is great that we can offer them not just the existing library but something they've never seen as well."

"Futurama" isn't the first series to return to air after cancellation. The Fox animated series "Family Guy" returned to the network last year after getting a second wind on DVD and late-night cable.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[Reply #49 on:]

It would be good if they made as many episodes as the last season, so it doesn't seem as though there is a gap between seasons.

Is 20 episodes so much to ask for?

[Reply #50 on:]

Happy, I like this feeling.

[Reply #51 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
I have to admit i'm a little worried about how popular Futurama will be by 2008. 2 years is a long time a good portion of their fanbase may have moved on by then. How many peelers have we lost since the cancelation? We'll have been through 5 years of no new episodes. That's a real long time.

Sure people move on but there's also so many new fans finding this show for the first time in syndication. I know I didn't get introduced to it until mid 04, and at that point it was already off Fox for a year. Also, maybe the movie will come out in the meantime to keep people interested.

[Reply #52 on:]

 

Originally posted by MidnightSun:
 :laff:your sooo funny.

Why thankyou, Mr MidnightSUn. 

 

Originally posted by Gocad:
However, does that mean that we get both new episodes on CC and the four DVDs?

Yeah, I'm a bit confused about that as well. What's happening with the movies?

Ah well, whatever happens, Futurama's back, baby! 

[Reply #53 on:]

I guess it's true what they said: 'See you on some other channel'.

 

June 22, 2006, The New York Post -- 'FUTURAMA" is officially back from the dead.

The quirky animated show from "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening was canceled by Fox about two years ago, but will return with at least 13 new episodes on Comedy Central by 2008.

This is only the second time in television history that a show sent to TV's trash heap has been resurrected. Curiously, the first was "Family Guy," also an animated Fox show.

The tale of "Futurama's" dramatic revival roughly follows that same path that "Family Guy" did.

In both cases, the shows have been successfully airing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim late-night programming block. They both also turned into hot-selling DVD box sets.

"Family Guy" returned to Fox earlier this year, while last fall, Comedy Central outbid Adult Swim for the license to air all 52 episodes of "Futurama" and whatever new episodes might one day be produced.

This week, deals were inked to secure all of the original voice talent and the production staff of "Futurama," paving the way for the series' return to TV.

The show stars voice-over megastar Billy West (whose elastic vocal chords have provided the voices for nearly 120 different cartoons) as Philip J. Fry, a bumbling slacker from the 20th century who is accidentally cryogenically frozen in 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later.

It is believed that the new episodes will also be released on DVD.

"Futurama" star Katey Sagal confirmed the return of the show on Comedy Central Tuesday night during an appearance on Craig Ferguson's "Late Late Show."

On Fox, "Futurama" never developed the same buzz or following of its sister show, "The Simpsons," but has since become one of the biggest shows on Adult Swim.

Fox may also have the option to air the new episodes, although it is highly unlikely to do so, according to industry sources.

[Reply #54 on:]

Good news that it's coming back, but I'm going to have to fucking download it. I get the four main US networks, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and Spike TV and TBS, but those are pretty much the only stations from the US I can get. We have a station called The Comedy Network here in Canada and the government won't let US specitaly channels compete with Canadian specialty channels, so no comedy central. 

[Reply #55 on:]

 

Originally posted by DrThunder88:
 I don't want to wait 18 months.  I'm not Australian for god's sake.

im aussie    .
But it is probablly  true since we don't have cable so ill have to wait for the dvds      

[Reply #56 on:]

This is great and not on FOX

[Reply #57 on:]

 

Originally posted by Kingpomba:
But it is probablly true since we don't have cable so ill have to wait for the dvds

Me too! 

Although hopefully The Neutral Planet will have the episode transcripts like they do now. All power to the neutrals!

[Reply #58 on:]

well this made my day... and as far as old peelers, i think a lot will come back when the new episodes air.  I have only stopped by a few times since the last episodes but PEEL is the place to be to talk Futurama!

[Reply #59 on:]

Like Newhook said, since I live in Canada, I won't be able to watch these new shows... Damn!

I hope that Teletoon get the show over here fast. (They have a deal with CC... Well they used to have one...)

Otherwise, I'll have to wait for the Dvds or look for downloads of it...

I hope they still do the Dvd movies!

Anyway, this is some Good News!

[Reply #60 on:]

Sweet. Damn me and my poor(ish) family for not having Foxtel. Get those dvd's to australia quick!

[Reply #61 on:]

*FAINT*

[Reply #62 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
If you don't have cable, then you have 18 months to get it.

Or 18 months to learn to use bittorrent.

I'll be skeptical until I see an official confirmation, but this is the best sounding
rumor yet.  I hope it's true.

[Reply #63 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
CN loses Futurama Dec. 31, 2007.  It's new home is CC on Jan. 1, 2008.

Whose bright idea was that, anyway?

I mean, I get both channels, so it doesn't make any difference to me, but this isn't the first time that CN has sold the rights to a show that later got new episodes.

[Reply #64 on:]

 

Originally posted by David A:
... this isn't the first time that CN has sold the rights to a show that later got new episodes.

Really?
What were the others? 

[Reply #65 on:]

bankrupt, I can't get what exactly accounts for an official confirmation by your standards, if confirmations from almost everyone involved and supposed Comedy Central press release can't cut it for you. What's exactly that mysterious thing that won't be classified as a rumor?

PS - and, if anyone was wondering what I meant by "oldschool" in relation to skepticism - it's the trademark "bitter old peeler" style, demonstrated by bankrupt just now. It seems that this mindset is slowly slipping into self-parody, though.

[Reply #66 on:]

I can see Comedy Central airing Space Pilot 3000 at 12:00:01 January 1, 2008, as part of a New Year's celebration.

Newhook, Nic, I'm sure that the new episodes will be part of the packages for networks in other countries, like Teletoon in Canada and Sky in the UK, and other channels of the such. Fox/CC/Whoever has the rights will continue foreign syndication.

On the subject of there being on 13-ish episodes in this new season and the worries about there being a gap between the new season and the old ones, Comedy Central will want to avoid confusion with new viewers and start broadcasting of Futurama with Space Pilot 3000, through to The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings, and into the new episodes.

Also, look at Comedy Central's usage of its current "big animated show", South Park. They give Matt and Trey rights to do pretty much anything, unless it has to do with Scientology or Islam. They've done a South Park movie, and play the movie about once a month with their "Secret Stash". If you look at what they do with South Park, it's a good sign at what they'll do with Futurama. A good, never changing slot in their lineup. If they give Futurama its own night or if they put it next to South Park, expect the series to do well on Comedy Central. Unless they bring back Battlebots as a live series right before Futurama and have Battlebots go into overtime.

I think that the DVDs are still go, as it's two years until Comedy Central, so they don't want people forgetting about the series, as people said before. Look at Star Wars. Almost 20 years between the Originals and the Prequels, and threee years between each movie in those. They had animated series (Clone Wars, Ewoks, Droids), they had games (Battlefront, Jedi Knight, Galaxy) they had Christmas Specials. In short, they had something to fill the void so people wouldn't forget and it was fresh in the people's minds. Don't worry about the two years. We'll have the DVD movies, [as] reruns, and comics, and who knows what else.

Edit: I already had my fangasm in the 4 DVDs thread.

[Reply #67 on:]

 

Originally posted by David A:
 Whose bright idea was that, anyway?

I mean, I get both channels, so it doesn't make any difference to me, but this isn't the first time that CN has sold the rights to a show that later got new episodes.

CN never owned the rights to produce more episodes, only to broadcast episodes in syndi cation.  if im not mistaken, Fox allowed bidding on rights to produce more episodes and CN couldnt put up as much money as CC did so they lost.

[Reply #68 on:]

All I can say is that I cannot think of any words to describe my reaction but it was something like Fry's reaction after......"$00.67 at 3.25% intrest over a period of 1,000 years equals 4.3 million dollars."

[Reply #69 on:]

All I can say is that I cannot think of any words to describe my reaction but it was something like Fry's reaction after......"$00.67 at 3.25% intrest over a period of 1,000 years equals 4.3 billion dollars."

[Reply #70 on:]

I'm guessing Comedy central will set up an animation block on Wednesday night with South Park, Futurama, and Drawn Together.

That would be the best programming block on TV peroid. Two excellent shows along with the funny, but not up to the same standards of South Park and Futurama, Drawn Together, would make Wednesday's on CC even better than Sundays on FOX.

[Reply #71 on:]

Leela's back and ready to kick ass.

[Reply #72 on:]

 http://www.yahoo.com/

Top entertainment story.

I'm actually starting... to believe.

[Reply #73 on:]

 

Originally posted by SpaceCase:
Really?
What were the others?   

You know those new episodes of Tenchi Muyo! that aren't being shown on Cartoon Network?  That's because a few years ago CN sold the syndication rights to some network called AZN Television.  Now I'll probably have to watch those episodes on DVD like a normal person.

 

Originally posted by blahness:
 CN never owned the rights to produce more episodes, only to broadcast episodes in syndi cation.

I know, but if they still had the syndication rights, they'd eventually get to show any new episodes that do get made.

 

if im not mistaken, Fox allowed bidding on rights to produce more episodes and CN couldnt put up as much money as CC did so they lost.

Well, whatever.  Like I said, it doesn't make a difference to me.  I'll just have to watch it on a different channel.

[Reply #74 on:]

 

Originally posted by HDC:
bankrupt, I can't get what exactly accounts for an official confirmation by your standards, if confirmations from almost everyone involved and supposed Comedy Central press release can't cut it for you. What's exactly that mysterious thing that won't be classified as a rumor?

An official confirmation comes from someone who owns the rights to the show/has the money to produce it.  That being Fox, Comedy Central, or Matt Groening.  "Supposed" press releases don't cut it.  The information out there so far looks great and I hope it's all true, but this isn't a done deal until one of those entities comes out and says it is.

 If my thinking is "old-school" skepticisim, then what is your "new-school" skepticisim?  Credulity?

[Reply #75 on:]

I support the skepticism. I was way too disappointed last time when Billy West crushed my dreams, though I must say this looks a lot more legitimate.  That doesn't mean I believe fully yet though... Things could always fall through.  Don't get me wrong, I WANT to.... but...

[Reply #76 on:]

 http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=11179

I'd say it wasn't 'officially announced' until now because they had to make sure all the kinks were straightened out on the deal, and they'd figured out out all the contracts and other legal issues and whatnot. That's standard across the board for TV, so the network can't get sued if a deal crashes through at the last second.

[Reply #77 on:]

Bankrupt: "We are thrilled that Matt Groening and 20th Century Fox Television have decided to produce new episodes of Futurama and that Comedy Central will be the first to air them." That came from Comedy Central's Senior VP. It mentions Matt and Fox. I got it from E!. I think that counts as an entity coming out and saying it.

Also, Katey and Billy have said they've signed contracts already.

I'll be watching the entertainment shows and late night shows tonight to see if they say anything. I'd expect that Entertainment Tonight would say something, possibly Conan.

[Reply #78 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
Leela's back and ready to kick ass.

Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!              

[Reply #79 on:]

Hmmm... exciting times for long time Futurama fans. Hope that the same quality is maintained threw out the new episodes and it doesnt try to mimic new succesful cartoons like Family Guy. Futurama... glad to have you back.