By Hawking's chair! Futurama is back! (News thread) (No spoilers)

[#240 :]

The chance of an episode that mirrors a fanfic is too great a liability.  Somebody could say their idea was ripped-off and try to hold the studio/producers/writers up for financial gain.

Elements from A River with Currents and Blame it on the Brain seemed to find their way into BBS. Probably coincidence... (?)

* Frisco goes to get the disappearance van.

[#241 :]

The chance of an episode that mirrors a fanfic is too great a liability.  Somebody could say their idea was ripped-off and try to hold the studio/producers/writers up for financial gain.

Elements from A River with Currents and Blame it on the Brain seemed to find their way into BBS. Probably coincidence... (?)

I'm not going to go read though them to find out the similarities so can you just list them?

[#242 :]

ARWC: Time travel; an older, scarred time-duplicate Fry sort of vies for Leela's affection and ends up dying to save her. Also, as in BBS, Space God is involved with the time-travel.

BiotB: Re-uses the applied cryogenics lab to bring a temporally-displaced Fry back to the future. Meaning there was more than one incarnation of Fry in the lab at the same time.

[#243 :]

Interesting...

[#244 :]

While on French Wikipedia looking at the French titles of Futurama episodes (some are quite funny, you should all look at them) (NOW!), I came across this article (in French) which says that "la diffusion de ces épisodes est prévu pour mi-2010 et devrait s'étaler sur 2 saisons", or "the release of these episodes is scheduled for mid-2010 and will be two seasons". It seems my theory of two seasons was correct.

Also, from reading the Futurama article on Wikipédia Française, it seems like Futurama has a pretty good following in France. I found out from it that the toy monkey from Obsoletely Fabulous is in The Simpsons Movie. But then it claims that the Hypnotoad is a reference to South Park...

[#245 :]

Also, from reading the Futurama article on Wikipédia Française, it seems like Futurama has a pretty good following in France. I found out from it that the toy monkey from Obsoletely Fabulous is in The Simpsons Movie. But then it claims that the Hypnotoad is a reference to South Park...

Yeah, there's a surprisingly large French Futurama fan base on Facebook.

Maybe they thought the Hypnotoad reference was a reference to the Mexican Staring Frog from South Park's first season (I think it was the first season).

[#246 :]

I think that people see meaning where they want to.

[#247 :]

Edit: Fixed link.

...So, this is interesting:

Thursday, Jul. 16, 2009, 5:54 PM Pacific

FUTURAMA
Voice Over
Episodic
1/2 hour animated comedy for Twentieth Century Fox Television
SAG


Creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen
Casting Director: Scott Muller
Shoot/Start Date: August
Pay Rate: TBD
Location: Los Angeles

SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY
OR
FOR SUBMISSION OF AUDIO ONLY (MP3S ON CD PLEASE) KING OF THE HILL
ATTN: SCOTT MULLER
15821 VENTURA BLVD.
ENCINO, CA
91436

VOICE AUDITIONS MAY BE SENT IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1. MP3 AUDIO AUDITIONS ONLINE IN WHATEVER MEANS IS CONVENIENT FOR YOU.

2. MP3 AUDIO AUDITIONS ON CD.

3.EMAILED AS ATTACHMENTS TO: FUTURAMA@SCOTTMULLERCASTING.COM (NOTE: PLEASE USE THIS METHOD SPARINGLY, ATTACHMENTS NOT TO EXCEED 5 MB) AUDITIONS SHOULD BE SENT ASAP AS WE WILL BE MOVING QUICKLY. PRODUCER SESSIONS WILL BE HELD AT A DATE TBD.

We are starting casting immediately for Futurama, a half-hour animated comedy created by Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. Descriptions of these established characters follow, along with links to clips of previous episodes for reference.

Emphasis mine.  The characters listed in the link include the main cast, Mom, Zapp, and Kif.

I don't know if that's actually LaMarr's Facebook account (I found the link at Billy West's forum), let alone how legitimate this notice is.  If it is legitimate, there's a chance it could just be someone covering their ass by saying they held auditions to ensure that they hired the best people for the job, not just their friends (and then they end up rehiring the original cast anyway).  If they are seriously contemplating recasting some/all of the major characters, however, I... won't be happy.

Has anyone else heard anything about this?

[#248 :]

Nope. I think it just extras for parts.

[#249 :]

Yessssss!!!! I hope I dnt have to wait too long for it to come to uk!!!  :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[#250 :]

if that business about recasting the voice actors is real, then I will no longer be a fan of the show.  Its that simple.

[#251 :]

Considering the fact that the entire original cast came back for the movies and everything I've heard points to them wanting to do the show again, it's most likely just for extras and such. That or it's complete BS.

[#252 :]

one of Phil LaMarrs facebook status says they are replacing the cast

i don't think they acually will. who would be the new cast? that would suck!

[#253 :]

Considering the fact that Katey, Billy and others have been advertised as "taking on" a "FOX Programming Executive" at SDCC this year, I think it's a safe bet the old voice actors will be on the continuing adventures of Planet Express.

[#254 :]

It appears the rumor has been floating around for a couple of months with DXC wanting to a Star Trek reset and DXC saying they weren't going to recast. Phil Lamarr is the only source of the casting call notice and it does not appear to have been released for publication otherwise or addressed to any publication (redacted?).

It would seem odd that the producers would take a chance on alienating the present cast without having a clue if there would be suitable replacements. They would be taking a chance of ending up with no one and a bad industry reputation.

But then no present actors have said they've resigned or have been offered the job.
Maybe they plan to hold auditions at ComiCon in the alley.  

[#255 :]

Sounds like a prank I would play but sadly I have nothing to do with it.

[#256 :]

Considering the fact that Katey, Billy and others have been advertised as "taking on" a "FOX Programming Executive" at SDCC this year, I think it's a safe bet the old voice actors will be on the continuing adventures of Planet Express.

This sounds like a bit of fun they're having before the panel which is being described as a life or death struggle for the show coming back.

Here's the official write-up for the panel:


"1:00-1:45 Futurama: Life or Death?!— Be a part of sci-fi history! Join executive producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, and Maurice LaMarche for high-stakes thrills as a top-ranking FOX executive decides live, on stage, whether Futurama will make yet another triumphant return or whether it is gone forever! The very fate of Futurama hangs in the balance! Paramedics will be standing by in case the intense excitement causes any panelists to collapse. Raucous celebration or abject despair to follow the news. Ballroom 20"

This is probably just them setting up a joke to mess with us before the triumphant return at Comic Con.

[#257 :]

This is probably just them setting up a joke to mess with us before the triumphant return at Comic Con.

That would actually be really cool (and probably the most likely explanation).

Edit: ...Ok, the longer I consider this and the more people I see freaked out, the less appealing I find this potential "joke."  Still better than the alternative, though.

[#258 :]

Maybe, but it would be so typical of present day American business for the boss to come in and say, "I'd like to thank all of you for your years of hard work and, oh yeah, you have until the end of the day to collect your stuff and get the hell out."

[#259 :]

Maybe, but it would be so typical of present day American business for the boss to come in and say, "I'd like to thank all of you for your years of hard work and, oh yeah, you have until the end of the day to collect your stuff and get the hell out."

Sadly, this is true.

[#260 :]

But would they really do that on the grandest of stages, in front of hundreds of fans in the room and thousands upon thousands of fans in a tightly packed convention center? Their lives would be in danger if this was not a ploy.

[#261 :]

Ah, you sound like the employees: anger, denial, barganing, it only happens to other people, etc. Doesn't matter.

[#262 :]

Yeah, it kind of better be a joke...

if rather a misguided one...

if that business about recasting the voice actors is real, then I will no longer be a fan of the show.  Its that simple.

Have to say, that's pretty much a given, yeah.  It simply would not be the same show.

[#263 :]

if that business about recasting the voice actors is real, then I will no longer be a fan of the show.  Its that simple.

[Scruffy]Second[/Scruffy]

[#264 :]

Maurice LaMarche is now posting a link on Facebook to a group against the recasting. You guys were worried with relation to Phil's account being real or fake, but Mo's is totally real, so word of this has spread and he's unsure about it as well. He's made a lot of activity about it lately.

[#265 :]

Phil LaMarr said this in the comment (i didn't look to see who he was replying to)


"It's a negotiating ploy by 20th Century Fox studio. It's the same thing they did w/ the Simpsons several years ago. They're hoping to scare the actors into accepting lower pay.
They don't think that it matters to the audience who is doing the voices. If people's emails don't convince them, maybe they'll find out at the Comic-Con panel next week."

[#266 :]

I've commented that to Mo's link and mentioned the uproar here on PEEL. Somebody's already set up a group on Facebook for protesting it.


Edit: And word's spread to A. V. Club

[#267 :]

"It's a negotiating ploy by 20th Century Fox studio. It's the same thing they did w/ the Simpsons several years ago. They're hoping to scare the actors into accepting lower pay.

Damn it.  If this is what's really going on... I shouldn't be surprised, but I'm definitely disgusted.

[#268 :]

Well Fox certainly knows how to shoot themselves in the ass!!!

[#269 :]

We'll hear the offical word on Futurama's come back next week during the Comic-Con.  I heard this from Futurama Madhouse.   And why wouldn't the original cast members come back, anyway?

[#270 :]

Billy, John and Katey are pretty well irreplacable (IMO) but maybe FOX feels they can bully the other voice actors?

At A.V., somebody made a post that nobody on Futurama was a big name.  Billy West does over 50% of the show by himself and has made a name for himself.  Katey Sagal may not be an "A-Ranked Hollywood Pretty Girl", but she has some big acting chops behind her and has been with FOX since the first day FOX became a network.

As stated by somebody else, maybe the VA's decided to not take a pay cut and FOX is trying to scare them.  As it is, the writers have been reduced in number, there is no orchastra so getting the person who does all those irritating, high-pitched, scheechy voices on Nick Cartoons is the next step in saving money.

[#271 :]

The voice actors aren't "nobodies". Billy, Mo, and Tress are three of the top voice actors of current times, John's not the biggest name in the VA community is irreplaceable, and Katey is a big name.

And do you mean Tom Kenny, the guy who voices Spongebob? He's already guest-spotted on the show as Yancy, Abner Doubledeal (the Robot Fighting League and Mets guy), Adlai from The Cyber House Rules, and The Masked Unit, wouldn't be too much of a stretch for Fox to recruit him full-time. I wouldn't be against making him a full-time actor, but not at the expense of the other VA's.

[#272 :]

As it is, the writers have been reduced in number, there is no orchastra so getting the person who does all those irritating, high-pitched, scheechy voices on Nick Cartoons is the next step in saving money.

But they already use Tom Ke- beaten to it. =P

Actually, this whole thing is reminding me of something Kenny told me when I last went to Comic-Con; about how easy it is for some shows to replace their characters' VAs with other VAs because of the versatility of their voices.  I suppose from a cold and calculating business perspective it makes sense; I just hoped it wouldn't happen with this show.

And I agree with i_c_weiner; aside from maybe Dave Herman (who I think is an excellent VA), I was under the impression that most of the VAs in the cast were already pretty "big name."  John may have started out small (I think; I certainly hadn't heard of him before the show first aired), but today I think he's quite renowned.

[#273 :]

Article from The Hollywood Reporter here.  Not exactly the most balanced article though, as it doesn't explicitly quote the actors or their representatives.

An anonymous source cited in the article claims that the actors are seeking a 10x pay raise, which I find really hard to believe (unless they all decided to hire Scott Boras or Drew Rosenhaus as their agent).

I'm inclined to believe that all this posturing will come to nothing and that the original cast will sign, but who knows.

[#274 :]

Yeah, this is suddenly all over the place now. I still think it's probably a publicity stunt or a ploy but holy crap - what a Stupid Idea.  The backlash from something like that would just be incredible.


These actors are really not replaceable...

[#275 :]

Variety's report is much better

[#276 :]

No.

It makes no sense.  There was already an interview with Billy West and Katey Sagal here: http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/22/katey-sagal-and-billy-west-on-the-return-of-futurama/

Where they talk about Futurama and their story and of course, voice acting for the upcoming season.

Look at the scheduling for casting again.

Notice something strange?  Yes, the location says "Los Angeles".  YES, I'd fucking expect it to be in Los Angeles, but who made this up didn't even bother to check where their production studio were?

That's the lamest attempt ever.

Edit: Wait what?

"We love the 'Futurama' voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands," 20th Century Fox TV said in a statement. "While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on. We are confident that we will find terrific new performers to give voice to Matt and David's brilliantly subversive characters."

If I were either Matt or David (and this was true, obviously), I'd call it off.

It's not the first time 20th has gone that route during a tough negotiation on one of its toons. The studio previously made a similar move on "The Simpsons" when it couldn't come to a deal with its stars. Casting feelers were sent out for replacements, but a deal was eventually made with the original case.

Though, it might not be as bad as it looks.

[#277 :]

Hey....just signed up....long time lurker.....love Futurama

I would just like to say that if FOX does go ahead with this plan I for one will boycott anything done by them in the future, it is simply an outrage that they could even think of replacing the quality voice actors this show employs. Quite simply they are the best and no-one could ever replace them. If I was MG or DXC I would call off the whole deal unless the original voice actors where allowed to remain.

Have emailed the casting guy about this and have received an automated response:
Some quotes from the email:
 "Audio auditions MUST be in MP3 format. UPDATE: Good news everyone! I'll accept M4a auditions as well, due to overwhelming demand."

"When reading, please consider not only the voice, but the comedy as well."

"Auditions will be accepted until at least July 24th, 2009."

"Unfortunately, general VO demos will not be helpful for the re-casting of established characters."

sorry for the long post, just had to let that out

[#278 :]

Welcome to PEEL.

"Auditions will be accepted until at least July 24th, 2009."

That's the day before the Comic-Con panel....

[#279 :]

I'm thinking it's a joke.