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

[Reply #80 on:]

I'm sure we will be celebrating the 100th ep here at PEEL...

[Reply #81 on:]

Why am I so apathetic about this news? I'm going to blame the inevitable long wait for it to turn up on TV in Britain.

It is good news, no doubt about that, but I'm finding it hard to get excited (yet).

[Reply #82 on:]

It's weird... 3 or 4 years ago I probably would have thought this was the best news ever. As it is, I'm pleased the show's coming back (the fact that I joined  this forum in the past must have indicated SOME interest at some point), but I'm also not convinced that the resurrection will measure up to the old episodes... the movies didn't. Hell, the last season of the show was pretty patchy. That said, I'm happy for the writing and animation staff, as everything I've read up on these guys shows that they really loved working on the thing, and it's nice to see that sort of passion vindicated. I'll be sure to tune in and see how it turns out.

[Reply #83 on:]

I get what you're saying, SlackJawedMoron, but I personally tried to argue why season 6 will be better than the films.

Oh and, season 4?  I mean, "The Farnsworth Parabox" is one of the most brilliant episodes, and that's not for its shippy theme, that's for its "scientific" theme.  But I could mention a lot of episodes from season 4 I love, and not for its shippery stuff; though admittedly, writers did get high on shipping in season 4.

[Reply #84 on:]

"Patchy," not "bad." Season 4 did have some very good episodes, but it also showcased a whole lot of bland ones as well. Ship or no ship, the shows' quality got a lot more hit and miss that season (though Season 3 suffered from this  as well).

[Reply #85 on:]

Incidentally, season 3 was the biggest of the four, so my perception is that with that large a dart board to aim at, it is possible to hit and miss.  Season 3 perhaps have some of the best and some of the worst episodes.

[Reply #86 on:]

A decent number of die-hard Simpsons fans were airing frustrations about "worst episodes ever" and calling for the show's cancellation as early as its fifth season, IIRC.  DXC eventually tore them a third cornshoot with the Poochie episode.

The new seasons will be fine as long as we keep our expectations reasonable.

[Reply #87 on:]

Oh, this place has had a lick of paint.

I heard the news and had to come back PEEL for a quick post.

I am so full of joy. Might I say: WOO!?

[Reply #88 on:]

In addition to a fear that these new episodes won't be able to hold their own against episodes of the original run, I think people are also worrying that Futurama will overstay its welcome, much like The Simpsons has. But the great thing about Futurama is that it really is an underdog show--whereas The Simpsons is an institution. The Simpsons is much more mainstream, with a larger fanbase, and that's why Fox is so reluctant to cancel it already, let it die with a modicum of grace and dignity.

Futurama, to me, will never suffer from that problem, because it's never been the most commercially viable show. It's kind of niche programming: it's a show for sci-fi nerds and math geeks and animation enthusiasts. I think it's fair to say that Futurama's fanbase is smarter than your average television viewer (the same can be said for The Simpsons's, yes, but I still think it's also more appealing to, shall we say, the mindless TV viewer than Futurama is). I don't expect it to ever be a hallmark of any network's programming schedule, like The Simpsons is for Fox. Expectations are high, sure, but I think Futurama will remain a low-key show that appeals to a specific group of people. If the writers could just realize that, and write in a way that caters to the established audience, then I think the show can be successful without being stale. Smart writing doesn't alienate viewers; horrible stories displaying complete disregard for what the fans want, does.

What I'm saying, I guess, is that the writers must have an immense gratitude to the fans for their success; I mean, it's not everyday that a show is twice resurrected because of strong DVD sales. The Simpsons is successful because it's The Simpsons; Futurama is successful because of a small group of devoted fans. I think the writers recognize that success on television is a tenuous thing, so they're going to try their hardest to produce something of high quality. The movies nabbed Futurama many new viewers; the episodes will have to keep their interest. That puts a lot of pressure on the writers, but I also think it will compel them to compose some truly great stories.  

[Reply #89 on:]

One thing's for sure, Futurama is better off on Comedy Central than on FOX. 

[Reply #90 on:]

Sweet Zombie Jesus Bender is back baby.

[Reply #91 on:]

I think the 26 episodes are being split up into two seasons.  I hate Fox with a rage that knows no end (one that not even Torgo's Executive Powder can sooth), but I have to admit that it'd probably be best for the show if it airs there first, then on Comedy Central a few weeks later.  If they don't screw with the schedule (a long shot), it could really bolster Futurama's visibility and give us a better chance at getting a full season pickup beyond the initial 13.  And more Futurama is always good.

I'm so happy I feel like a 10th-level Vice President!

[Reply #92 on:]

What a really exciting announcement!

But we have such a long wait ahead of us...

[Reply #93 on:]

(Peeks in Thread)

Damn! I forgot to post about how happy I am that the show's returned. Well, I still want to celebrate the proper Internet way that isn't a JPEG/GIF of somebody celebrating: links to videos of people celebrating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0j0lO7uQBo#t=0m23s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdABlGoar9g#t=0m26s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIHJ9RMAVGI#t=1m58s

Well now that that's done: I hope that the writers focus on keeping better continuity, try to hold back on the reset button unless absolutely necessary, and try an occasional 2 or 3-parter (SouthPark succeeds at these regularly, why can't Futurama?).

Hopefully this will be better than any of us could imagine (and we'll be imagining for quite a while. Summer/Fall 2010. Woof!).

[Reply #94 on:]

Haha and letting our imaginations wander, will that lead to disappointment or joy?  I can only believe joy!

[Reply #95 on:]

This is awesome news, and so out of the blue, Its BACK BABY!! 

[Reply #96 on:]

I'm happy the show has been given another chance (finally) I'm just a bit pissed off that they seem to have wrapped things up in ITWGY in a rushed way, where as in the final ep of S4 (TDHAIP) they sort of left it open for something to happen but also finished things just in case they didn't....

Either way new Futurama is good....!

[Reply #97 on:]

I don't think Futurama is ever going to succeed in getting to a 26 ep season. It's impossible. FOX will probably cut it in half. Also, there could be evil Fox executives lurking on this forum.

[Reply #98 on:]

I think its more than likely that it will be for two series with 13 episodes for each 

[Reply #99 on:]

That's what I said.

[Reply #100 on:]

Yeah, and i seconded it!

[Reply #101 on:]

Things were bad, but now they're good, forever! 

[Reply #102 on:]

I'm a bit late to the party, but let me just say "hot damn!".

[Reply #103 on:]

Hey look, all the newbies!

[Reply #104 on:]

I don't think Futurama is ever going to succeed in getting to a 26 ep season. It's impossible. FOX will probably cut it in half. Also, there could be evil Fox executives lurking on this forum.

Fox?  You mean Comedy Central, right?

[Reply #105 on:]

I hope it wasn't like this when I joined, a swarm of people coming on to celebrate BBS...if it was, I apologise :S

[Reply #106 on:]

Interestingly, Bianca, not only does a lot of new people seem to be joining, a lot of old people seem to returning.

But think of it this way; isn't it all to be expected?

[Reply #107 on:]

Fox?  You mean Comedy Central, right?

Yes, I've got so used to blaming Fox the silly kinnnnigots, but Comedy Central wouldn't do that to Futurama.

[Reply #108 on:]

I wouldn't be so certain, FS.  I realise that Comedy Central's method of airing the episodes in the original broadcast form may only be because they purchased the episodes from Fox, whom probably have them lying around in that form.

But this doesn't mean that Comedy Central couldn't fuck up.  Remember when they announced they would air Into the Wild Green Yonder before Bender's Game?  Of course, they later redrew their announcement and it was actually Bender's Game in the end.

This sort of mess up makes me wonder whether Comedy Central could move to air an episode before another, despite its production number.  Which is also a reminder for you Futurama folks who can actually watch Comedy Central; be sure to write down the production numbers!

[Reply #109 on:]

Am i the only one who now has a major urge to go back and watch the whole 4 series and then the four movies in order just to celebrate this news!??

[Reply #110 on:]

Beat ya to it.

[Reply #111 on:]

I'd probably only watch about 63 episodes and ITWGY. I don't see the point of watching the bad ones in celebration.

[Reply #112 on:]

I might rewatch all the episodes and movies in order again like I did in the run up to ITWGY but not for a while yet.

I didn't actually complete this marathon viewing session though as ITWGY was leaked onto the net early and I couldn't really wait to see it. I only had TDHAIP along with the three other movies left though.

[Reply #113 on:]

I will watch them all, even bwabb, it may not be great, but its still Futurama, therefor its still worth the watch in my book

[Reply #114 on:]

I will watch them all, even bwabb, it may not be great, but its still Futurama

If it isn't great it isn't Futurama to me.

[Reply #115 on:]

I will watch them all, even bwabb, it may not be great, but its still Futurama

If it isn't great it isn't Futurama to me.

Yeah yeah, it's all fun and games, but can't we start the judging when we actually see some of the new stuff.

I am mostly worried about the smaller writing staff and shorter delivery schedule and the fact they'll have to deliver 26 episodes.

That's a lot, that's a lot of work for fewer writers and the fact that they have to come up with these ideas fast could also be a problem.

[Reply #116 on:]

They are going to be split up into two 13-episode seasons so that might lighten the load.

[Reply #117 on:]

They are going to be split up into two 13-episode seasons so that might lighten the load.

Broadcast seasons!  Not production seasons!  They are still going to keep a load.

[Reply #118 on:]

Are you one of the non-good voters Svip?

[Reply #119 on:]

Are you one of the non-good voters Svip?

Of course not, I am excited as ever.  But like a true Futurama fan, I am always sceptic.