FOX screws the show again UPDATE: Everybody's signed

[#360 :]

Anyone know if a poll has been done of Futurama fans? Would be a nice way to show Fox that 99% of Futurama fans won't watch the show with out the original actors (or whatever the percentage is)...

[#361 :]

I made a poll at TV.com. Please vote!

http://www.tv.com/futurama/show/249/futurama-voice-actors/topic/354-1309775/msgs.html?msg_id=13306859#1

Thanks!

[#362 :]

Yeah, 'cause the last time you tried something like that, it worked so well.  

Really?  That's funny, considering I've never given up on the original voice actors.  That's right, I'm very passionate about this sort of thing!!  

Also, I don't see you trying to do something good for voice actors.  

Hey, at least I'm doing something to try and save not only the original voice cast for Pokemon, but also the original cast of Futurama.  I mean, it's not like bringing voice actors back is an impossible task.  In my opinion, it's far from impossible, considering all people have to do is voice their concerns to the companies who have caused the replacement.  Yeah, it's that simple, but it all depends on the fans.  People actually have to be willing and dedicated to make a difference.  And I strongly believe that if fans want something badly enough, they can make it happen.  

And to be honest, generally speaking, I can't stand to see talented voice actors get replaced on a show that they enjoy doing doing (a show that they love being a part of). It's heartbreaking to see this happen to animated shows, because a switch isn't fair to the voice actors who have worked on the show for years, nor to the fans who are familiar with hearing their voices for years.

But hey, if you wanna let Fox win, if you wanna stand by and allow the original cast of Futurama to be replaced by "sound alikes", then be my guest.  Just take a seat, relax, and wait until negotiations are finished.  But when they announce that the original cast is being replaced, at least you can't say I didn't tell you so.  

Overall, I'm just saying, I think it's a good thing for fans to do something like this.  Putting your time and effort into a campaign (and giving it your best shot) is way better than doing nothing about the recast.  Because at least then, you can say that you've tried.  

[#363 :]

http://www.animationsupercon.com/events.html

Apparently, the cast will be attending the Animation Supercon in October.  But damn do I hope this thing is settled by October.  2 months of just speculation?!

[#364 :]

Yeah, 'cause the last time you tried something like that, it worked so well. 

Really?  That's funny, considering I've never given up on the original voice actors.  That's right, I'm very passionate about this sort of thing!! 

Also, I don't see you trying to do something good for voice actors. 

Hey, at least I'm doing something to try and save not only the original voice cast for Pokemon, but also the original cast of Futurama.  I mean, it's not like bringing voice actors back is an impossible task.  In my opinion, it's far from impossible, considering all people have to do is voice their concerns to the companies who have caused the replacement.  Yeah, it's that simple, but it all depends on the fans.  People actually have to be willing and dedicated to make a difference.  And I strongly believe that if fans want something badly enough, they can make it happen. 

And to be honest, generally speaking, I can't stand to see talented voice actors get replaced on a show that they enjoy doing doing (a show that they love being a part of). It's heartbreaking to see this happen to animated shows, because a switch isn't fair to the voice actors who have worked on the show for years, nor to the fans who are familiar with hearing their voices for years.

But hey, if you wanna let Fox win, if you wanna stand by and allow the original cast of Futurama to be replaced by "sound alikes", then be my guest.  Just take a seat, relax, and wait until negotiations are finished.  But when they announce that the original cast is being replaced, at least you can't say I didn't tell you so. 

Overall, I'm just saying, I think it's a good thing for fans to do something like this.  Putting your time and effort into a campaign (and giving it your best shot) is way better than doing nothing about the recast.  Because at least then, you can say that you've tried. 

exactly.
even though i still sorta doubt them actually replacing them. its still a great idea to voice your opinion when its needed

[#365 :]

Costs you nothing to record your opinion I dunno if I'd pin my hopes on it - fanpower mainly counts when money's involved, e.g. dvd sales, and I doubt our collective opinion is that big a factor in the decision - but it can't hurt, and might help!

[#366 :]

Indeed.

While I firmly believe that we will see the return of the original voice actors, and I do not expect the other thing, I am still confident that the fans should continue exactly what they are doing.

You can argue this:  Regardless of what we do, Fox won't care unless money is involved.

But is it all Fox?  I realise that the voice actors love and enjoy the show.  And I realise they would be very pleased to see themselves return.  But there is an upper limit for everyone.  But if you know that there are thousands behind you supporting you, wouldn't that raise your spirit... a lot?  I think it would.

As for Fox.  Well, I would actually be somewhat surprised if they had no knowledge of the fans' reaction.  And they know how the equation works:  No viewers => no advertisers => no buyers of the show.  And that is where money comes in:  If the fans are boycotting, casual fans are likely to follow suit in support of the fan base as well as the voice actors.  And if a show lacks a supportive fan base, you won't get sales on the show itself or from the eventual DVDs.

Oh, I think Fox is keeping taps on it.

[#367 :]

Costs you nothing to record your opinion I dunno if I'd pin my hopes on it - fanpower mainly counts when money's involved, e.g. dvd sales, and I doubt our collective opinion is that big a factor in the decision - but it can't hurt, and might help!

True but if say we won't buy any new Dvds or merchandise if Fox get their way...it may make them see that by giving in they may make more money in the long run

[#368 :]

http://tvblog.ugo.com/tv/new-futurama-on-hold-actors-fight-with-studio

lol, looks like someone didn't get the memo.

The only interesting in that article is this part:

"The show was canceled and all the actors went on to make other commitments," said one industry insider. "It's the studio who can't decide on how to get everyone on board."

Is he referring to when the show was originally cancelled or that it has been re-cancelled?  Because I doubt the latter.

Comedy Central is not going to be pleased!  And by proxy, Viacom!

Edit:  By the way, for those who cares, I am working on an article on The Infosphere describing the event:  http://theinfosphere.org/Recasting_ploy

[#369 :]

One of the stupidest things about this whole mess is that were they to replace the cast, how in the hell could they find voice actors that span that many characters? I'm certain an alternate to Fry exists, but that in no way means that they could the alternate also voice Professor Hubert Farnsworth, Dr. Zoidberg and Zapp Brannigan. If anything, they'd have to hire twice as many actors to cover all the characters. And if that is the case, then wouldn't they be paying just as much for a larger cast as they would the original VAs?

Also, were there to be VAs good enough to emulate the characters, wouldn't htey themselves he a high profile VA and expect just as much pay as the original VAs?

[#370 :]

Indeed, Binder.  Re-casting Futurama's cast does in no way make economical sense.  It only makes sense, if you are trying to piss people off.  Which is going extremely well, by the way.

[#371 :]

http://www.animationsupercon.com/events.html

Apparently, the cast will be attending the Animation Supercon in October.  But damn do I hope this thing is settled by October.  2 months of just speculation?!

I also hope we won't have to wait long for a resolution on this matter...I just want to know for sure whether Futurama will be back to it's former glory or ruined forever without it dragging on to long and causing us loyal fans more pain

[#372 :]

Why don't they just kill humanity and get it over with.  It's the waiting I can't stand.

[#373 :]

That's stupid.

Also, as you already know, Svip, I approve of the word "ploy." Nice article.

[#374 :]

That's stupid.

Also, as you already know, Svip, I approve of the word "ploy." Nice article.

Why thank you.  Though digging up all these articles has been something to muster.  Hm.  Well, it is currently well sourced.

[#375 :]

It would actually be nice to know what exactly the VAs are or were asking for (seeing as this $75,000 figure seems made up). It would be intersting to know what they were earning in the original run and what they got for the recent DVD movies. Then it would be much easier to judge who's being unreasonable here, Fox or the VAs. However, on the past treatment Fox has given Futurama 99% of me says it's more likely to be Fox.

I can see this going 3 ways from now:

1) Fox realise that the cost of replacing the VAs would be too much, make an improved offer and the voice cast comes back. (THIS IS OF COURSE THE BEST SCENARIO)

2) Matt Groening and David X Cohen cancel the series, blaming Fox for not reaching an agreement with the cast. This would also mean Fox pulling the plug as well. (THIS IS BAD, BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE NEXT SCENARIO)

3) Fox pull the creative rights away from MG and DXC and give the show to their blue-eyed boy Seth MacFarlane and bring in a new voice cast. Thus sticking two fingers up at us the fans and everyone that helped made the show as good as it is. (WORRINGLY KNOWING FOX THIS MIGHT HAPPEN, BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IT BETTER NOT!!!!!!)

[#376 :]

I can see this going 3 ways from now:

1) Fox realise that the cost of replacing the VAs would be too much, make an improved offer and the voice cast comes back. (THIS IS OF COURSE THE BEST SCENARIO)

2) Matt Groening and David X Cohen cancel the series, blaming Fox for not reaching an agreement with the cast. This would also mean Fox pulling the plug as well. (THIS IS BAD, BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE NEXT SCENARIO)

3) Fox pull the creative rights away from MG and DXC and give the show to their blue-eyed boy Seth MacFarlane and bring in a new voice cast. Thus sticking two fingers up at us the fans and everyone that helped made the show as good as it is. (WORRINGLY KNOWING FOX THIS MIGHT HAPPEN, BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IT BETTER NOT!!!!!!)

My thoughts on above scenarios:

1. Obviously this is the scenario everyone would like to see

2. I totally agree that this should happen if the original actors don't come back...going ahead with anyone else would be very disrespectful

3. OH GOD NOOO!!! Please don't let this happen at all....I don't want to see the Professor making fart/sex jokes for twenty minutes with no actual story  

[#377 :]

I don't think MG and DXC would allow Fox to strip them of creative control, so I'm sure that if the voice actors are fired, Futurama will either be canceled or go on with a new cast but the same writers. Loyalty to the actors (something that I know the creative team has) doesn't make a difference here; DXC and MG are most likely contractually obligated to produce these 26 episodes, until Fox tells them otherwise. And Option 2 is obviously preferable to Option 3 (which is unlikely anyway, because I don't think Seth MacFarlane is that big an asshole; I'm sure he's got at least a modicum of respect for the Futurama team).

Still, I'm pretty sure this is all going to work out in the actors' favor. It just may take a while.

[#378 :]

Also, were there to be VAs good enough to emulate the characters, wouldn't htey themselves he a high profile VA and expect just as much pay as the original VAs?

You'd think so.  Of course, there's a difference between a voice actor who is actually good enough to emulate the characters, and one who just has a voice that sounds like the original voice actor's, but lacks the acting talent of the original.

Indeed, Binder.  Re-casting Futurama's cast does in no way make economical sense.  It only makes sense, if you are trying to piss people off.  Which is going extremely well, by the way.

It didn't really make a lot of sense to move the show's timeslot around to finally leave it in the 7 p.m. deathslot where it was preempted so many times that Fox was able to stretch four seasons out into five.

[#379 :]

Say what you want about Seth MacFarlane's shows.  I do it often, personally.  But Seth MacFarlane himself is a pretty decent character.  He spend a lot of time supporting the writers during the writers strike last year.  He also cares for Futurama as well.  Why else would he agree to sing for the last film?

I am going to see it as option 1 or 2 being the ones happening.  Only that in my version of option 2, it's Fox who cancels the show, not DXC or MG.

The UGO TV article I posted earlier seemed to hint that due to the dispute, Fox have put the whole production on hold.  This means only one thing:  Fox wants the actors back, and without them there will be no Futurama.  If they are unsure about the return of the actors, then they won't waste money on the production for now.

Indeed, Binder.  Re-casting Futurama's cast does in no way make economical sense.  It only makes sense, if you are trying to piss people off.  Which is going extremely well, by the way.

It didn't really make a lot of sense to move the show's timeslot around to finally leave it in the 7 p.m. deathslot where it was preempted so many times that Fox was able to stretch four seasons out into five.

Do I have to remind you that FOX Network and 20th Century Fox Television are not the same?  The Network made terrible decisions, and yet kept asking for more episodes from 20th Century Fox Television.  These are not the same people at all.  Much less, since they have been replaced by new people here and there.

[#380 :]

Fox is committed to making money. The only way to make money is the have a good product. I think that Fox is working in what seems like their best interest, but, at the end of the day, it's all a business ploy to get the original actors back, since they'll make more money that way. I think Fox would rather cancel the show all together than go on without the original voices. I think fans would rather it too.

[#381 :]

Doing a little is much better that doing nothing. Collectively, who knows what we the fans are capable of. In the end, we all vote with our wallets!

I will not support a new cast!

[#382 :]

I was doing a little research on the Simpsons voice actor strikes (both in 1998 and 2004), because I'm wondering how long it took for the VAs and Fox to reach an agreement. In both cases, it seems like everything was resolved within a month. The most recent contract negotiations (which took place in 2008) took a few months, but everything ultimately worked out.

Which fills me with hope, I suppose, although the fact that we're not really hearing anything new from Fox or the actors is somewhat frustrating.

[#383 :]

Hopefully we'll hear something soon, the waiting is what's killing me at the moment

[#384 :]

Did the Comic-Con say anything about the show's comeback or the voice actor change?  Who's going to do Fry's and Bender's voices now?  Charlie Adler and Jim Cummings? 

[#385 :]

Hmm....

Does anyone have Billy West's email address? I wanna try emailing him, to see if I get a response.  If anyone knows Billy's email address, post it or PM it to me. 

[#386 :]

try google for it. You can find find everything in Google! 

Well, almost everything 

[#387 :]

Hmm....

Does anyone have Billy West's email address? I wanna try emailing him, to see if I get a response.  If anyone knows Billy's email address, post it or PM it to me. 

I think it's billy@billywest.com .  Will that help?

[#388 :]

You sure it's not billyisgreat@ilovebilly.com?

[#389 :]

Hmm....

Does anyone have Billy West's email address? I wanna try emailing him, to see if I get a response.  If anyone knows Billy's email address, post it or PM it to me. 

I tried to email him last week and his box was full. :P But maybe it isn't now.

[#390 :]

Why not just go on his forums?
At http://www.billywest.com/forum/

[#391 :]

Why not just go on his forums?
At http://www.billywest.com/forum/

I tried registering there once, but it currently says that registrations are suspended.  What gives?

[#392 :]

oops, my bad mostly....

[#393 :]

ha ha, it's true

[#394 :]

Why not just go on his forums?
At http://www.billywest.com/forum/

I tried registering there once, but it currently says that registrations are suspended.  What gives?

After HJS stalked him and sent him PM's that he eventually turned over to the FBI, he placed a blurb that he was locking the board to new members to keep HJS and other trolls from coming back under a different name.

He probably doesn't read his PM's anymore since most of them are rubbish.

[#395 :]

I didn't stalk anyone. Now who wants ice cream?

[#396 :]

I remember that, Billy really freaked out on that - and he's a guy. Never enough for some people that always want more, I guess.  

[#397 :]

I didn't stalk anyone. Now who wants ice cream?

I do! I do! I do! 

[#398 :]

I am and still freaked out about it. In more ways than one. I shouldn't even be posting on the internet at all after that. Now who wants toppings?

[#399 :]

The voice actors have to take this pay cut, because knowing the fox retards execs they will replace the cast, if they don't take the pay cut we could end up with Fred Masson