Future Of Futurama

[on:]

I'm obviously delighted that Futurama is returning this summer!

My question however is, that, how long do you think the show will be around for? I sure hope it doesn't get cancelled again... I hope it stays around, with all the other main animated sitcoms such as FG, the simpsons, american dad, south park etc.

Do you think it will last long and perhaps outlive the other shows I've mentioned?

Will comedy central treat it well? And will fox have it air on their 'animation domination' lineup again?

[Reply #1 on:]

Comedy Central has treated Futurama very well.  I think it's better off there.  As I have said before, if it came back on FOX, it will just get preempted again for sports like NASCAR or football.   Besides, there's going to be 26 new episodes, so what are some people worried about? 

I'm sure it will last as long as South Park and the whatnot.  Plus, I'm hoping American Dad will last a long time, too! 

[Reply #2 on:]

I'm not worried as such, just curious/wondering.

But glad to hear that comedy central is treating it well

I'm also hoping that the new show 'Archer' will last a while. Very cool show!

Do you think that Futurama may outlive the simpsons? I think the simpsons should end within the next couple of years as it has ran it's course

[Reply #3 on:]

As I have said before, if it came back on FOX, it will just get preempted again for sports like NASCAR or football.

If FOX wanted to put Futurama on their network again (which they've showed interest in) they'd probably give it a better time slot than the on it was in when it kept being preempted, as not all of the same people that were running the network when it was originally on are running the network now.

And as for it getting cancelled again, Family Guy was cancelled twice and it's still on the air.

[Reply #4 on:]

While I am looking forward to new season and I know there are many possibilities for stories, I would really prefer good self-contained pack of finished series. South Park can continue for so long becouse it´s ongoing satire and less being said about Simpsons the better. I have no experiences with Family Guy and American Dad, though.

[Reply #5 on:]

I'm not sure if Futurama will live past the two new seasons totalling 26 eps. I wouldn't be too surprised if there was another season after that, but I doubt much more. If think this "second run" will ultimately be shorter than its first, and that The Simpsons will still be on the air when it dies again. That's not to say the new Futurama episodes won't be popular. I'm sure they will, but as a long-time Futurama fan I find it difficult to imagine it lasting for a long period of time...

With Family Guy I've heard it might end after 10 or so seasons, so could be around a similar time date-wise to Futurama ending again, but then again if Family Guy remains popular I think it'll probably continue a bit longer, not up to The Simpsons length though. I don't think any of them will equal that, or shall I say whatever it's gonna be. With South Park I'm surprised it's even still going. American Dad and Cleveland will probably last another five or so years...

Of course a death to one of the principal cast of any show would change everything…

[Reply #6 on:]

I find it hard to believe that Comedy Central isn't already considering buying more episodes.  Of course, they'll wait till the first Nielsen ratings are in, but I doubt they will be unsuccessful.  In a similar fashion, I doubt Family Guy will be ending any time soon.  It is still pulling in record numbers.  It may suck as it always has, but it is pulling numbers, and that means purchase.

Now you have to understand, that Comedy Central has a smaller audience than FOX.  Which means that Futurama will undoubtedly have a smaller audience there as well.  However, it is all a matter of percentage of the potential audience, which I believe will be much higher on Comedy Central than on FOX.

I may be an optimist, but I have yet to hear any real arguments for not continuing Futurama, while I hear plenty for continuing it beyond these seasons.  Personally, I think Comedy Central would look a bit stupid reviving a show then not having the effort to keep it fly.

As for Futurama returning to FOX; that remains likely.  Especially with the contract and the FOX president expressing an interest.  Of course, they will wait broadcast season 7 out first to make a decision.  So they have the numbers, it will most likely be around here we will know if Futurama is getting even more episodes.

Should Futurama return to FOX, it will probably be treated better this time around; especially considering that this time they can 'opt-out' of it, if you will.  In addition, Futurama would also return to a larger budget, since network programmes get a larger budget in the U.S. than cable programmes.  You know, due to the larger potential audience.

[Reply #7 on:]

I think Futurama returning to Fox would equal death of the show again. Sure they would treat it nice for the first few eps, maybe even a whole season, but they'd soon slip into their old habits again I'm sure of it. I hope Futurama stays the hell away from Fox forever, I really do...

[Reply #8 on:]

I think Futurama returning to Fox would equal death of the show again. Sure they would treat it nice for the first few eps, maybe even a whole season, but they'd soon slip into their old habits again I'm sure of it. I hope Futurama stays the hell away from Fox forever, I really do...

Comedy Central remains a buyer.  That's the difference, during its original run, Futurama only had one life line.  This time it has two.  My argument; it will be harder to kill now.

[Reply #9 on:]

I have a feeling that there will be at least one additional season after this original order. A success in ratings on cable is much different than success on network. Lopez Tonight on TBS is considered a success, even though if it were on network it would be canceled with those kinds of ratings. Cable allows for niche narrowcasting to certain groups, whether it be Hispanics with Lopez Tonight or young adults for Conan on TBS or The Daily Show and Colbert Report. Conan may not get NBC-like ratings, but if he can decent numbers and improve Lopez's numbers then he'll be a success. Futurama on Comedy Central could get less than a 3 on Nielsen and still be considered a success.

And we never know what Fox network is up to. They could do like some networks did during the writers' strike and reair a cable series as a mid-season or summer replacement (CBS used Dexter, NBC used Monk and Psych). I wouldn't be surprised if Fox at some point decided to air these 26 episodes on network. They're already being paid for and produced at 20th Century Fox Television, and I'd be surprised if Fox network had to pay anything to air them. Why not use what you already have rather than produce some pilot that you don't even know will be a hit (ie: every sitcom on Fox for the past over a decade).

Which reminds me of another thing: this ain't your daddy's Fox. Think about how Fox was operated a decade ago when Futurama was first on it and was canceled. Fox cut down popular and possibly successful shows before their time, renewed bombs, and ordered pilots of horrible sitcoms. Now look at Fox. They're not as trigger happy, and have gotten a good amount of respect from their current crop of dramas. I find myself more and more actually watching Fox, especially for shows like House, Bones, and Fringe. And think about Fringe for a second. It's sci-fi. And Fox has let it survive. Sure, they killed Dollhouse, but they at least let it have a second season before officially and totally pulling the plug. Fox is different, and if Futurama went back on Fox then they wouldn't let it die easily.

[Reply #10 on:]

cable ratings are expected to be lower, which is why comedy central is the best possible place for futurama. it's a quaint network that actually harbors appreciation for shows that attract the certain fan base they're looking for, young males. other examples would be shows like south park and entourage, not big numbers but its the right numbers. i think futurama will not have any stress from the network. i  just hope that it doesn't start to suck over time, like some aforementioned shows.

[Reply #11 on:]

As long as I have a tv and a satellite box that gets the new episodes, I don't care. Hell I'd even fork out for sky+ so I could record them.

I personally don't know if it will survive past these next two seasons, not because I have little faith in the show, mainly because we just don't know what the new episodes are going to be like.

As far as Family Guy, yeah it sucks for the most part, but sometimes it has good moments, I have a couple of the series, and I enjoy them for the most part, though the repeated jokes really bother me at times. But family guy is one of those shows that just survives because, you have to admit it, 90% of people will find that type of in your face humour funny.

With futurama being ever so slightly more subtle, a lot more people might not like it, hence the ratings go down, hence no more new series.

I'd like there to be more, heck I'd like there to be a lot more, but I'm not even going to try and guess the outcome of the next 26 episodes, for fear of getting my hopes up and then having them thrown to the floor and stamped on.

[Reply #12 on:]

I personally don't know if it will survive past these next two seasons, not because I have little faith in the show, mainly because we just don't know what the new episodes are going to be like.

Um... do you ever know what as-yet unaired episodes of a new season of any TV show are "going to be like?" How could you? Kind of goes hand in hand with the whole "new" thing. If you knew what it was going to be like, then it wouldn't really be new, would it? Right? You dig?

Further, you similarly do not know that it won't survive.
I don't know if I'll go all this year without breaking a bone. So? Jesus...

With futurama being ever so slightly more subtle, a lot more people might not like it, hence the ratings go down, hence no more new series.

And yet, The Simpsons is still running.

[Reply #13 on:]

Coldy's got a good point.  Instead of postulating about what the series will be like (slightly more subtle?), let's just watch the episodes (which have not aired yet, hence no way to know what they're like) & see where it goes. 

[Reply #14 on:]

But if people can't imagine what the new series will be like they will die of the boredom of having to wait and see 

Um... do you ever know what as-yet unaired episodes of a new season of any TV show are "going to be like?" How could you?

No, you don't.* Nutty was just answering the main question. I was thinking the same thing. If the show is still smart and amusing - to me it can last forever, but if the writers try to Family Guy-it-up or something then it'll be stupid and I won't want to watch it - it will be dead to me. Therefore 'what the episodes are going to be like' is a factor that will determine how long I think it could run for.

Seeing as we probably won't get the new episodes in Aus for a while after everybody else has pretty much determined the ratings we dont have much say...do we? I don't really know how that works actually. What if we just send them money? I found 10 cents on the bus the other day..

*For future reference; not everybody who accesses the internet is an English professor, Mr Pompous

And yet, The Simpsons is still running.

Some things are a mystery. Neighbours is still on too. And sports shows. And reality TV shows. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to just dig out the old imagination and play my own little TV show in my head.

Do you think that Futurama may outlive the simpsons? I think the simpsons should end within the next couple of years as it has ran it's course

The Simpsons probably should have ended 5 years or so ago. Perhaps stopped after the movie at least. I don't want to see Futurama last longer than it should. As with any show, you're going to run out of intelligent, sensible storylines eventually. Some shows don't even have those to begin with. You need to know when to quit, rather than try and squeeze a few pennies out of the very few remaining fans who're too stubborn to admit enough is enough.

[Reply #15 on:]

I personally don't know if it will survive past these next two seasons, not because I have little faith in the show, mainly because we just don't know what the new episodes are going to be like.

Um... do you ever know what as-yet unaired episodes of a new season of any TV show are "going to be like?" How could you? Kind of goes hand in hand with the whole "new" thing. If you knew what it was going to be like, then it wouldn't really be new, would it? Right? You dig?

Okay - first, what Maz said, I was just relating to the topic at hand.

Two - Obviously I realise that you can't know what they're going to be like before I've seen them, as much as I would enjoy that ability, as far as I'm aware, it's not possible. What I was saying is pretty much what maz stated as well - I don't know if they're going to completely fall on their asses, and try too hard, ergo making it unsatisfactory and just like every other program that we find nowadays.

So no, I may not know what's going to happen, but does that make it illegal for me to state the fact? Because if it is, well, frankly good sir, I don't give a damn!

Not that I'm a horrible person or anything

[Reply #16 on:]

I personally don't know if it will survive past these next two seasons, not because I have little faith in the show, mainly because we just don't know what the new episodes are going to be like.

Um... do you ever know what as-yet unaired episodes of a new season of any TV show are "going to be like?" How could you? Kind of goes hand in hand with the whole "new" thing. If you knew what it was going to be like, then it wouldn't really be new, would it? Right? You dig?

Well, duh. I think that's what she was saying. How can you come across as a passive-agressive douchebag whilst agreeing with somebody? Fuck me, but you're special.

[Reply #17 on:]

if the writers try to Family Guy-it-up or something

Why consider that? Has there been any indication that that's going to happen? Any at all?

*For future reference; not everybody who accesses the internet is an English professor, Mr Pompous

I don't care, I just don't like fucking stupid people.

Okay - first, what Maz said, I was just relating to the topic at hand.

And in the absence of any actual clairvoyant ability, it is a stupid topic; thus anybody who responds to it is similarly stupid. Speculation itself, without any useful information from which to draw a conclusion, is completely useless.

I don't know if they're going to completely fall on their asses, and try too hard, ergo making it unsatisfactory and just like every other program that we find nowadays.

I don't know if the fresh cement I laid on my driveway will crack during the winter. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. I shan't stand around speculating on it.

but does that make it illegal for me to state the fact?

What "fact"?

Well, duh. I think that's what she was saying.

No, you missed the point entirely.

I think that this speculation, to the point of actually deciding how the show's going to fail, is really dumb. Just wait and see.

[Reply #18 on:]

if the writers try to Family Guy-it-up or something

Why consider that? Has there been any indication that that's going to happen? Any at all?

Does it matter? Aside from the fact that they did it to The Simpsons, I was just stating an opinion. I'm not a creator or writer or face painter on the show, not many people here are, all we can do is speculate and say what we do and don't like.

And in the absence of any actual clairvoyant ability, it is a stupid topic; thus anybody who responds to it is similarly stupid. Speculation itself, without any useful information from which to draw a conclusion, is completely useless.

It's a blooming internet forum for the show. What do you expect?
And you just responded to people responding to it yourself, in a nasty way, so what does that make you? If you hate people so much you're not making the world any better by being a turdface to them. You're just adding to the turdfacery. Turdface.

[Reply #19 on:]

Speaking of speculations, why does this thread exist when there's already a speculation thread?

[Reply #20 on:]

but does that make it illegal for me to state the fact?

What "fact"?

The fact that I don't know maybe, as explicitly stated before the comma in that sentence... And you're saying you don't like dumbasses? Talk about a hypocrite.

[Reply #21 on:]

The fact that I don't know

An absence of knowledge does not require a statement.

What do you expect?

Very fucking little. And I'm seldom disappointed.
Thank you once again for leaping into the breech.

[Reply #22 on:]

Read: You're an asshole who likes to think he's hard, right?
Oh who am I kidding, it's completely obvious

[Reply #23 on:]

Speaking of speculations, why does this thread exist when there's already a speculation thread?

The intention of this thread was to discuss what is going to happen to Futurama beyond the coming season.  So in a sense, this thread is about the status of Futurama beyond what we know.

Therefore people tried to discuss the content of the coming season arguing that would be the indicator for whether there would be ordered more seasons.  While some argued that if Futurama turned into a Family Guy type thing, it would be dead to them (but perhaps survive given its extra viewership).

But while coldangel_1 had a point about this (although, it was lost in his dickish- and douchbagishness); if Comedy Central is already a niche channel (given its smaller audience), then Futurama won't have to cork so many viewers up to be a success for them than it would on Fox.  The point is; you should actually be more of afraid of Futurama going ways of South Park than Family Guy as its channel allows it more freedom than to appeal to the lower denominator.

[Reply #24 on:]

South Park is a cartoon that makes people want to kill each other.
So imagine how great Futurama could get!


I think it is difficult to find original ideas these days but if the people slaving away on the show manage to have some that would be neat. And if they don't I'm not going to go blow them up or anything. 'Cause. Y'know. There's still House and stuff.

[Reply #25 on:]

Well, when I said 'afraid', was making a subtle joke.  While I am not such a big fan of South Park (my apologies, FYP, but I am really not that a big fan), I still enjoy some episodes of South Park.  Something I cannot say about Family Guy.

So I'd rather have Futurama move that way than the other.

But there is of course the third option and the most likely option; that Futurama stays Futurama.  There is a reason I prefer Futurama over any other show; its consistency.  There are even quotable and brilliant moments in its worst episodes.

'Goo-d evening, Mister Vice-President!'

[Reply #26 on:]

I agree, Futurama doesn't need to change and I'm sure the writers are smart enough to realise that a new channel, doesn't need to mean a new look for a show well loved just the way it is.

If it was going to go anyway though, I'd have to agree with the southpark thing, we don't need another Family Guy. We already, essentially, have three of them floating around.

[Reply #27 on:]

Well of course it doesn't need to change. But it has been years since it was first on. Family Guy changed after being cancelled the first time. It used to have storylines. And people change over the years too, so whether or not they have the same people working on the show, I'm not sure it would have the same kind of flow to it as it would have had it gone consecutively over, say, 10 years, instead of a big break before making 4 movies that I'm not overly fond of, even though I understand the format is different from a 30 minute show and there are still moments in them that say they are part of Futurama. That was a long sentence that probably makes no sense.

I do look forward to seeing what they come up with. I am envious of people with talents and imaginations.

[Reply #28 on:]

I haven't changed!  Suz, have I changed?

[Reply #29 on:]

Change places!

Everything changes. You, me, this jerk. Perhaps only subtly, but it happens.

[Reply #30 on:]

Yeah, the movies were a bit of a disappointment, though I do still enjoy them, they only really got the feel back in ITWGY, which was a shame, as the movies in general had a lot of potential.

But, as has been said in numerous other threads, they should now know where they went wrong, possibly from feedback from the fans, or possibly just looking back and thinking "Jeez what the hell happened there?"

I have high hopes, and I don't expect they'll be stamped upon, but nonetheless I would like to see them revert back to how it was before the movies. Whether they can, or will, be doing this is clearly to be seen, but it'll be interesting either way. I don't think I could ever hate Futurama. Even the bad episodes are good...

[Reply #31 on:]

There are even quotable and brilliant moments in its worst episodes.

'Goo-d evening, Mister Vice-President!'

What was that? A Tar Dolphin? Or a Tar Shark?!

Although, for the record, I actually don't mind That's Lobstertainment.

we don't need another Family Guy. We already, essentially, have two of them floating around.

Fixed.

[Reply #32 on:]

Ah yes, I forgot you're a fan of American Dad.

Forgive me, but I wasn't saying that American Dad is just another Family Guy. I do notice the similarities yet I can see the differences as well, American Dad has a different type of humour, clearly.

I merely meant three shows created by Seth MacFarlane, or McFarlane, whichever it is. As much as the humour may differ slighty in American Dad, you can't deny that he created it based on the same idea - talking pets and whatnot.

[Reply #33 on:]

But in American Dad at least the talking pet is explained rather than just being a fish that talks for no reason. As much I do like American Dad and Family Guy, The Cleavland Show seems pretty redundant. It seems like they could have made a better MacFarlane show rather than just made a spinoff of Family Guy. But anyway, back to the Future of Futurama (I still maintain that you could speculate about that in the regular speculation thread), I don't know what will become of Futurama after this season/seasons. As long as it's still Futurama-like and the animation is still as good as the original episodes/movies, I'll be happy.

[Reply #34 on:]

Just one last side note: I've never seen the Cleveland Show, and I have no intention to.

But yes, I do agree on what you said about Futurama, just to bring this back to topic again, as long as it's either on par with, or better than the originals and movies, then I'll watch it happily, and most likely repeatedly.

[Reply #35 on:]

Read: You're an asshole who likes to think he's hard, right?
Oh who am I kidding, it's completely obvious

...No, I'm baffled by the illogicality of playing guessing games about something you cannot yet know anything about. What purpose is served?

[Reply #36 on:]

How is it hurting you, the show, or anything else for that matter, for people to fill the void of time with ideas? If you don't like it, go make your own thread with blackjack and hookers and get all your drones to agree with you about every topic ever thought of in there, instead of trying to wave some imaginary superiority you think you have over the rest of the universe. There surely are more important things in the world you could be crying over.

[Reply #37 on:]

I said baffled. How does baffled become "hurt"?

[Reply #38 on:]

Read: You're an asshole who likes to think he's hard, right?
Oh who am I kidding, it's completely obvious

...No, I'm baffled by the illogicality of playing guessing games about something you cannot yet know anything about. What purpose is served?

If you wish to make a prediction on the outcome of something, making guesses about how something will be in order for the outcome to arrive is needed.  Now we can all discuss whether these are the best guesses or not; or whether the outcome we applied to the scenarios that arose from the guesses would even be realistic.

Its purpose is purely discussion.  And since we are all waiting around for the next season to arrive, we have a lot of time on our hands to kill.

[Reply #39 on:]

I said baffled. How does baffled become "hurt"?

A normal healthy person (I know that's not you but you're smart enough to know when you're being a jerk, surely) would see/hear a discussion they had no interest in or understanding of and ignore it, or perhaps enquire civilly about the things they don't understand, rather than jump on those partaking in the discussion and telling them they are wrong to have thoughts and express them. Maybe you should get a brain scan or go lie down on a peaceful mountain top for a day or something.