Futurama News after 6ACV26 (Reincarnation)

[Reply #480 on:]

*Note to self* Watch 'Dumb and Dumber'.
*Note to self* Don't watch the sequel 'Dumb and Dumberer'

[Reply #481 on:]

Have you seen it? Because I do recommend it if you haven't seen it.

[Reply #482 on:]

No I haven't

[Reply #483 on:]

I wonder if the 7A Finale is going to be canon or not, because Eric Rogers said it would be really funny, but different. Of course, I don't know what to believe.

[Reply #484 on:]

but different.

How does that mean non-canon?

[Reply #485 on:]

because Eric Rogers said it would be really funny, but different.

That sounds rather like "something they have not done before".

[Reply #486 on:]

Of course, I don't know what to believe.

What you were programmed to believe.

And I hope that the finale of 7A is canon, if only because non-canon episodes can be so hit-or-miss. "Reincarnation" was brilliant, but it was also very special and kind of anomalous. The Holiday Spectacular, meanwhile, sucked noodles. And straight-up AOI episodes are great and all, but they don't compare to a "real" episode, to me.

I kind of wish the writers would spend their time writing quality canon episodes instead of seemingly going out of their way to test the show's limits by doing something they've never done before ("Hey, guys, let's do a holiday trilogy! How could that possibly go wrong?"). I want more funny, character-driven stuff that actually builds on preexisting plot points and junk. (Incidentally, that's partly what made "Reincarnation" so great: it borrowed from key aspects of the series (Fry and Leela's romance, for example), and deftly translated those things to different animation styles. It wasn't just silliness for silliness's sake.)

All that said, I have high hopes for season seven as a whole. I just wish it would get here already.

[Reply #487 on:]

I don't mind the trilogies. Two episodes out of 26 to do some fantastical, non-canon stuff doesn't strike me as a big deal. It breaks up the monotony of the show and allows them to do some, ya know, comedic stuff with their comedy show. I also like episodes that build on story arcs and whatnot, but those should also only be here and there.

The biggest problem with Holiday Spectacular was probably just that it was a holiday episode. They'd already done two, and they're such a sitcom standard anyway that they feel tired coming from most shows. Reincarnation was a more creative idea, so it was awesome. And the original AOI episodes are great (the first one is probably in my top 15 or so).

Really, though, other than the Season 6 pattern there's really no specific reason to believe that the 6A finale will be a trilogy-type episode. "Funny, but different" would have described Roswell That Ends Well or Godfellas at one point.

[Reply #488 on:]

I'm getting tired of non-canon episodes. Unless it's an Anthology of Interest III, I'm sick of them.

I loved Reincarnation, but the Holiday Spectacular was donkey balls. I'd prefer it if they didn't take the risk.

[Reply #489 on:]

I don't mind the trilogies. Two episodes out of 26 to do some fantastical, non-canon stuff doesn't strike me as a big deal. It breaks up the monotony of the show and allows them to do some, ya know, comedic stuff with their comedy show. I also like episodes that build on story arcs and whatnot, but those should also only be here and there.

I'm not even specifically referring to episodes that seem in some way "special" or significant; I agree with you that every other episode can't be along the lines of "Leela's Homeworld" or "Lethal Inspection."

I guess I should clarify my original statement by saying that I simply want the writers to stay put. This is their fictional universe, this is the canon they've created--and there's still so much worth exploring in that "real world" of the show. I don't care if the writers go for something silly (like, say, "Bend Her") or something serious (like TKOS). I just want stories that are worth investing in.

I know it's a dumb distinction to make, because to some extent I am invested in every episode, whether it's canon or not. But a number of episodes in season six were mediocre, and I'm just jonesing for solid, character-driven stories--whether they're outlandish or more down-to-earth.

[Reply #490 on:]

I'm getting tired of non-canon episodes. Unless it's an Anthology of Interest III, I'm sick of them.

I loved Reincarnation, but the Holiday Spectacular was donkey balls. I'd prefer it if they didn't take the risk.

Those were the only non-canon episodes. HS was the only bad one.

[Reply #491 on:]

Yeah, but it wasn't just bad. It was really bad.

If they did 2 non-canon episodes a season, and one was awesome and the other was shit, I'd prefer they not do any.

But again, another Anthology of Interest is welcome. I like how they actually explain why the episode is non-canon (something that Reincarnation and TFHS failed to do).

[Reply #492 on:]

I consider Reincarnation AoI3, it was really damn good! Before it aired, I thought it was going to be really shitty. But I was wrong!

[Reply #493 on:]

But again, another Anthology of Interest is welcome. I like how they actually explain why the episode is non-canon (something that Reincarnation and TFHS failed to do).

Well, most people are smart enough to understand what is canon and non-canon...

[Reply #494 on:]

but different.

How does that mean non-canon?

It doesn't, but there's still a good chance of it being one of their anthology episodes seeing as season 6A ended with one, 6B ended with one and 7A/7B are following many of the same patterns as season 6.

[Reply #495 on:]

Fair enough, but it still sounds like it's going to be different.

Maybe they'll do that idea I came up with where we look at how things could have gone differently if certain characters made different choices in past episodes? Just a theory.

I can't think of anymore besides alternate animation, AOI or random non-canon 3 parter that ends in death.

[Reply #496 on:]

Perhaps a different plot pattern, that revolves around one person. I know (and hope) that this won't be anything like this, but lets say an origin story of Hedonismbot. He would narrate his story, and it would be a different plot than the usual. I'm guessing it's going to be another explanation about something Fry did, like "The Why of Fry".

[Reply #497 on:]

I know (and hope) that this won't be anything like this, but lets say an origin story of Hedonismbot. He would narrate his story, and it would be a different plot than the usual.

I agree with you, I hope it's nothing like that because quite frankly that would suck! Just do an AOI III, but have it with different characters asking the questions and be done with it, that's what I say!...

[Reply #498 on:]

and be done with it,

Haha Otis you sound like watching Futurama is a chore and you're just waiting for it to end.

"HEY OTIS THEY'VE REVIVED FUTURAMA!"
"Fuck no..."

[Reply #499 on:]

I seem to remember an interview with David X. Cohen where he said he liked the ending on an anthology episode thing they were doing with season 6 and that he might keep it up as a tradition of sorts.

Also, he's co-writing it, right? That would lend itself to the anthology episodes as each individual segment for those episodes often has its own writer.

Still, it wouldn't surprise me if that's not the case, either.

[Reply #500 on:]

In AoI 1 & 2, each story was written by different writers. But Reincarnation was written by one person. I don't know if it makes a big difference, but if they make an AoI 3, would they just have one person write it?

[Reply #501 on:]

The Holiday Craptacular was also a one-writer affair. I'm not sure if the new approach to it is down to the smaller writing staff or something but I sort of hope not. I think the one-writer-per-segment idea works better, but then Holiday Craptacular and Reincarnation had running themes and ideas so perhaps they chose to just have one writer for that sake?

Tl;dr - I don't know.

[Reply #502 on:]

The other odd thing about "Reincarnation" is that it was done by a freelance writer (albeit, one who had written for the show before). I'd imagine its rewrite was particularly collaborative, though.

And I think you're right, cyber_turnip, that both trilogy episodes in season six had a running theme that might have made it easier for a single writer to tackle them. If there is an actual AOI episode in season seven, I think it would probably be written by three people; the segments of AOIs in particular operate as discrete mini-episodes, and I think it's probably difficult for a single writer to compose what amounts to three separate stories that are expected to be just as funny and accomplished as one twenty-two minute episode. 

Well, most people are smart enough to understand what is canon and non-canon...

I don't think UnrealLegend meant the writers needed to distinguish between canon and non-canon episodes for clarity's sake. I agree with him that it's nice--though not necessary--to have some kind of in-universe explanation for why this week's episode happens to be a non-canon trilogy. (Both AOIs have a canon framing device, and at least "Reincarnation" has a cold opening that indicates the episode is sort of experimental. The Holiday Spectacular kind of just happens; the various Gunderson's advertisements before each act are a pretty weak way to tie everything together.)

[Reply #503 on:]

I don't watch them anymore, but if I'm not mistaken, the Simpsons Halloween specials also eventually switched over to a single writer in lieu of having three separate writers on the script. Given the writer's credits are often more or less just legal technicalities anyway, it may just be that they didn't think it necessary to give three separate credits anymore. It needlessly complicates things. Plus, if a writer has to go and write a draft of a trilogy segment (which will probably be heavily rewritten by the whole staff, anyway), perhaps that takes up too much time that they could be spending on other, full scripts.

[Reply #504 on:]

The newer Tree-houses just sicken me. They've gone from horror with comedy to comedy without  the horror. I think it's better to have more than one writer as each on has it's unique plot with different jokes.

[Reply #505 on:]

The Treehouses started really sucking before the switch, though. At least IMO.

I want to say the switch occurred circa season 15.

[Reply #506 on:]

They should let me write an episode.  I am the greatest creative mind since the dude who created that Universe thingimajig.  You know.  God.  Or something.

[Reply #507 on:]

(SGffW  was required to tell you that by the state of Kansas)

[Reply #508 on:]

Eric tweets:

It only took 8 months and writing 3 more scripts for the show, but Daddy finally gets his own office next week. #futurama

[Reply #509 on:]

*bump*

Patrick Stewart is in the show. John DiMaggio tweeted a pic. Can't post on this crappy iPhone ATM. But I'll get on it ASAP.

[Reply #510 on:]

Okay..should he really play a competent captain as opposite to Zapp Brannigan, I will be lmaO...

[Reply #511 on:]

It's weird, I only just realised, we get new Futurama this year! ...

[Reply #512 on:]

*bump*
Patrick Stewart is in the show

No way, this is SO awesome, he's such a great actor (And also great in the Simpsons)

[Reply #513 on:]

Okay, here we are:

Making it so @ Futurama with Mr. Patrick Stuart and David X. Cohen!

Eric Rogers replied with:

That is so rad, dude... and so exciting that we got him for the show. The fans will flip.

[Reply #514 on:]

Okay, here we are:

Making it so @ Futurama with Mr. Patrick Stuart and David X. Cohen!

Eric Rogers replied with:

That is so rad, dude... and so exciting that we got him for the show. The fans will flip.

Thanks Danny

This is going to be so awesome and Eric Rogers is right - I am flipping

[Reply #515 on:]

I do not wish to be a spoilsport:
But...theoretically, Patrick Steward could still appear in season 7's equivalent of "Yo, Leela Leela".

[Reply #516 on:]

Oh Inquistitor, just STFU with your negativity. Go watch the Simpsons.

[Reply #517 on:]

Oh Inquistitor, just STFU with your negativity. Go watch the Simpsons.

And that, my friends, is how you do a nonsequitur.

[Reply #518 on:]

I do not wish to be a spoilsport:
But...theoretically, Patrick Steward could still appear in season 7's equivalent of "Yo, Leela Leela".

But then again he could appear in season 7's equivalent of 'The Late Philip J. Fry', 'The Prisoner of Benda' or 'Law and Oracle' (And I highly doubt anyone on the crew would place such a brilliant actor in a cheap, filler episode...)

[Reply #519 on:]

I do not wish to be a spoilsport:
But...theoretically, Patrick Steward could still appear in season 7's equivalent of "Yo, Leela Leela".

But then again he could appear in season 7's equivalent of 'The Late Philip J. Fry', 'The Prisoner of Benda' or 'Law and Oracle' (And I highly doubt anyone on the crew would place such a brilliant actor in a cheap, filler episode...)

Sure...but putting him in a TLPJ equivalent is nothing anyone would worry about
His appearance sounds certainly interesting, though:)

...but not interesting enough that I would grant that episode already an "auto-win"