To the Year 3014 or Bust - General Futurama Discussion

[Reply #720 on:]

All of our hearts are sad about the final episode being near. But let's hope it ends on a high note.

I have hopes that it will.

TOTTD

[Reply #721 on:]

I'm sure that it'll be awesome. Judging by the clips I have seen, it looks like it'll deal alot with Fry and Leela's romance _duh.....  , and it will possibly also have some fate-of-the-earth theme, as the clips showed a couple of veiws of Earth with purple-ish rays around it.

My bets are that it's gonna be a ten out of ten episode!

[Reply #722 on:]

Hopefully fox brings it back for a solid batch if a few seasons on par with the classics. They have a very different feel than the new ones to me and it would be good to have that back for a few more seasons

And the network it's on effects that becaaaauuuuse...?

[Reply #723 on:]

Well Fox was the original network so it would've good for it to be back there (but with a proper schedule) and when I say Fox I also mean the company that produces it, so my statement was meant to be seen in two ways.

[Reply #724 on:]

No, I understand that (and for the record, Fox still produce the show now). I just don't see how the network the show belongs to influences its "feel." Each season had a different tone/atmosphere, it's a natural progression in any tv show; and I would attribute it largely to the gap between production of the original run and the new run more than anything else. Even if Fox had picked it back up again in the first place, the new run still wouldn't have felt exactly like the old run, and regardless of what network it may continue on, if there's another run of episodes, they're going to have a different feel too.

[Reply #725 on:]

A tiny behind-the-scenes nugget for "Fry Am the Egg Man", credit to @slurmed who originally retweeted it.

[Reply #726 on:]

Beamer is 100% correct here. I'm not really sure where this notion comes from that Comedy Central interference specifically changed the show or made it dirtier or anything like that. If anything, it's been said over and over by the staff that Comedy Central has been pretty hands-off with the show, compared to Fox who was constantly trying to interfere and giving constant censor notes, etc. The recent seasons are the way they are because the people involved in making them chose to make them that way, period.

[Reply #727 on:]

I just realised something...
....Has there ever been a suicide booth in the CC run? I don't remember seeing one in any of the episodes....I wonder if CC wanted them to get rid of it?

[Reply #728 on:]

I just realised something...
....Has there ever been a suicide booth in the CC run? I don't remember seeing one in any of the episodes....I wonder if CC wanted them to get rid of it?

Suicide Booths were in "Ghost in the Machines" and "All the Presidents' Heads"

[Reply #729 on:]

Beamer is 100% correct here. I'm not really sure where this notion comes from that Comedy Central interference specifically changed the show or made it dirtier or anything like that. If anything, it's been said over and over by the staff that Comedy Central has been pretty hands-off with the show, compared to Fox who was constantly trying to interfere and giving constant censor notes, etc. The recent seasons are the way they are because the people involved in making them chose to make them that way, period.

Actually, you bring up a good point about the gap. I would still love some more "classic Futurama" but I can completely see what you are saying now that I think about it

[Reply #730 on:]

I just realised something...
....Has there ever been a suicide booth in the CC run? I don't remember seeing one in any of the episodes....I wonder if CC wanted them to get rid of it?

What FutureMike said, but also, I think they just kind of phased out the suicide booths after the first couple seasons because the joke got tiresome. There aren't many in seasons 3 and 4, either. Again, Comedy Central has apparently been notably hands-off with the show and really hasn't interfered nearly whatsoever. The one example even mentioned on the commentary was one joke that the standards and practices department forced them to alter in Lethal Inspection.

Even the notion that Comedy Central asked them to make the show more outrageous or PG-13....complete bullshit. The producers have never suggested such a thing, merely saying that they have more freedom to go in that direction, but have in fact self-censored compared to what CC would let them do. This after Fox constantly got on their case about really dumb shit on the original episodes (Robot Santa, how nude robots can be, etc). Never mind that with the natural passage of time and the way comedy works, episodes broadcast in 2013 would OBVIOUSLY be more outrageous than ones made over a decade ago. In 1999, Futurama was one of the edgier shows on network television. Nowadays, any given episode of Family Guy or Two and a Half Men (BROADCAST shows!) would probably out-dirty it.

Content-wise, the network the show is on probably matters less now than it ever would have before. The one big difference is, many other networks would still try to interfere more with things related to STORY and CHARACTERS, because that's what network executives tend to do. Comedy Central is one of the networks that gives their showrunners a lot more creative freedom (not just in terms of censorship), and it was absolutely a good place for the show over the last few years. Budget aside, I'm not sure why Fox would be so much better. It would undoubtedly be worse.

[Reply #731 on:]

Even the notion that Comedy Central asked them to make the show more outrageous or PG-13....complete bullshit. The producers have never suggested such a thing, merely saying that they have more freedom to go in that direction, but have in fact self-censored compared to what CC would let them do. This after Fox constantly got on their case about really dumb shit on the original episodes (Robot Santa, how nude robots can be, etc). Never mind that with the natural passage of time and the way comedy works, episodes broadcast in 2013 would OBVIOUSLY be more outrageous than ones made over a decade ago. In 1999, Futurama was one of the edgier shows on network television. Nowadays, any given episode of Family Guy or Two and a Half Men (BROADCAST shows!) would probably out-dirty it.

This man speaks the truth. Any episode from the Comedy Central run could easily be broadcast on the regular networks these days, no problem.

DtB's also dead-on about the level of interference of CC compared to Fox. There is no indication to suggest that CC have had ANY influence on the new run at all; I think people who dislike seasons 6 and 7 just find it easier to process if they can blame the network as opposed to the Futurama staff. The only advantage the show ever had on Fox was the higher budget, and even if the show went back to Fox now, what makes people think it would have the same budget it used to? If anything (especially given the recent budget cuts to The Simpsons), I'd imagine the attitude would be "Well, you've proven that you can make the show on a lower budget, so you can continue to do so." Speaking purely from a fiscal perspective, there is no incentive here to pump more money into the show. If we do come back, it's gonna be on a budget similar to the CC era; possibly even lower if we wind up as an internet-only show.

[Reply #732 on:]

I just realised something...
....Has there ever been a suicide booth in the CC run? I don't remember seeing one in any of the episodes....I wonder if CC wanted them to get rid of it?

"How IS Lynn by the way?"

[Reply #733 on:]

Futurama is better than The Simpsons - and here's 15 animated reasons why

5 Soul Crushingly Sad Fry Moments From Futurama

The Ten Most Useful ‘Futurama’ Clips

Let’s Celebrate The ‘Futurama’ Series Finale With Cosplay

How Futurama's 31st-Century Technology Illustrated Today's Changing Media Landscape

[Reply #734 on:]

i cry evrytim.
Yeah, just some advertisement of the episode.


http://i.imgur.com/ytvf0yZ.jpg

[Reply #735 on:]

The 123 Visions Of The Future From ‘Futurama’ We Hope Come True

Is it Time for Futurama to End?

[Reply #736 on:]

Well, only 3 hours 'till Meanwhile..... May I suggest re-watching all the movies to make the time go by faster?

EDIT
30 minutes until futurama live....anybody else watching?

[Reply #737 on:]

I think I'll watch it.  Just to pass the time for Meanwhile.

[Reply #738 on:]

Now I'm very confident Futurama won't come back any time soon or after this month I will definitely be. I will. I'll avenge you, Futurama!

[Reply #739 on:]

The newest episode has made me physically sick. I'm crushed that Futurama is over... and with that ending.

[Reply #740 on:]

I'm not a happy chap right now. A combination of depressed lunatic, nauseated, crushed and mad. Oh wait, that's grief.

I loved this episode. Absolutely loved it UNTIL they decided to make everything past the point of the button's introduction redundant. Damn.

[Reply #741 on:]

You really should add spoiler tags if you're not posting such comments in the Meanwhile review thread. Not everyone venturing in here has seen it yet.

Show spoiler

Also, you'd prefer it if they left Fry and Leela elderly when there's still a possibility of renewal?

[Reply #742 on:]

'Futurama': Cancelled series "will rise again", says star Katey Sagal.

[Reply #743 on:]

Hey, they linked my upload on youtube ^^ hmm, I hope they're right, tough I am confident about revival

[Reply #744 on:]

The show's ending was up in the air for a while; Verrone actually pitched to send Fry back in time to December 31, 1999 — making it so the entire series seemingly never happened. "It's a tempting idea," said Cohen, "because it's so cool. But it's depressing to think that you had wiped the slate clean."

There are talks to find a new home for "Futurama," but for the creators, most of the stories they've wanted to tell have been told. The main reason to keep going is because the cast and crew have been together so long and get along so well together — they'd just like to keep the family together.

[Reply #745 on:]

 Anyone see my exchange with Eric Rogers? (Graduallemon) So it turns out that the "other" wasn't meant to be a big deal, just a Star Wars thing 

[Reply #746 on:]

So now we know that Matt has told both Billy and Katey this news - He wouldn't tell two people, if not more, false information!

I'm getting some high hopes for a revival! I'm glad Matt has been so persistent with continually trying to get his show on another channel.

Also, I noticed something while watching Futurama Live. Whenever they asked about whether or not the show will return, they somehow mentioned Netflix in the answer. I wonder if they were dropping hints about what channel it'll go on? Like I said, I'd totally buy Netflix for Futurama! I'm sure lots of other fans would, too, so It'd be a win-win deal. Netflix gets more subscribers, and Futurama continues with a ideal budget. I think there's going to be more Futurama, for sure.

[Reply #747 on:]

Anyone see my exchange with Eric Rogers? (Graduallemon) So it turns out that the "other" wasn't meant to be a big deal, just a Star Wars thing  

Link plz.

Oh, nevermind.
https://twitter.com/graduallemon/status/375741005720723456

[Reply #748 on:]

https://twitter.com/ericrogersla/status/375751427810799617

[Reply #749 on:]

......So Fry & Leela are........
................BROTHER AND SISTER!?!?

Seriously, though, I figured it must not have been that big of a deal if they hadn't told us by now. Cannon-wise, I think Nibbler meant that Leela was the one that would fall in love with Fry in the Future.

[Reply #750 on:]

I don't think Eric Rogers was super involved during the original run. Didn't he write only one third of an episode?

Not de-validating his statement or anything, but I'd like to hear what David has to say about it.

[Reply #751 on:]

Yeah, I'm sure David X. Cohen would know what you were talking about if you asked him.

But the fact that Eric Rogers wasn't even aware of what you were talking about pretty much proves that it didn't come up again in the writing room and, obviously, that they don't particularly care about it. I'm still amazed at how much some fans seem to care about that relatively throw-away line.

As for Eric Rogers being involved in the original run, my understanding is that he was one of the writing assistants and he worked his way up the ranks to being a "real" staff writer after they gave him a few episodes to test his abilities (his segment in "Anthology of Interest I" and "The Silence of the Clamps"). That might be wrong, so don't quote me on it.

[Reply #752 on:]

Futurama: 6 Reasons It Should Have Stayed Cancelled.

[Reply #753 on:]

Futurama: 6 Reasons It Should Have Stayed Cancelled.

The first three points are somewhat valid, if blown a little out of proportion. The last three are utter bullshit.

I'll give 6 reasons why I'm glad it was renewed:

1) The Late Philip J Fry
2) The Prisoner of Brenda
3) Reincarnation
4) Fun on a Bun
5) Game of Tones
6) Murder on the Planet Express

These episodes are more than enough to justify it's return.

[Reply #754 on:]

I agree with these episodes (might add "Law and Oracle" to the list, as one of the best "Spot-On" parodies the show has done).
Funny thing you mentioned mostly Fry based episodes.
I might repeat myself: The ordinary guy's viewpoint (even when having settled into the Future) just adds the certain something to a story.

[Reply #755 on:]

Even one TLPJF would easily justify the renewal.
Also, Meanwhile, I'm glad Futurama got renewed so that we got the final episode...

I'm still amazed at how much some fans seem to care about that relatively throw-away line.

Exactly.
And in my opinion, not everything has to be that meaningful anyway.

[Reply #756 on:]

Even one TLPJF would easily justify the renewal.
Also, Meanwhile, I'm glad Futurama got renewed so that we got the final episode...

I'm still amazed at how much some fans seem to care about that relatively throw-away line.

Exactly.
And in my opinion, not everything has to be that meaningful anyway.

To be fair, David did tease that there was an "unanswered question" left over.

[Reply #757 on:]

Leela is the other b/c she accidentally 'killed' the prof. so he in turn could take them back to before he conceived the time button, thus unfreezing time and saving the universe.

And if they don't do more episodes one would assume the Prof. ironically conceived of the time button when he first met Fry (then finished it 13 years later), so the entire series is cylindrical in that the Prof. is doomed to keep inventing the time button (and finishing it) every 13 years and repeating the entire series over and over each time he takes Fry and Leela back to the beginning at the end of "Meanwhile".

Until of course freewill causes the Prof. to finally not finish the button after 1000 times of repeating the cycle.

I'm actually gonna send this to DXC to use on annoying fans!

ALTHOUGH ONE COULD ARGUE THE PROF. ACTUALLY CREATES AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE AT THE END EACH TIME HE RESETS THE SERIES AS IT WERE, AND EVERYONE IN THE OLD UNIVERSE IS STILL FROZEN EACH TIME, LEFT OVER IN THE FORGOTTEN OLD FROZEN UNIVERSE THAT EXISTS IN THE INFINITE MULTIVERSE.

[Reply #758 on:]

Futurama: 6 Reasons It Should Have Stayed Cancelled.

The first three points are somewhat valid, if blown a little out of proportion. The last three are utter bullshit.

I'd say that all of those points are actually based on valid criticisms, but perhaps exaggerated for the sake of the article (and let's face it, subtlety is a lost art these days).

I'll give 6 reasons why I'm glad it was renewed:

1) The Late Philip J Fry
2) The Prisoner of Brenda
3) Reincarnation
4) Fun on a Bun
5) Game of Tones
6) Murder on the Planet Express

These episodes are more than enough to justify it's return.

I'd say that TLPJF and Reincarnation alone were enough to justify the new run (and I strongly disagree that Game of Tones is anything more than mediocre), with F&LBF and Meanwhile being the best justification for season seven. But I agree with you in principle (that being that there were a few good episodes in there and that I'm happy the new run was made if only for the handful of episodes I really enjoyed).

Leela is the other b/c she accidentally 'killed' the prof. so he in turn could take them back to before he conceived the time button, thus unfreezing time and saving the universe.

No. "The Other" has been confirmed (I think it might have been by DXC or Eric Rogers somewhere) as being a throw-away line that has been left unaddressed.

It was posted on this page, in fact.

And if they don't do more episodes one would assume the Prof. ironically conceived of the time button when he first met Fry (then finished it 13 years later), so the entire series is cylindrical in that the Prof. is doomed to keep inventing the time button (and finishing it) every 13 years and repeating the entire series over and over each time he takes Fry and Leela back to the beginning at the end of "Meanwhile".

No. That's not a logical assumption.

It's unlikely that the loop begins during the events of SP3K, since the Professor had previously failed at building his time machine (he spent fifteen years on it and we saw it two years after the pilot), and he didn't even have confirmation that time travel was even possible until later, during RTEW. After which, he specifically didn't build backwards travel capabilities into his next time machine, so as to prevent the possibility of somebody having sex with their own ancestors.

It's much more likely that the loop's other "end" is somewhere between the beginning of TLPJF and the first act of Meanwhile.

Until of course freewill causes the Prof. to finally not finish the button after 1000 times of repeating the cycle.

Even with the free will to make his own decisions, if caught in a loop the Professor is going to make the same decision each time without some external factor influencing him at some point.

ALTHOUGH ONE COULD ARGUE THE PROF. ACTUALLY CREATES AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE AT THE END EACH TIME HE RESETS THE SERIES AS IT WERE, AND EVERYONE IN THE OLD UNIVERSE IS STILL FROZEN EACH TIME, LEFT OVER IN THE FORGOTTEN OLD FROZEN UNIVERSE THAT EXISTS IN THE INFINITE MULTIVERSE.

How would one argue that, exactly, given that time doesn't work that way in the Futuramaverse, and parallel universes are not formed by branching timelines, but already exist as discrete continua?

In addition;

Time moving outside that single moment is not dependant on time "unfreezing" within that moment, much as an animated program's progression is not dependant on any one frame changing. In fact, don't think of that moment as frozen. Think of Fry and Leela as having been separated from the normal flow of time. Time is "paused" relative to them, but only relative to them. Or at least, that would make sense based on what we know of the timeline of the universe (since time itself in the Futuramaverse is cyclical).

Where's that image macro... ah yes. Here it is:

Show spoiler

[Reply #759 on:]

Futurama: 6 Reasons It Should Have Stayed Cancelled.

The first three points are somewhat valid, if blown a little out of proportion. The last three are utter bullshit.

To be honest, the only point I flat-out disagree with is that the animators got lazy; despite some occasionally wonky character designs (more a problem in season six than season seven), the animation itself was downright stunning, and I thought 7B in particular was a really beautiful-looking season. I suppose I also find the final reason--that Matt Groening doesn't know when to stop--a bit unfair; it's not like he's the sole individual behind the show, or its multiple renewals.

But yeah, I kind of agree with everything else--though, in fairness to the writers (who may have grown a bit cavalier, if not actually lazy), the diminished run-time they were granted per episode in seasons six and seven probably contributed to the decline in quality. I mean, they still had serious problems pacing certain episodes (the most glaring examples to me are "All the Presidents' Heads" and "The Butterjunk Effect"), but these issues were mostly absent in 7B, which does suggest that the writers were finally getting their groove back.

All that said, though, despite my own six reasons why I'm glad the show returned...

1. Lethal Inspection
2. The Late Philip J. Fry
3. The Prisoner of Benda
4. Cold Warriors
5. Reincarnation
6. Fun on a Bun

...I'm still happy the show's done with. I have kind of decided that the only way I'd ever want it to come back would be in feature-length film form (based mostly on my belief that "Into the Wild Green Yonder," by virtue of its beefed-up run-time, is the best (most inclusive of the whole PE crew, most pleasantly ambiguous, most emotionally satisfying) finale), but I'm not exactly expecting or hoping for such a thing.