General Futurama Discussion - A New Thread

[Reply #200 on:]

Doesn't any PEELers miss Futurama? Doesn't anyone else see its storytelling potential?

[Reply #201 on:]

Yes, and despite differences of opinion, I feel it had a pretty good run. And will live on in culture.

[Reply #202 on:]

Doesn't any PEELers miss Futurama?

I don't.  I mean, not really.  Crazy Central and the Sci-Fi channel both show reruns all the time, so I can pretty much watch it whenever I want to.  I usually don't.

It's weird, because I used to really be into the show.  When it was still on Cartoon Network, I used to watch it almost every day.  I even joined an online message board about the show.

I still enjoy it when I do watch it.  It's just not something that I spend a lot of time thinking about anymore.

Doesn't anyone else see its storytelling potential?

Having watched some of the Crazy Central episodes, I think that it's safe to say that that potential has been wrung dry pretty thoroughly.  Honestly, I think that the writers were probably starting to run out of ideas by the fourth season of the original run

[Reply #203 on:]

I once joined an online message board

[Reply #204 on:]

Yes, and despite differences of opinion, I feel it had a pretty good run. And will live on in culture.

Futurama did have two good runs. While I can't really change your mind and don't want to argue, I do know Futurama has a few stories it can tell and it needs to wrap up it's overarching narrative.

I don't.  I mean, not really.  Crazy Central and the Sci-Fi channel both show reruns all the time, so I can pretty much watch it whenever I want to.  I usually don't.

Brah, do you even stream?

"Crazy Central"? Is that autocorrect or a misnomer? I don't like Comedy Central either now (Viacom is petty), but I wouldn't call them crazy

It's weird, because I used to really be into the show.  When it was still on Cartoon Network, I used to watch it almost every day.  I even joined an online message board about the show.

Really? Link please.

I Having watched some of the Crazy Central episodes, I think that it's safe to say that that potential has been wrung dry pretty thoroughly.  Honestly, I think that the writers were probably starting to run out of ideas by the fourth season of the original run

I feel that while a lot of the episodes in the second run were more padding than worth telling (episodes like "31st Century Fox" and "Saturday Morning Fun Pit", while fun, weren't necessary, creative, or insightful), Futurama, if it focused more on the greater themes, could tell a grand, complete story. I think Futurama would pivot well going from an episodic format to serialized storytelling akin to BoJack Horseman. The movies proved Futurama can tell a story for more than twenty-two minutes.

Do you think it is an issue with the writers, with the world of Futurama, the times, or something else?

I once joined an online message board

How did it go? I heard those things are going the way of television, cinema, and the face book. They're for boomers that reminisce of the times they had to walk to school uphill both ways in a blizzard while sustaining their families on wartime rations.

[Reply #205 on:]

Shiii

[Reply #206 on:]

Brah, do you even stream?

I probably stream more cartoons than you do.  None of the ones that I stream are Futurama reruns though.

"Crazy Central"? Is that autocorrect or a misnomer? I don't like Comedy Central either now (Viacom is petty), but I wouldn't call them crazy

I would and I do.  Autocorrect only wishes that it could be as clever as I am.

Do you think it is an issue with the writers, with the world of Futurama, the times, or something else?

I don't know.  If I had to guess, I'd say it was the writers, but that's just a guess.

I don't think that the world of Futurama is lacking in storytelling potential.  There was some interesting world building back in the first season, but they didn't really expand on it as much in the later seasons.  Instead, they either just reused existing elements, or created new ones that were used for one episode and then never seen again.

[Reply #207 on:]

I probably stream more cartoons than you do.

Is that a challenge? Probably not but anyways I have watched BoJack Horseman, The Dragon Prince, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Disenchantment, Hilda, Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts, Infinity Train, Close Enough, American Dad, King of the Hill, Bob's Burgers, and many more in their entirety.

None of the ones that I stream are Futurama reruns though.

I only started streaming Futurama again about a month ago. I'm almost done with the original run. Any time I watch it I don't just put it on the the background. I sit down and look for anything. I'm still taken back by how many jokes I have missed despite decades passing.

I would and I do.  Autocorrect only wishes that it could be as clever as I am.

What makes Comedy Central crazy? I think they're screwed- all of Viacom really. They're just now entering the streaming foray and all they bring is reboots and revivals. Comedy Central's only notable content they put out now is South Park and the Daily Show. Viacom sustains itself on reruns to a disgusting degree.

By the way, I love the humor on PEEL.

I don't know.  If I had to guess, I'd say it was the writers, but that's just a guess.

I don't think that the world of Futurama is lacking in storytelling potential.  There was some interesting world building back in the first season, but they didn't really expand on it as much in the later seasons.  Instead, they either just reused existing elements, or created new ones that were used for one episode and then never seen again.

I definitely agree. I think one of the strongest elements Futurama had going for it was its continuity. It's astonishing how an animated sitcom had such a reliance on past content when it was airing in the early 2000's, especially given how sporadic scheduling was for the show. That's probably a major contributor to how strong Futurama performs on streaming. You are correct to say that Futurama kind of ignored a lot of its continuity later in the second run. I can understand where the writers are coming from with narrative freedom, but I think Futurama was appreciated for how tight the narrative was. While I wouldn't want to stifle the creativity of the writers, I do think Futurama would excel the most in serialized storytelling.

[Reply #208 on:]

I spend most of my time now talking to spirits I can see in the forms of paint texture on walls and ceilings, in between the leaves of trees, in the negative spaces of words written in books, on artwork people make when I randomly hand them artist utensils.  One time I think a man by the name of glass gave me Bender vision and he drew perfectly all of the characters of Futurama, in my vision.  At one point I had 4 Bender eyes, and on the pavement I saw a war-like 6eyes Bender Dragon.  Time to play a children's cartoon card game, I'll smell you snrubs later.  Big brother, big brother, is it time for my cameo?  Screw the rules, I have green hair!

[Reply #209 on:]

I feel like this discussion would be profitable if we took it to another futurama message board and I created an account there titled Washbucket.  Washbucket, incidentally, is my most beloved character from My Little Futurama: the Future is Witchcraft.

[Reply #210 on:]

Is that a challenge?

It wasn't meant as one, no.  I'm only streaming about eight different shows this season, which is down quite a bit from the sixteen or so that I watched last season.  I think that I average around a dozen shows each season.  There are a couple of other new shows this season that sound interesting that I still haven't checked out yet because I just haven't found the time.

What makes Comedy Central crazy?

Who knows?  It could be environmental factors.  It could be a genetic predisposition to insanity.  It could be some combination of both.  I'm not sure if anyone can say for certain what the cause is.

While I wouldn't want to stifle the creativity of the writers, I do think Futurama would excel the most in serialized storytelling.

I don't know about that.  That sort of thing works well for dramas or action-adventure shows, but Futurama is, at its heart, a sitcom, and those tend to be more episodic.  While it's certainly possible to create a comedy with more of a continuous storyline, that's not how Futurama was created.  I don't think that trying to turn Futurama into something that it's not would be doing it any favors.

[Reply #211 on:]

How did it go? I heard those things are going the way of television, cinema, and the face book. They're for boomers that reminisce of the times they had to walk to school uphill both ways in a blizzard while sustaining their families on wartime rations.

How did it go? With no exaggeration, it's profoundly transformed my life. And I'd like to think that has made me a better person. In the years since I joined I've made friends, tight friends, and best friends through this board, and have had the good fortune to meet over 30 of them in person.

Regarding reruns, there are blocks of three to four episodes on several nights each week, and I occasionally catch one of them or part of one, including the finale the other night.

[Reply #212 on:]

Which finale though?  We've had like three, yeah?

[Reply #213 on:]

Meanwhile.

[Reply #214 on:]

I recently got my husband to sit down and watch all of the show. I couldn't believe he had been alive for over 30 years and not seen it from start to finish a thousand and one times. He said he had only watched episodes occasionally.

I didn't know who he was anymore.

[Reply #215 on:]

What did he think of it?  Don't keep us in suspense.

Two posters using the same avatar in the same thread?  Yeah, I'm sure that won't get confusing or annoying.

[Reply #216 on:]

I think the episode with the forwards only time machine is pretty good.  Time Keeps on Slippin' I think it was called.  Now let's do globetrotter calculus!

Calculus Planet, he's our hero!  Gonna take derivatives down to zero!

[Reply #217 on:]

Guys I miss Futurama.

That is all. For now.

[Reply #218 on:]

Doesn't any PEELers miss Futurama? Doesn't anyone else see its storytelling potential?

*raises hand*
Me!! I do!!
I miss the show.
So, yes, to both your questions.

In fact, I was looking for something to watch while eating my dessert a few nights ago. And I caught FXX airing "Bender's Big Score", as episodes. It was really fun!!
That's one of my favorite Futurama movies. And it was awesome watching it again.
Then, on a different night, I caught them airing "The Beast With A Billion Backs". I didn't remember much about that movie, because previously I had only seen it once or twice. So it was interesting to watch it again.
I think the most fun thing about watching these movies in episode format, are the recap segments at the beginning of each episode. They show a random character, and have them say, "Previously on Futurama". Then, they show clips from the previous episode. I never saw those segments until now. And they're so funny. XD

By the way, I have a question. Are there any Futurama Discord servers? This show has a pretty big following. And I feel like there must be a Discord server for this show somewhere.

Edit: I'm just now realizing the last message from this thread was from last year. My apologies for replying to the wrong thread. 😅

[Reply #219 on:]

It's all good. There may be Futurama-focused Discord servers I haven't heard of, but there is a PEEL Discord server which is kinda like a more relaxed incarnation of this board and has many of the same members. It has one Futurama channel that gets a few posts from time to time.

You can't currently see the spoiler tags I'm about to embed in this post to hide the Discord invite, but if you click the Quote button on this message you can see it. Come on over and join the party! The link is good for the next 7 days.

Show spoiler

https://discord.gg/Sm2VKVJg

[Reply #220 on:]

Ooh. There's a PEEL Discord server.
That sounds awesome!!
And yay!!
Thank you so much for the invite, Tachyon.
I'm gonna join now.

[Reply #221 on:]

Just watched "A farewell to arms" with the commentary on, and at the end of the commentary, Billy West says

"You know why this show is so good? Because all of us care"

Then they all go into a tune (DXC mentions it's Beethoven's 5th), all singing 'all of us care'. West throws in '... some of us care!', too. It's nice.



* Not sure if this is the right thread, move if needed, tks!

[Reply #222 on:]

I can't wait for the new episodes!!!

[Reply #223 on:]

Hopefully there'll be a release date soon.

[Reply #224 on:]

I'd forgotten this was happening.

I think I might be cautiously optimistic that it may be mildly entertaining.

[Reply #225 on:]

I'm glad it's coming back but pretty surprised it's getting another revival. Didn't think there would be enough interest to justify the costs.

Even on here, it seems like most of the old fans have moved on or are all the cool kids on discord these days?

[Reply #226 on:]

Lauren Tom just revealed the tentative release window for the new episodes in a twitter post.

https://screenrant.com/futurama-reboot-release-date-summer-2023-details/

Honestly, while I agree that the revival seasons on a whole were not as good as the original run, I think that the world is still a better place with more Futurama in it. Hopefully the writing staff and showrunners can address some of the fan concerns about "topical storytelling" and return to a more high-Science Fiction model akin to the original series. Regardless, I'm definitely looking forward to summer 2023!

[Reply #227 on:]

So there's actually movement on this? It's coming?

Huh. Is that a train at the end of the tunnel I see?

[Reply #228 on:]

This is a funny photo, by David Herman with David X Cohen:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqY91QvPlEc/

[Reply #229 on:]

Two observations:

1. DXC appears not to have aged a day since 1999.

2. All those ADR lines are described as “pained.” Here’s hoping that’s not prophetic of the reaction we’ll have to the new season…

[Reply #230 on:]

DXC's facial expressions in particular seem pretty much perfect. Comically resigned but proud acceptance of the reality of the work. Syndicated cartoon writing isn't the 24-hour yacht pool party one might think it is.

[Reply #231 on:]

Being a TV writer is not glamorous.  Don't do it, kids.  You want to be a street sweeper instead.

[Reply #232 on:]

The middle ground, of course, is package delivery

[Reply #233 on:]

There's finally a trailer for Hulu's Futurama!
Video Link: https://youtu.be/RK-jHFUCEi8

[Reply #234 on:]

Voice actor would be a pretty sweet gig I reckon, none of the stresses of a writer and far more of the glory. Especially easy if you are just doing your own voice like Katey Sagal or Lauren Tom.

[Reply #235 on:]

Lauren Tom did the voice of Mrs Wong, too, at the very least

[Reply #236 on:]

Also, "Shman, the great rad spot is mega-sweet for party-boarding" has got to be one of the best lines & best line deliveries in the entire series

[Reply #237 on:]

Lauren Tom has also voiced incidental female characters, like Heather in “Teenage Mutant Leela’s Hurdles” (who informs Farnsworth, “Sir, it’s not necessary—or wise—to be naked,” another great line reading).

I think I reject the basic premise of your post, Extrablood, but it is probably fair to say that Katey Sagal at least (wonderful as she is in the role) was a bit of stunt casting. But the writers definitely make use of her considerable dramatic chops—we need look no further than her performance in “The Sting” for evidence of her brilliance—so at least they’re getting their money’s worth.

[Reply #238 on:]

I have always found it odd how Katey Sagal voiced nobody besides Leela. Tress MacNeille on the other hand collects voice credits like its going out of style.

Speaking of voice actors, what are the odds they bring back Emilia Clarke? Given how "Stench and Stenchibility" ended it would be weird and dumb if her character didn't return, but I could also see a situation where they recast her with a less-expensive person.

[Reply #239 on:]

Lauren Tom has also voiced incidental female characters, like Heather in “Teenage Mutant Leela’s Hurdles” (who informs Farnsworth, “Sir, it’s not necessary—or wise—to be naked,” another great line reading).

I think I reject the basic premise of your post, Extrablood, but it is probably fair to say that Katey Sagal at least (wonderful as she is in the role) was a bit of stunt casting. But the writers definitely make use of her considerable dramatic chops—we need look no further than her performance in “The Sting” for evidence of her brilliance—so at least they’re getting their money’s worth.

I wasn't having a dig at Lauren and Katey and implying they were untalented hacks. I was just stating my opinion that it's a sweet gig if you can get it. Even sweeter if you don't have to do a wide range of voices vastly different from your own as that could be rough on the vocal cords if you have to maintain that for long periods but isn't an issue if you are just doing your own voice or a voice close to it.

If I could choose to be a voice actor or writer on a show like Futurama (let us just ignore the fact I don't have the talent for either) I'd definitely choose voice actor.

I'm sure voice acting has its own challenges but I can't imagine it would be harder than writing where you are under pressure to come up with fresh ideas which get tougher each season and are on a deadline, pretty sure the total hours would be longer too. Pay is likely better too for voice actors.
And if a season stinks it will be the writers who are blamed.