(2nd Try) Futurama Direct to DVD: Would You Buy?

[on:]

Hello All,
<I think I have it straight this time>
<Okay, here goes>
<deep breath>

I got to thinking about the future of Futurama. It boils down to a question of money.
Fox has some, but it's extremely unlikely that they'll order fresh eps.
CN treats Futurama a helluvalot better than Fox, but probably can't afford to buy fresh eps, at least not for the same price. In other words, that'll probably mean lower production standards.
ABC, CBS, or NBC? Not flamin' likely.
UPN? Yeah right.
WB? Fugeduhboudit.
Syndication? Iffy at best.
So here's my question: If MG, DXC, et al, managed to produce, say, about a dozen fresh ep's a year and released them direct to DVD, would you buy them?
And, yes, I know my question presumes a lot.
So let's hear it. Sound off!

PS. My abject apologies for screwing up the first time and cluttering up the 'board.

[Reply #1 on:]

If it can cope with the previous seasons and if the animation is still as nice as it is now I would probably buy it. However, in my opninion they shouldn't continue making too many episodes. Look what happend to the simpsons. It just went downwards from season 8 I think! Also I think the creators of futurama are already bussy trying to come up with a new cartoon similar to futurama and the simpsons.But this time they'll do anything to make it a huge succes!

[Reply #2 on:]

yep id buy it definately. but i think the futurama episodes are getting worse, this new season isnt up to season 3+4.

[Reply #3 on:]

If they could make it of the same quality then yes, I already buy the DVDs of the episodes shown on TV... that said DVD sales wouldn't come close to paying for the production of the episodes so the question is fairly academic.

[Reply #4 on:]

As long as the quality were to stay high,but how long could that last?
Still, it'd be pretty cool....

[Reply #5 on:]

 

Originally posted by alexvilagosh:
yep id buy it definately. but i think the futurama episodes are getting worse, this new season isnt up to season 3+4.

Uh... this IS season four.  The episodes we're seeing now were produced as fourth season eps, but weren't aired as such.  So, "Where No Fan Has Gone Before", "Leela's Homeworld", "Jurassic Bark", "The Why of Fry" are all 4th season - and I think very strong episodes.

Anyway, yeah, I'd buy anything ever released on DVD.

[Reply #6 on:]

As of right now Im only getting season one on dvd n theres a reason for it n that is price. I feel the price is a little steep. When/if they put the last seasons on dvd Ill also buy that batch as Ill want to have the 1st n last eps made.

I think the idea about another company/network trying to carry on with the shows great even if they had to sell it dvd only n never have it air, but unless the price went down a bit Ill have to say Id only rent them n only if I liked it a lot then I would buy.

I also think that they would be better off to try n make a moive then trying to make more eps at this point if it was only going to be a dvd deal that is.

[Reply #7 on:]

Actually - it *could* work if the stars all aligned just right.

There is a very popular series of kid's movies called "Land Before Time" that are successful using a "video only" release strategy.  I am in no way trying to compare it to Futurama in entertainment value, but the animation itself is fine and enough 3 year olds love it that each new installment sells enough to keep the series going.  Of course we are talking about a 75 minute animated movie as opposed to 12-22 minute episodes with several complex 3-D animation shots.

The big problem would be artists and writers on a steady payroll cost less then contractors hired for an occasional project, and you also run the risk of "newbies" not being up to par with last year's crew.

But, as to the original question - yes, I would buy them as long as they maintained the quality standards they've set during the series run.  Not every Futurama is a 10, but even their weakest episodes have things that make them fun to watch again and again.

[Reply #8 on:]

You bet your sweet ass, I'd buy it. If the writing is as strong as we've witnesed on the network episodes, and the animation doesn't drop significantly (ie, I could live with less 3d-animation) I'd be a great idea.

[Reply #9 on:]

No Fuc*ing DOUBT!!!

[Reply #10 on:]

If the writing and animation were as good I'd definately buy it.

[Reply #11 on:]

I vote "Abso-frickin-lutely" on the ground that "Damn right I would, what are you, stupid?" wasn't available.

[Reply #12 on:]

Strength of writing matters, strength of production matters, but not quite so much.  I agree with Tweek though, the question is academic, they'd never make enough money from sole DVD sales to justify the production of a season. 

The only way to do that would be to, hey, MAKE A MOVIE!

I voted that I would buy the DVD though, that goes without saying.